Enhancing Healthy Aging and End-of-Life Decisions

The month of May brings clarity and focus to two vital issues that span both an aging population and anyone facing end-of-life medical and legal decisions. Both topics are addressed by speakers to members and guests at Potomac Community Village’s May meetings at the Potomac Community Center. Both programs are free and open to all.

On Thursday, May 17th at 7 PM, Dr. Heidi Hsia presents “Mind-Body Connection: Keys to Healthy Aging,” a forceful and convincing argument for how this connection can be translated into practical lifestyle changes. Dr. Hsia encourages audience participation to examine how lifestyle choices can affect health span and longevity. She provides resources for followup.

A Ph.D graduate in clinical psychology from Purdue University Indiana, Dr. Hsia has spent 40 years in the mental health field as a clinician in private practice and community health centers, and in training and program development and evaluation at county, state and federal levels. Along with individual and family therapy, she specializes in domestic violence, juvenile delinquency prevention and treatment, multicultural issues in mental health and overrepresentation of minorities in the juvenile justice system.

While planning for the end of life is generally viewed as the province of the elderly, Rosalind Kipping, PCV’s Tuesday, May 22nd, 12:30 PM speaker, reminds us: “We are all fragile creatures at every age. In fact,” she declares, “compared with older people, younger people lead riskier lives!”

Speaking on “Ensuring Self-Determination at the End of Life,” Ms. Kipping tells attendees that we can have some control over the end of our lives if we plan and implement legal documents such as the Advance Directive for Health Care and the Medical Order for Life Sustaining Treatment. Kipping will review the required legal documents and supporting materials and how to complete them in accordance with personal values. She will also discuss medical aid in dying and the "End of Life Options Act," which has been proposed, but not passed, in the Maryland legislature.

Rosalind Kipping is a member of the Leadership Team of Compassion & Choices Maryland, providing education and information on rights in making healthcare decisions and ensuring personal control of the end of life in accordance with one’s values and beliefs.

PCV's May 17th and May 22nd meetings takes place at the Potomac Community Center, 11305 Falls Road in Potomac. PCV is a non-profit network of neighbors and friends geared to enabling older Potomac residents to age in place in their existing homes by creating social connections and providing volunteer services such as transportation, computer assistance and simple home repairs. For more information, to volunteer or get volunteer help, contact 240-221-1370, info@ PotomacCommunityVillage.org or check out www.PotomacCommunityVillage.org or www.Facebook.com/PotomacCommunityVillage.