Health Care Decisions Day Wednesday Apr 22, 2008
expected to have thoughtful conversations about their health-care decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known, said the Rev. Tom Shehee ... The department will be providing necessary information and tools needed to address their wishes with family, friends, and healthcare providers to execute written advance directives, which include healthcare power of attorney and living will ... For more information on advance directives or to download forms that are in... (Montana Standard, MT)
Who Owns Your Medical Tests Results and Personal Health Data? Apr 19, 2008
The PHR might also contain living wills and advance directives, organ donor authorization, recent physical examination data, healthcare workers' opinions, other test results, eye and dental records, permission and consent forms, and even lifestyle information, such as details of smoking, drinking, drug use, exercise and diet. The benefits of adopting a secure, online PHR system include allowing access to a comprehensive personal health history that can be used by healthcare workers. (Science Daily)
National Healthcare Decisions Day to be observed Apr 16, 2008
Lynne Edgerton, director of volunteer services at Carolinas Hospital System, said advance directives are really just living will and health-care powers of attorney ... Edgerton said advance directives are something commonly thought of as only for the elderly, but this isn t the case ... Often, age is associated with preparing advance directives, but in fact, (they) can potentially apply to young (people) as well as seniors, so it is always best, if your decision is made, to put it on paper and... (Florence Morning News)
National movement stresses importance of advance directives Apr 16, 2008
In 1991, Hammes and Nickijo Hager, Franciscan Skemp vice president of mission and organizational development, spearheaded the La Crosse Medical Centers Task Force on Advance Directives, which has worked to educate the community about the importance of advanced planning. A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1998 showed 85 percent of deceased patients in La Crosse had submitted advance directives, and health care institutions followed 95 percent of those directives ... At , you can... (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Your community in brief (April 12) (18) Apr 12, 2008
Benton Hospice Service will sponsor a free new lecture series, Practical Answers to End-of-Life Questions, starting Tuesday with Advance Directives: Who, What, Why and How. Attorney Jeanne Smith and physician Shawn Foley will explore the medical and legal ramifications of an advance directive. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Health care activities scheduled Apr 11, 2008
The program will explain a patient's rights, how family members and friends can play a role in your health care wishes and advance directives that give you a way to write your wishes about treatments and choices if you can't speak for yourself. Decisions about cardiopulmonary resuscitation and life support also will be discussed. (The News-Herald)
'Interview by Internet' Can Decrease Greatest End-of-Life Fears: It Facilitates Creating Effective Advance Directives, Living Wills Apr 8, 2008
Interview by Internet' Can Decrease Greatest End-of-Life Fears: It Facilitates Creating Effective Advance Directives, Living Wills ... Interview by Internet' Can Decrease Greatest End-of-Life Fears: It Facilitates Creating Effective Advance Directives, Living Wills ... "People's greatest end-of-life fears are being forced to endure unnecessarily prolonged end-of-life pain and suffering, or years of lingering in a state of total dependency and indignity," said Caring Advocates' Medical Director,... (PR Newswire)
Preparing for an important conversation Apr 5, 2008
In recognition of National Healthcare Decisions Day, the Brookline Council on Aging will host an information and resource table on advance directives at the Brookline Senior Center, 93 Winchester St., on Wednesday, April 16, noon-5 p.m.. The event is part of a larger national effort to promote talking with family, friends and health care providers about your health care wishes, as well as executing written advance directives such as health care proxy forms, in accordance with Massachusetts state... (Brookline TAB, MA)
Health Care Decisions Day April 16 Apr 4, 2008
As a participating organization, Sanitasole is providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and health care providers and execute written advance directives (health care power of attorney and living will) in accordance with Florida laws. On April 16, William G. Morris, a longtime Marco Island resident and community leader, will volunteer his time and address the public's misunderstanding about advance health care planning and advance directives. (Marco Island Sun-Times, FL)
