Tools: Online Class on Dementia-Specific Health Care Directives
Everything Important to Know
Well I finally did it. I mastered enough technology to put up a website with an online class and some resources on Dementia-Specific Health Care Directives.
This is my mission now. Those of you that know me, know that I come from an oncology background where advance care planning is a standard part of what palliative care providers do with patients and families. It was just understood that these things need to get done with anyone that has a serious illness. And done way before a crisis where things can get very chaotic. I taught classes for the public on advance care planning in my community.
I always knew they were important.
There is no situation where a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care needs to understand the core values and medical treatment preferences of their loved ones more critical than advanced Alzheimer’s Disease. I lived it.
So I have put together an online class with plans to do some live workshops early next year. Very excited. Generally the target audience is anyone over 60, anyone who might wind up being a medical decision maker for someone they love over 60, anyone with family history of dementia, and certainly anyone recently diagnosed with dementia.
Below are a couple of clips from the class. Visit the website at annadupen.com. There are free tools on the Downloadable page under the “More” button (top right) and a list of advance care planning resources on the Examples page.
And please if you see anything kinky with the website let me know.
Anna, wow. I've clicked through the links, watched the clips and downloaded the free tools. THANK you. Your website looks great. The Dementia-Specific Health Care Directives are so important to help guide caregivers, but most importantly the chosen advocate/power of attorney.
There is no easy time to discuss these things but from experience, I'm 100% clear that it's better to be primed, prepared and gain clarity on wishes BEFORE a crisis happens. The questions and suggestions you've put in the tools are pertinent prompts.
May I share your article on Carer Mentor and highlight your website - as a direct link in the Dementia Anthology and the Giving/Receiving Care series I'm writing now?
Anna, this is amazing! The video clips are examples of great things to come - you are going to help so many families with this new endeavor. What a way to honor Stuart- an absolute gift to the world. I will make my way through the links, and I look forward to hearing how all of this unfolds. Thank You. We need these resources all in one place. 💙