Free Presentation: How to Live with a Life-Limiting Illness

Kupu Care, a Community-Based Palliative Care Program offered exclusively in East Hawai‘i by Hospice of Hilo, is inviting the public to a free community talk titled, “How to Live with a Life-Limiting Illness.”

The program will be held on Wednesday, July 5, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the organization’s Community Building located at 1011 Waiānuenue Avenue in Hilo.

This month’s presentation explores the medical specialty called palliative care, part of a growing nationwide movement to bring a greater quality of life to those challenged with a serious illness.

“When someone we love is diagnosed with a life-limiting condition, the worst thing we can imagine is that he or she might die,” said presenter Lani Weigert. “The sobering fact is that there are worse things than having someone you love die, but our tendency as a society is to deny the reality of death. That unwillingness by mainstream culture to grapple with the fundamental fact of morality keeps us from knowing what to expect and what is possible when the inevitable happens.”

Attendees will learn the natural progression of the disease process and the eight activities for basic physical independence, as well as get the health support they need to prepare for dealing with a life-limiting diagnosis.

“Most people can’t imagine anything worse than having the person you love die,” said Weigert. “But watching your loved one die badly is even harder, and worse still is realizing later that much of his or her suffering could have been prevented.”

Those interested in attending the talk are asked to RSVP no later than Monday, July 3, by contacting Weigert at (808) 934-2913 or online at www.kupucare.org (events).