ACP encourages adults to document health care decisions in advance Apr 3, 2008
As a participating organization, ACP is providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends, and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives (healthcare power of attorney and living will) in accordance with state laws. These resources are available at and. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Nevadans Can Now Keep Living Wills Online Mar 27, 2008
There's a new place for Nevadans to keep living wills and their advance directives. Secretary of State Ross Miller announced the creation of Tuesday. (KLAS-TV.com, NV)
Senior Legal Issues Mar 10, 2008
Advance directives deal with people s wishes in the event of a serious illness or injury that leaves them unable to speak for themselves. Examples of advance directives include living wills, durable powers of attorney, and do not resuscitate orders. (Suite101.com)
For the very old, a dose of 'slow medicine' Feb 27, 2008
This is the time, McCullough suggests, to reinsert themselves back into the parent's life, to show up at doctor visits and to raise unpleasant topics like advance directives and health proxies. After few more years, it is time to address the "Should you still drive?" and "Can you still manage at home?" issues, and to help create routines that compensate for a slipping memory and slightly wobbly balance. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Study suggests antibiotics overused for dying dementia patients Feb 26, 2008
Alice Bonner, director of clinical quality at the Massachusetts Extended Care Federation, a nursing-home association, said the study points out the need for more discussion of advance directives, the documents that patients and families use to make their wishes known at the end of life. Antibiotic use in advanced dementia is very common, she said in an interview, but less often broached in family meetings than decisions on resuscitation or intubation, both of which arise less often than... (Boston Globe)
Antibiotics use in dying dementia patients questioned Feb 26, 2008
The study points out the need for more discussion of advance directives, the documents that patients and families use to make their wishes known at the end of life. (Agencies). (Xinhuanet, China)
Health briefs for Feb. 25 Feb 26, 2008
The classes will include caring for the terminally ill patient, psychosocial aspects of dying, communication, spiritual care, hospice concepts, comfort care, pain control, advance directives and funeral planning. At the end of the class session, participants will have the preparation for volunteering with Hospice of the Hills, but volunteering is not required. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Two Birmingham law firms agree to merger Feb 25, 2008
Hennecy will concentrate her practice on elder law issues, assisting clients and their families with matters including advance directives, durable powers of attorney, wills, trusts, asset preservation and Medicaid planning and administration of the estates of decedents and protected persons. Related Industry News. (Birmingham Business Journal)
Estate planning workshop offered Jan 23, 2008
Noted local attorney James Elson will also speak and discuss "Advance Directives." Elson s background includes service on the faculty at the University of Illinois, and since 1961 Elson has been in private practice in Canton, Ill. His professional honors and associations include the Illinois Academy of Lawyers, Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Defense Council, and Past Director of the Illinois Bar Foundation. (Canton Daily Ledger, IL)
Advance Directives: Make Your Wishes Known Jan 9, 2008
While advance directives are not financial documents, they are often part of the overall estate planning process, because they arrange for decisions to be made on your behalf that could ultimately impact your personal affairs ... The two most common forms of advance directives are a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care (commonly referred to as a health care proxy ). (Winchester Star, MA, MA)
Researcher says doctors should talk about death with patients Dec 31, 2007
A federal law requires most hospitals to provide information about advance directives to patients at check-in, but it's estimated that fewer than one in 10 Americans have a plan. Dr. James A. Tulsky, an administrator with the Duke University Health System in North Carolina who studies end-of-life care, said it's often difficult for patients and their families to come to terms with a difficult diagnoses and talk about health directives. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
IN THE END, THE CHOICE IS YOURS Dec 10, 2007
