#61 Living with the end in mind with Wendy Mitchell

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Wendy Mitchell, author of the best-selling books Somebody I Used to Know, What I wish people knew about dementia and the recently published One Last Thing; How to live with the end in mind.

We connected back in 2022 to explore Wendy’s Advance Care Planning and spoke about the work we did together in an earlier podcast. Wendy writes about her Advance Care Planning journey in her recent book and in discussion today we reflect on missed opportunities to plan ahead, the impact of language and of normalising these important conversations.  We also talk about Assisted Dying and what Wendy learned through writing her book.

Wendy is a true inspiration, teaching us all how to live with the end in mind.

Key messages from guest

• Wendy describes how she wanted to share the creation of one last book with her fabulous writing partner Anna Wharton.

• Wendy invites us to trust her to  gently share important conversations about death and dying

• We speak about what “unwelcome news” can mean and how this is interpreted differently by different people. 

• Wendy shares the negative process associated with her dementia appointments; the lack of positivity and absence of Advance Care Planning at appointments and the impact this had on her.

• We talk about the importance of normalising Advance Care Planning conversations. 

• Wendy shares what she has learned about Assisted Dying.

• Wendy describes her feelings on a future self and how important it is for her to maintain her autonomy.

• Wendy acknowledges the great partnership she has with Anna Wharton and the friendship they have formed since writing together. 

• Wendy explains how she re- visits her Advance Care Planning regularly with her GP and daughters.

Wendy Mitchell

I was diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia on the 31st July 2014 at the age of 58 years young. 

Post diagnosis, I was so shocked by the lack of awareness, both in the community and the clinical world, that I now spend all my time travelling around the country raising awareness and encouraging others to speak out in order to reduce the stigma associated with dementia.

I am now proud to be the author of the not one but two  Sunday Times best sellers, Somebody I Used to Know, and What I wish people knew about dementia, and two Honorary Doctorates. My third and final book, One Last Thing, Living with the end in mind has just been released.

Who would have thought that possible 8 years ago when I was diagnosed?

Resource

• Hear my earlier podcast with Wendy, recorded in November 2022: Advance Care Planning and dementia with Wendy Mitchell

• Access Wendy’s books:

  Wendy Mitchell : Somebody I Used to Know

  Wendy Mitchell: What I wish People Knew About Dementia 

  Wendy Mitchell: One Last Thing. Living with the end in mind

• Access Wendy’s website which me am I  today?

• Learn more about the ReSPECT process that Wendy mentions

• Find out more about making a Lasting Power of Attorney

• Read Clare’s blog: Making my Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment 

• Find out more about making a Digital Legacy