Last Sunday, the Boston Globe Magazine helped many Bay Staters learn more about the proposed Death with Dignity Act in Massachusetts. The magazine's feature, "Dying wishes", by Scott Helman contains a personal story about why two Massachusetts advocates volunteering their time in support of the ballot measure, outlines the facts of the measure, and highlights the history of Death with Dignity laws in other states.

Perhaps the most touching story from the article is that of Heather Clish. When her parents were visiting Heather in Massachusetts, her father was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor—the same type of cancer Senator Ted Kennedy had. An Oregonian, Heather's father knew of his state's Death with Dignity Act, and chose to request the prescribed medication while he received palliative care and his family enrolled him in hospice care.

When his pain and suffering became too great for the doctors to relieve, he decided to take the medication. Heather and her sisters were able to travel to Oregon to be with her dad in his final moments:

Throughout the week, we keep people up-to-date with information about the Death with Dignity movement and other topics related to end-of-life care through Facebook and Twitter. Below are highlights from this week.

Assisted death in the US:

National Healthcare Decision Day lands on April 16th every year, and is one of two major online efforts to encourage people to discuss what they want for their end-of-life care options. The other one, Engage with Grace, takes place over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

These events have slightly different focuses. National Healthcare Decision Day—right after tax day—encourages people to take the two certainties of death and taxes to heart, document their end-of-life wishes, and talk about them. Engage with Grace, on the other hand, takes place when families are often gathered together around the table and focuses on encouraging discussions about end-of-life care with loved ones.

Last Thanksgiving, I had some excellent chats with my mother-in-law (who has a completed advance directive) about what she wants during her end-of-life care and what quality of life is acceptable to her. As a person who's worked in healthcare at various points in my career and who's currently working directly with end-of-life issues, I sheepishly admitted I hadn't ever completed an advance directive for myself. I swore up and down I'd get one done that long weekend, but tryptophan and torpor won out and I kept right on procrastinating this important task.

But no more! In honor of National Healthcare Decision Day last week, I sat down and completed my very first advance directive. There are several places to download and/or fill out an advance directive. One resource for downloadable, state-specific directives which I recommend to people on an almost daily basis is Caring Connections, an information-packed site by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Throughout the week, we keep people up-to-date with information about the Death with Dignity movement and other topics related to end-of-life care through Facebook and Twitter. Below are highlights from this week.

Assisted death in the US:

• Vermont Senators came very close to having a full debate and vote about their proposed Death with Dignity law. Read a recap of Vermont supporters' efforts on our blog.
• Back in March, Julie Sabatier with DIY on Oregon Public Broadcasting held an interview with long-time Death with Dignity advocate Dr. Peter Goodwin before he died. She just published the extended interview on their website (Episode 2, The Conversations and starts at about 37:45).

Discussions about death, dying, and grieving: