Part Two of our Legal Options at End of Life series

Monday, July 10, 2017
12:15–2:00 pm
William K. Sanford Town Library (Colonie)   [Map]
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211

Beth Mahar, Director of Operations for the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of NY State (HPCANYS), will chair a panel exploring the provisions of hospice and palliative care to terminally ill patients. Provider services, legal restrictions/requirements, qualifying conditions, and the role of hospice and palliative services in end-of-life care will be explored in an interactive format. Panelists will share experiences, perspectives, and insights into this important component of the care spectrum for terminally ill patients.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

The program video is available at https://vimeo.com/228665743 The program slides are available in our library HERE.

      Part One of our Legal Options at End of Life series

Tuesday, June 13, 2017
12:15–2:00 pm
William K. Sanford Town Library (Colonie)   [Map]
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211

Judith Schwarz, RN, PhD, the Clinical Director of End of Life Choices NY, will present information about this choice which is a legal end-of-life option in New York State. Details about VSED, implications for both the patient and family, and responsibilities for caregivers will be features of this program. Information will also be presented about how provisions for VSED can be included in Advance Care Directives in the event of loss of decision-making capacity due to Alzheimer’s or dementia.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

The program video is available at https://vimeo.com/222398882 The program slides are available in our library HERE.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017
New York State Capitol

Supporters & advocates will travel to Albany from across the state to rally in support of New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act and visit with their own Assembly Members and Senators, as well as other key lawmakers poised to take a vote on the bill. Mark your calendar to join us, and watch for further details!

Registration with Compassion and Choices is required in order to allow for planning. Information and a link for RSVP/Registration is at: http://support.compassionandchoices.org/site/Calendar/710717145?view=Detail&id=104405

No video is available.

Thursday, May 4, 2017
12:00–2:00 pm
William K. Sanford Town Library (Colonie)   [Map]
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211

This program will feature opportunities to learn effective strategies and techniques for communicating with legislators and ensuring that your feelings are articulated in a clear and robust manner. Observations of role-playing scenarios and a conversation with a New York State official will assist those in attendance to learn “how to make difference” when communicating with your elected representatives.

Those planning to attend the May 9th Spring Lobby Day will find this program especially helpful.

This program is a collaboration between Death with Dignity–Albany and Compassion and Choices New York.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

No program video is available.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017
12:15–2:00 pm
William K. Sanford Town Library (Colonie)   [Map]
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211

We will show the 2015 PBS FRONTLINE program on Dr. Atul Gawande, author of the best-selling book Being Mortal, followed by a discussion afterwards.

FRONTLINE follows renowned New Yorker writer and Boston surgeon Atul Gawande as he explores the relationships doctors have with patients who are nearing the end of life. In conjunction with Gawande’s new book, Being Mortal, the film investigates the practice of caring for the dying, and shows how doctors — himself included — are often remarkably untrained, ill-suited and uncomfortable talking about chronic illness and death with their patients.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

No program video is available.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016
12:15–1:45 pm
William K. Sanford Town Library (Colonie)  [Map]
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211

Dr. David S. Pratt, MD, MPH

will discuss the services provided through Palliative Care and Hospice. Who is eligible? What is included? When should people become involved? What is the process for getting these services? Dr. Pratt is a board certified internist with sub-specialty certification in pulmonary medicine and preventive medicine. He has a medical degree from Tufts University and a master’s degree in public health from SUNY Albany. He is currently the Medical Director of the Visiting Nurse Service of Northeastern New York, and he is a private consultant in public health, palliative care and preventive medicine. Dr. Pratt was the Commissioner of Public Health Services for Schenectady County, New York from 2009-2012. He has been an active proponent of Medical Aid in Dying since the fall of 2015 and has worked with legislators and staff to advance legislation in New York.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

The program video is available at https://vimeo.com/197916413 The program slides are available in our library HERE.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016
12:15–1:45 pm
William K. Sanford Town Library (Colonie)   [Map]
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211

Estate Planning isn’t just about money—it is also choosing the people you want to speak for you when you are no longer able, and providing them with the legal authority to carry out your wishes. A Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney are what most people know, but new developments such as the MOLST, Disposition of Remains Appointment and proposals for Death with Dignity legislation have expanded the ability to plan.

This is a return visit for Attorney Louis W Pierro, founder and principal of Pierro, Schaeffer & Connor, LLC and a nationally recognized expert in the areas of Elder Law and Estate Planning. He will discuss Advance Directives, DNR orders, and how to have frank, honest discussions about your choices with family, physicians, attorneys and caregivers. He concentrates his law practice in the areas of Estate Planning, Estate and Trust Administration, Business Succession Planning, and Elder Law and Special Needs Planning.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

The program video is available at https://vimeo.com/191491688.

Thursday, September 29, 2016
12:15-2:00 pm
William K. Sanford Town Library (Colonie)
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211

An interfaith panel of nationally and locally prominent clergy members will explore how their ethical and religious beliefs relate to end-of-life options in the context of pending legislation in New York authorizing medical aid in dying. Leaders from three faith communities will share their personal approaches and ethical frameworks underlying these sensitive and sometimes controversial issues.

Panelists will include:

Dr. David M. Gordis served as President and Professor of Rabbinics at Hebrew College and is currently a Visiting Senior Scholar at the University at Albany. He is the founding Director of The National Center on Jewish Policy Studies and the Interreligious Center on Public Life. He holds bachelor and master degrees from Columbia University, as well as Master of Hebrew Literature and Doctor of Philosophy in Talmud degrees from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, where he was ordained in 1964. Dr. Gordis has written and lectured extensively on the pressing issues of contemporary Jewish life, the American Jewish community, Jewish education and interreligious pluralism.

Rev. Dr. Eric S. Shaw has served as Pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church in Troy NY since 2004. Rev. Shaw received his Bachelor’s Degree in computer science from Pace University in 1990, his Masters of Divinity from the Virginia University of Lynchburg in 2006, and his Doctorate of Ministry degree from Drew University in 2013. He is currently President of the Central Hudson Baptist Association Congress of Christian Education. Rev. Shaw also volunteers his time mentoring youth in the City of Troy, and has received awards from the Hamilton Hills Art Center and YMCA Black and Latino Achievers Program.

Dr. William Levering is the Senior Pastor of the First Reformed Church of Schenectady NY. His former pastorates have included Oxford PA, Binghamton NY, Haddonfield NJ, and Philadelphia PA. Dr. Levering’s leadership roles include numerous boards of trustees, including the Schenectady County Community College, the Schenectady County Public Library, the Albany Presbytery, Presbyterian Church (USA), and Habitat for Humanity, Schenectady. He has earned his BA at the University of Illinois, his Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and his PhD from Temple University. Dr. Levering is the founder of ProClergy.com, an ad hoc group of clergy from all over the country who are in favor of the role of religious leaders in changing the world.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

The program video is available at https://vimeo.com/188313601.