Death and Dying - Cleveland Collab

10/17/2026

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/10/first-of-its-kind-conference-to-explore-role-of-death-doulas-in-end-of-life-care.html?fbclid=IwdGRzaAVAjLNjbGNrBUCMl2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHBkb2YFc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEec6ytbB1Gyip9_InaV9Zg4hLen5mKpBbhK5LDTMIn4akuRl2OllA76u6egI0_aem_BWOz_okbeIr_mEKc2B0uuA

A Cleveland nurse and death doula educator is hosting the first LaborOut Conference on Oct. 28 at Cleveland State University, uniting healthcare professionals and deathcare practitioners to improve end-of-life support.

10/09/2026

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10/08/2026

Choosing someone other than your next of kin to be your healthcare power of attorney

Are you single, without close family nearby, estranged from family, or concerned that loved ones may not share your beliefs? If you became too ill to express your wishes, who would know what matters to you and help make decisions about your care? Without a healthcare POA, decisions may be made by someone who doesn’t know you well, or may not reflect what you would have chosen.

You don’t have to leave those decisions to chance. A professional POA may be an option. Jason Chen, founder of HealthcarePOA, LLC, is a certified health care ethics consultant and medical ethicist who serves as a healthcare POA. He is available to his clients 24/7, keeps their advance care planning documents ready, and advocates for their wishes when difficult decisions arise.

Interested in learning more? Contact Jason at [email protected] or visit www.HealthcarePOA.net. Don’t leave your wishes to chance—start planning today!

09/30/2026

Ohioans facing a terminal illness deserve a voice in how their final days unfold. House Bill 835, the Ohio Medical Aid in Dying Act, would allow qualified patients who are terminally ill and within six months of death to request a self-administered prescription. The bill is up against strong political and religious opposition, and without a wave of public support it may never get a hearing.

More than a dozen states and Washington, D.C. already have this law, and it is built on careful protections. Patients must be adults with a terminal diagnosis confirmed by two physicians and must be within six months of death. They must also be mentally capable and acting voluntarily. No individual, hospital, or hospice is required to participate, and the patient can change their mind at any time.

Please take two minutes to tell the Ohio House Health Committee that you support this bill: https://ujoin.co/campaigns/3932/actions/public?action_id=5811, and share this post so others can do the same!

09/18/2026

In Ohio, two important documents are commonly used:

- Healthcare Power of Attorney: Names a trusted adult (your healthcare agent) to make medical decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself. This person should understand your values and be comfortable speaking on your behalf.
- Living Will: Provides written instructions about life-sustaining treatment if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious and unable to communicate your wishes.

Many people choose to complete both documents because they serve different purposes. Your healthcare power of attorney identifies the person who can make decisions, while your living will records your preferences for specific end-of-life situations.

It is also important to talk openly with the person you choose, your family, and your doctor. Discuss what quality of life means to you, what treatments you would or would not want, and where you would prefer to receive care. These conversations can be just as valuable as the documents themselves.

After completing your forms, keep the original in an accessible place. Give copies to your healthcare agent, physician, and family members, and bring a copy with you if you are admitted to a hospital. Review your documents periodically and update them after major life or health changes. In Ohio, you can change or revoke your decisions while you are able to make your own healthcare choices.

Creating an advance directive is not giving up. It is a thoughtful way to protect your voice, support your loved ones, and help ensure that your care reflects your wishes.

Ohio residents can obtain state-specific advance directive forms* through CaringInfo.org or seek guidance from a healthcare professional or qualified attorney**. Requirements can vary, so make sure your documents are completed and signed according to Ohio law.
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*For a copy of the Ohio Advance Directive packet (delivered to your door in the greater Cleveland area!), reach out to Lisa Sabol at Alternate Endings- [email protected]

**We recommend SCRIPTed Project ally Michael J Pertz, Esq at Pertz Legal for your end-of-life, Medicaid, and estate planning needs. He can be contacted at pertzlegal.com, [email protected], or (216) 206-7789.

If you would like to be a SCRIPTed ally, please contact us here!

08/19/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DVFHsBYuY/

"A sacred mess..." ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

08/17/2026

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