End of Life Concerns Club

Jim Greenberg as President of End Of Life Concerns Club

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

I’d love to meet anyone who knew Evalyn (Eve) Segal, the Rossmoor resident who, according to information in “The Cassie Files,” got our club off the ground as its first leader. She led our club from 2010 to 2013 when it was known as the End of Life Issues Club. By the way, The Cassie Files comprise 4 large file boxes of folders and other sources of information about the End of Life Concerns Club’s history and activities since its inception. Cassie Tzur, our immediate past president, was delighted to hand these over to me, and our board is busy sorting through this trove to learn how we can use at least some of it to help plan our club’s future.

Rita Bogaert and Lynn Lively were club presidents up until the Covid pandemic, which shut down all of our planned activities. Rita began to build a small library of books related to late life issues, which I’ve supplemented over the past few years. Lynn helped with the transition to Cassie’s leadership and was kind enough to meet with some of our current board members to explain the workings of EOLCC. Thank you Rita, Lynn, and Cassie for laying a strong groundwork for our current programs!

Jim Greenberg: endoflifeconcerns@gmail.com (412) 736-2317

JIM GREENBERG AND BESS CHOSAK, CO-FACILiTATORS

The Rossmoor Death Café will meet on Friday, May 9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Vista Room at the Hillside Clubhouse. Though not a grief support or therapy group, our Death Café offers a safe place to discuss such end-of-life issues as Advanced Healthcare Directives, discussing final plans and wishes with your family, and other late life concerns.

We had a full circle of 31 attendee's at our gathering in April. One topic discussed was "Letting go" of both the tangible and intangible concerns of our lives.

Update: Bess

Bess Chosak, our beloved Death Café co-facilitator, is battling back from her debilitating injury and subsequent illness and is enthusiastically determined to rejoin our club’s activities just as soon as she is able. It will be a long climb to get back to the top of her mountain of recovery, but she has left base camp and is well on her way!

Additionally, she wants you to know that she has been following our activities and plans to return to the Death Cafe when she is further in her recovery. In the meantime, Bess wants to thank everyone who has reached out and sent encouraging notes and messages.

Bess Chosak at work with her physical rehabilitation

GLORIA GLUSKIN, FILM CHAIR

FILMS

Our May film presentation is "The Sea Inside" This is the life story of Spaniard Ramón Sampedro, who fought a 28-year campaign to win the right to end his own life with medically assisted death. The film explores Ramón's relationships with two women: Julia, a lawyer suffering from Cadasil syndrome who supports his cause, and Rosa, a local woman who wants to convince him that his life is worth living. Through the gift of his love, these two women are inspired to accomplish things they never previously thought possible.

Monday, May 19th in the Peacock Theater at the Gateway Center at 1 PM.

For any questions or suggestions about films that you might like to recommend please contact Gloria Gluskin at ggluskin1@gmail.com or text to: (407) 415-8682.

Marcia Liberson, Program Chair

JUNE: Watch for our special two-part collaboration with the Rossmoor Braver Angles Club to further understand Medical Aid in Dying, MAiD.

Day 1: Monday June 16, 1:00-3:00 PM in the Club Room at Creekside

Jim Greenberg will present historical information on MAiD in California and elsewhere, the reasons people choose it, qualifications, procedures, etc. Additionally, David Birnbach, MSW, will share his experience as his life partner chose MAiD shortly before her 90th birthday. Following this, Thalia DeWolf, RN, will share her real-life clinical experience assisting terminally ill patients. She is on the board of the Academy of Aid-in-Dying Medicine. Q&A and discussion will follow presentations.

Day 2: Wednesday, June 18, 1:00-3:00 PM in the Club Room at Creekside

The Braver Angels club will review highlights of Monday's program and invite participants to weigh in on the more controversial issues surrounding compassionate care of terminal individuals. Attendees will have the opportunity to join break-out groups discussing different sides of various ethical, religious, political, and economic issues. The Rossmoor community will be welcome to attend one or both sessions.

Q&A will follow these presentations. We welcome all residents and guests.

MARLEY MIDDLEBROOK, MEMBERSHIP CHAIR

Our May film and June program share the desire for the right to determine when to end your life in some terminal medical situations. The film tells the story of an early advocate who sought to change the law and the June two-part program explains how and when this is a viable option for certain individuals. The presentation also discusses the ethical and moral considerations pertaining to California's Medical Aid-in-Dying, (MAiD).

Thank you to new and renewing members for supporting our work at the End of Life Concerns Club.

If you have not yet renewed, you may do so at the next Death Cafe, or drop off a check to the Gateway mailbox. Membership is $20 per year and is a great way to be involved in the community.

Contact Marley Middlebrook at marleypsyd@me.com or (925) 385-0336

Jim Greenberg, President

endoflifeconcerns@gmail.com

(412) 736-2317