Life Transitions   

We will explore the end of life and prepare for our own sacred passage—physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. In doing so, we will learn how to live life to its fullest for the amount of time we have left, as well as how to best care for the ones we love. Recommended textbook: Heartwood: The Art of Living with the End in Mind by Barbara Becker (2021), ISBN: 978-1250095985. Materials: Pen/pencil and notebook.

Our healthcare system has become more silo-driven, technologically difficult, dismissive and non-patient-centered. We will identify principles and strategies to help us become better patient advocates for our healthcare. We will discuss medical errors as one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and different healthcare settings where patient or self-advocacy is vital such as minute clinics, urgent-care centers, doctors’ offices, emergency rooms, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, skilled- and assisted-living facilities, hospice and palliative care.

In a time of broken trust and cultural fragmentation, elders can play a vital role as bridge-builders, storytellers and guardians of integrity. We will explore practices of deep listening, trust-building and Indigenous-inspired “seven generations” wisdom. Through reflection, dialogue, and courageous conversations, we will discover we can stay relevant, foster connection and contribute meaningfully to families, community and society as we age.

We will explore how to create and maintain habits for lifestyles that support healthy longevity, particularly those applicable to older adults. We will cover material from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Peter Attia’s Outlive (2022) and James Clear’s Atomic Habits (2018) in our slide presentations and small-group discussions, and may also track our progress. Prerequisites: Participants should be curious about exploring and making behavioral changes for a healthy lifestyle.

Social engagement has emerged as a key ingredient for leading a happier and healthier life as we age. However, there are many factors that can reduce the number of friends we have, and forming new friendships can be challenging. Through a review of current research, discussion and self-reflection, we will consider the benefits of friendship, building new friendships, maintaining old friendships and dealing with difficult friends.

Legacy letters are written documents that allow us to share our life lessons, express our values and transmit our blessings to future generations. Legacy letters are shorter than a memoir, typically just a few pages. Writing one is a rewarding experience that creates an enduring gift for family, friends and loved ones. We will discuss legacy letters and participate in brief writing exercises that will help us examine our life history, explore our values and complete our own. Note: Participants should be willing to reflect on their own stories and life lessons and be open to hearing others’.