Living With Palliative Care
This page will be updated as the Living With Palliative Care project evolves.
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Click "donate" to contribute via Pay Pal, or send a check payable to Borrow My Glasses, LLC, P.O. Box 1099, Madison, CT 06443. Write LWPC/Joan Blumenfeld” in the memo section.
To discuss sponsorship of the film or educational programs, or to host an educational program, please contact Executive Producer Lauren Lewis at lauren@borrowmyglasses.com or gerontologist, Donna Fedus at donna@borrowmyglasses.com.
To discuss sponsorship of the film or educational programs, or to host an educational program, please contact Executive Producer Lauren Lewis at lauren@borrowmyglasses.com or gerontologist, Donna Fedus at donna@borrowmyglasses.com.
Media
Joan Blumenfeld and Donna Fedus were interviewed about Joan's journey and the Living With Palliative Care project by Nicol Rupolo of Com For Care Home Care for her ComForCare radio show WSTC News Talk AM 1400.
Click to get to Nicol's show page. Our episode aired on 4/4/17 and 4/19/17: comforcare.com/stamford/radio-show-on-wstc-news-talk-am1400
Click to get to Nicol's show page. Our episode aired on 4/4/17 and 4/19/17: comforcare.com/stamford/radio-show-on-wstc-news-talk-am1400
Student Responses to Joan's Guest Lecture
Joan guest lectured in a college course called Social Issues in Family Caregiving at Quinnipiac University. While initially apprehensive about hearing from an 85 year old woman with a terminal illness, the students unanimously agreed that Joan's lecture was one of the most enlightening of their college careers.
Following are selected student responses:
“Joan’s comfortability with the subject was really interesting to witness. She was completely aware of her situation, and she didn’t sugar coat any of the details she shared with us. Normally in a scenario like this I would feel sorry for the individual facing this, but it seems that would be doing a disservice to Joan. Joan lived life the way she wanted to, and lived without regrets. Instead of feeling sorry for Joan I almost found happiness within her situation. This is a woman who (despite all of the negatives) is living a positive life filled with support and love. Joan is truly a paragon of life. From the moment she walked into the classroom she greeted us with a contagious smile that lit up the room. “
“Her [Joan’s] comfortability definitely had a positive impact on me. She truly made me realize not only how important it is to have a plan, but to discuss that plan with loved ones. We are all not going to live forever and it is important that should a crisis come (knock on wood one doesn’t) we be prepared for it. It amazed me how well spoken she was and how many times she made the class laugh. Her sheer positivity should be inspiring to every person she meets.“
“Joan’s clarity about her end of life wishes makes the whole situation a little less stressful for her children. It is hard enough to lose a parent, but it becomes even harder when you are forced to make medical decisions you were not previously prepared to make. She is making sure that SHE is the one making the decisions for herself and not being influenced by anyone or anything else.”
“I think that our generation in general, and even our parent’s generation, could benefit from hearing Joan’s story. It is important to realize that we are not superhuman and that death is in our future; hopefully distant future, but future nonetheless. It is also vital that families talk about these kinds of things instead of brushing them under the rug and making them the elephant in the room. Joan’s blog is also an easily accessible way to learn about the topic firsthand from someone who is currently going through the process of end of life. Everyone could learn a little something from Joan Blumenfeld.”
“Something that I learned from Joan was the fact that talking about your wishes before something traumatic happens is the best thing to do. I know that I would want to know what my parents’ wishes are and what my sister and I should do in case of this situation happening. This has been a tough conversation I have been having with my mother but after Joan coming in, I think I am more confident and not as scared as much to talk to my mom about these certain situations.”
“Honestly, I think everyone could benefit from hearing Joan’s story and learning more about Palliative Care and how they can help patient’s achieve their end of life wishes. It is not simply for elderly people, or people who have a terminal illness; everyone should be aware of what this type of care has to offer and how it has impacted the lives of many, such as Joan.”
“I thought her attitude towards the end of her life is amazing. I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that she is 85 years old, nonetheless that she is dealing with such a hard experience. She is so calm, seems extremely happy, and is full of life.”
“When Joan talked about her family and how she approached it with them I also was touched. I thought about my own situation where I could be one day and where I was a few months ago with my uncle. My uncle did not make the end of his life very easy at all for us. He did not talk about what he wanted or how he felt so when he passed away my whole family was left to scramble and try to honor him in the way we feel that he would have wanted. I am upset to learn about palliative care ‘too late’ for my uncle but soon enough for anyone else. I think that palliative care is something that needs to be talked about more often and should be an option from the beginning.”
