Course Description

Knowing what’s knowable and being clear that the “knowable” bucket is quite small are both big parts of being able to truly show up for others (and even for ourselves) at the end of life. 

Showing up at the End of Life will explore the knowable aspects of what happens for many people as serious illness advances and end of life approaches. Cal will talk about the differences between palliative care and hospice as well as some of the common physiological aspects of the dying process. 

The course concludes with a lively discussion between Cal, Kerry Jordan and Rebecca Sturgeon about some of the common “uncomfortable questions” that accompany this topic. 

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome!

    • About the instructor

    • Course Description
  • 2

    Section One

    • Showing Up at the End of Life

    • Palliative Care vs. Hospice

    • DNR/AND
  • 3

    Section Two

    • Pain

    • Constipation

    • Dyspnea

    • Nausea & Vomiting

    • Terminal Agitation

    • "Active" Dying
  • 4

    Section Three

    • Uncomfortable Questions

    • In closing...

    • Want to continue the conversation?
  • 5

    Resources

    • This is not Casualty – in real life CPR is brutal and usually fails

    • CPR usually saves lives on TV, but what about real life?

    • Palliative Care - Talking about what matters

    • Ambiguity in End-of-Life Care Terminology— What Do We Mean by “Comfort Care?”
  • 6

    Final Quiz

    • Showing Up at the End of Life Final Quiz

Instructor

Instructor & Executive Director

Cal Cates

Cal has been teaching and developing curriculum for massage therapy courses focused on hospital-based practice, oncology massage and end of life care since 2007. Their experience in clinical practice in hospitals around the US has informed their teaching style greatly. Cal is clear that massage therapy is healthcare and feels a personal commitment to inviting students to consider themselves as integral to a whole person healing process. Their favorite thing about teaching healthcare providers is the ability to blend nerdiness and authenticity to create opportunities to be more effective, more human and more flexible.

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