Read the transcript of Bill Moyers' September 12th online forum on Yahoo! Chat about ON OUR OWN TERMS his experience making the programs, and his feelings now about death and dying.
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The Series | General Discussion | Outreach Discussion
1. The Series
Program 1: Living with Dying
The premiere of ON OUR OWN TERMS examines the ways patients and caregivers are trying to overcome American culture's denial of death.
Program 2: A Different Kind of Care
Part two of ON OUR OWN TERMS reports on the evolution of palliative, or "comfort," care and its emphasis on
patients' psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Program 3: A Death of One's Own
"A Death of One's Own" explores the choices surrounding dying, including physician-assisted suicide, terminal sedation, the withdrawal of nutrients and hydration, and the implications for families, institutions and communities.
Program 4: A Time to Change
The finale of ON OUR OWN TERMS profiles crusading individuals who offer palliative care to the working poor and the uninsured.
2. General Discussion
Advance Directives
Get tips from others for making sense of living wills, healthcare proxies, do-not-resuscitate orders when making decisions about end-of-life care.
The Afterlife
What happens once we die? Do you believe in an afterlife? What are the arguments for and against?
Death in America
How do Americans view death? What are the options for better end-of-life care for all?
Family Caregivers
This is a forum for family caregivers to share their experiences caring for dying loved ones. What are some ways families can share responsibilities? How can family caregivers deal with the stress involved in looking after a dying family member?
Grief
Share your thoughts about coping with grief, exchange tips for explaining death to a child, or provide insight into the pros and cons of grief therapy.
Hospice and Palliative Care
What are the benefits of hospice and palliative care? What have been your own experiences with this form of care?
Pain Management
Ensuring that patients die pain-free is a maxim of both hospice and palliative care. But what does effective pain management actually involve? Should pain be treated as the fifth vital sign?
Physician-Assisted Suicide
Should physician-assisted suicide be made legal? What are the pros and cons involved? What was your reaction to ON OUR OWN TERMS' portrayal of physician-assisted suicide?
Real-Life Stories
What have been your experiences with death and dying and end-of-life care? As you watched the series, were there any stories involving friends or family that came to mind?
Spirituality
How important at the end-of-life is belief in a deity? Can religious practices help or hinder a dying person's attempt to come to terms with his or her life? What are the best ways to soothe the soul and comfort the body?
3. Outreach Discussion
General Outreach News
Discuss ideas for local activities, exchange ideas for coalition building, or share tips on helpful end-of-life care resources for local outreach campaigns.
State-by-State Outreach
Find out about upcoming activities in your community associated with the ON OUR OWN TERMS outreach campaign.
