When Amy Bloom’s late husband Brian was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he was determined to “die on his feet, not live on his knees,” and chose to pursue medical aid in dying. Bloom’s bestselling memoir, In Love, tells the story of the couple’s difficult decision to travel to Dignitas, a nonprofit organization near Zurich Switzerland, where Brian legally, peacefully, and painlessly ended his own life. NACCM is pleased to present author Amy Bloom in conversation, followed by a moderated discussion with Jessica Empeño and Lisa Kaufman.

Amy Bloom, MSW is a social worker, psychotherapist, and bestselling author. She is the Shapiro-Silverberg Professor of Creative Writing at Wesleyan University.

Jessica Empeño, MSW is a medical social worker with extensive experience in end-of-life and dementia care issues. She is currently the National Director of Clinical Engagement & Education with Compassion & Choices, the country’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting end-of-life care and options.

Lisa Kaufman, MS, CTRS, CMC, C-EOLD is the Principal at SeniorCare Options of Atlanta, Ltd., an Aging Life Care™ management practice she founded in 2001. Trained and certified in recreation therapy and the Positive Approach™ to dementia care, she is also a Certified End of Life Doula.

Amy Abrams, MSW/MPH (moderator) began her career in Aging Life Care™ management, and later directed the education programs for a dementia care nonprofit organization. Today she serves as the Chief Community Health Officer for the Grossmont Healthcare District.

What’s a media book club?

It’s more fun if you read the book – but you don’t have to! This webinar will be dynamic and informative, covering topics outside the scope of the book through conversation with the author, and a facilitated dialogue with the audience and other experts in the field. In Love is available in a variety of formats – so download the audiobook, fire up your e-reader, or grab a print copy, and join your colleagues in the discussion and earn CE contact hours too!

The goal of this webinar is to openly explore the medical aid in dying options currently available in the United States, and discuss practical strategies professionals can employ to best support clients and caregivers facing a diagnosis (such as dementia) for which end-of-life care options are limited.

After this presentation, attendees will be able to:

1. define medical aid in dying, and its general limitations in the U.S.
2. describe an ethical and moral approach to offering information about medical aid in dying to clients with life-limiting illness
3. identify the key elements that should be present in the advance health care directive of a client living with dementia

This event has been approved for 1 CE contact hour through NACCM. Attendee must attend entire webinar to receive a CE certificate.

The registration fee for webinars is non-refundable. Registrants who are not able to attend the webinar will receive audio & video files following the event. CE contact hours will not be available to those who are not able to attend the entire live event.

In the unfortunate event that a webinar needs to be canceled or rescheduled NACCM will notify the registrant by email and provide information on the new date or alternative arrangements. If the registrant is not able to attend the new date NACCM will refund the registration fee.