Peace Island Medical Center offers free advance care planning workshop

Friday, March 20, 1-3 p.m., Friday Harbor

— from Deanna Ellefson for PeaceHealth —

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center is offering a free community workshop that walks participants through the elements of advance care planning. The Your Voice, Your Choice workshop will take place on Friday, March 20, 2020 from 1-3 p.m. at the EMS Building, 1079 Spring Street, Friday Harbor.

“Advance care planning is about sharing personal goals, values, religious and cultural beliefs, and what matters individually for quality of life with family, friends and medical providers,” said Hilary Walker, program coordinator for PeaceHealth Advance Care Planning. “It’s also about completing an advance directive. Both will help to ensure your wishes are followed, in the event of a medical crisis.”

The workshop will offer step-by-step guidance for completing a Healthcare Directive and Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare.  The workshop also covers state laws and PeaceHealth policies related to advance care planning. A free notary service will be provided for those completing their documents at this session.

PeaceHealth Referral Coordinator Rita Bode recently shared her story of the priceless gift that completing an advance directive can be for your family.  “It was a huge relief for both my children and myself,” she said, “Expressing your wishes on a form doesn’t seem like much but taking the weight of those decisions off the shoulders of your family is a true expression of love.”

Walker adds that it’s never too early to complete an advance directive and the peace of mind it provides is invaluable. Advance care is for all community members 18 years of age and older.

Registration is required to attend the Your Voice, Your Choice workshop and space is limited.  Participants may register by calling Hilary Walker at 360-752-5267, or online at www.peacehealth.org/yourvoiceyourchoice. For more information, please call 360-752-5267.

About PeaceHealth: Based in Vancouver, Wash., PeaceHealth is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center, a 10-bed Critical Access Hospital in Friday Harbor, serves communities in the San Juan Islands. Key services include cancer care, general and orthopedic surgery, oncology, behavioral health and primary care. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.