Three cohorts completed through Aug. 12, covering healthy aging, end-of-life planning and finding meaning in later life
Jangseong-gun recently wrapped up its "Happy Life to 100: Well-Dying and Well-Aging Education" program.
Running from July 27 through Aug. 12 in three cohorts — each completing a two-session course — the program went beyond preparing for death to focus on understanding "well-aging," a coined term meaning a healthy and fulfilling approach to old age.
Instructor Choi Yun-ji led sessions on topics including understanding well-dying, completing advance directives for life-sustaining treatment, practicing well-aging, managing health in old age and finding meaning in life.
The explanation of the life-sustaining treatment decision system drew particular attention from participants. The system lets individuals document in advance their wishes regarding the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, so that when a patient reaches the end of life, those wishes are respected and treatment can be stopped accordingly.
Kim, a resident who attended the program, said it was valuable for offering "a new perspective on life, as well as a chance to learn what to prepare in order to plan for a happy old age."
Given the strong response from participants, Jangseong-gun plans to continue expanding the program.
kkm9971@heraldcorp.com
