Colorful autumn leaves remind us that as life gets tough or our body no longer works as well as in our youth, we might find ways to discover and show our true colors. We don't often think of adversity as an opportunity, but the natural world has much to show us when we think in metaphors.

These are well worth watching. Three short animations, under four minutes each. Three different approaches to facing death, in three different visual styles. I'd be curious which is your favorite!

#Tip: The Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act (S. 1565) allows you to use Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA) on qualified medical expenses for your parents or parents-in-law.  Currently you can only use FSA or HSA on dependents. Call your congress rep (202) 224-3121!

#Tip: The Credit for Caring Act (S. 925/H.R. 2036) creates an annual federal #tax credit up to $5,000 for working family #caregivers caring for older parents, spouses & other loved ones while remaining in the workforce.  It's a start. Call your congressperson today to demand help! (202) 224-3121

Most of us want to die at home. Christina planned for that when she designed her home. She set up her own home for one-floor living if needed, plus she created a beautiful space for her last days. Watch 35 seconds to see what she did and why. youtu.be/HQJH6yib02s?... #SeriousIllness #E-O-L-plans

How did this relate to someone’s last hours? Hint: I love when a person’s family knows what’s important to them, and is willing to ask for it! I love it when hospital staff advocates for them, and when doctors allow meaningful actions that might otherwise not be okay. Kudos to everyone involved!

Medical providers who work in hospital emergency departments, Intensive Care Units, Palliative Care, and hospice, sometimes use the term "daughter from California" to refer to a person who isn't up to date with their parent's medical wishes. This can cause big problems. Let me help you sort it out.

It’s a shame there was only room for six pieces. And I’m impressed there were over 100 submissions for the exhibit.

End-of-Life practitioners, has Marian University spammed you for their #thanatology program? It seems quite unprofessional, but they seem to have harvested my edress from my NEDA @nedalliance.bsky.social Directory listing. And easy no way to leave them a phone message on the weekend. <sigh>

Grief isn't linear. It's a spiral staircase that leads back to the same floor, but you're never thhe same person. #griefnotes

AADM is seeking a compassionate and visionary leader for the Executive Director role. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of ethical, patient-centered end-of-life care and advanced clinical education for impact nationwide. Learn more here: aadm.org/academy-news

You, too, can learn how to shroud a body in six easy steps! (1/7) #deathpositive #greenburial #naturalburial

🌈 Do you know anyone passionate about researching LGBTQ+ suicide, suicide prevention and suicide bereavement, experienced in qualitative methods, and looking for work? Send them my way because I'm recruiting for a post-doctoral research fellow! elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...

@deathdoulapros.bsky.social That’s a superb logo choice. Welcome to Bluesky!

After loss, the world grows quiet. The body recalibrates. Time moves in tides. Here are small rituals to meet the stillness and begin to integrate grief. Read the full piece and, if it resonates, subscribe for weekly witnessing.

Not a big deal compared to some accounts, but I've been providing useful information, plus connecting with folks in need, curious people, and other professionals, here since April 21, 2024. This is my 1000th post! I look forward to ongoing conversations with you all! ~Marcella

This looks like a great product to assist #caregivers in bathing #elderly or #disabled individuals who are vulnerable or modest. #dementia #Alzheimers #disability www.dignity-bath.com

Had a great time at @talkdeath.bsky.social’s Cemetery Scavenger Hunt! The website wouldn’t load, but some other hunters shared screenshots off TD’s other social media with me. Not time left to find enough answers to post on the form, so I stayed and cleaned a dear friend’s marker. #WorthTheRain

What We Get Wrong About Death, According To End-Of-Life Workers: Palliative care and hospice professionals[']...insights may challenge what you think.... There's a lot of good info in this article. Accurate* and helpful. www.huffpost.com/entry/death-... *See my clarifying notes in the next post.

You don't have to understand their grief to honor it. You just have to stop looking away. #griefnotes

What's the difference between a Death Doula and an End-of-Life Guide? A #DeathDoula plans for and supports during the dying process. 2-min vid: www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6Zj... As an Aging, Serious Illness, and End-of-Life Guide, my work with clients starts much earlier: bsky.app/profile/endo...

