Grinnell Regional Medical Center will host an advance
directive seminar for the public. This educational presentation will explain
the value and need for advance directives in healthcare.
The program is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 18,
beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the GRMC Tomasek Conference Center. All adults are
invited to learn about end-of-life wishes and how to put them in writing so
that loved ones know what type of care you want in the event of
life-threatening conditions.
Class participants will examine their wants and
desires not only at end-of-life but also when a major health crisis occurs. The
time to discuss these concerns is long before the crisis that calls families
together outside of emergency departments or ICUs, a time when emotions are
high and logical decisions seems to be difficult to determine.
“This class addresses the difficulty most individuals
have with discussing wishes and expectations prior to a death and when medical
emergencies occurs. During a crisis
decision making becomes even more complicated and strains family relationships
when, in fact, they are all the more important,” explains Randy Svendsen,
program presenter and GRMC social worker. “The time to discuss wishes for
healthcare is when it can be addressed in a less stressful atmosphere and when
you can take the time to respectfully navigate differences.”
In Iowa two documents are available to express wishes
and plans for changes in health. These are the Durable Power of Attorney for
Health Care Decisions or the Medical Power of Attorney and the Declaration
Relating to Life Sustaining Procedures or the Living Will. The Medical Power of
Attorney assigns the responsibility to another person to make healthcare
choices for someone when he/she can not. The Living Will states a person’s wishes
specifically for healthcare.
Forms will be available at the program, as well as on
the web at no cost. Forms are also available by contacting Grinnell Regional
Hospice at 641-236-2418.
This seminar is free and open to the public. It begins
at 5:30 p.m. with light refreshments served before the program. Please make a
reservation by calling 641-236-2418.
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