Category: Meetings&Events

January 10, 2024:  Helping to Pass Medical Aid in Dying for New York

Wednesday, January 10, 2024
1:30–3:00 pm
Colonie (William K. Sanford) Town Library, Stedman Room
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211  Map

Registration is required by the Library:  https://colonielibrary.libcal.com/event/11647254

The New York State 2024 legislative session begins in January.

Support by legislators for the Medical Aid in Dying Act has grown in recent years, and last June it appeared that the bill was close to passing. Now, a concerted effort is needed to pass the bill in 2024.

If you want medical aid in dying to be available as an option for you in the future, come to this meeting to review what the bill will do and how you can help get it passed. No experience is required. Bring a friend. The bill won’t pass without the help of people like you!

The main speaker will be Corinne Carey, NY & NJ Campaign Director for Compassion & Choices.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required (see above). No recording will be available.

January 11, 2023:  Legalizing Medical Aid in Dying in New York — A Community Conversation

Wednesday, January 11, 2023
2:00–4:00 pm
William K. Sanford (Colonie) Town Library, Stedman Room  Map
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211

Corinne Carey

Medical Aid in Dying provides an option for a peaceful and humane death to avoid suffering in end-of-life situations. Following a procedure with numerous safeguards, a physician can write a prescription for a life-ending medication that an individual can take. Usually this is done at home. First available in Oregon, it is now legal in ten states, including New Jersey, Vermont, and Maine. While only a modest number of people actually take the medicine, many more benefit from knowing that it can be available.

The main speaker will be Corinne Carey, Senior New York Campaign Director for Compassion & Choices. Come to find out what the bill would do and what it will take to make New York the next state to authorize this compassionate end-of-life option. Bring a friend and spread the word.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

Register with the library HERE or by calling 518-810-0314.

April 5, 2022:  Advance Planning for Health Care — Medical and Legal Considerations

David Pratt, M.D. and Rev. Dave Munro, Esq.

Materials from the Meeting

The slides presented by Dr. Pratt are available in our library HERE , in PDF format.

The slides presented by Rev. Dave Munro, Esq. are available in our library HERE , in PDF format.

Also, a document titled “Advance Health Care Directives in New York” by Dave Munro, which is a companion to his presentation, is available in our library HERE , in PDF format.

Unfortunately, a video of the program is not available.

Tuesday, April 5, 2022 — 4:00–5:30 pm  (Opens 5 mins early)
Online Zoom Meeting
Advance Registration is Necessary

It’s time to think about Advance Directives again!

Making health care decisions when you are ill is difficult enough, but you also need to plan in advance for situations (such as being in an I.C.U.) when you cannot make them yourself. These plans get embodied in Advance Directives, which include Living Wills, Health Care Proxies, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders, and Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST).

A recent New York Times article by Dr. Daniela Lamas (in our library HERE ) points out the difficulties for patients and their doctors that can be caused by directives drawn up years ago. These difficulties arise because people’s ideas and circumstances change over time, as do laws and procedures.

If you prepared advance directives some years ago, it makes sense to review them and make changes as appropriate.

If you or other family members don’t have advance directives, it’s time to learn about them and take some action. And keep in mind that advance directives are important for people of all ages and health conditions, not just the elderly or the sick, because accidents and other unexpected things happen.

David Pratt, M.D. and Rev. Dave Munro, Esq. are long-time members of Death with Dignity–Albany. With a doctor and a lawyer sharing their knowledge and insights about advance directives, there will be lots to learn. The program on April 5 will have a presentation/conversation format, with an opportunity for viewer questions at the end.

This virtual meeting is free and open to the public. To receive a Zoom invitation and meeting link, click on:

 REGISTER at ZOOM 

You will see a registration approval online and then receive an email.

For an overview of end-of-life medical situations and the role of advance planning, the hour-long PBS documentary “Passing On” is highly recommended. It is available for watching (free), with supplementary material, at passing-on.org  This film was shown at our October 2019 meeting.

For more information and background about advance care planning, see the Resources page on our website.

October 18, 2021:  Medical Aid in Dying Legislation — Everything You Need to Know

Monday, October 18, 2021 — 4:00–5:00 pm  (Opens 10 mins early)
Online Zoom Meeting
Advance Registration is Necessary

If you are curious about the proposed Medical Aid in Dying Act, you may have many questions. If you already support its passage, you may want to know where it stands now. And if you are trying to convince a friend or a state legislator to support the act, then it really behooves you to know as much as possible about it. This meeting is for you!

Join Thad Mirer (our new Director) and Amanda Cavanaugh, Campaign Manager of Compassion & Choices New York and New Jersey, to learn about the practice of medical aid in dying, including: what it is, who uses it, and how we can work together to ensure that the residents of the Empire State have the same choices at the end of their lives that their neighbors in Vermont, New Jersey and Maine do.

