Vermont Advance Directive Week

Springtime is slowly creeping into our Vermont landscape with the sun’s rays feeling stronger every day. It’s such a dynamic time of year which brings to mind the old adage, "The only constant in life is change."

Perhaps this is why the week of April 13-19 is designated as Vermont Advance Directive Week. This week coincides with National Health Care Decisions Day on April 16, 2025. We all know that our life circumstances are continuously changing, sometimes quicker than we’d like. That’s why it’s so important to have open and courageous conversations with our loved ones about the type of care we desire when faced with a serious illness.

Here in Vermont: we are fortunate to have the Vermont Ethics Network (VEN) supporting all of us in having these conversations and documenting our wishes. VEN is providing workshops throughout the state over the next several days. We encourage you to attend or share the information with any friends or family whom you think might benefit from this focused and supported advanced care planning.

Click for more information on Vermont Advance Directive Week

We’re excited to share another community event with you. On May 1st, the documentary film Other Side will be shown at the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. Other Side focuses on Lynda Bluestein, a Connecticut-based activist who, after enduring three cancer diagnoses and challenging treatments, began to advocate for medical aid in dying. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session led by Diana Barnard, M.D., discussing topics related to end-of-life care and medical aid in dying. The film contains sensitive content about terminal illness and end-of-life choices. Tickets are available online.

Click for details on the May 1st screening of Other Side

Betsy Walkerman of Patient Choices Vermont provided education and background information on the process of medical aid in dying and Act 39 to the filmmakers in the early stages of their work on the film. They have generously offered us access to the film and we are planning additional in-person and online screenings throughout 2025. Stay tuned to our upcoming newsletters for more details. 

Patient Choices Vermont strongly advocates for medical aid in dying as part of comprehensive, compassionate end of life care. Community events such as these provide us the chance to share our hopes, fears and dreams for the completion of our lives with those we love and care about. 
Enjoy the offerings of Spring!
Amy Bruce, Executive Director