Celebrating 40 years of caring for Northern Ohio.

As always, you have a choice of hospice providers, and we’re honored you trust Hospice of the Western Reserve to care for your loved ones. We’re marking 40 years that Hospice of the Western Reserve has cared for the community, and we want to celebrate with you!

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Visit our 40th Anniversary website for news and updates about upcoming special events and celebrations:

Though the conversation can be difficult, there are ways to ease the pressure.

“There are a lot of tools online that ask these questions in a structured way,” McLaughlin said. “There is also information that explains nothing is wrong with (the individual) now, but this is something (they) want to talk about.”

Feinstein added, “The conversation is good but it may be difficult. There are good ways to make it easier. Reading books together helps (families), like reading someone else’s experience. By discussing other people’s lives, it’s easier to discuss what one would do when it’s them.”

The professionals said their organizations have materials that encourage conversation. Montefiore has it’s Conversation Project, and Hospice of the Western Reserve has its Courage in Conversation workbook. Both options map out how end-of-life conversations could go and what points individuals should cover.

“These conversations will always be upsetting, but there is power in knowing what to expect,” Feinstein said.

Aging adults can benefit from including many generations in their end of life plans.

“I recommend that when you’re talking about this that it isn’t focused on one person,” McLaughlin suggested. “Having a family conversation about everyone’s wishes make it less threatening. The holidays are a good time to talk about these things because people are together.”

Feinstein noted, “We live in a society where things change very quickly and there are big generation shifts in how we look at things. Each generation may have a different perspective, but they’re all unique and helpful.”

Aging adults need to ensure all the proper paperwork is ready.

“My advice would be to get one of the online tools and print that out,” McLaughlin suggested. “Look at those questions and try to go through those in a structured way. Another thing that is important is to determine who your healthcare proxy is. In doing so, that would be the time to speak with that person about what you want your wishes to be.”

Feinstein said families should be aware of timing.

“Like a lot of things that are difficult in life, it’s all about the timing,” he remarked. “Be patient in learning more about your family and what is important to them. It’s about learning what they enjoy through everyday sharing and caring. Families can learn a lot about their loved one’s wishes without having a big conversation.”