OHIO’S COMMUNITY MERCY HOSPICE IS PARTICIPATING IN A NATIONWIDE EFFORT TO ENGAGE COMMUNITIES IN AN END-OF-LIFE CONVERSATION.

The not-for-profit, community based hospice is holding a free, community screening of the documentary “Being Mortal” at 11:30 AM on Friday, March 24 at the United Senior Services Center. Following the screening, audience members are invited to participate in a guided conversation on how to identify and take concrete steps to communicate wishes about end of life goals and preferences.

The screening of “Being Mortal” is part of the United Senior Services SAILL program (Springfield Area Institute of Lifelong Learning) that offers a catalogue of intellectually stimulating education for adults at least 55 years of age that inspires congenial discovery and discussion in an informal atmosphere. The lunch and learn presentation of “Being Mortal” examines the hopes of patients and families facing terminal illness. The film investigates the practice of caring for the dying and explores the relationships between patients and their doctors. It follows surgeon Dr. Atul Gawande as he shares stories from the people and families he encounters. When Dr. Gawande’s own father gets cancer, his search for answers about how best to care for the dying becomes a personal quest. The film sheds light on how a medical system focused on a cure often leaves out the sensitive conversations that need to happen so a patient’s true wishes can be known and honored at the end.

“Being Mortal” underscores the importance of planning ahead and talking with family members about end-of-life decisions. The film “Being Mortal” originally aired nationally in February of 2015 on the PBS program “Frontline.” For more information about the film, visit http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/being-mortal/. The film is adapted from Dr. Gawande’s 2014 nationally best selling book of the same name. More information about the book is at http://atulgawande.com/book/being-mortal/.

Seventy percent of Americans say they would prefer to die at home, but nearly 70 percent die in hospitals and institutions. Ninety percent of Americans know they should have conversations about end-of-life care, yet only 30 percent have done so.

The free screening is made possible by a grant from The John and Wauna Harman Foundation in partnership with United Senior Services, the Hospice Foundation of America, Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice and Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, affiliates of Ohio’s Hospice.

There is no cost to attend, however, United Senior Services membership is required.  Advance registration is required by calling United Senior Services Center: 937-323-4948 or registering in person at 125 W. Main St, Springfield, Ohio.