Aging Life Care is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges. Working with families, the expertise of Aging Life Care Professionals provides the answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers through: Assessment and monitoring Planning and problem-solving Education and advocacy Family caregiver coaching FEN speaker and past president, Janis Landis, will be presenting during this conference about the importance of surrogate advocates for solo seniors.

This presentation will be given to students in the Funeral Service Education class at Mercer County Community College in New Jersey. These students will go on to assist and guide families before/during/after a loss. Learning about Final Exit Network will be helpful in widening their perspective concerning end of life experiences and options.

Since 1982, the Active Retirement Association has provided educational and cultural programming in the Seacoast area and beyond. The Association, an outreach function of the University of New Hampshire, Division of Continuing Education, is financed entirely by the membership and managed through an elected Board of Directors. The ARA aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals who wish to keep intellectually alert, broaden their interests, explore new fields of knowledge, and make new friends. Members are encouraged to use their talents and experiences as program leaders, panelists, organizers, officers and committee members. During this meeting, Althea Halchuck, FEN's surrogate consultant, will offer tips for choosing an effective healthcare surrogate who will help ensure that your final wishes are followed when you can’t speak for yourself.  Learn the importance of certain personality traits in a surrogate, the consequences of not choosing a surrogate, and the importance of initiating the “conversation” about your end-of-life care goals with loved ones and friends.  She will also address the liability for medical providers who ignore your advance directive or surrogate.

Final Exit Network is proud to be a Silver Sponsor for this virtual event. The Village to Village (VtV) Network is a membership-based organization that brings Villages together to share best practices for enabling older adults to live independent, healthy, purposeful lives with connections to their communities. The Network provides expert guidance, resources and support to help communities establish and maintain thriving Villages, and they champion the Village model at state and national levels as a best practice for healthy, vibrant aging. FEN speaker, Janis Landis, will be presenting during this event.

These events are still in the planning stages. Please check back often to see finalized details. Tentative date: October 27, 2022 Locations: Glenwood Springs (noon) and Rifle (5:30 PM) in Colorado Events: Public panel discussions (1-1.5 hours) Sponsors: Senior Matters community organization, Garfield County Regional Libraries and (pending) Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Panelists: Diane Carter, RN, Compassion & Choices activist; Jennifer Wherry, local attorney (possibly moderator); Akaljeet Khalsa, local Death Doula; Gary Wederspahn, Final Exit Network The focus of both presentations will be on options and resources for end-of-life choice beyond the Colorado MAiD law.