“Thanksgiving.” Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word, first, as “the act of giving thanks.” Second, it’s “a prayer of expressing gratitude.” And, third, the word means a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness.
We each have our stories about how a loved one’s life has ended. If we’re lucky, that beloved person had a good death: in sleep, perhaps, or simply of old age with no hospital events or trauma.
Then there are the Rest-of-Us who share family stories and experience of long and painful endings, in institutional settings often coupled with costly, so-called “heroic” bit unwanted, futile care.
When you’re already in the situation of making tough health decisions toward the end-of-life, it’s tough, it’s emotional, it’s irrational, it’s energy-draining…and, it’s the wrong time.
The right time is to have that sensitive, considered, intimate dialogue now, before that inevitable time comes for decision-making.
The questions at Engage in Grace dot org, shown in the chart, are a helpful roadmap for inspiring that conversation. Alexandra Drane, Co-Founder of the Eliza Corporation and Seduce Health, knows all about how to have conversations in health: she’s leveraged technology to innovate such conversations. Engage with Grace is Alex’s long-time mission to inspire these conversations within extended families and tight social networks.
The Thanksgiving meal in America is a time where we are surrounded by the people we love most: family, friends, our close-in communities and social networks. Check out these five simple questions; if you haven’t yet covered these with your tribe, Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to do so.
Remember Merriam-Webster’s definition of the noun and holiday we celebrate in America ever fourth Thursday of November, every year.
If you can’t have this conversation during Thanksgiving week, anytime is the right time to Engage with Grace.
Health Populi’s Hot Points: The American Thanksgiving occurs on the last Thursday of November each year. This year, the Eve of Thanksgiving coincides with the 54th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. As I meditate today on JFK, whom my parents held in very high esteem, I ponder his words shown in the photo: that, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation, is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
Heeding JFK’s wisdom and recommendation, let us be grateful on this great American holiday. And let us endeavor to be the best citizens we can be, mindful of and helpful to our national and global community of brothers and sisters.
I'm in amazing company here with other #digitalhealth innovators, thinkers and doers. Thank you to Cristian Cortez Fernandez and Zallud for this recognition; I'm grateful.
Jane was named as a member of the AHIP 2024 Advisory Board, joining some valued colleagues to prepare for the challenges and opportunities facing health plans, systems, and other industry stakeholders. 
Join Jane at AHIP's annual meeting in Las Vegas: I'll be speaking, moderating a panel, and providing thought leadership on health consumers and bolstering equity, empowerment, and self-care.