A Word From Our
Executive Director
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Dear Friends,
As we blow out the candles on our pumpkins and feel the welcomed change of season, we gather to give thanks for all that we hold dear. It's a time for no regrets, but immense gratitude. We hope you find time to share with others what matters to you most and helps you to live well.
When it's time to express your end-of-life healthcare wishes, we can help make these, at times, difficult conversations easier.
Dr. Ira Byock, a palliative care advocate says it best, "It's always too soon until it's too late." Expressing our wishes through an advance directive can help pave the way to focusing on what it is that makes your present life more meaningful.
The Alliance offers guidance and support through group workshops and one-on-one facilitation as we begin talking with loved ones about our wishes and invite our loved ones to do the same.
Please contact the Alliance at 805-845-5314 to find out more.
With warm gratitude,
Susan Plummer, Exec. Director
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Upcoming Free
Advance Care Planning Workshops
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November 4 Advance Care Planning Workshop, Congregation B'nai B'rith, 1000 San Antonio Creek Rd., 3-5 pm. To register, call the Alliance at (805) 845-5314 or
register online
November 11
Advance Care Planning Workshop, Sansum Clinic, 215 Pesetas Lane, 3rd floor conference room, 10 am - noon. Call Sansum Health Education (805) 681-8976 or register online
November 13 Advance Care Planning Workshop, VNA Health, 360 Olive St, 4-6 pm. To register, call the Alliance at (805) 845-5314 or
register online
November 19
Advance Care Planning Workshop,
Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, Tippy's Cove Multipurpose Room,
2nd Floor,
540 W. Pueblo Street,
1:30-3:00 pm.
To register, c
all Sansum Health Education at
(805) 681-8976
or
November 19 Advance Care Planning Workshop,
Valle Verde Retirement Community, 900 Calle De Los Amigos (Community Room), 3:30 - 5:30pm. To register, call the Alliance at (805) 845-5314 or
register online.
November 20
Advance Care Planning Workshop, Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, 1535 Santa Barbara St , 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. To r
egister, call the Alliance at (805) 845-5314 or register online.
November 20 Advance Care Planning Workshop, Garden Court, 1116 De La Vina St., 3:00 - 5:00 pm. To register, call the Alliance at (805) 845-5314 or
register online.
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Event Recap
Senior Expo 2019
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Hundreds of seniors are feeling a little healthier after attending the 31st Annual Senior Expo of Santa Barbara at the Earl Warren showgrounds. The Alliance for Living and Dying Well joined an array of vendors, fitness, non-profit, and healthcare groups at the event. SBCC nursing students gave over 700 flu shots and free health screenings were provided all for an admission price of $5. The event is sponsored by the Family Service Agency. Click here to visit their website.
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BOOK REVIEW:
"The 5 Top Regrets of the Dying"
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After too many years of unfulfilling work, Bronnie Ware began searching for a job with heart. Despite having no formal qualifications or experience, she found herself in palliative care.
Over the years she spent tending to the needs of those who were dying, Bronnie's life was transformed. Later, she wrote an Internet blog about the most common regrets expressed to her by the people she had cared for. The article, also called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, gained so much momentum that it was read by more than three million people around the globe in its first year. At the requests of many, Bronnie now shares her own personal story. Click here to read the rest of the article
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Santa Barbara County Senior Resource Directory
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This is a comprehensive directory of information on services and resources for seniors in the Santa Barbara County area. The Directory is updated every two years to reflect changes in services and information.
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Alliance Welcomes Volunteer
The Alliance is excited to welcome Kay Bruce to the team of volunteer advance care planning facilitators. Kay attended a recent Respecting Choices facilitator training and will be serving at the monthly Unitarian Society ACP workshops. Kay's communication skills, warm and friendly attitude, and diverse professional background make her a perfect fit for the team. Here's a little more about Kay:
"I have always felt strongly that everyone should have control over how they choose to live and wish to die. So, I was delighted when Dawn told me about the Alliance and the opportunity to volunteer. I love being part of an organization that educates and encourages people to make their end-of-life experience the way they want it to be. I believe that the empowerment and peace of mind this gives to individuals, and their loved ones, is truly priceless.
I worked as a legal writer and editor in Los Angeles before moving to the Santa Ynez Valley in 1980 and becoming director of Dunn Middle School. After relocating to Santa Barbara in 1997, I served as executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates of SB County, and later as public information officer at SBCC.
I've served on the boards of The Family School, S.Y. Valley Youth Sports Foundation, and Court Appointed Special Advocates, and on the advisory boards of The Women's Fund, Mid-State Muscular Dystrophy Association and Casa Pacifica. I have also volunteered most recently with Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center, ASAP cat shelter, Music Academy of the West Women's Auxiliary, and Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara.
In addition to volunteering, I enjoy reading, horseback riding, long walks, movies - and I just recently went skydiving! However, my favorite activity is spending time with my two sons, their wives, and my four fabulous grandchildren."
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