End-of-Life Planning Workshops & Events
First Steps to Putting Your Affairs in Order, Town Hall Seattle, Tuesday, August 11th, 6-7:30 pm
If you’ve been putting off the emotionally loaded and logistically overwhelming task of getting your end‑of‑life affairs in order, you’re in good company. Roughly 75% of U.S. adults don’t have a fully completed plan for a healthcare emergency or their death. And yet, some of the most critical steps take less than 15 minutes – actions that can dramatically change outcomes for you and the people you love. Join us and learn where to begin.
Facts and Myths of Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), Town Hall Seattle, Wednesday, September 9, 6-7:30 pm
Medical Aid in Dying is one of the most talked‑about — and most misunderstood — end‑of‑life options. This session cuts through the noise with clear, accessible facts about what the law allows, who qualifies, and how the process actually works. Join Wendy Norman, Founder of Known Wishes, and Cassandra Sutherland, Co-Executive Director of End-of-Life Washington, as they debunk the most common myths, from eligibility misconceptions to fears about misuse, so participants leave with confidence, clarity, and a grounded understanding of this deeply personal choice.
A Woman's Story of Autonomy: Choosing VSED in the Face of Dementia, Greenwood Senior Center, Tuesday, September 15th - 1:30-2:30pm
Join Wendy Longacre Brown and Sarah Brown as they share a preview of an upcoming documentary about the powerful story of their mother, Cheryl Hauser — a Minnesota woman who, after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, chose to meet the end of her life on her own terms through VSED (Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking). https://www.thecherylhausereffect.com/
Let's Get 'Er Done: Advance Care Planning Workshops, Whatcom County Libraries, Sept 15th - Dec 9th
Are you one of the many folks who know completing an advance directive is a good idea but you just can't "get 'er done"? You are not alone. Join us for an interactive workshop where a trained facilitator will walk you through completing a simple WA state Advance Directive where you can choose your trusted medical decision maker (aka: health care agent or Power of Attorney for Healthcare) and write down your values, preferences for care and end-of-life wishes. There will be a Notary available at every class to help complete your documents.
Introductory Workshop on How To Plan Ahead
At Your Office? With Your Community Group? In Your Home?
Whether life ends naturally, suddenly, or after illness, documenting your wishes can ease difficult decisions for you and your loved ones. This workshop will guide you through Advance Directives and other end-of-life planning documents, helping you reflect on your values and communicate your choices clearly. Together, we’ll explore how to start meaningful conversations, answer common questions, and connect you with free resources to support your journey.
Advice on Advance Directives
If you become incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself, Advance Directives serve as a vital tool to ensure your wishes are honored. These documents provide clear guidance on the life-sustaining treatments you want to receive or decline, and they are relied upon by medical professionals, caregivers, and—most importantly—your Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.
We can help you navigate end-of-life planning by showing you how to select, complete, formalize, and share your Advance Directives, including your Living Will or Healthcare Directive, POLST, and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. Our goal is to help you ensure your values and preferences remain at the center of your care.
End of Life Planning with Dementia/Alzheimer's
With Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia becoming more common, it is increasingly important to plan ahead while the ability to make decisions is still intact. Advance Directives and related documents allow you to express what measures you do or do not want taken to prolong your life as your quality of life and cognitive ability change.
We can help guide you through these conversations and documents, helping you share your wishes with loved ones, caregivers, and medical professionals so that your values remain at the center of your care.