Resources

EOL (End-of-Life) Planning Tools

• The Conversation Project (http://theconversationproject.org) is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care.  The Conversation Project was created by Ellen Goodman in 2010.  Listed below are various tools created by The Conversation Project with PDF files attached for your convenience.
  • Conversation Starter Kit – a tool to help provide loved ones with an understanding of what matters most to you at the end of life, by having an open and honest conversation before a medical crisis occurs. Conversation Project-Convo Starter Kit-English;
  • How to Choose a Healthcare Proxy & How to Be a Healthcare Proxy – a tool to help with choosing a person who will make decisions about your medical care should you become unable to make them for yourself. Conversation Project-Proxy Kit-English;
  • How to Talk to Your Doctor – a tool to help guide you in your conversation with your doctor, nurse or other healthcare providers. Conversation Project-Talk To Your Dr-English;
  • Pediatric Starter Kit: Having the Conversation with Your Seriously Ill Child – a tool to help provide parents with guidance about having “the conversation” with a seriously ill child. Conversation Project-Starter Kit-Pediatric-English; and
  • Conversation Starter Kit for Families and Loved Ones of People with Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Forms of Dementia – a tool specifically designed to help families and loved ones of people with Alzheimer’s Disease or another form of dementia who want guidance to “have the conversation.” Conversation Project-Starter Kit-Alzheimers-English

Medical Resources

• WebMD.com – an online publisher of news and information pertaining to human health and well-being. (www.WebMD.com)
• National Institutes of Health (nih.gov).  NIH is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is the largest biomedical research agency in the world.
• National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov). NCI is the nation’s leader in cancer research.  There are currently 70 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers located throughout the US in 36 states and the District of Columbia.  These Centers form the backbone of NCI’s program for studying and controlling cancer.  Furthermore, these Centers include 14 Cancer Centers, 49 Comprehensive Cancer Centers, and 7 Basic Laboratory Cancer Centers. (www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-centers/find)

Cancer Care Resources

• Asbestos.com (www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma) — an online resource that provides information about asbestos-related cancers.