The meeting will begin with a look at the history of the Death with Dignity movement, go on to look at states and countries where MAID is authorized, and then examine some aspects of New York’s pending Medical Aid in Dying Act. The second part will focus on the advocacy happening here in New York, sharing what supporters of this end-of-life option can do now and what to expect throughout the upcoming legislative session. There will be time for Q & A.

You can find a summary of the Medical Aid in Dying Act on the Compassion & Choices website HERE . Our reformatted text of the complete bill introduced early this year is available in our library HERE .

This virtual meeting is free and open to the public. To receive a Zoom invitation and meeting link, click on:

 REGISTER at ZOOM 

You will see an online registration approval and then receive an email. See you there!

No program video is available, but Thad Mirer’s presentation is available in our library HERE , and Amanda Cavanaugh’s is HERE .

June 3, 2021:  Getting the Care You Want at the End of Life

Thursday, June 3, 2021 — 2:00–3:00 pm
Online Webinar
Sponsored jointly with End of Life Choices New York
Advance Registration is Necessary

David Leven

Join us for a conversation on how to get your healthcare wishes honored at the end of life. Unfortunately, many patients do not receive medical care in alignment with their wishes. This means that some patients do not receive the care requested or desired, while others undergo interventions that are unwanted or that would not have been wanted had they had sufficient information to make a decision. By understanding how to navigate the medical system at the end of life, your wishes are more likely to be honored.

Join this free Zoom webinar from the comfort of your home. It is co-sponsored by End of Life Choices New York and Death with Dignity–Albany. Registration is handled by Eventbrite, an event organizer.

Click HERE to Register

The webinar will be presented by David C. Leven, who was Executive Director of End of Life Choices New York for 14 years; he is now Senior Consultant to the organization.

A video of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/559243548

September 9, 2020:  Making Decisions While Living Under the Threat of COVID-19

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 — 2:00–3:30 pm
Online Zoom Webinar
Jointly Sponsored with End of Life Choices New York
Advance Registration is Necessary

We are all living under challenging constraints due to the Coronavirus. Many people feel the need to stay home just to feel safe; others are fearful about a COVID-related emergency that would require hospitalization. What’s ‘realistic’ fear & what can we do to manage safely when trying to deal with what’s realistic?

Join us to consider/discuss practical steps to address your safety concerns and to effectively communicate and implement your wishes about medical interventions before a crisis occurs. Opportunities to ask questions will be provided.

Judith Schwarz, PhD, Clinical Director at End of Life Choices New York, is an expert on ethical issues relating to patient self-determination and informed end of life decision-making. She is one of the most experienced and highly respected end-of-life counselors in the country. Judith earned a Ph.D. in nursing research from New York University, an MSN from Lehman College, and an RN from St. Luke’s School of Nursing.

A video of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/462388029

March 19, 2020:  An Insider’s View of the Medical Aid in Dying Legislation — What You Need to Know

Thursday, March 19, 2020

THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CANCELED BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK.
STAY SAFE AND STAY HEALTHY!

This program will review the key elements of the legislation to ensure understanding of what it is and how it works. There will also be a discussion of the experience of other jurisdictions where the legislation has been implemented.

Advocates will also outline the legislative campaign in New York and the progress made to date — successes and challenges — and discuss opportunities for advocacy in this legislative session.

Speakers will include Amanda Cavanaugh, NY Campaign Organizer for Compassion & Choices NY, and David Pratt, MD.

The complete text of the bill is available in our library HERE

The program is free and open to the public.

October 23, 2019:  Film — “Passing On”

Wednesday, October 23, 2019
12:15–2:00 pm
William K. Sanford (Colonie) Town Library  Map
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211

Death is as much a part of human existence as is life, yet it remains a mysterious, and often taboo, subject.

     

The focus in on how a terminally ill individual wants to manage his or her dying — with continued medical treatment and support, or with hospice care. The importance of talking with one’s family and preparing advance directives is emphasized in this documentary, which was developed by PBS affiliate Arizona Public Media.

Death with Dignity–Albany presents this film and a following discussion to help take the stigma out of talking about death.

The program is free and registration is not required.

Although a video of the program will not be available, the film itself can be seen at passing-on.org

November 3, 2019:  Workshop — Having the End-of-Life Conversation

Sunday, November 3, 2019
11:30 am–2:00 pm
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany  Map
405 Washington Avenue, Albany NY 12206
(Please note special time and location for this event!)

Have you had “The Conversation” with your loved ones about the care you want at the end of your life? Talking about how we want to die — or hearing this from a loved one — is never easy. However, with thoughtfulness, planning and skill, we can ease our way into conversations that will help each of us to have our wishes respected and honored.

