<p>Has anyone read the work of Ellen Langer–Harvard psychologist who’s done research on aging? Interesting stuff. Made me feel a little better about aging. I heard her on a local NPR program and then read one of her books (Counterclockwise). (How do you italicize?) This is her website and blog: [Ellen</a> Langer: blog](<a href=“The Mindful Body by Ellen J. Langer: 9780593497944 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books”>The Mindful Body by Ellen J. Langer: 9780593497944 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books)</p>
<p>A plan for dying? I have to have a plan???</p>
<p>I do think this is an intensely personal time in one’s life. My Dad fought his death to the last breath … my Mom was the baby in her family and got a little tired of being “the last one.” I hope I don’t sound too preachy when I say “It’s different for every individual.”</p>
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<p>I think you’re right. I’ve seen elderly people deal with their impending death anywhere from gracefully accepting it and just asking to be made comfortable to fighting it tooth and nail. Everyone handles it differently.</p>
<p>I do think that the 5 Wishes document is a great idea, thought I do realize that some people just can’t stomach talking about dying (which is why many refuse to do Wills). I guess if you don’t talk about it, it can’t possibly happen :eek:</p>
<p>My parents are in their late 60’s and we have had many conversations about their wishes and of course,they have advanced directives and wills. The good thing is all of us children know their respective positions and we won’t get into a situation where one sibling decides they can’t take Mom or Dad off life support while the rest of us think it’s the right thing to do.</p>
<p>The way I look at it…you can pretend it’s never going to happen to you and then let others bear the burden of making those decisions for you or can take control while you still have the ability to make your wishes known. Let’s face, whether you accept dying or fight it to your last breath, you’re still eventually going to die. *Why not * be in charge of how you exit the world?</p>
<p>Very timely topic for me. We’ve had this discussion over the last few days as well. Some helpful links:</p>
<p>[Consumers</a> - Advance Health Care Directive: What’s Important to You - California Dept. of Justice - Office of the Attorney General](<a href=“http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/general/adv_hc_dir.htm]Consumers”>http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/general/adv_hc_dir.htm)
[Advance</a> Health Care Directives and Living Wills: Making End of Life Choices; Terri Schiavo](<a href=“http://helpguide.org/elder/advance_directive_end_of_life_care.htm]Advance”>http://helpguide.org/elder/advance_directive_end_of_life_care.htm)</p>