Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Life can change in a heartbeat, yet less than 30% of adults have explicitly discussed end-of-life planning with their loved ones and healthcare providers. Advance directives are a crucial part of long-term life planning for all adults. 

 

While one is healthy and thoughtful, advance directives provide the ability to document preferences for treatment and end-of-life care that only go into effect at incapacitation and a loss of the ability to speak for yourself. They serve the purpose of permitting assigned people access to your medical information should they need to advocate on your behalf. Advance directives are best completed and documented before a healthcare crisis.

 

Holy Cross Episcopal Church is sponsoring an Adult Formation series to focus on these important healthcare decisions. On two consecutive Saturday mornings in March, individuals and couples are invited to make informed decisions about end-of-life care and services.  Participants will:

 

• Learn about options for end-of-life services and care
• Implement plans to ensure wishes are honored
• Voice decisions to family, friends, and healthcare providers
• Engage in personal and community efforts to improve end-of-life care
• Complete state-specific (North or South Carolina) advance directives for healthcare

 

 

The workshop is open to the public and will meet in the Holy Cross parish hall on Saturday, March 4 and 11, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Attendance at both sessions is needed for success.  

 

The first workshop will be instructive and directive, inviting participants to complete formal advance directives during the week between the two meetings. The second week will focus on the proper filing of the documents and on conversation facilitating loving, tender, and vitally important conversations with intimates about deeply personal end-of-life wishes.  

 

The cost of the workshop is $10 for an individual, $20 per couple.

 

The workshop will be led by Dr. Jack Rainer, a clinical psychologist and member of Holy Cross, with Rev. Mollie Turner, Dr. Todd Walter, Lori Walter, and the Holy Cross grief support group consulting. 

 

Registration is open by calling Lori Walter at the church office, at (828) 859-9741, or by email at lwalter@holycrosstryon.org. Questions about the workshop may be directed to Dr. Rainer at jacksonprainer@gmail.com.

 

Submitted by Lori Walters