Talking about death can be difficult, but necessary.
Hospice West Parry Sound hasĀ been leading a conversation about Advance Care Planning.
“What we’re seeing a lot in our community is people think they don’tĀ need to talk about end-of-life until they’re sick or until something happens to a loved one then they have to make decisions for a family member. We want people to know about the proper legislation around advance care planning and ensuring they’re using the proper language,” said Jessica Caux, Client care and development coordinator at the Parry Sound Hospice.
An educational session in Parry Sound will give residentsĀ an opportunity to hear and speak with professionals about topics relating to end-of-life decisions, pre-planning, Ontario Legislation, WILLS, choosing and identifying aĀ substituteĀ decision maker, and understanding your role if you are an automatic substitute decision maker for a loved one.
“We’re finding in the grief process when providing councilling to people, that these are the things that peopleĀ have to deal with when someone dies and this is really difficult for people when they’re trying to grieve and wrap their heads around what’s happening but instead, they’re going through paperwork and asking questions and not knowing where to find the answers. We want everyone at every stage and every age in our community to be in one room and ask questions openly to get the information now so that people can prepare themselves,” said Caux
Caux says that in Ontario does not have advance directives where other provinces have written directives for care. In Ontario, we have goals of care and verbal consent based on current health status. Physicians tell you the current health status and give you informationĀ based on your health now and options available, then you choose.
“If you are capable of choosing, you do so and if not your automatic substituteĀ decision maker will make decisions based on your best interest. This is why we tell people to talk about when you want,” she added.
Caux provided the example that a spouse is often automatically a substitute decision maker without any legal paperwork.Ā If an individual does not want theirĀ spouse to make health care decisions for them, a POA of choice could be assigned to health care unless. The workshop gives people an opportunity to talk andĀ hear about information and ask questions in advance of a life-altering event.
“This is not about talking about death, this is about talking about your life and that’s worth talking about,”
People of all ages are urged to come out to the discussion on January 21st from 6:30pm-8:30pm atĀ Torrance Funeral Home & ChapelĀ for Talk the Talk! Call to register 705-746-4540 ext. 1415.
More information on advanced care planning can be foundĀ here.Ā