Registered Nurse to Speak on “End of Life” Choices

Longtime registered nurse Leslie Kelly will speak about making end of life decisions and having meaningful discussions about your choices during a free lecture Sept. 20.

The lecture begins at 6 p.m. at the Dick DeWees Senior and Community Center, 1120 W. Ocean Ave. Reservations are not required.

“End of Life Care: The Enlightened Ending” is sponsored by the Lompoc Hospital District Foundation, in conjunction with the Lompoc Parks and Recreation Department.

Kelly has been a Registered Nurse in the Lompoc Valley for more than 30 years, working in ICU and Cardiac Rehabilitation. She was also a Hospice Case Manager for five years. She is currently President of the Lompoc Valley Medical Center Board of Directors.

During her lecture, Leslie will use both scientific data and antidotes from her five years with hospice to help change the perspective of the end of life from a taboo, dreaded and dark subject to one of meaning and empowerment.

Kimberly Paul, author of “Bridging the Gap” and the “Death by Design” podcast says, “"Designing your death requires thought, preparation with legal documents and communication, but mostly living in the present moment and embracing life to the fullest."

The term, "Designing your Death" means taking charge of the decisions about the extent and type of medical care you will choose, and having the conversations that will enable your wishes to be followed, Kelly says.

Kelly will speak about her own journey having witnessed more than 200 end of life situations.