No one wants to think about it: An accident or other health catastrophe leaves you or a loved one incapacitated, and someone has to make a life or death decision.
It’s natural to want to put that conversation – do you or don’t you want life support in the event of the unthinkable? – off as long as possible, says Brian Jones, director of hospice and palliative care for St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
But no one knows just how long “as long as possible is,” he points out. “It’s important right now.”
How to start the conversation
PrimeWise, a service for 50+ adults offered by St. Elizabeth, is hosting a free informational session on Thursday, Oct. 13. Planning Ahead: Answering Questions about End of Life will feature a panel of experts, including a St. Elizabeth physician, an attorney, a funeral home director and an organ donation coordinator, with a Q&A session following the presentations and light refreshments.
The event will be at the Northern Kentucky Area Development District (22 Spiral Dr., Florence, KY). To learn more or to reserve a spot, call (859) 301-5999.
Too often, families are forced to make the decisions on their own, without any idea of what their loved one would want, and under the worst of circumstances, Jones said.
“You’re letting your family know, ‘This is what I want done.’ You’re saving them from a lot of unnecessary suffering,” he said. “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.”
Click here for more hospice resource, courtesy of St. Elizabeth.
