“Start the Conversation” on Healthcare Planning

Have you thought about what will be important to you when you or a loved one is critically or chronically ill, or suffers an accident? Do you know who you would want to represent you if you cannot speak for yourself? Do your loved ones know what you want?

While the thought of considering these choices can be unnerving, most families with a plan in place appreciate the ease of carrying out their family member’s wishes, and it helps staff plan to meet care goals. To help you understand your options and make your wishes known, Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) will present "Start the Conversation" at 6 p.m. April 10 at the hospital’s Community Resource Center, 44151 15th St. West, in Lancaster.

Presenter Miriam Piven Cotler, PhD, AVMC’s clinical ethicist, has helped many hundreds of patients or their surrogate create a decision-making process consistent with their values and commitments. A renowned author, speaker and lecturer, Dr. Cotler is a professor emeritus at California State University, Northridge and has extensive experience as a clinical ethicist.

The free 90-minute discussion over coffee and cookies will help attendees:

• Consider who and what plans they need to have in place in the event of serious illness.
• Communicate their values and discuss treatment options with their family and doctor.
• Learn about advance directives.

"When patients become mentally or physically unable to communicate their choices due to an injury or illness, their family is left with a lot of questions," said Dr. Cotler, the hospital’s clinical ethicist. "This presentation will help provide a road map for families to navigate through those difficult questions."

For more details, click here to view the event on Facebook and RSVP.