National Author and Palliative Care Expert to Headline Ohio Healthcare Symposium

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

MARION, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- More baby boomers are making plans to ensure quality of life in their golden years. That includes making choices about how they wish to be cared for when they can no longer do it themselves. Unfortunately, person-directed care has been slow to gain traction in medical circles.

On October 12, United Church Homes’ Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging will hold its 2018 Symposium, Abundant Aging through the End of Life, in Columbus. Ira Byock, MD, FAAHPM, a renowned palliative care physician, public advocate and author, will give the keynote.

Byock is founder and chief medical officer of the Institute for Human Caring of Providence Health and Services based in Torrance, California where he’s developed groundbreaking prototypes in patient-centered care for those with advanced illness. His bylines include several books on the ethics and practice of care and quality of life. Dying Well (1997) has become a standard in the field of hospice and palliative care. The Best Care Possible (2012) tackles the crisis that surrounds serious illness and dying in America and Byock’s quest to transform care.

The symposium, sponsored in part by Ohio’s Hospice, Plante Moran and Merrill Lynch, also will include a panel discussion on the role of faith in end-of-life decisions.

“We must evolve how we care for those entering their last chapter,” said Beth Long-Higgins, executive director, Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging. “Palliative Care makes a lot of sense but is not widely practiced. Through conversations with Dr. Byock we hope to engage caregivers and increase support for person-directed care.”

The event is approved by the Board of Executives of Long Term Services and Supports for 4.0 hours of continuing education.

Event Details
Friday, October 12, 2018
9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Marriott Columbus University Area
3100 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio 43202

Register at https://www.abundantaging.org/events/2018-annual-symposium/.

United Church Homes is one of the nation’s largest providers of senior living services, with more than 74 senior living communities in 14 states and two Native American nations. For more information, visit www.unitedchurchhomes.org. Its Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging brings together experts of various disciplines to collaborate on improving the quality of life for older adults.