'Being Mortal' Film To Be Screened, Discussed at Quinnipiac University

From Quinnipiac University: A free community screening and discussion of the documentary, “Being Mortal” will take place on Tuesday, March 21, from 3-5:15 p.m. at the Clarice L. Buckman Theater at Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Ave. The film delves into the hopes of patients and families facing terminal illness

“Being Mortal” investigates the practice of caring for the dying and explores the relationships between patients and their doctors. It follows a surgeon, Dr. Atul Gawande, as he shares stories from the people and families he encounters. After Gawande’s father is diagnosed with cancer, his search for answers about how best to care for the dying becomes a personal quest. The film sheds light on how a medical system focused on a cure often leaves out the sensitive conversations that need to happen so a patient’s true wishes can be known and honored at the end. “Being Mortal” underscores the importance of people planning ahead and talking with family members about end-of-life decisions.

After the screening, audience members can participate in a conversation on how to take concrete steps to identify and communicate wishes about end-of-life goals and preferences.

According to the Hospice Foundation of America, 70 percent of Americans say they would prefer to die at home, but nearly 70 percent die in hospitals and institutions. Ninety percent of Americans know they should have conversations about end-of-life care, yet only 30 percent have done so.

Not only do people want to age in their homes, but doing so is fiscally prudent. A report by Health Management Associates shows that delivering home care is three times more cost-effective than taxpayer funded, institutional care, and that 88 percent of seniors prefer to age in their own community as long as they can.

For more information about the film, visit www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/being-mortal/. The film is adapted from Gawande’s 2014 best-selling book of the same name.

The screening, which is being offered by Quinnipiac and AARP CT, is being made possible by a grant from The John and Wauna Harman Foundation in partnership with the Hospice Foundation of America.

Registration is required by March 19. Please call 1-877-926-8300 or visit aarp.cvent.com/QUBeingMortal.

Image via Pixabay