One Conversation Can Make All the Difference

On Thursday, April 11, VNA Hospice & Palliative Care of So. California, hosted the 7th Annual National Healthcare Decision's Day, a free public event held at Parkview Hospital's Founder's Center. Steve Popkin, CEO of Parkview Community Hospital, offered this proclamation on behalf of the City of Riverside California, "Whereas VNA Hospice and Palliative Care of So. California along with other national, state and community organizations, are leading a widespread effort to highlight the importance of The Conversation Project, an effort that has culminated across the nation to encourage all to discuss their end of life wishes.. this day exists to inspire, educate, and empower the public and providers about the importance of advanced care planning.. we encourage all adults to have a thoughtful conversation about their healthcare decisions and make their wishes known. One conversation can make all the difference." On behalf of the City of Riverside, Mayor William Bailey Jr., Steve went on to say, "Now therefore, do I hereby proclaim April 11, 2014 as National Healthcare Decision's Day. Use it to decide, discuss and document your wishes, whatever they may be." Patty Meinhardt of VNA So. California served as MC as well as speaker for the event. She shared that The Conversation is for any adult. Some of her thought provoking questions, "What is important to you? What do you value most? What can you not imagine living without. Who do you trust to speak to? How long do you want to receive medical care? How involved do you want your loved ones to be?" She went over information contained in the Conversation Tool Kit, which each person in attendance received. These kits included steps to get the conversation started with family, friends and healthcare providers along with The Five Wishes booklet and a copy of 25 Document Everyone Should Have in Place. Next to share was Maureen Lyons, Attorney at Law, specializing in Estate Planning and Elder Law. She shared on The Essentials of Estate Planning. One of her questions to provoke the conversation was, "Who's going to take care of my business?" She went on to say, "Planning is much more sophisticated now because we are living longer." She shared a Safe Aging Now questionnaire asking health and finance related questions, a helpful check-list to get the conversation started. Jeff Hills, Executive Director from ResCare HomeCare, went over the POLST, which is the Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment. This document became a legally recognized option in California in 2009. POLST is intended to complement an advanced care directive for those who are seriously ill or have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Along with the speakers, there were several vendors on hand which included: Riverside Co. Office on Aging; Parkview Community Hospital Medical Center Palliative Care; VNA Hospice; California Telephone Access Program; Dignity Memorial, and Doug Shaw with HICAP. There was a Notary on hand for those wanting to fill out their healthcare directive documents and Wish List. VNA & Palliative Care of So. California will be offering more of these free events in the local area.