Spring is blooming within our Chalice property, so I encourage everyone to take a leis
urely stroll around the grounds and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Chalice’s entire campus garnered a habitat designation several years ago, called “Backyard Wildlife Habitat” at the time but now designated as a National Wildlife Federation “Certified Wildlife Habitat”. Per Deb Coon, who spearheaded our obtaining the designation, all the plants on the property, both native and nonnative plants, are considered as food, nectar, and shelter for wildlife. The area near the Cottage is planted with native plants and much flora/fauna can be found there as well as throughout Chalice’s grounds.
I would like to extend sincere thanks to the Successful Aging Strategies Team for bringing us the very informative 5-day workshop series on Quality of Life (Advance Care Planning), Estate Planning Basics, “Senior Stay or Go” (trademarked), Palliative and Hospice care options from a North-County geriatric care physician, and for screening the Frontline (PBS show) “Being Mortal”, based on the book by Atul Gawande. [This last offering generated its own social media hashtag last year when it aired on national television #WhatMattersMost.] These workshops were attended by folks outside of Chalice as well as by congregants, who were greeted each time with light refreshments from the hospitality team. A warm welcome was given to all, with name badges, binders containing each workshop’s notes, San Diego County programs and information, AARP HomeFit Guide. Also, a big “thank you” to Judy Winn for her audio/video services; DVDs of the workshops will be available.
To follow up with my remarks in last month’s message, I learned of new options that may have prevented my family’s Advanced Care planning turmoil, after attending the Successful Aging Strategies workshops. One of these options, here in California, is called the POLST form and registry, a pilot program until 2020. POLST (Physician’s Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) eRegistry is a downloadable form which is signed by your physician and can be accessed by authorized users, to carry out your wishes, if you choose to participate. You can search for the website to learn more about this pilot program.
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Susan Spoto
President of Chalice UU Congregation