Rethinking death, and end of life planning with Compassion & Choices

Published: Aug. 24, 2022, 10 p.m.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Elisha Hall, the African American Engagement Director with Compassion and Choices, and Joel Simone Maldanado, who is a recent addition to the Board of Directors and a licensed funeral director, insurance agent, and sacred grief practitioner.

Compassion and Choices is an organization dedicated to improving care, expanding options, and empowering everyone to chart their end-of-life journey. The tricky part for people is that we can t predict or know when our journey and our life will end. I ve always felt that we should not only have full autonomy over our lives but also the final chapters of our journeys. To me, it's an issue of importance for people of any age and background. We will all face these concerns in our lifetime, more than once, for others and eventually for ourselves.

Learn more about Compassion Choices at www.compassionandchoices.org. Learn more about Joel's works at www.thegravewoman.com.

What does Compassion Choices do?

Dementia End-of-Life Care
We're working to transform how people die with dementia to ensure people are aware, empowered and supported in getting the care they want or do not want should dementia take hold.

Healthcare Equity at the End of Life
Compassion Choices is working in partnership with
our Leadership Councils and partner organizations to address inequities in end-of-life care and planning.

Medical Aid in Dying
Compassion Choices is leading efforts to authorize, implement and defend medical aid in dying so all terminally ill people who are eligible will have access to the full range of end-of-life care options.

Voluntarily Stop Eating and Drinking
Compassion Choices is working to raise awareness about the option of voluntarily stopping eating and drinking.