Make-A-Wish Canada’s Post

Recent polling finds New York City and Long Island residents might need more information on what the #MedicalAidinDying Act does and doesn’t do. If you’re looking for facts – not spin - here are some things to consider: • Medical aid in dying enables a mentally capable, terminally ill adult to request a prescription from their healthcare provider for a medication they can self-ingest to peacefully end their suffering – should they choose to do so. • The bill includes over a dozen safeguards to prevent abuse – including (but not limited to) protections that require two doctors to confirm an individual has a terminal illness, a prognosis of 6 months or less to live, and the mental capacity to make this important choice. • 10 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized medical aid in dying. Less than 1% of people who have access medical aid in dying use it, and up to 37% of people who go through the process to obtain a medical aid in dying prescription may never take it. • Medical aid in dying is part of the continuum of palliative care. For some, traditional palliative care may not relieve extreme pain and suffering, which can substantially impact the quality of life during a terminally ill person’s final days. To learn more on the #MedicalAidinDying Act and the campaign to expand compassionate end-of-life care options across New York, please visit: https://loom.ly/1HAViag

🔍 Knowledge is power, especially in the face of challenges. March calls for Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness, and we're here to empower you. While we take care of your medical bills, let's share knowledge and create a community of support. 🌐 #EmpowerMSCommunity #HealthAwareness #PatientSupport #KnowledgeIsPower #MedicalBilling #IndependentPatientAdvocate #HealthcareAwareness

Wise advice from a physician whose own journey has helped shaped perspective 🤝 It’s not easy going to hospital, then being unable to rest. It’s can be noisy, busy and unpredictable. #doctor #patient #rest #speakup

Insightful patient perspective from a physician-patient. Truly understanding a patient’s needs goes beyond medical knowledge and diagnostic skills. It starts with listening. Listening to patients not only helps to grasp their symptoms but also their fears, hopes, and unique circumstances. This empathetic approach fosters trust and leads to better healthcare outcomes.

🔍 Knowledge is power, especially in the face of challenges. March calls for Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness, and we're here to empower you. While we take care of your medical bills, let's share knowledge and create a community of support. 🌐 #EmpowerMSCommunity #HealthAwareness #PatientSupport #KnowledgeIsPower #MedicalBilling #IndependentPatientAdvocate #HealthcareAwareness

Today on EMS for Children, or EMSC, Day, the NVFC thanks our nation’s EMS providers for their dedication to meeting children’s unique health needs. We encourage you to watch and share this video highlighting the story of how high-quality EMS care in rural Iowa changed one child’s, and her family’s, life: https://bit.ly/3WSj8nz

Let’s create a community of providers who support each other in our work. Here are 3 ways to start builing community: 1️⃣ Share your stories and listen to others. It's about give and take. 🤝 2️⃣ Resources and advice can be gold. Exchange them freely. 💡 3️⃣ Celebrate wins and support through losses. That's real camaraderie. 🎉 Building a supportive community is key to thriving in the medical field. 🏥👩⚕️👨⚕️ #Medicine #Community #Support #physicianburnout #discassessment #professionaldevelopment #medicine #medicalstudents

🎉 I’m so grateful my dad made it to my sister’s wedding after a tough hospital stay. It wasn’t easy, but we learned some valuable lessons along the way. 💛 10 GOLDEN RULES FOR CARETAKERS (AND PATIENTS) 💛 1️⃣ Always monitor vital signs like blood pressure, especially when starting new medications. My brother wasn’t told to do this, and it led to a scary situation. 2️⃣ Ask about any new medications—what they do, potential side effects, and if anything needs to be monitored. 3️⃣ Know the names and contact info of all doctors involved in care. It’s crucial in urgent situations. 4️⃣ Keep copies of medical records, labs, and discharge summaries. Knowledge is power! 5️⃣ Try to arrange follow-up appointments, physical therapy, and other needs before leaving the hospital. 6️⃣ Ensure you have an updated list of all discharge medications, including what’s been eliminated. 7️⃣ Give yourself grace—caring for a loved one is challenging. Repeat instructions to ensure you’ve got it right. 8️⃣ Don’t feel rushed out of the hospital. Take your time to gather everything you need. 9️⃣ Contact patient relations when necessary. Advocate strongly, as my sister did to get my dad’s echo done. 🔟 Be kind but firm. Stressful situations require patience, but standing your ground is essential. 👨⚕️ In my dad’s case, a new blood pressure med wasn’t monitored, leading to an emergency. His blood pressure dropped dangerously low after he walked in the heat without enough hydration, which made him unresponsive the next morning. 👩⚕️ We also faced delays with his heart echo, which could have kept him in the hospital even longer. Thanks to my sister's advocacy, we got the echo done, and he was finally able to go home. 🏥 Hospitals can be busy and understaffed, so it’s vital to stay informed and advocate for the best care possible. These golden rules are lessons learned from our experience and can make all the difference. 💪 #PatientAdvocacy #CaregiverTips #HolisticHealth #WellnessJourney #daddy #dayinthelife #drtanyagold #DGoli @DrTanyaGold

Critical Mistake #1: Failing to Have an Advance Directive Without an advance directive, your medical preferences may be overlooked during critical moments. Mistake: Many people delay or neglect creating advanced directives, such as living wills and healthcare proxies, which can leave their medical wishes unclear in critical situations. This delay can lead to family disagreements and medical decisions being made without the person's input. Prevention: A death doula ensures you understand the importance of advanced directives and assists in creating these documents early on. They provide guidance on the specific medical interventions you do or do not want, ensuring your wishes are legally documented and respected. #endoflifeplanning #advancedirective #deathdoula

“How to Let Go When You’re Dying” – Online – Thursday, April 4, 2024 (2 pm – 3:30 pm central time) This is available for 1.5 CEUs through the Continuing Education Institute of Illinois. I’d also welcome caregivers, patients, and curious participants. Please join us! Each session also includes an “Ask a Doula” Q&A at the end where I’ll answer all your questions. We will examine impermanence and the ways that clinging to anything leads to suffering. This program will delve into some of the ways we can let go that will help us achieve a more peaceful life and death. Upon completion of this program, the participant will be able to: ∙ Understand the opportunities life gives us to let go in small ways. ∙ Recognize the importance of trusting ourselves and remaining open to whatever is supposed to happen. ∙ Recognize, demonstrate, and understand 10 things we can do to let go every day. ∙ Learn about how these practices benefit our lives and deaths. ∙ Recognize the ways that death doulas, care teams, and loved ones use these practices to help people let go at the end of life. The link will be sent before the session begins. Register here: https://lnkd.in/g3h9xGx3