Your wishes regarding LST need to be specified in an Advance Directives (a living will and durable power-of-attorney for health care). A living will is a legal document directing future health care interventions. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Your views: Sunday Letters Extra Dec 2, 2007
30-day news archives. "A lobbyist only has to slap waiting fingers full cash, for political campaigns, to get what they want. The" big three" meet in secrete to decide Florida's Future. What happened to the sunshine law?The Florida Ballot Initiative is a grassroots citizens group now collecting petitions to cut property taxes, insurance, gasoline prices and stop government from spending millions on lobbyist.This will bring jobs and population growth back to Florida. Will you join the fight? At... (Florida Today)
Hospice sponsors preparation talks Oct 30, 2007
On Nov. 8, Shawn Foley, MD and attorney Jeanne Smith, will present Advance Directives: A Step by Step Guide. Foley is a family practice physician at Philomath Family Medicine and assistant medical director at Benton Hospice Service. (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Elders address Native health care issues Oct 24, 2007
The two advance directives are easy to obtain on the Internet or at health services, and once they are filled out, signed and notarized, they become legal documents. Advance directives can be changed at any time ... A 12-page printout with both advance directives is available on the state of Alaska Web site at www. (Anchorage Daily News)
Faith activities for Oct. 20 Oct 20, 2007
Attorney Jim Birnbaum will present The Importance of Advance Directives at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, in the undercroft. The annual rummage sale to benefit the youth of St. Paul s Lutheran Church will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at the church, 420 West Ave. S.. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Local Hmong couple loses guardianship of drowned woman's children Oct 17, 2007
DutchBoy wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:40 AM:" Thank God for Todd Bjerke! It takes a real leader to do the legally-correct thing and not some politcally-correct, tribal mumbo-jumbo thing. While Judge Bjerke gave Miao customs some thought, he decided the case on firm legal precedent and reasoning. Two lessons out of this, if Miao people, who have made significant strides in progress and acculturation, want to continue their immersion and acceptance in American society, they need to codify their... (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
No evidence physician-assisted death leads to 'slippery slope' Sep 27, 2007
Advance directives, requesting euthanasia in the event of a coma or dementia, are now also legal. Around 1. (EurekAlert!)
Vermont Creates On-Line Advance Directives Sep 21, 2007
But the odds are that advance directives in written form are stuck away where they're hard to find ... Gov. Jim Douglas stopped by the Senior Center where he chatted with several clients during the lunch hour and signed a proclamation to underscore the importance of advance directives. (WCAX.com, VT)
Should Scotland follow England on 'living wills'? Sep 19, 2007
THE interest people have in controlling their own health and healthcare has led to the development of what are called "living wills" or "advance directives" (though the British Medical Association [BMA] prefers term "advance statements"). When conceived in the US in the 1960s, it was anticipated many people would choose to make directives so. (Scotsman)
KAH Health Symposium to feature Juli Burney Sep 18, 2007
General sessions will be at 10 a.m. and at 1:45 p.m. Topics will include: abdominal fat, KAH Home Health Care, urinary incontinence and advance directives. Attendees will have a chance to visit numerous display booths throughout the day that include Keokuk Area Medical Equipment, KAH Inpatient Rehabilitation, KAH Radiology, Lifeline, AirEvac, KAH Home Health Care, Tri-State Medical Group, Women's Health Center, Mary Kay, Voices of Iowa, KAH Foundation, KAH Auxiliary, KAH Cardiopulmonary and the... (Keokuk Daily Gate City, IO)
Ombudsmen volunteers sought to help seniors Sep 11, 2007
Volunteers also monitor whether facilities are running smoothly, and may also be called to witness the signing of advance directives for health care or to support resident and family councils. "It helps to keep problems down a little," said Denise Nelesen, communications manager for Aging and Independent Services. (North County Times)
When is it time to let go? Aug 5, 2007
Only about 15 percent of people sign advance directives, such as living wills and durable health care powers of attorney. My mother was one of those 15 percent, and it gave her and me as well as my brothers great peace of mind. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
When to let go? Medicine's top dilemma Jul 18, 2007
