Living Well, Dying Well: Guided Conversations around Medical Advanced Care Planning
Chaplain Mallory Naake invites you to participate in a virtual two-session Medical Advanced Care Planning (or Health Care Decision Making) class during Lent. Advanced care planning is a process that allows an individual to discuss and document their desires and values regarding medical care in the case of serious or life-limiting disease, chronic illness, or trauma. It is important for these conversations and planning to take place well before anything serious occurs with your health. The safe and supportive setting of The Table community is ideal for you to explore and articulate your wishes.
- When: Sunday, March 7, 10:45am-12:15pm & Sunday, March 21, 10:45am-12:15pm
- Where: Online Via Zoom
- Time commitment: In addition to the live Zoom meetings, approx. 30-60 minutes of “homework” (self-reflection or conversation with loved ones) to complete prior to the sessions.
Objectives of the class:
- To explore your values and beliefs around medical wishes within a safe, loving, and supportive community.
- To understand your role in your health care decision process and the expectations of the health care team.
- Counseling and guidance with hospital chaplain, Mallory Naake, who has expertise within the health care planning context.
This conversation will then lead into:
- Completion of an Advanced Health Care Directive (or Medical Power of Attorney) outlining your medical wishes.
- Designation of a decision maker if you are unable to speak for yourself.
Why should I participate in Advanced Care planning?
- To begin conversations around dying and death with your loved ones, family, and/or friends.
- To reduce the burden and avoid conflict among family members and loved ones if you are later unable to articulate your wishes.
- To ensure you receive the care you desire in the setting of your choice.
- To establish your wishes in writing.
- The last year of the pandemic may have given rise to thoughts and emotions about your own mortality, or what you might wish in certain situations.
Who should participate?
- Anyone over 18 years of age. Advanced Directives should be updated with any life change (marriage, divorce, moving, birth, those with children aging into adulthood, death in the family, etc).
- Adults who need guidance talking to their aging parents about their parents’ wishes.
- Parents with young children.
- People who are not legally married and would like their partner to make medical decisions if needed.
Registration is full. Please contact Chaplain Mallory at mallory.naake (at) dignityhealth.org with questions.