B3: End of Life Care and Our Sacred Commitment to Human Dignity
Drawing on the experiences of two palliative care clinicians and a national advocacy organization, this panel presentation explores the intersection of Catholic end-of-life care teaching, Catholic health ministries, and effective advance care planning. There is so much beauty in the Church’s teaching on care and treatment near life’s end. The problem is that few people understand how it ties together, and even fewer know how to apply it practically. We need to do better, not only as healthcare providers but as humans preserving others' dignity in their time of need. A new nationwide initiative by Aging with Dignity, the creator of the Five Wishes advance care planning program, provides a guide that is useful in the clinical environment, parishes, and homes. It makes Catholic teaching easily accessible and shows how it can influence naming a health care agent, making treatment decisions before a health crisis, and personal care that honors one’s God-given human dignity. Endorsed by Catholic leadership, these resources align with the mission of Catholic health systems and care for the entire community.
Niki Bagwell
Nurse Practitioner
St. Mary's Hospital
Paul Malley
President
Aging with Dignity
Barbara Pruitt
Nurse Practitioner
Sr. Mary’s Hospital