https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Z0xoAk1azTAOqfq3mFnh1?si=25151cff83b54c28

🔺 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.

<aside> ⭐ Campaign Goal

To de-stigmatize death and encourage compassionate end-of-life care.

• 1. Organize ten immersive musical "Grief Happenings” around the country.
• 2. Host 50 Institute of Psychedelics and Death panels.
• 3. Train and empower 50 death doulas to provide free end-of-life care. </aside>

🗞️ Important Facts

• The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that each year, an estimated 56.8 million people are in need of palliative care worldwide, with only 14% receiving it.
• 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.
• A report by the Institute of Medicine titled "Dying in America" emphasizes the importance of advance care planning and conversations about end-of-life wishes, yet notes that these discussions happen less frequently than needed.
• 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.

❓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. =