While hoping for the best is natural, and helpful at times, ignoring the rest is a setup for disaster. Having meaningful conversations and clearly documenting your wishes is the only way to ensure that they will be known and honored when you can’t speak for yourself. It is also an enormous gift to your loved ones who will be making crucial decisions on your behalf if, and when, you are unable to do so. In this engaging and informative presentation you will: * Gain an understanding of the value of having open, informed and honest conversations about your end of life wishes with your loved ones * Be guided in how to approach this delicate topic in a way that offers the best opportunity for success * Learn about what can happen when an individual has not designated a Health Care Agent and/or has not communicated with them about their end of life wishes * Be introduced to various resources to support you in having conversations and avoiding crises * Learn about legal end of life options in California that provide individuals the ability to limit the amount of suffering they are forced to endure Dr. Bob Uslander is the co-founder and medical director of Empowered Endings, based in San Diego. He is a pioneer physician leading a movement to shift the paradigm of End of Life Care by supporting, guiding and teaching an empowered approach to Palliative and End of Life Care. With over 35 years of experience as a physician in emergency medicine, palliative care, and hospice care—he leads the Empowered Endings Medical Group, providing compassionate, holistic, in-home care to patients, while guiding and supporting their families and loved ones. He’s a passionate advocate, loving husband and father, and adventurer in life.

Dr. Patel will discuss the science of how sensory input affects our nervous system. She will explain how taking care of your sense organs and using mindful sensory input can improve your overall physical and mental health, as well as improve your sleep. You will be lead through interactive practices that support the health of the sense organs and learn tools that you can implement right away in your daily routine. Sheila Patel, M.D., is renowned for her expertise in integrative medicine, blending the wisdom of Ayurveda, meditation, and yoga with modern medical practices. With years of experience and a dedication to holistic health, she offers a unique and personalized approach to healing. Dr. Sheila's philosophy centers around a preventive, predictive, personalized, and participatory approach to health, aiming to enhance the wellbeing of individuals and society as a whole. With over 25 years as a primary care physician, she integrates traditional healing practices and modern medicine, utilizing the tools and knowledge of Ayurveda in her patients' healing plans. Passionate about supporting people on their healing journey, Dr. Sheila believes in our innate ability to heal. She has witnessed this ability at work in various settings and teaches people how to support their inner healer, helping them thrive in body, mind, and spirit.

Dr. Banks will discuss the new science of cognitive longevity. She will address questions such as, "What can we do to avoid dementia, and stay sharp with age? How is this related to our gender and our genetics? What can you do today to help with brain health?" Dr. Sarah Banks is a Neuropsychologist and Associate Professor of Neurosciences and Psychiatry at UC San Diego. Her research is largely focused on brain health and dementia, and specifically on sex differences and why women are more at risk for dementia than men. She is also actively involved in helping communicate the science of modifiable risk to the public, and learning the best ways to empower people to make brain healthy lifestyle choices. She has previously held faculty positions with the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western University, after completing her education at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, Montreal Neurological Institute and the University of Edinburgh.