Talbot Hospice will participate in an annual nationwide effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making—an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). As a participating organization, Talbot Hospice is providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and to execute written advance directives.
On Tuesday, April 11, at 1 p.m. Talbot Hospice will host a free public screening and discussion of the film Consider the Conversation at the Easton branch of Talbot County Free Library. Motivated by their personal experiences with loss, two long-time friends present a powerful and inspiring film on the American struggle with communication and preparation at life’s end. Consider the Conversation examines multiple perspectives on end-of-life care and includes interviews with patients, family members, doctors, nurses, clergy, social workers and national experts from around the country. The film’s goal is to inspire dialogue between patient and doctor, husband and wife, parent and child, minister and parishioner. A panel of Talbot Hospice staff and volunteers will guide a discussion following the 60 minute film.
On Monday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.,Talbot Hospice is welcoming the public at its Cynwood Drive location, with free information about advance care planning and advance directive forms including the Five Wishes and the Maryland Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST). Staff and volunteers will be on hand to assist guests in understanding and completing their paperwork.
“As a result of National Healthcare Decisions Day, many more people in our community can be expected to have thoughtful conversations about their healthcare decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known,” said Talbot Hospice Executive Director Vivian Dodge. “Fewer families and healthcare providers will have to struggle with making difficult healthcare decisions in the absence of guidance from the patient, and healthcare providers, and facilities will be better equipped to address advance healthcare planning issues before a crisis and be better able to honor patient wishes when the time comes to do so.”
Registration for both events is encouraged. Call 410-822-6681 for more information.
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