Hospitals have been urging people for years to sign advance directives setting out what treatment they do or don't want near the end of life, but only about 15 percent have done so. "Most Americans don't really believe they're going to die," Lynch said. (Scientific American)
Business in Brief (Tu) Jul 18, 2007
The program will present strategies for seniors and their families to plan for future financial needs and will include advance directives, financial resources, housing options and what long-term-care insurance does and does not cover. There will also be a presentation by the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program. (Towson Jeffersonian, MD)
Daily News letters Jul 10, 2007
More humane palliative care, widespread support for advance directives and the Oregon Physician Aid in Dying law grew from the seeds of his advocacy. Lest we forget, the right to a peaceful, dignified death has far to go. (Anchorage Daily News)
Your views: Letters to the editor Jul 2, 2007
" Youk's mother and brothers agree.Many call Dr. Kevorkian a fanatic. While we don't agree with his methods, every successful human rights movement has been built on personal dedication and sacrifices. Rosa Parks didn't help launch the civil rights movement by obeying unjust laws.Dr. Kevorkian took selfless risks that made Americans aware of needless suffering at the end of life. He captured our attention, which resulted in more humane palliative care, widespread support for advance directives... (Florida Today)
Should kids be conceived after a parent dies? Jun 27, 2007
Changing our wills, advance directives, and organ and tissue donor cards to include our wishes about posthumous reproduction is certainly a step that lawmakers in every state ought to consider. Click for related content. (MSNBC -- Health)
Virginia examines mental health system Jun 22, 2007
University of Virginia law professor Richard Bonnie, who chairs the commission, said the panel also plans to focus on facilitating psychiatric advance directives legal documents the mentally ill draft to determine how they would like to be treated if they are ever committed involuntarily. . (MSNBC -- Health)
Divorce settled -- except frozen embryos Jun 18, 2007
" Randy's attorney, Gregory Enos, said that in the absence of clear statutes, the courts had little choice but to enforce such advance directives. Otherwise, he said, "if a dispute arises, you're going to have to litigate every time, and that's certainly not in the public interest. " Augusta's lawyers have filed a brief with the state Supreme Court arguing that "women undergoing IVF should have the same right to control the disposition of their embryos as afforded to naturally conceiving... (San Francisco Chronicle)
VA Legal Aid Society gets $150,000 grant from Obici Foundation Jun 15, 2007
Virginia Legal Aid Society's mission is to resolve serious legal problems of low-income people, using legal skills to solve problems in health care, public benefits, housing, family relations, advance directives, consumer, education and economic self-sufficiency. The Obici Healthcare Foundation is a private foundation geared toward improving health and health care in the hospital's service area by addressing the unmet health care needs of the indigent and uninsured and supporting programs which... (Suffolk News Herald, VA)
Remedy sought for ER waits (Alex Dominguez) Jun 8, 2007
Mr. Morhaim also encouraged Marylanders to complete advance directives, which dictate what kind of treatment is wanted or not wanted in the event a person cannot speak when they arrive at an emergency room. Dr. Linda DeFeo, an emergency-medicine physician and consultant, said prevention is key, particularly considering the aging baby boomers, who account for about a third of the population. (Washington Times, DC)
Choosing advance directives in health care ... Rotarians hear importance of estate planning ... OEP requests severe weather uninsured damage info ... Johns, LeLeux among SWLA Convention and Visitors Bureau honorees ... ';var marqueewidth="350px";var marqueeheight="20px";var marqueebgcolor="#FFFFFF";////NO NEED TO EDIT BELOW THIS LINE////////////var pauseit=1;var marqueespeed=1 //slow speed down by 1 for NSvar copyspeed=marqueespeedvar pausespeed=(pauseit==0)? copyspeed: 0var iedom=document.all||document.getElementByIdif (iedom)document.write(''+marqueecontent+'')var actualwidth=''var cross_marquee, ns_marqueefunction populate(){if (iedom){cross_marquee=document.getElementById? document.getElementById("iemarquee") : document.all.iemarqueecross_marquee.style.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8+"px"cross_marquee.innerHTML=marqueecontentactualwidth=document.all? temp.offsetWidth : document.getElementById("temp").offsetWidth}else if (document.layers){ns_marquee=document.ns_marquee.document.ns_marquee2ns_marquee.