Get information on advanced directives and end-of-life care decisions

Osage Beach, Mo. -

Social workers at Lake Regional Health System will honor National Healthcare Decision Day on Thursday, April 16, by providing information on advanced directives and end-of-life care decisions.
“It’s a tragedy when a person’s wishes are unknown at the end of their life,” said Susan Major, MSW, LCSW, director of Social Work Services at Lake Regional Health System. “It’s important for all adults to define ‘quality of life’ for themselves and to make their decisions known in case they become incapacitated.”
During Decision Day, LRHS social workers will answer questions and assist individuals wishing to complete an advance directive from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the hospital’s chapel, near the main entrance. The service is free, and no appointment is necessary. In addition to instruction, staff will offer copies of the “Caring Conversations” workbook and advance directive documents. Notaries also will be on site to complete the process.
The National Healthcare Decision Day initiative, now in its second year, is a collaborative effort of national, state and community organizations committed to ensuring that all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their health care decisions.
The theme for this year’s NHDD is “Leading by Example,” and Major’s staff is doing just that.
“In addition to helping community members, it’s our goal to encourage all Lake Regional employees to complete their own advance directives,” Major said. “That will ensure we are better equipped to answer questions and assist patients in completing their advance directives.”
To download the “Caring Conversations” guide, visit www.lakeregional.com. For more information, contact Lake Regional Social Work Services at 348-8776.