They chose less intervention for themselves than for patients

Live How You Like, Leave How You Like

This week I had the pleasure of spending time with several of our amazing board members. We shared a meal, talked about some things completely unrelated to work (and also some things related to work). We had meaningful conversations that stayed with me long after our time together. We talked about family, travel and the values that bring us together at End of Life Choices New York.

Joining our board is not just a professional opportunity. It is a deeply personal one that brings together people with shared ideas, commitment and meaning. While I appreciate that our board and I have a professional relationship and a commitment to our mission, I feel very grateful to develop deeper relationships with them as we all get to know one another and do this work.

If you are looking to get involved on a board, care about the work we are doing, and want to be a part of a community of an amazing people, please ask me about board membership. We would love to get to know you better!

Picture of me and Board Secretary, Karyn Schorr.

Mandi Zucker, LSW
Executive Director

Recent Events & Updates

Doctors are Dying Differently than Patients

A recent article in Medscape highlighted a gap in the way doctors die versus how their patients die. Often, doctors prefer comfort-focused care for themselves but are providing aggressive treatments for their patients. Why is this?

While there are several possible reasons, I will highlight three here:

1. Lack of knowledge about the limitations of aggressive care lead families to pressure doctors for every possible option to treat an illness.
2. Doctors may fear legal consequences driving them to act more aggressively rather than doing nothing.
3. Cultural norms to avoid conversations about death make it difficult for the doctor and the patient to bring up this conversation.

This study concludes that more individualized relationships with better communication is key to providing the best end of life care. Understanding the patients’ values and goals make these conversations easier.

You can read the full article here.

August Meet-n-Greet

Our next Meet-n-Greet is scheduled for August 20th at 12 PM. We would love for you to come and learn about our mission, how we will accomplish our goals, and our plans for the future. This one-hour online call is a great way for people to get involved, introduce themselves and share your thoughts about our work. Learn more here.

Ask Us Anything

Q: If I am interested in volunteering for End of Life Choices New York, where should I start?

A: If you are interested in helping out in any way, the best first step is to come to a meet-n-greet. The next one is August 20th, but they are typically the third Wednesday of the month. If you are unable to attend, reach out to me, and we can schedule some time individually.

If you have a question you’d like answered, send it here!