Resources available for advance care plans

Although we recently celebrated National Healthcare Decisions Day, a grass-roots community effort designed to raise awareness of the importance of advance care planning and advance directives, I would like to remind the members of our Orlando-area community that the team at Samaritan Care Hospice of Florida, along with other local health care providers, are available anytime throughout the year to discuss and provide information on advance care planning and advance directives.

The fact is that hospice organizations provide a variety of information and educational services to the community. It’s a crucial part of our community outreach mission. Whether you know of a friend who is having a difficult time dealing with a loss, or you’re unsure whether a family member should consider palliative care, or you’re dealing with a life-limiting condition and you don’t know where to turn … please don’t hesitate to contact your local hospice provider.

Through one-on-one conversations, workshops, a variety of printed materials, the latest research and other resources, hospice team members — educators, counselors and care professionals — are available to provide the information you need. And we do this in a non-intimidating atmosphere that emphasizes support and compassion.

In the case of advance care planning discussions and advance directives (living wills, etc.), these are opportunities that provide family members, loved ones and health care professionals with clear insights and direction into the level of care an individual desires if a serious or life-threatening situation develops where the individual is no longer able to effectively communicate his or her wishes.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization cites research showing that patients who engage in advance care planning conversations when faced with a serious or life-limiting illness experience a higher quality of life, fewer hospitalizations and fewer visits to the emergency room. And families feel a sense of relief, satisfaction and assurance that their loved one’s wishes were met.

Hospice providers work with patients, families, physicians and other health care professionals to ensure a person’s life journey is as comfortable and fulfilling as possible. By presenting appropriate health care information such as advance care planning and advance directives, it is our intent to continue to empower the individual to make informed care decisions based on his or her own personal values, desires and beliefs.

Eva M. Sylvester is the executive director of Samaritan Care Hospice of Florida in Orlando. For more information, contact [email protected] or 407-514-1300.