Getting creative with dying

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Thanks to those who participated in my caregiver survey. The OpenIDEO end of life challenge is going through its final review, and top ideas will be announced in the coming week. Regardless of the outcome, the experience has been educational and inspirational.

I spend quite a bit of time on this blog sharing my frustrations with the health care system, but the good news is there are a lot of compassionate, smart people out there who are working on solutions. They want to improve the experience of those nearing the end of life, the death process itself and the caregiver’s well-being.

The ideas generated in this challenge were truly awe-inspiring. Some of my favorite ideas included musicians writing and playing songs for those in hospice inspired by the dying person’s life. I loved this idea because not only would it offer comfort to the dying, but also would be a memento the family could keep forever.

I also was inspired by the “Leave a Wish” idea, which would allow you to leave any message you want for family members after you have died. It could be something like hiking to a favorite spot to mark a holiday, or making sure your loved ones fulfill their own goals, like writing a book or running a marathon. I loved the way this idea could allow you to connect with your loved ones even after you are gone.

Other ideas included green burial options, documenting a loved one’s life stories and encouraging greater discussion of end-of-life wishes.

There were so many wonderful, innovative ideas that I can’t go into them all here but you can check out the full list on OpenIDEO.

It’s reassuring to know that there are good people out there who want to make dying not something painful and miserable, but a final phase of life in this world that can be meaningful and inspirational.