Being Mortal Screening - Film Explores End-of-Life Care
Film Explores End-of-Life Care
Free Screening of ‘Being Mortal’ on April 19
COVINGTON – St. Tammany Cancer Center is hosting a free community screening of the documentary “Being Mortal” on April 19, noon to 2 p.m., in the second floor conference room at the cancer center. After the screening, audience members can participate in a guided conversation on how to take concrete steps to identify and communicate wishes about end-of-life goals and preferences.
“Being Mortal” delves into the hopes of patients and families facing terminal illness. The film 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. When Dr. Gawande’s own father gets 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.
While 70 percent of Americans say they would prefer to die at home, nearly 70 percent die in hospitals and institutions. And 90 percent of Americans know they should have conversations about end-of-life care, yet only 30 percent have done so.
Lunch will be provided during the screening. For more information about the free screening, contact Colleen Hughes at 985-276-6832 or cmhughes@stph.org.
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A full-service acute care facility committed to providing world-class healthcare and the latest technology, St. Tammany Parish Hospital delivers today’s life-improving procedures with the utmost care to area residents with emphasis on wellness, preventive care and disease management close to home. STPH is recognized for quality, safety and the patient experience by Leapfrog, Hospital Compare, Healthgrades, CareChex and Women’s Choice. STPH is a self-supporting not-for-profit community hospital; it receives no ad valorem tax funding. Learn more at stph.org.