Yes. This is dope. You never know what someone is going through. What would you do? #BeKind

Family caregivers, are you feeling alone in the work you do? Take a few minutes today to be heard. It can relieve some of the pressure you’re feeling. From 11am to 1pm today, Pacific Time.

"Crow sat and watched the first leaf fall...." Autumn holds lessons for us. Via @cstrawbridgeart.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/cstr...

#Tip: For the best self-care, ask yourself, "What gives me joy?" It doesn’t matter what it is. If it makes you happy, then commit to taking time away from #caregiving and just do it. Actively schedule it. Find your own way to unplug that's separate from caregiving and everything it entails.

End of Life Guides, Midwives, and EOL Doulas, here’s a great resource. Neurodivergent folks are our clients, too.

Can't wait to see who I'll meet at my local cemetery during TalkDeath's Cemetery Scavenger Hunt, Sunday, October 26th at 11:30am PT. Deets here: talkdeath.com/talkdeath-20... Via @talkdeath.bsky.social

Spend enough time in caregiving forums and you'll see the term "my watch has ended" when someone's loved one passes away. It's a beautiful expression that really captures what caregiving feels like. therealisticcaregiver.substack.com/p/when-your-...

True also for hospice services and hospice houses in the US states that allow Medical Aid in Dying, also known in Oregon as using the Death with Dignity Act. Some religiously based hospice services prohibit their employees from being involved, though this seems to be decreasing.

Can you help us find study participants? I am part of the READY Study team. We want to listen to family or paid carers of people with a learning disability who died, learning more about people who died of something other than cancer or dementia. Get in touch if you want to find out more

“How To Quit Being A Caregiver” An excellent exploration of if, why, when, and how. (The actual subtitle is cute!)

Look how carefully Google avoids talking about disability or death. <Insert emoji of me rolling my eyes>

Reposting for #DeathPositive folks. Any ideas?

I hate to say it, but I think I have to go with casket number 1. It's so extra! #deathpositive #casket #coffin #history #tagyourself

This is sweet. "I made this for my parents' 32nd wedding anniversary." www.youtube.com/shorts/yoT5w...

If your most trusted person isn’t legally family, they won’t get a say in your care unless you name them. Write it down. Sign the form. Chosen family is real.

Yes. This: You are not a burden. You are human.

Too Poor to Die Free online book seminar with Amy Shea Still time to sign up, one week to go!

You still have time to say the words. Home funerals make space for you to talk. To whisper. To confide. To finish everything you needed to say. #homefuneral #time #grief #griefjourney #NHFA #advocacy #griefjourney

Oregon vax against respiratory viruses are now a go! See the linked press release for details on pharmacists, nurses, and insurance coverage, plus more. More info in the thread above and below the RP’ed post. #vaccines

“You don’t need your wheelchair. We have wheelchairs.” Note to airline carriers, terminals, transportation providers, hospitals, medical providers and all others who need to hear this: Wheelchairs are not interchangeable. Wheelchairs are not one size fits all.

Are you (or a parent) taking 5 or more medications? Here are some questions to ask your doctors. Via @deprescribing.bsky.social

#Bandon, #Oregon, has a new #pharmacy, in addition to Coast Community Health Center’s long-standing pharmacy, open since 2017. Big kudos to CCHC’s pharmacy staff for carrying the extra load until the hospital opened their own. And welcome to the staff of SCHHC - and, apparently, their Therapy Dog!

Planning and paperwork considerations for folks in #polyamorous relationships.

Hilary Webster posted (elsewhere) that she had only weeks to live. "All these people [replied] and said, '…You were an inspiration to do that, and I always looked up to you.' "It was like being at your own memorial service. Nobody gets this validation when they're alive."

Are you trying to settle the estate of an Oregonian? You may not have to go through full-blown probate! Here are instructions and the Simple Estate Affidavit form for the entire state, including how to decide which country to file it in. www.courts.oregon.gov/forms/Docume...

#grief #griefnotes

To my colleagues in aging and end-of-live care: this whole blessing (next post), but mostly: "And when your own journey comes to rest, may the circle gather around you as you once gathered for others." —Ned Abenroth Via @kpedmonds.com

Your legacy consists of three parts. You're already working on the first part, and maybe you've finished the third part. Legacy projects pass along your wisdom and memories to those important to you. To learn about creating a project for you now, contact me: ravens-call.mailerpage.io/for-yourself.