Hemlock 101: A Review of Fundamentals

While current medical advances help us live longer, they often fail to ensure a life of sufficient quality and dignity, especially for those facing Alzheimer’s or other dementias. This presentation by Thaddeus Mason Pope, JD examines four well-established end-of-life choices as well as five emerging choices. It also examines three theoretical options that push the boundaries of what may one day be legally possible in the U.S. Some of these ideas challenge public comfort and policy. But all are grounded in compassion, reason, and respect for personal choice. We hope you benefit from this informed and courageous discussion about how we might expand end-of-life options for aging Americans in the years ahead. https://www.thaddeuspope.com/

December 6, 2025. Doctors play a crucial role in the way we die as essential advisors, medical providers, and coordinators of our healthcare decisions and plans. In this meeting, a panel of 3 doctors discuss why they support Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), what changes they’d like to see in the law, and how they personally want to die. The panel also answered questions from the meeting participants. SPEAKERS: Curtis Krock, MD, A retired pulmonologist who practiced for 20 years and a member of the Hemlock Society Board of Directors. Robert Gunn, MD, A retired physician whose wife chose Medical Aid in Dying. Flora Danque, MD, Medical Director of Apreva Hospice.

September 23, 2025. This program celebrates the publication of There at the End: Voices from Final Exit Network—A Celebration of 20 Years. Guest speakers Jim Van Buskirk, the anthology’s editor, and Jenny Mowry, a senior exit guide and anthology contributor, discuss their essays, their roles within FEN, and share readings from the book. You’ll hear the powerful stories of individuals and their families who come to terms with their end-of-life decisions with the support of FEN’s trained volunteers. Jim and Jenny also share insight into how to access FEN’s free services and detailed the role of FEN Exit Guides who serve as end-of-life coordinators, guides, and confidants. An information question and answer session follows the speakers' presentations.

Beverly Thorn, PhD, a psychologist and certified End-Of-Life Doula, discusses her new book, Before I Lose My Own Mind: Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver, telling her own personal story of caring for her husband with dementia. The book is aimed at caring for the caregiver, who often gets overlooked. Since dementia is not an all or nothing thing, there is time before one loses decisional capacity to consider and talk about life values, healthcare and dementia care preferences, and end-of-life wishes. Planning and communication are key in a society where no one wants to talk about dementia or death. Visit Dr. Thorn's website: https://drbeverlythorn.com/