“To be honest, her ease with talking about her end of life wishes did make me feel kind of strange at first—only because I have never experienced someone who was so comfortable with the subject. I aspire to be like Joan when the day comes and I am faced with the similar situation, mostly because I think it will lessen the burden that will be on my family members’ shoulders.”
“Joan’s clarity about her end of life wishes has made it easier for her adult children; no one has to fight over what they think mom would want or wouldn’t want. Despite it being extremely sad, it has made dealing with this situation much less stressful.”
“I aspire to be that comfortable when talking about my own end life issues. I always wanted to be this clear and cool about the situation but I had never seen an example but finally, I get to see what being that comfortable looks like.”
Following are selected student responses:
“Joan’s comfortability with the subject was really interesting to witness. She was completely aware of her situation, and she didn’t sugar coat any of the details she shared with us. Normally in a scenario like this I would feel sorry for the individual facing this, but it seems that would be doing a disservice to Joan. Joan lived life the way she wanted to, and lived without regrets. Instead of feeling sorry for Joan I almost found happiness within her situation. This is a woman who (despite all of the negatives) is living a positive life filled with support and love. Joan is truly a paragon of life. From the moment she walked into the classroom she greeted us with a contagious smile that lit up the room. “
“Her [Joan’s] comfortability definitely had a positive impact on me. She truly made me realize not only how important it is to have a plan, but to discuss that plan with loved ones. We are all not going to live forever and it is important that should a crisis come (knock on wood one doesn’t) we be prepared for it. It amazed me how well spoken she was and how many times she made the class laugh. Her sheer positivity should be inspiring to every person she meets.“
“Joan’s clarity about her end of life wishes makes the whole situation a little less stressful for her children. It is hard enough to lose a parent, but it becomes even harder when you are forced to make medical decisions you were not previously prepared to make. She is making sure that SHE is the one making the decisions for herself and not being influenced by anyone or anything else.”
“I think that our generation in general, and even our parent’s generation, could benefit from hearing Joan’s story. It is important to realize that we are not superhuman and that death is in our future; hopefully distant future, but future nonetheless. It is also vital that families talk about these kinds of things instead of brushing them under the rug and making them the elephant in the room. Joan’s blog is also an easily accessible way to learn about the topic firsthand from someone who is currently going through the process of end of life. Everyone could learn a little something from Joan Blumenfeld.”
“Something that I learned from Joan was the fact that talking about your wishes before something traumatic happens is the best thing to do. I know that I would want to know what my parents’ wishes are and what my sister and I should do in case of this situation happening. This has been a tough conversation I have been having with my mother but after Joan coming in, I think I am more confident and not as scared as much to talk to my mom about these certain situations.”
“Honestly, I think everyone could benefit from hearing Joan’s story and learning more about Palliative Care and how they can help patient’s achieve their end of life wishes. It is not simply for elderly people, or people who have a terminal illness; everyone should be aware of what this type of care has to offer and how it has impacted the lives of many, such as Joan.”
“I thought her attitude towards the end of her life is amazing. I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that she is 85 years old, nonetheless that she is dealing with such a hard experience. She is so calm, seems extremely happy, and is full of life.”
“When Joan talked about her family and how she approached it with them I also was touched. I thought about my own situation where I could be one day and where I was a few months ago with my uncle. My uncle did not make the end of his life very easy at all for us. He did not talk about what he wanted or how he felt so when he passed away my whole family was left to scramble and try to honor him in the way we feel that he would have wanted. I am upset to learn about palliative care ‘too late’ for my uncle but soon enough for anyone else. I think that palliative care is something that needs to be talked about more often and should be an option from the beginning.”
“To be honest, her ease with talking about her end of life wishes did make me feel kind of strange at first—only because I have never experienced someone who was so comfortable with the subject. I aspire to be like Joan when the day comes and I am faced with the similar situation, mostly because I think it will lessen the burden that will be on my family members’ shoulders.”
“Joan’s clarity about her end of life wishes has made it easier for her adult children; no one has to fight over what they think mom would want or wouldn’t want. Despite it being extremely sad, it has made dealing with this situation much less stressful.”
“I aspire to be that comfortable when talking about my own end life issues. I always wanted to be this clear and cool about the situation but I had never seen an example but finally, I get to see what being that comfortable looks like.”
