No one wants to think about their death, let alone talk about it. But having a meaningful conversation with your loved ones about your final days is one of the most important things you can do for them and yourself. End of life is a logistically and emotionally challenging time, so making critical decisions before the process of dying can save you and those around you from further stress and turmoil. Luckily, some experts can help you navigate this time's many legal and emotional complexities.  

On this episode of the Age of Aging, we are talking about death and what it means to plan for your final days.  

First, we speak to death doula Chelsea Duckers about what exactly a death doula does and how one can guide you through the process of end of life. Then, elder law attorney Jerry Rothkoff goes through the legal documents you will want to get in order to prepare for end of life. Finally, we hear from someone who worked with a death doula while preparing for the death of her spouse.  

Resources 

Special thanks to Chelsea Duckers, BSW, CSW, CECC, Jerry Rothkoff, Esq., and Diane Cordell. 

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, Meg McCarthy, and Meaghan Sharp. 

The Age of Aging is made possible by generous donors like you. To learn more visit www.pennmemorycenter.org/ageofaging