This workshop, presented by Death with Dignity–Albany and hosted by the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, will give you the skills — and the courage — to have these conversations.

The workshop is free and open to the public, and will begin with a light lunch.

REGISTRATION: To ensure adequate space, materials and child care, please register by November 1 by calling 518-463-7135 weekdays, or online at members.albanyuu.org/wp/end-of-life-choice-workshop-registration-form/

PARKING is available on the street and in the University at Albany’s Hawley Parking Lot on Robin Street at Washington Avenue.

September 25, 2019:  As We Age — Where To Live And How To Pay For It

Wednesday, September 25, 2019
12:15–2:00 pm
William K. Sanford (Colonie) Town Library  Map
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211

Photo of Jane-Marie Schaeffer, Esq.As people get older and look to the future they often begin considering their living arrangements. For many, staying at home is the first preference, but it might require some adaptations. When that is not an option, there are many other opportunities in the community. This presentation, featuring Attorney Jane-Marie Schaeffer, will outline the various options, their costs and benefits, and methods of paying for them.

Jane-Marie Schaeffer, Esq. is a principal of the Herzog Law Firm. Ms. Schaeffer focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, elder law, special needs planning, estate administration, tax planning and business planning.

The meeting is free and open to the public. No advance registration required.

A video of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/364844946

May 19, 2019:  Health & Services Fair

Sunday, May 19, 2019
10:30–2:30
Albany Jewish Community Center  Map
340 Whitehall Rd., Albany 12208

Death with Dignity–Albany is hosting an information table at a Health & Services Fair being held at the Albany Jewish Community Center. The fair is open to the entire community.

This will be an excellent opportunity to talk informally with people about medical aid in dying, and to encourage them to complete advance care plans and communicate their wishes to their loved ones.

We need volunteers to join us!! The hours for the fair are 10:30–2:30, and you can help us staff the table for a 2-hour shift or longer.

To volunteer or for further information, please email:  info@deathwithdignityalbany.org

May 21, 2019:  Putting Heart into End-of-Life Care

Tuesday, May 21, 2019
12:15–2:00 pm
William K. Sanford (Colonie) Town Library  Map
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211

In current practice, death can become a medical process instead of a natural one. Families often search for ways to help their loved ones have a “good death.” Palliative care and Hospice can play important roles, but sometimes the emotional and spiritual aspects are given short shrift. Death Doulas can fill that gap in care. This specialty refers to a non-medical professional who is trained to care for a terminally ill person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs during the dying process.

Jennifer Holt Doulas can offer a wide variety of services, from helping to advocate for the patient’s wishes for care, to helping the patient stay close to what is most important in the time that remains, and supporting loved ones in staying as involved as desired as things progress, A death Doula can also answer questions about the dying process and empower family members to create the kind of environment that the person dying has requested.

Guest Speaker Jennifer Hoit is a registered nurse and a certified Death Doula. She will discuss how Palliative Care, Hospice, and Death Doulas can care for the dying with management of symptoms and  with heart.

The meeting is free and open to the public. No advance registration required.

A video of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/340034850 and the slide presentation is available in our library.

May 14, 2019:  Spring Lobby Day

Tuesday, May 14, 2019
NYS Legislative Office Building and NYS Capitol  Map

We will be joining other Compassion & Choices supporters from around the state to tell our legislators how important it is to New Yorkers that end-of-life options be expanded to include medical aid in dying.

This is your chance to help us win! If you’re new to this — no problem! We’ll pair you up with experienced volunteers and provide you with all the background information you’ll need to be up to speed on the issues. You’ll find that these meetings are very interesting and not intimidating at all!

Advance Registration is important to allow for planning and training.

Advocacy Announcement:

Spring 2019 Advocacy Activity

The 2019 campaign to pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act in New York is now in high gear. We’ve already had two special Death with Dignity–Albany lobby days, on February 26 and April 9, with some very productive visits with new legislators. And, both the recent approval of a similar law in New Jersey and the expression of support by Governor Cuomo have added new momentum.

Legislative Office Building & Capitol

Legislative Office Building and the Capitol

Coming up on Tuesday, May 14 is 2019 Spring Lobby Day, organized by the Compassion & Choices New York Campaign. We will be joining other supporters from around the state to tell our legislators how important it is to New Yorkers that end-of-life options be expanded to include medical aid in dying. Sharing personal stories with lawmakers in the state capital is how New Jersey was won, and we need to do the same here in New York.

This is your chance to help us win! If you’re new to this — no problem! We’ll pair you up with experienced volunteers and provide you with all the background information you’ll need to be up to speed on the issues. You’ll find that these meetings are very interesting and not intimidating at all. Bring a friend! Recruit your neighbors and colleagues!