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8ns_marquee.document.write(marqueecontent)ns_marquee.document.close()actualwidth=ns_marquee.document.width}lefttime=setInterval("scrollmarquee()",20)}window.onload=populate;function scrollmarquee(){if (iedom){if (parseInt(cross_marquee.style.left)>(actualwidth*(-1)+8))cross_marquee.style.left=parseInt(cross_marquee.style.left)-copyspeed+"px"elsecross_marquee.style.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8+"px"}else if (document.layers){if (ns_marquee.left>(actualwidth*(-1)+8))ns_marquee.left-=copyspeedelsens_marquee.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8}}if (iedom||document.layers){with (document){document.write('')if (iedom){write('')write('')write('')write('')}else if (document.layers){write('')write('')write('')}document.write('')}}Thursday, June 07, 2007 Photo by Mary Ann DuttonSulphur Kiwanian Geoff Russell and Caroline Dixon, RN Choosing advance directives in health care Jun 7, 2007
Choosing advance directives in health care ... Odyssey Healthcare's Community Education Representative Caroline Dixon spoke to the Sulphur Kiwanis Club on advance directives at yesterday's meeting ... Advance directives, more commonly known as living wills or durable power of attorney for health care, are documents that specify the treatment preferences and the designation of a decision maker in the event that a person is unable to make medical decisions on their own behalf. (Sulphur Southwest Daily News, LA)
JEFFERSON AWARDPresented to Peggy Flynn May 28, 2007
" As a caregiver, Flynn has worked with more than 400 people ages 19 to 96. She earned a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from New College of California and a master's degree in the psychology and physiology of aging from Goddard College in Vermont. Although she is not a medical practitioner, she works with clients on such issues as medical powers of attorney and advance directives. "It's much more of a peer relationship," Flynn says. "A person needs both care providers and caregivers. Care... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Baby Boomers must start planning for future May 21, 2007
Along with arranging for such representatives, people also should keep written information on the whereabouts of bank accounts and insurance policies, advance directives on future medical needs and treatments, organ donation and/or funeral arrangements, Rentschler said. Past generations often kept private such information, she said, leaving family members scrambling in emergency situations. (Fremont Tribune, NE)
Love shepherds brother through difficult time May 5, 2007
Hospice and palliative care organizations have Web sites that provide lists of hospice groups, help on when it's time to call hospice, questions to ask potential providers and information about cost, advance directives, Medicare, private insurance coverage, caregiving and grief. One of the first places to begin is the Arizona Department of Health Services' site, which lists licensed and Medicare-certified providers. (AZCentral -- News)
Workshops help adults refocus on Living Well May 2, 2007
The workshops also touch on relaxation techniques, better breathing, nutrition, medications, advance directives and making treatment decisions, she said. Stress management is a big topic, and we want to improve their emotional health, Peterson said. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Religious group attacks religion in U.S. healthcare Apr 25, 2007
They include allowing doctors to use best medical practices, providing comprehensive counseling on sexual or reproductive health and an agreement to honor advance directives -- including "do not resuscitate" orders. "Refusal to provide health care would be balanced by alternate service delivery so that no one would be victimized when another exercises his/her conscience," the guidelines read. (Scientific American)
Five hospitals release data on inspections Apr 21, 2007
And several patient records lacked information about whether they had signed "advance directives," which indicate whether patients want aggressive medical care if they can not communicate their wishes. Dr. Gregg Meyer, senior vice president for quality and patient safety at Mass. (Boston Globe)
Community - Celebrating social workers Apr 12, 2007
Locally, this year's celebration included the promotion of the importance of Advance Directives and the collection of donations from employees for the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry ... Monthly Community Education sessions about Advance Directives are offered at Saint Mary's Hospital the first Thursday of every month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and at Sacred Heart Hospital the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. For more information about the social work profession or Advance Directives,... (Forest Republican, WI)
