Panel: CAN WE TALK? Conversations for Navigating Our End-of-Life Journey

What are we talking about today? This opening panel session will frame the issues, ask tough questions, and begin to provide answers around advance care planning. Just what is "advance care planning?' Why is it so important? What happens when folks don't plan or talk to their loved ones about their end-of-life treatment preferences and values? What happens when they do? What do healthcare professionals make of instructions like "no heroics?" Do advance directives such as Living Wills help or hinder medical care? The panel introduces two members of the public who have dealt with critical illness and loss, and three professionals representing the medical and legal professions. Questions from the audience will be welcome as we identify issues and themes for our day of conversation.