To register and obtain further details, please email info@deathwithdignityalbany.org

It is important that you register as soon as possible to allow for planning. Compassion & Choices will be providing talking points and materials — including a signature yellow T-shirt. Also, before May 14 there will be a webinar for attendees to go over the important details of the day.

Last updated: April 22, 2019

March 12, 2019:  Film — “Living While Dying”

Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Special Time and Place
1:00–3:00 pm
Albany Jewish Community Center  Map
340 Whitehall Rd., Albany 12208

Living While Dying - DVD cover

In this documentary, filmmaker Cathy Zheutlin tells the stories of four friends with terminal illness who choose to live out their final days at home with creativity, humor, and courage. We are brought face to face with the pain, the fear, and the beauty which can be part of the final journey that awaits us all.

“Living While Dying” sheds light on supportive practices, beliefs, hopes and environments that can help foster a sense of peace and fulfillment, and the film offers many opportunities for robust discussion about navigating the end of one’s life.

This 45-minute film will be followed by a discussion.

The program is free and open to the public. No advance registration required.

January 15, 2019:  Funeral Arrangements — What to Know and How to Plan

Tuesday, January 15, 2019
1:00–3:00 pm
William K. Sanford (Colonie) Town Library  Map
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211

John Cannon and Glenn Ward

John Cannon and Glenn Ward, co-owners of the Cannon Funeral Home in Albany, will review the many alternatives, resources and questions associated with contemporary funeral practices.

Areas that will be explored include:  ⚬ Preplanning — and how “thinking ahead” can ensure your desires are followed;  ⚬ What survivors will need to know when the time arrives;  ⚬ What you can expect from your funeral director;  ⚬ Alternatives to traditional burials;  ⚬ Factors influencing costs.

The program will focus on informed decision-making for you and your loved ones to assure final wishes are achieved. A generous opportunity for your questions will be included, along with materials to review at your leisure to guide your thinking in this important process.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

A video of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/313857129

November 14, 2018:  A Conversation with Senator Neil Breslin

Wednesday, November 14, 2018
12:15–2:00 pm
William K. Sanford (Colonie) Town Library  Map
629 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211
(Return to customary location and time!)

In a “fireside chat” interview format, State Senator Neil D. Breslin, who has represented parts of Albany and Rensselaer counties since 1996, will comment on topics such as: the November election results in New York, prospects for passing the Medical Aid in Dying Act in the 2019 legislative session, barriers to passage of the Act and how they might be overcome, and how supporters can most effectively express their views to their state lawmakers.

Senator Breslin will also take questions from the audience.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

A video of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/304154459

October 24, 2018:  Making Friends & Influencing Lawmakers

Wednesday, October 24, 2018
1:00–3:00 pm
Bethelem Public Library (Delmar)  Map
451 Delaware Ave, Delmar, NY 12054
(Please note special location and time!)

Photos of Corinne A. Carey & Amanda Cavanaugh

Corinne Carey (left) & Amanda Cavanaugh

In 2019, New York lawmakers will be asked to decide where they stand on legislation that would authorize medical aid in dying. Beyond signing a petition or joining a Lobby Day in support of the Medical Aid in Dying Act, what more can you do? What can you do to become an “influencer” — someone your lawmaker will listen to?

This program will feature our partners from Compassion & Choices NY, campaign director Corinne Carey and campaign organizer Amanda Cavanaugh, who will share their expertise in this area. Come to this session to find out more!

The meeting is free and open to the public.

No program video will be available.

September 12, 2018:  Extending Advance Care Directives — The Dementia Provision

Fall Kickoff Program

Wednesday, September 12, 2018
11:30am – 1:30pm
Bethelem Public Library (Delmar)  Map
451 Delaware Ave, Delmar, NY 12054
(Please note location and time!)(You are welcome to bring a bag lunch.)

Photo of Judith Schwarz

Judith Schwarz, RN, PhD, will discuss the new dementia provision for advance directives created by End of Life Choices New York. The provision (which is available at endoflifechoicesny.org/dementia/) is designed for those with an early stage of Alzheimer’s or another dementia disease or for those with a significant family history of dementia, who wish to specify their care preferences once their dementia becomes advanced. This new directive will be described in detail, along with the clinical, ethical and potential legal considerations.

When she visited us last year, Judith discussed a legal option to hasten death by voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED). She will review that option again, within the context of providing greater end-of-life choices for those who may wish to use them.

Judith Schwarz has been the Clinical Director of End of Life Choices New York and its predecessor organization, Compassion & Choices of New York, since 2002. She earned a PhD in nursing at New York University. Judith has taught ethics and health care law to nursing students, lectures frequently to professional nursing and palliative care audiences as well as to lay groups, and publishes regularly in professional journals.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

The program slides are available in our library HERE. No program video will be available.