Advance Directives Day Apr 10, 2007
Would your loved ones know your wishes if you couldn't decide your own fate. Emotional battles over end-of-life decisions are nothing new -- but did you know it only takes a few minutes to make sure your wishes are followed. (WTVR.com, VA)
Decide now who can turn off your life support Mar 31, 2007
The act also gives statutory backing to "living wills" or advance directives refusing treatment. Doctors are already obliged to act on advance directives if the terms are sufficiently certain, but the act creates a statutory framework, stating the conditions that must apply for the living will to be binding. (Guardian Unlimited)
On the road for health reform Mar 26, 2007
A central registry of those "advance directives" would be maintained so that hospitals and physicians would know whether critically ill patients want to be resuscitated or allowed to die naturally. Presently there is no central registry for advance directives. (Mail Tribune, OR)
Survey: Lifestyle changes would benefit county residents Mar 17, 2007
Current CF 2010 initiatives include increasing access to oral health and medical care of the uninsured and underinsured, promotion and education of Advance Directives and asset building for youth. The survey was conducted in September, 2006, by Leede Research Group, Manitowoc, using industry standards and techniques. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Learn tips on yard care at workshop Mar 15, 2007
Participants develop resources such as advance directives, relapse-prevention plans, exercises to help focus and calm thinking, and survival skills for working with mental-health providers and the general public. Classes are from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays from March 26 through May 21 at the Sweet Center in Winter Haven. (Orlando Sentinel -- News)
Advance Directives May Improve End-of-Life Care Mar 14, 2007
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Families of patients who completed advance directives before their deaths tend to feel their loved ones received somewhat better end-of-life care, according to a new study ... Advance directives, in the form of a "living will" or medical power of attorney, are legal documents that allow people to state their wishes for end-of-life care ahead of time, in the event that they become too sick to make their own medical decisions ... However, research has raised questions... (MEDLINEplus)
Dead Men Walking Feb 22, 2007
In Balad, surgeons don't have the time to check medical records or advance directives, so every life is saved at any cost. But that's not the case in Landstuhl. (Discover Magazine)
Hospice officials offering training Feb 20, 2007
The classes are based on the Hospice volunteer training model and will include topics such as caring for the terminally ill patient, psychosocial aspects of dying, spiritual care, comfort care, pain control, advance directives and funeral planning. Pre-registration is required for the classes, and Hospice of the Hills asks participants to contribute 20 to cover the cost of the training book and materials. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Questions, answers on civil union in NJ Feb 19, 2007
Consult with an attorney and consider protecting your partnership with wills, health care proxies, advance directives, cohabitation agreements and powers of attorney. Q: What do you do to end a civil union. (Cherry Hill Courier Post)
Nonprofit community roundup - Group collecting pillows, blankets for needy Jan 22, 2007
Register for door prizes and get information on home health and nursing services, advance directives, massage therapy, medical imaging, physical therapy, Alzheimers'/dementia care, retirement and assisted living options. Call Diane at 542-7009. (Missoulian, MT)
Why physicians fight the wisdom of death Jan 22, 2007
Patients in denial without advance directives, families racked with guilt about losing their loved ones, physicians petrified of being sued for missing something and everyone feeling an overwhelming need to do something during a crisis have made many people's last days a needlessly traumatic, often atrocious experience. Pauline Chen has written "Final Exam: A Surgeon's Reflections on Mortality" to explore how modern medicine has come to such a state. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Continue reading Jan 5, 2007
She also recommended setting up a will, advance directives, (written instructions about future medical care) and creating a phone list of emergency contacts. Warren said both the spouse and servicemember should make sure military enrollment eligibility is up to date and that military ID cards won't expire while the spouse is on deployment. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
