Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Valley Hospice to host ‘The Final Act‘ Nov. 9 in Ridgewood
- Free, live performance explores end-of-life choices and patient advocacy
- Event aims to help families and providers start important conversations
- Director Maribeth Kearney plans future installments on hospice and grief
In an effort to raise awareness about end-of-life decision-making and patient advocacy, Valley Hospice will present a live production designed to explain an issue that’s often not discussed.
Scheduled for Nov. 9 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, “The Final Act: A Conversation on End-of-Life Choices” will blend storytelling, drama, humor and education to explore the emotional, ethical and medical dimensions surrounding end-of-life care.
According to the Paramus-headquartered health care system, the free production is geared toward individuals, families and providers. To register, visit ValleyHealth.com/Events or call 1-800-VALLEY 1.
‘Let’s talk about it’
Valley Hospice Director Maribeth Kearney shared, “End-of-life is a topic that touches all of our lives, but often is not discussed. This performance will help attendees feel more comfortable with having these difficult conversations, while educating them about the steps to take and resources available to them.”
“I have been delivering hospice education and end of life planning messages for over 30 years,” she said, adding, “I came up with this idea to take a different approach while having dinner with friends and hearing how a friend of mine who works in public relations was being innovative and really thinking out of the box.”
Kearney continued, “I thought, ‘I can do that … I wanted to host something different, not a lecture, but a look at the array of emotions and dimensions of this complex topic while inviting a conversation about something we will all experience. End of life is one event we all have in common, so let’s talk about it.”
“We hear a lot from families and patients about not knowing or they say, ‘I wish we knew sooner’. The complexity of families, the dynamics of every individual’s experience, feelings and thought process needs to be considered. Based on experiences my team has encountered, we focused the two scenarios on common themes – addressing end of life wishes with family and with your provider. I also want people to feel confident in understanding options for care at end of life by providing accurate information and resources,” she continued.
“End of life is very complex and can be overwhelming for many to consider when well or facing a life-limiting illness. I want to create a safe space for emotion, questions and connection so we can begin to start the conversation with others,” Kearney said.
“The Final Act: A Conversation on End-of-Life Choices”
Nov. 9 | Register here
West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood
‘Fear of the unknown’
“I think most people fear end of life. It’s the fear of the unknown. That is why learning and doing your research ahead of a crisis is so beneficial. Understanding your options and knowing what is available to you or your loved one can elevate that fear,” she said.
Looking forward, Kearney hopes to present two more installments of “The Final Act.”
“I would like to address a look at hospice care to dispel some myths and misconceptions about hospice in part two. Part three would look at grief and bereavement for families and loved ones,” she said.
According to Kearney, the production will consist of a fictional enactment of real-life scenarios.
Understanding your options and knowing what is available to you or your loved one can elevate [the fear of the unknown].
– Maribeth Kearney, Valley Hospice director
Learning about options
For the play, Kearny worked with Staci Block, founder of Hackensack-based Creative Interventions. As part her job, Block coordinates skits for health-related topics to teach and relate with audiences.
“Staci was very interested as she had never done a performance on end-of-life choice before and she found it fascinating. Staci and I met regularly to find the direction the skits should take. She then works with her actors on their roles, coaching them based on our many discussions,” she said.
Compared to three decades ago, Kearney said there’s more end-of-life options, such as palliative care and Medical Aid in Dying.
“I think more and more people are becoming comfortable talking and learning about options and making informed decisions with their health care teams. Individuals need to understand that end of life planning is done with their providers and they are feeling more empowered to bring it up and not wait for providers to approach the subject. That is the point of all of this, self-advocacy at end of life is very individualized and patients should work with their providers to ensure what matters most to them aligns with the care they are receiving,” she said.
