Press release:
To help people think through difficult end-of-life medical treatment decisions in advance, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNC Asheville will hold a free workshop, open to everyone, from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21, at the Reuter Center on the university campus.
“Would you want medical intervention, or would you want a ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ order to prevent lots of medical procedures if you are terminally ill? Advance care planning is crucial because our medical system generally goes ‘all out’ to keep you alive, regardless,” says geriatrician David Mouw, M.D., Ph.D., now retired from the MAHEC Family Practice Residency faculty, who coordinates the workshop.
“In my experience, families are deeply appreciative, when the time comes, that you have declared your wishes beforehand. You don’t need to think through every situation, but if you can give your loved ones and health providers advance directives, documenting your wishes in a legally valid way, then you have a much better chance of getting the care you want, and avoiding the interventions you don’t want, when you are too ill to communicate your wishes,” according to Mouw.
At the workshop, Mouw will be joined in a panel discussion by four other professionals experienced in addressing end-of-life issues, including ethical and legal issues, the uses of advance directives, and how to communicate treatment wishes to family and medical personnel.
Assistance will be provided for those wishing to complete a legally valid advance directive, including the notarization required in North Carolina, using the N.C. Short Form for Advance Care Planning.
For more information on the workshop, including suggested things to do and read in advance, visit olliasheville.com/special- programs or call 828.251.6140.
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