"I Had to Choose the Day My Husband Died" : Erica Baccus on Love, Dementia & Letting Go

What would you do if you had to choose the day your husband died?

In this deeply moving episode of the Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts sits down with Erica Baccus — author, former marketing executive, and end-of-life advocate — to explore one of the most profound and rarely discussed decisions a family can face.

After her husband John was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's in 2020, Erica and John made a courageous choice: rather than wait for the disease to steal everything he was, John would die on his own terms. That journey led them to Dignitas in Zurich, Switzerland — and forever changed Erica's life.

In this episode, you'll hear:

· What it was like the day John received his Alzheimer's diagnosis

· Why U.S. aid-in-dying laws create a cruel catch-22 for dementia patients

· The intimate, heartbreaking, and even humorous final moments of John's life

· How Erica found the strength to choose the date her husband would die

· The family's reaction — and why secrecy was necessary

· Erica's book A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love

· Why every person — young and healthy — should have end-of-life conversations now

A powerful, compassionate conversation that will make you think differently about life, love, and letting go.

Erica’s bio:

Erica started her professional career in the suburbs of Chicago as an 8th grade English teacher. She went on to San Francisco to become a high-tech marketing, advertising, and research executive. She and her beloved husband John were married for 41 years. Together they lived an active and adventurous life-skiing, golfing, hiking and traveling around the world. Erica enjoys spending time with her son, stepson, stepdaughter and grandkids. Now she helps advocate and educate people about end-of-life decisions exploring the moral and ethical perils so many face.

Erica’s Social Media:

Website: https://ericabaccus.com

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ericabaccus/

Threads:https://www.threads.com/@ericabaccus?xmt=AQF0dd2_SOOtLxTJickCWTEMu8SGa14IuGfoLb6PD1SoMS0

Substack: https://ericabaccus.substack.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn9iTZX6vHaLEUPb4H0ve1jd4RW-YfGvouRzbgzDm4Loa51BkSGTvg61IkTtI_aem_M9j4EYCPiYOIDAt6UikBgA&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3_a1dennhddsnx1i

📖 Erica's Book: A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold

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To find out more about Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com