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The Last Ecstatic Days - Learning Handbook
The Last Ecstatic Days - Learning Handbook
📰

The Last Ecstatic Days - Learning Handbook

🔺 Problem🗞️ Important Facts❓FAQ👀 Additional ResourcesRelated ContentTerms/Concepts to Know💥 Impact ProjectsPre-Launch Accomplishments2024 GoalsLearnGet InvolvedThe Last Ecstatic Days Community Partners
 
 

🔺 Problem

In our Western society, the topic of death often carries a weighty stigma, eclipsed by our fervent desire to extend life at all costs. We seem to have drifted away from the understanding that death is an integral part of our shared human experience—the one certainty that unites us all. The fear of discussing it has become so prevalent, leaving many feeling a profound sense of discomfort.
Consider this: in the last month of life, the expenses for hospital care can soar up to $32,379 (source: Arcadia Healthcare Solutions). While hospitals play a crucial role in healing, the question arises—should they be the preferred spaces for our final moments? What was once a reflective and life-affirming journey has morphed into a costly, solitary, and isolating medical affair. Countless individuals lack the means to navigate this phase, finding themselves ensnared in overwhelmed medical facilities, receiving expensive yet seemingly "futile care." The toll is not only on the departing souls but also on their unprepared and emotionally burdened loved ones.
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Campaign Goal
To de-stigmatize death and encourage compassionate end-of-life care.
1. Organize ten immersive musical "Grief Happenings” around the country.
These events (such as our heart-centered musical at LEAF retreat joined by a devoted Indian musician, Native American flutist, and Appalachian roots musician) serve as therapeutic spaces to explore the wisdom of grief while healing through music.
2. Host 50 Institute of Psychedelics and Death panels.
We bring together experts in conscious, holistic psychedelic, death, & adjacent practices (including Leonard Pickard - renown LSD chemist, Vince Kadlubek - cofounder of Meow Wolf) in discussions that promote a deeper understanding of this ecosystem.
3. Train and empower 50 death doulas to provide free end-of-life care.
We work in close collaboration with our impact partner, CCLD, in hosting workshops that teach and enhance the quality of end-of-life care.
 

🗞️ Important Facts

  • A study by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) indicates that the use of hospice care in the final days of life has been increasing, with 50.7% of Medicare decedents using hospice services in 2018.
    • In 2018, 82% of Medicare hospice patients were Caucasian; 8.2% were African American; 6.7% Hispanic; 1.8% Asian/Pacific Islander; and 0.4% Native American.
  • A survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 7 out of 10 Americans prefer to die at home if they were terminally ill, yet only about 34% actually do.
    • A majority (62 percent) of U.S. adults say the government is “not too prepared” or “not at all prepared” to deal with the aging population.
    • 87% believe that patients and their families should have the greater say in which treatment options to pursue for patients who are seriously ill and nearing the end of life, while just 8% believe doctors should have the greater say.
  • In the US, the number of deaths at home increased from 23.8% in 2003 to 30.7% in 2017, whereas the number of deaths at hospice facilities increased from 0.2% to 8.3%. These trends were seen across all disease groups.
  • Hospital care in the last month of life can cost up to $32,379 (Arcadia Healthcare Solutions). In contrast, community-based end-of-life care models, like the one in the documentary, show a potential 30% cost reduction.
 
 
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❓FAQ

What is an impact campaign?
In the context of "The Last Ecstatic Days,"what is the purpose of an impact campaign and how it measures success?
An impact campaign serves to create tangible change inspired by a documentary.
Our impact campaign envisions revitalizing dying into a loving communal experience. We aim to raise awareness about alternative end-of-life options long before they're needed, fostering conversations on home-like care, legacy, caregiver needs, companionship, and community support.
 
What is a death doula?
Ethan's doctor became his death doula. What do death doulas undertake to provide support during the end-of-life journey?
Similar to a birth doula who assists during childbirth, a death doula assists with the non-medical aspects of dying, offering comfort, companionship, and guidance.
Similar to a birth doula who assists during childbirth, a death doula assists with the non-medical aspects of dying, offering comfort, companionship, and guidance. A death doula plays a crucial role, such as facilitating family meetings, coordinating external resources like therapists or spiritual leaders, and ensuring the creation of a personalized end-of-life plan aligned with individual values. They help create a more peaceful and meaningful end-of-life experience, addressing the person's emotional and spiritual needs, facilitating open communication, and ensuring a sense of dignity and comfort during this profound journey.
How do psychedelics play into the end-of-life journey?
The Last Ecstatic Days’s Institute of Psychedelics and Death talks about psychedelics in the end-of-life context. What are some therapeutic benefits supported by data and ongoing research initiatives?
Research suggests that psilocybin, found in certain mushrooms, has shown positive outcomes in reducing anxiety and depression in terminally ill patients.
For example, a study at Johns Hopkins University highlighted significant and lasting reductions in anxiety and depression. =
 
What does a death doulas do that a doctor doesn’t?
In essence, doctors focus on the medical aspects of dying, while death doulas focus on the emotional, practical, and holistic experience. They work together to create a comprehensive and supportive environment for the dying person and their loved ones.
Death doulas:
  • Emotional and spiritual support: Offer emotional support to the dying person and their loved ones, guide them through their emotions, and provide spiritual companionship if desired (e.g. help the dying person explore their wishes and fears about death, provide companionship and support during periods of loneliness or anxiety)
  • Non-medical advocacy: Advocate for the dying person's wishes and preferences, ensuring their voice is heard in medical decisions (e.g. facilitate difficult conversations between the dying person and their loved ones)
  • Practical guidance: Assist with practical tasks like planning ceremonies, navigating paperwork, and connecting with resources (e.g. creating a meaningful end-of-life plan)
  • Holistic approach: Focus on the emotional, spiritual, and social well-being of the dying person and their loved ones, alongside the medical care.
Doctors:
  • Medical expertise: Provide medical care, manage pain and symptoms, oversee treatment plans, and make medical decisions.
  • Diagnosis and prognosis: Use their medical knowledge to diagnose illnesses and offer medical prognoses.
  • Prescriptions and procedures: Prescribe medications, perform medical procedures, and coordinate with specialists if needed.
 
