Palliative care is about living the life you can

“Age Smart – Let’s Talk”, the series of forums sponsored by AARP Alaska, Older Persons Action Group and the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, returns March 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center.

This month’s topic is palliative care. What comes to mind when you hear “palliative care?” Hospice? End of Life? Or perhaps you’ve not heard of it because doctors themselves don’t often talk about it. This session of Age Smart – Let’s Talk will help to bring life to the topic, and that’s exactly what palliative care is — helping people with a serious illness live their lives in the best way possible.

The Mayo Clinic describes palliative care as “specialized medical care that focuses on providing patients relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness, no matter the diagnosis or stage of disease. Palliative care teams aim to improve the quality of life for both patients and their families. This form of care is offered alongside curative or other treatments a patient may be receiving.”

Come and find out more from Marianne Johnstone-Petty, a terrific hospice and palliative specialty certified nurse practitioner. She has over 25 years of health care experience working with seriously ill patients and families.

The “Age Smart – Let’s Talk” series is a monthly forum that focuses on a topic of interest and importance to Alaskans who want to be thoughtful about how to make good choices as they grow older. The series is developed to provide working age adults with information necessary to plan and fulfill a secure, healthy and satisfying “life After 60” (all ages are welcome). Each month the series highlights a particular topic with a variety of formats, including issue experts, panel discussions, interactive presentations, and plenty of time for questions. Food provided. 

Registration is required for this free event. Call 877-926-8300 to register by phone – ask the operator for “AARP AK Age Smart”. Or register online at https://aarp.cvent.com/AWMAR10.

You can also register at the door.