An important conversation Film encourages discussion of end-of-life choices

It is a conversation many people would rather avoid, but it is one that no one should.

Engaging in a discussion of options for end-of-life medical care can ease a considerable burden on every family if it is done earlier rather than later.

In an effort to educate the community on the importance of advance planning for end-of-life care, the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice of Sheboygan Falls will present a screening of “Consider the Conversation: A Documentary Film” Thursday, May 19, at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts in Sheboygan.

The newly released documentary film, which will start at 7 p.m., explores every person’s need to think and talk about how they would like to live before they die.

Hospice Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator Nancy Simenz says having a discussion of end-of-life care options is vital for everyone.

“Many of us try to avoid talking about serious illness or questions about the end of life,” Simenz said. “We live in a youth-oriented culture where there is a tendency to think like we are going to live forever.

“The truth is that there needs to be a discussion among family members and loved ones about what is an appropriate level of medical care when facing end-of-life situations. There is a question of quality and quantity of life that every person should have the chance to make for themselves.”

Hospice Director Development and Communications Linda Cates says making an advance decision on the level of care can make a difficult situation a bit less complicated.

“If a person does not make their wishes known in advance, it is up to family members and the medical staff to continue or not continue care,” Cates said. “The level of urgency in those situations makes decision making very difficult and usually the tendency is to keep fighting in an effort to not let a loved one down. It is usually very difficult for family members to make rational, thoughtful decisions for a loved on when they are facing these type of traumatic end-of-life situations.”

A person can make their wishes known my filling out an advance directive form, which can be obtained through health-care providers, hospitals, nursing homes and clinics.

“We encourage people to talk to their doctor or any health-care professional about filling out an advance directive form,” Simenz said. “Sometimes people are confused about how to answer the questions on the form, so it is often a good idea to go over the form with a health-care professional.”

Once completed, a copy of an advance directive form should be kept in a person’s possession, as well as with a personal physician and close family members.

“An advance directive form can provide a good outline for discussing end-of-life care options with a variety of people, including family members, physicians, parish nurses, social workers,” Simenz said. “Two witnesses must the form and then it can be filed in the appropriate places.”

Cates stresses that an advance directive form does not need to be filed with an attorney.

“Some people get confused and think an attorney is needed, but that is not the case,” she said. “This is a form only for medical decisions made at medical facilities. It has nothing to do with power of attorney decisions.”

Advance directive forms will be made available at the film presentation.

The film focuses on the relationship between longtime friends Mike Bernhagen, a hospice worker from Waukesha and Terry Kaldhusdal, a documentary filmmaker and fourth-grade teacher from Oconomowoc.

Both men have been motivated by their personal experiences with loss, as they examine how thinking and talking about the final chapter of life well in advance can help prevent unnecessary physical, emotional, spiritual and social suffering.

The film made its debut earlier this year in Oconomowoc, playing to a sold-out crowd and earning rave reviews.

“We found out about the film when Kathy Arndt, our community liaison nurse, saw it at a state hospice convention,” Cates said. “She was so impressed that she said that we had to make it available to the community.

“The film also touches on hospice and the ways people can strive to live as long as they can, as well as they can,” she said.

Beginning in April 2009, Bernhagen and Kaldhusdal spent more than 3,000 research, producing and filming the project, which included shooting 70 hours of film and conducting interviews with 40 individuals from California, Illinois, Indiana, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and Wisconsin.

The film incorporate multiple perspectives on end-of-life care and includes information and experiences gathered from interviews with patients, family members, doctors, nurses, clergy, social workers, and national experts on death and dying.

It will soon be seen on Wisconsin Public Television, as well as on public television in Ohio and Minnesota and on National Public Television later this year.

“The filmmakers are based in Wisconsin, but the film is gaining attention throughout the country,” Cates said. “The reaction to it has been incredible so far.”

The film is suitable for all community members age 14 and older.

“This is something for everyone in the community, not just the medical community,” Cates said. “We want the public to join us. We have been doing extensive advertising throughout the area. My hope is that we fill the Weill Center for this.”

After the film screening, a panel discussion moderated by the producers will feature three guest commentators.

The presentation from the panel will be followed by a question-and-answer session with members of the audience.

The expert panel will include Susan R. Dolan, who is an attorney, nurse, healthcare consultant, former hospice director and co-author of the award winning book, “The End-of-Life Advisor: Personal, Legal and Medical Consideration for a Peaceful, Dignified Death.”

Dolan will be joined by Simenz and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice Medical Director Dr. Marshall Matthews, a local oncologist and the source of the vision for the hospice center.

“In addition to having a chance to view the film, the information provided by the panel of experts will be highly valuable for all who attend,” Cates said. “It will be a chance to get answers on anything involving end-of-life care decisions and advance directives.

“Our ultimate goal is to get families to have these important conversations,” she said. “We want to stress that this is not a fundraiser for the hospice. This is something we are doing to help educate and inform the community.”

Tickets are available for $9 by calling (920) 208-3243 or going to the Weill Center ticket office Monday through Friday, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.