Ninety-percent of people say that talking to their loved ones about end-of-life care is important. Twenty seven-percent have actually had the conversation.
Talbot Hospice along with other national, state and community organizations is leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making – an effort that has culminated in the designation of April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day.
“It’s not easy to talk about how you want the end of your life to be. But it’s one of the most important conversations you can have” commented Lisa May, LCSW-C, CT, Family Services Counselor at Talbot Hospice. “Whether you’re getting ready to tell someone your end-of-life wishes or you want to help someone else get ready to talk, Talbot Hospice wants you to be the expert on end-of-life decisions.”
On Thursday, April 16, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, Talbot Hospice social workers will welcome the public at 407 Brookletts Avenue (across from the Talbot Senior Center). They will explain The Five Wishes, Maryland M.O.L.S.T., and the clarify the language of a healthcare power of attorney, a Maryland healthcare agent and other terms pertinent to advance directives. Attendees can complete advance directives forms under the direction of Talbot Hospice social workers.
“As a result of National Healthcare Decisions Day, people in our community can be expected to have conversations about their healthcare decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known,” said Mary Ellen Shea, Executive Director of Talbot Hospice. Our staff is informed on advanced directives and can help our community understand how these documents can make a difference in their end of life experience as well as their families.
For more information please contact Lisa May, at Talbot Hospice at 410-822-6681, ext. 43 or visit www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org
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