The Newman Center at the University of Hawaii-Manoa is hosting Issues on Aging, three presentations on growing older, 7-8:30 p.m. on Sept. 22, 23 and 24.
On Sept. 22, Sister Joanne Dehmer, a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, will speak about aging with wisdom, grace and compassion. She will address the spiritual dimension of diminishing abilities, resolving relationship issues, seeing death as a natural part of life, and more.
On Sept. 23, Joan Maeshiro will look at some practical considerations, including dealing with diminishing abilities in ourselves or in a parent and having conversations now with spouse, parents and children about end of life planning. She will also give a brief overview of advanced health care directives, hospice, palliative care and the new Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment or POLST.
On Sept. 24, Father Jack Ryan will look at our faith and our aging and dying. What are some of the ethical considerations regarding end of life planning, nutrition, hydration and extraordinary measures, cremation and burial? We will conclude this evening with a discussion about how we, as a community, want to support each other through our aging process. What are we doing now? What more do we want to do?
You may attend one, two or all three evenings. For more information, contact Sharon Chiarucci sharonlee@hawaiiantel.net.
Here are several future related resources:
The Issues of Aging series only covers a fraction of the issues, information and resources available in our community. You might want to attend the Senior Fair, Sept. 26-28, at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. More information at http://www.productionhawaii.com/events.htm
Looking for something to read about the spirituality of aging? Some have found these helpful: “The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully,” by Joan Chittister, OSB, and “Wine at the End of the Feast: Embracing Spiritual Change as You Age,” by Kristen Johnson Ingram.
The Johnson Institute, http://www.senioradultministry.com/default.aspx, has a variety of resources to “illuminate minds, invigorate hearts and inspire spiritual growth in the second half of life.” A free newsletter is available.
