Bereavement Professional

  • 1.  Today, April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day

    Posted 13 days ago

    April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day.  National Healthcare Decisions Day

    We often find ourselves with patients and families who are unprepared or have not had the conversation.

    I recall 15 years ago, my own mother did not have Healthcare Instructions and an Advanced Directive until I prompted the conversation. She died 9 months later with an Advanced Directive and her wishes in place.  My late husband and I crafted our Advanced Directives early on in his Huntington's Disease process after seeing his mother with the disease linger in the late 1980's. He died peacefully with his wishes met. My 31- and 33-year-old adult children have Healthcare Instructions and Advanced Directives understanding the need to have their wishes met after seeing their loved ones ill and die. To this day, I update mine every time I am scheduled for a surgical procedure as people in our lives may no longer be available. It is a gift to our loved ones.

    I am sure this community has many stories to tell. The importance of having Healthcare Decisions known and documented cannot be understated.

    NHPCO remove preview
    National Healthcare Decisions Day
    National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) is held on April 16 each year to educate healthcare providers and consumers about advance care planning and empower all to make their wishes for their care known.



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    Debbie Pausig, LMFT, FT-Fellow in Thankatology
    Hospice Bereavement Coordinator
    Yale New Haven-Health at Home-Hospice
    Guilford, CT 06437
    Deborah.Kornitsky-Pausig@YNHH.ORG
    PH:203-453-7663
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  • 2.  RE: Today, April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day

    Posted 11 days ago
    Thank you for sharing this, Debbie.  What a great reminder to all of us! I'm guessing that many of us have spoken with bereaved whose grief was impacted by whether or not their person had done end of life planning. I've completed mine, but need to update it - thank you for the inspiration!

    When I helped my mom with hers very early in her journey with dementia, I asked her what kinds of things might make her life unbearable.  She said "If I can't eat chocolate anymore!" So that's what we wrote on her HCD.  And that guided us in making her end of life decisions for her.  

    End of life planning is a gift you give your loved ones, no matter your age.

     

    Lori M.Williams, MSW, LISW

    Social Worker/Bereavement Counselor

    St. Luke's Hospice Duluth

     

    220 North 6th Ave East | Duluth, MN 55805

    Phone: 218-249-6102| Fax: 218-249-6166

    Cell: 218-349-4397

    I typically work Monday-Thursday and am off on Fridays.

    I will be out of the office from Friday April 26th  until Tuesday April 30th, returning Wednesday May 1st.   

    Lori.Williams2@slhduluth.com

    www.slhduluth.com/hospice

     

     

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