In the blink of an eye, circumstances change lives. At any age a medical crisis could leave someone too ill to make his or her own health care decisions.
Stephanie VanSlyke, R.N., of Munson Medical Center’s Advance Care Planning Department and Intensive Care Unit, offers several advance care planning workshops in the region this fall focused on helping area residents make their medical wishes known to loved ones.
“We want participants to understand possible future health care decisions and treatment choices and help them learn to effectively communicate health care choices and describe what is important to them,” VanSlyke said. “This is one of the best gifts to give to loved ones.”
She said having these conversations provide the answers to tough questions, taking the guessing game out of the emotional equation. This helps take the burdens off loved ones’ shoulders.
VanSlyke also will provide a page-by-page walk through of Munson Healthcare’s Advance Medical Directive and Treatment preferences booklet. This replaces the FIVE Wishes booklet formerly used by the organization. The workshop will help participants put their medical wishes in writing.
Workshops are planned for:
- Oct. 17 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Munson Community Health Center, Room A&B, 550 Munson Ave., Traverse City.
- Nov. 1, from 3 - 5 p.m. at Munson Medical Center’s Dining Room 3, 1105 Sixth St. in Traverse City.
- Nov. 14, from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. at Traverse City Senior Center, 801 E. Front St. in Traverse City.
- Nov. 15, from 1 - 3 p.m. at Suttons Bay Government Center, 8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suttons Bay.
While the sessions are free, registration is requested. To register for a seminar, go to munsonhealthcare.org/acp-events