Archbold Hosting Advance Care Planning Informational Session

Thinking about end-of-life care can be uncomfortable. However, making choices about your healthcare before it's needed can be empowering.

On January 30, Archbold will host an informational session on advanced care planning. Archbold Patient Advocates and Archbold's Palliative Care Nurse, Jessica Burns, AGNP-C, will be on hand to speak about the importance of end-of-life care planning and palliative care.

"As a patient advocate, I've seen firsthand how end-of-life care planning can transform a difficult journey into one guided by clarity and compassion," said Kevin Cates, Archbold's Lead Patient Advocate. "It's not just about medical decisions; it's about ensuring your voice is heard and your values are honored, giving loved ones the confidence to support you in ways that truly reflect who you are."

There are multiple benefits to taking an active role in your end-of-life planning. This is especially true for people with cancer, other potentially life-threatening illnesses or conditions that may get in the way of making wishes known, such as dementia.

End-of-life planning can involve several steps, including making an advance directive. An advance directive includes documents that name someone to make healthcare decisions for you (a healthcare agent) in case you are unable to and which life-sustaining treatments you want and don't want (a living will).

End-of-life planning can also help you have the following:

• Fewer necessary or unwanted treatments
• Lower overall costs for end-of-life care
• More say in where you'd like to be when you die
• Shorter hospitalizations

This drop-in event will take place at the Archbold Cancer Center from 10am to 1pm. Attendees will be able to speak to staff about advance directives, care plans, and more. No registration is required for this event.

To learn more, please visit archbold.org/events.