Ageing is inevitable for many of us – but not a guarantee, and in many ways, this makes getting older a huge privilege. But that doesn’t make the prospect of physical change or loss of independence any easier to contemplate. Our later years may be hampered by difficult decisions that could, if we choose to discuss them sooner, be made easier.
A consultant geriatrician who has spent her career caring for the elderly, Dr Lucy Pollock knows better than most that crucial to living happily and healthily is the ability to communicate effectively and openly. She leads this honest masterclass that will sensitively explore later life and give you the confidence to start having empowering conversations with your loved ones.
In this ‘outpatient’ clinic, you will get under the skin of those important doctor-patient relationships in a compassionate environment that will invite you to share any subject you’d like to discuss about the ageing process. You will also learn about how the shape of our lives may change as we age, the potential benefits, risks and complexities of medication, and how to use advance care plans and treatment escalation decisions to ensure that medical teams hear your views and get their approach right for you or someone you love.
This is a gentle but informative masterclass that is designed to prepare you to start speaking to those closest to you, to begin thinking about the shape of your life now, and how to prepare for when that shape may change in ways you haven’t imagined. You will come away with a better understanding of the ageing process, and a greater appreciation for the miracle of life – and death.
This course is for …
Anyone wishing to learn how to have conversations about later life that are both celebratory and honest.
Those with a desire to speak freely about ageing well, illness and getting the ending right in a safe environment.
Course content
The shape of our lives: independence versus age
Advice for living well
The benefits, risks and complexities of medication
Taboo subjects and how to talk about them
How to prepare for the end of life: resuscitation attempts and advance care plans
The role of older people in society: why are old people good for young people?
Q&A
Tutor profile
Dr Lucy Pollock read medicine at Cambridge University and St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and trained in general and geriatric medicine in London before taking up a consultant post in Taunton in 2001. She lives with her husband and dog Rose near Langport. They have three grown-up children. The Book About Getting Older was published by Penguin Random House in January 2021, and is described by Sandi Toksvig as “the most important book about the second half of your life you’ll ever read”, while Ed Balls calls it “a lovely, thoughtful, caring and informative book which will help very many people”. Professor Andrew Goddard, the president of the Royal College of Physicians, recommends it to “all medical students and doctors of any age”, and readers say “informative, funny, touching and perceptive”, “you’re writing about me and my friends”.
Lucy’s book The Book About Getting Older is available to purchase in paperback. You can purchase a book and ticket for the combined price of £58.29 including P&P.
Details
Date: Tuesday 27 September 2022
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm BST
Price: £49 (plus £2.83 booking fee) or £58.29 (plus £3.26 booking fee) with a copy of Lucy’s book.
This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.
6.30pm BST | 7.30pm CEST | 10.30am PDT | 1.30pm EDT
You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 2 hours before the start time of 6pm (BST)
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Returns policy
Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
