Start the Conversation. It’s a Gift.
In life we prepare for everything…college, marriage, a baby, retirement. But we seldom talk about preparing for the end. Few people know their end-of-life options and still fewer have discussed their wishes with their doctor and family. Planning for end of life care is as important as all the other life plans people make. Having a plan makes it easier for you, your doctor and your loved ones if, in the future, decisions about treatment need to be made at a time when you are unable to.
“Start the Conversation” is a public education initiative sponsored by Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice (RAVNAH) in an effort to motivate people to start the conversation about Advance Care Planning as well as complete documentation to support their choices. It encourages identifying your health care choices, talking about decisions with loved ones and doctors, and putting your plans in writing to be ready if needed.
RAVNAH is hosting a Start the Conversation presentation on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, at the First Congregational Church, located at 3624 Main St. in Manchester Village. The event is being presented by Southwestern Vermont Health Care Hospice Medical Director Dr. Allen Hutcheson and Elizabeth Fredland, LICSW. This workshop is free and open to the public. To register, please contact Mary Pleasant at 802.442.5502 or at [email protected].
Who Benefits?
- Someone who wants to give their family the gift of having the decisions made
- A person of any age with a terminal illness – and their caregiver(s)
- A young person starting a new family who needs to make decisions in case an injury or illness happens unexpectedly
- Someone with a life-limiting illness
Next Steps
- Learn more on our website at www.ravnah.org where you’ll find information and resources to help you “Start the Conversation”.
- Contact RAVNAH for assistance. We have dedicated staff members ready to talk with you about your options and to help you complete your Advance Directive documents.
- Look for community educational workshops throughout the year to learn more about how to Start the Conversation and to understand the process of planning.
- We offer workshops and presentations to interested groups, churches, schools, clubs and businesses.
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