What You Should Know About Palliative Care

PALLIATIVE CARE is supportive care for people with life-limiting illnesses who are not eligible or not ready for hospice care. Its goal is to ease the physical, emotional and mental suffering that can occur in people with a serious illness. Palliative care: • can be given at any time during a serious illness, even while you are receiving curative care • provides comfort and enhances quality of life • is supportive care for people with a serious illness • uses a team-oriented approach that includes a physician, nurse practitioner and potentially a nurse and social worker • can be provided in the home, assisted living, nursing facility, medical office or hospital • providers collaborate closely with your other medical providers to ensure cohesive care • can ease symptoms such as pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, constipation, insomnia and fatigue • provides supportive care for a variety of diagnoses, including cancer; dementia; heart, lung and kidney diseases; Parkinson’s; stroke • can help you understand treatment options • can help customize your advance care planning to align with your values • focuses on your goals of care and wishes • does not replace primary care, other specialty care, or other services such as home health • does not interfere with other disease-directed care, such as chemotherapy or dialysis • is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid and other commercial insurance • studies show that palliative care can extend life while improving quality of life

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Kitchen Table Conversations offers four FREE FINAL PLANNING Decide What You Want & Who Will 90-minute interactive workshops where you’ll discover Speak for You If You’re Unable - This workshop will introduce you to facts and tips that will help you make sound Speak for You If You’re Unable This will introduce you to facts and tips that will help you make sound Decide What You Want & Who Will Speak for You If You’re Unable workshop will introduce you to facts and tips that will help you make sound Speak for You If You’re Unable This how to decide, discuss, and document your end-of-life wishes for yourself, your loved ones and your healthcare professionals. decisions about what your end-of-life wishes are and who might be the best wishes are and who might be the best decisions about what your end-of- will introduce you to facts and tips that will help you make sound "Being Mortal" PBS Documentary life wishes are and who might be the best person to make medical decisions for you if you are unable. person to make medical decisions for you if you are unable. person to make medical decisions for you if you are unable wishes are and who might be the best person to make medical decisions for you if you are unable. 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You’ll also learn how to talk with your health care professionals. learn how to talk with your health care professionals. The 3 Ds of Advance Care Planning: Document Your End-of-Life Wishes So Everyone Is on the Same Page - This workshop will give you an opportunity to document your end-oflife choices. Discussion will center on the Directive to Physicians (Living Will) and the Medical Power of Attorney shes So Everyone Is On the Same Page - will give you an opportunity to document your end-of-life Directive to Physicians (Living Will) and Health Care Agent). Document Your End-of-Life Wishes So Everyone Is On the Same This workshop will give you an opportunity to document your choices. Discussion will center on the Directive to Physicians (Living Will) the Medical Power of Attorney (appointing your Health Care shes So Everyone Is On the Same Page - will give you an opportunity to document your end-of-life Directive to Physicians (Living Will) and Health Care Agent). Decide - Discuss - Document™ Three 90-minute interactive workshops designed to educate you on how to decide, discuss and document your end-of-life wishes with your loved ones and healthcare professionals. (appointing your Health Care Agent). d or Host Our FREE Workshops! Attend or Host Our FREE Workshops! d or Host Our FREE Workshops! Attend or Host Our FREE Workshops! Attend or Host Our FREE Workshops! To Attend, Visit: Hosting De Hosting Details: Garrick Colwell 512-787-3402 tails www.KitchenTableConversations.org Hosting Garrick Colwell 512- Hosting Details 787- FREE Workshop Registration 3402 To Host, Call: Garrick Colwell 512 KitchenTableConversations.org FREE Workshop Registration Garrick Colwell 512-787-3402 Garrick Colwell 512-787-3402 FREE Workshop Registr www.KitchenTableConversations.org www.KitchenTableConversations.org Workshop Registration 125 SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE!

Caregivers... get connected with resources that can help.

Not sure where to turn as a caregiver? This guide contains extensive caregiver information, services and advocacy resources. Check the Contents in the front of the book to find them.

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massage therapy • books • travel • dining • pets volunteer opportunities • professional services

Volunteering

Volunteering can be a very rewarding use of your time. Consider these questions before choosing a volunteer opportunity. • What are my skills and my personal priorities? • How much time do I have to volunteer? • How do I want to use my talents?

Organizations Looking for Volunteers (not a comprehensive list)

Assistance League of Austin Volunteers address specific needs through nine philanthropic programs, including toy carts at Dell Children’s Medical Center, services for the elderly, etc. 512–458–3716 alaustin.org

Austin Parks Foundation Volunteers participate in activities such as erosion control, mulching, tree planting, etc. 512–477–1566 austinparks.org

Austin Pets Alive! Animal rescue group for no kill shelter. 512–961–6519 austinpetsalive.org

Austin Public Library Volunteers help with re–shelving books, facilitating conversational language programs, preserving Austin history, etc. 512–974–7443 library.austintexas.gov Austin Scottish Rite Theater An Austin community and children’s theater where volunteers assist with box office, ushering and other event production tasks. 512–472–5436 scottishritetheater.org

Big & Mini Platform designed by UT Austin and TAMS students designed to reduce senior and youth isolation while providing mentorship and mutual friendship through the use of technology. 817–755–0775 bigandmini.org

Bullock Texas State History Museum Volunteers welcome and assist museum patrons, help with special exhibits, etc. 512–936–4634 thestoryoftexas.com

Drive a Senior Home repairs and companionship to the elderly. 512–456–8262 driveasenior.org

Greyhound Rescue Austin An all–volunteer and nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re–homing greyhounds in Austin. 512–288–4480 greyhoundrescueaustin.com

KMFA Classical 89.5 A nonprofit, listener–supported public radio station. Volunteers are needed to assist with mailing, events and projects. 512–476–5632 kmfa.org

Mobile Loaves & Fishes A social outreach ministry for the homeless and indigent working poor. Volunteers help organize, prepare and deliver meals. 512–328–7299 mlf.org

STARRY Volunteers provide food or child care for counseling groups, create scrapbooks for foster care children, read books to younger children, become a mentor and more. 512–246–4283 The Arc of the Capital Area Volunteer opportunities include helping clients at the Arc of Arts Studio; assisting at monthly activities like movie night, bowling and coffee club and more. 512–476–7044 arcaustin.org

Thundering Paws Animal Sanctuary Help with cleaning, feeding and socializing animals, adoption events, collecting donations and more. 512–402–9725 thunderingpaws.org

We Are Blood and United starryonline.org

Tissue Resources Volunteers assist on blood drives, serve refreshments in donor centers, provide office support and transport blood product in the center’s vehicles. 512–206–1266 weareblood.org

Youth2Seniors A youth–based organization that creates intergenerational programs designed to pair youth and seniors within the community. 512–961–7805 youth2seniors.org

*These are only a few of the many organizations that are looking for volunteers. If you don’t see something that interests you check srgtexas.com for more volunteer opportunities or consider searching online using “volunteering in Austin.”

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