UC Irvine Extension Offers “Facing the Final Mystery” Workshop
Timely Course Addresses Questions Raised in Recent Media Coverage of End-of-Life Issues
IRVINE, Calif. – May 17, 2005 – UC Irvine Extension is offering a new workshop, “Facing the Final Mystery,” a unique, interactive course that evaluates the way society regards aging, dying and death and helps identify options and resources for end-of-life care. This one-day workshop helps healthcare professionals and individuals prepare for this sensitive and emotional time, while incorporating new psychosocial approaches to overcome the resistance and cultural obstacles to dialogues with clients and family. “Facing the Final Mystery” is offered on the UC Irvine Extension campus on Saturday, June 4 and is open to both the public and professionals dealing with aging and end-of-life issues.
“This workshop addresses a very timely topic in the public discourse,” said Kirwan Rockefeller, director of UC Irvine Extension’s Arts & Humanities Program. “End-of-life issues have been prominent in the media recently, heightening our awareness of this important topic. We’re pleased to extend this course offering to the community.”
The innovative program, being offered for the first time at UC Irvine Extension, is the only course of its kind in Orange County. Unlike most conference-style presentations, this intimate course supports emotional participation in a workshop format, allowing people to access their own feelings about this important part of life.
The workshop is being co-instructed by Laura Larsen, author of “Facing the Final Mystery,” and Patricia Armhein, Ph.D. Armhein will address psychological intricacies of end-of-life issues, while Larsen will draw upon her thirty years as a healthcare provider and share her experience with helping others cope during this difficult time. She will also address culture’s avoidance of dying and death as a critical stumbling block in the ability to live life fully.
“We wanted to create a workshop that would appeal to medical doctors, nurses and therapists, as well as lay people who are willing to engage with the people in their lives about the issue of death and dying,” said Larsen. “This workshop is designed to help participants address their own fears and their own lives, in order that they may deal with their clients’ or family members’ more effectively. ‘Facing the Final Mystery’ provides the skills necessary to tactfully approach this discussion with them before a crisis occurs.”
Larsen further explains that medical technology has advanced greatly; presenting new options and new issues that society may not have needed to face in the past. With feeding tubes and respirators now able to sustain life, families and professionals face a slew of important decisions as they enter the death and dying stage.
As the continuing education arm of a prestigious university, UC Irvine Extension is dedicated to providing a transforming learning experience for students, offering thousands of exciting courses and programs to local, regional, and global constituencies. UC Irvine Extension offers a rich array of academic and personal development programs to support a diverse audience from a wide selection of academic programs to numerous campus events and activities. UC Irvine Extension continues to provide a university-level learning experience to all students. For more information about UC Irvine Extension, visit www.extension.uci.edu or call (949) 824-5414. |
