Get The Conversation Starter Kit
The team from your local non-profit VNA, home health and hospice agency understands that it's difficult to discuss such a sensitive issue as end-of-life. We are here to make it easier, with the skill, caring and compassion to help patients and their families face difficult choices.
Good advance planning for health care decisions is a continuing conversation - about values, priorities, and the quality of one's life. To help you in this process, we have created a Conversation Starter Kit that includes information, worksheets, suggestions, and resources to help you understand your options and start the conversation with your family and your doctor.
Conversation Starter Kit Basics:
About Start the Conversation Brochure
Hospice and Advance Directive Facts
Personal Medical Preferences Quiz
Complete Conversation Starter Kit:
Start the Conversation Toolkit
(20 page comprehensive kit,
PDF format)
In addition to these resources, the Vermont Ethics Network also offers a helpful book called, Taking Steps, to help you make choices for your medical care in the age of modern technology. It discusses:
- your rights as a patient;
- common treatment in critical and end-of-life care;
- how you can use legal documents called "advance directives" to leave instructions for your care if you become unable to speak for yourself.