Honest conversations about our health care goals especially as we age or face serious illnesses can be difficult but are an essential part of supporting healthy aging. The Quality Institute’s Conversation of Your Life (COYL) initiative continues to grow as we partner with more New Jersey mayors, community partners, and our members who provide subject matter expertise and resources to support COYL programming which includes community-based conversations on Advance Care Planning.

COYL is part of the Mayors Wellness Campaign. Through COYL, the Quality Institute provides technical assistance and resources to help community leaders create events that empower residents to decide, document, and discuss their health care decisions.

COYL events are held in comfortable settings for people to discuss what can be a challenging topic. During the COVID pandemic, as community gathering places such as libraries and senior centers closed, we worked diligently to keep COYL going. We’re grateful to our many members and volunteers for the recent resurgence of COYL and its continued expansion in New Jersey.

COYL gatherings often include interactive elements including games, movies, or book discussions — all with the goal of helping participants identify what matters most to them. Our gatherings also address common misconceptions. Do you need a lawyer to create a legally binding advance directive? (You don’t). Does it have to be notarized? (No, but you need two witnesses.)

We have a new COYL Toolkit that provides engaging information on how COYL can support your organization’s or community’s work to advance these conversations and healthy aging. The Toolkit includes tips on how to run COYL workshops and raise awareness about the value of advance care planning. The Toolkit explains to mayors and community members how COYL connects deeply with the goals of our Mayors Wellness Campaign and the effort to make New Jersey cities and towns healthier places to live, work, and play.

If you’d like to join our growing list of COYL volunteers who provide subject matter expertise, supply a venue for COYL events, host an event, bring training to your community or employees, or fund these gatherings,  please reach out to me or our Community Health Associate, Katie Bisaha.