 

👀 Additional Resources

Related Content

 
 

Terms/Concepts to Know

 
  • POLST - Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
      • A medical form that helps seriously ill/frail individuals communicate their wishes for care during a medical emergency. It's essentially a set of portable medical orders that travel with you wherever you go, ensuring your preferences are honored regardless of the setting (e.g., home, hospital, nursing home).
      Here are some key things to know about POLST:
      • It's not for everyone. POLST is typically for people who have a serious illness or are frail and are at risk of needing life-sustaining treatment. If you're generally healthy, an advance directive may be more appropriate.
      • It's a collaborative process. You'll work with your doctor or other healthcare provider to complete the POLST form. They will explain the different options and help you make decisions about your care.
      • It's specific. The POLST form covers a variety of treatments, such as CPR, artificial respiration, antibiotics, and feeding tubes. You can choose whether you want each treatment or not.
      • It's portable. You should carry your POLST form with you wherever you go, such as in your wallet or purse. You can also give copies to your family members and healthcare providers.
      • It's not legally binding. While healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to follow the wishes expressed in a POLST form, they are not legally obligated to do so. However, it's a valuable tool for communication and can help ensure that your wishes are respected.
      Learn more: https://polst.org/
 
  • Voluntary Cessation of Drinking (VCD)
      • VCD is a personal decision by someone with a terminal illness to stop consuming liquids, including water, as a way to hasten their death. It's a highly complex and sensitive topic related to end-of-life decisions. It's important to approach this discussion with respect and understanding for the individual's autonomy and circumstances.
      Considerations for VCD:
      • Competence: Assessing mental capacity and understanding of the implications of VCD is crucial.
      • Alternatives: Exploring other options for symptom management and pain relief should be a priority.
      • Support: Providing emotional and spiritual support to the individual and their loved ones is essential.
      • Comfort: Ensuring the individual's comfort and managing any pain or discomfort is paramount.
      • Autonomy: VCD raises questions about the right to self-determination and the balance between respecting individual wishes and protecting vulnerable individuals.
      • Respect: Respecting the individual's choices and wishes regarding their care is crucial.
      • Communication:• Open and honest communication between the individual, their loved ones, and healthcare providers is crucial throughout the process.
      If you're interested in learning more about these topics, please seek more information from reputable sources, such as:
      • The American Medical Association
      • The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
      • The National Center for Bioethics
 
  • Palliative Care
      • Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. It is provided by a specially trained team of doctors, nurses, and other specialists who work together with a patient's other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. Palliative care is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment.
      Note: Palliative care and hospice are not the same.
      Many people confuse palliative care with hospice care, but they are not the same. The goal of palliative care is to alleviate suffering and improve quality of life among people with serious illness. Palliative care specialists are experts in understanding and addressing the pain, symptoms, and stress that comes with such illness. They work with a person’s existing medical team to enhance care by focusing on living their best life for as long as possible. Palliative care can be provided in the hospital, clinic, or home setting.
      Hospice care is an insurance benefit that focuses specifically on the care, comfort, and quality of life of a person with a serious illness who is approaching the end of life. Like palliative care, it provides comprehensive care for the patient and the family. A key difference is that patients and families receiving hospice tend to recognize that the illness is not responding to medical treatments as hoped. They and their doctors believe the person with illness has 6 months or less to live if the illness runs its natural course. For this reason, hospice patients and families may choose to forego additional treatments and instead focus on other priorities. Hospice provides support in the home, including pain and symptom management, plus emotional and spiritual support for both patients and families.
       
       
 
 
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💥 Impact Projects

Enter community deathcare—a transformative avenue to reclaim agency over this process. It's high time we redefine our approach to death, embracing it with a circle of compassion, camaraderie, and the warmth of a home-like setting, complete with love, laughter, pets, and the comforting embrace of familiar surroundings. Please support our impact campaign here 💛

Pre-Launch Accomplishments

  • EKR Mexico Day of the Dead Impact Screening Tour
 

2024 Goals

  • Friends & Family Discussion Guides
  • Embodied, Empowered, and Ecstatic Living Course & Trauma-informed Trainer Program
  • End-of-life Educational Programs & Conversation Guides
  • Can Death be Fun? Improv & Role Play Workshop
  • An immersive VR/MR film called Die: The Experience
  • A book called The 5 Gratitudes of the Dying: photos, reflections, and revelations from terminally ill people integrating their psychedelic journeys.
  • A docuseries called The Last Trip: the final psychedelic journeys of terminally ill people.
  • A digital (NFT) series called The Last Breath: psychedelic portraits of people in their 11th hour.

Learn

Get Involved

  • Sign up for death doula training to be ready in communities to assist dying people.
  • Refer us to Writers/Journalists or potential Community partners to
 
 
 
 
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The Last Ecstatic Days Community Partners

See: https://www.empact.fyi/nonprofits/tled
 
The Last Ecstatic Days was filmed to inspire audiences with a vision of what is possible when death is embraced with preparation and love. It tells of one man’s determination to live every moment as fully as possible, and to die surrounded by love. It is spearheading the conscious dying movement – providing tools and resources to those wishing to embark on their own journey of deciding how they will live and die.
 
We invite you to be part of this journey by supporting our impact campaign.
 
Designed & Made with ❤️ by Empact.FYI
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