Seminar to Help Patients Give Advance Directives

None of us can predict what tomorrow may bring, but 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 allows caregivers to establish care plans. To help you understand your options and make your wishes known, Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) will present a free seminar at 5 p.m. June 5 at the hospital’s Community Resource Center, 44151 15th St. West, in Lancaster.

Presenters include Miriam Piven Cotler, PhD, AVMC’s clinical ethicist; Dr. Daniel Khodabakhsh, an emergency room physician and director of the hospital’s palliative care program; and Dr. Larry Stock, chairman of the AVMC Ethics Committee and an emergency room physician.

The free 90-minute discussion will help attendees:

• Think about their values, beliefs and what is important to them when dealing with a serious illness.
• Talk to their family and friends about future healthcare choices.
• Share necessary information with their healthcare team and work with a family physician to coordinate care.
• Understand the key issues of a serious illness.
• Create an advance directive.

"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.