How to Communicate End-of-Life Wishes

Posted August 25, 2016 11:00 pm

Sue Olafson

JourneyCare's Advanced Care Planning Advocate Rachel Telleen will speak on how best to communicate end-of-life wishes at a special Barrington Area Council on Aging Caregiver Support Group meeting Tuesday, September 6 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at BACOA offices, 6000 Garlands Lane, Suite 100, Barrington.

"End-of-Life wishes are best communicated when you're healthy and able to discuss them with your family," said BACOA social services coordinator Bonnie Scherkenbach.

The discussion will include how to inform health care professionals of your wishes with a Physicians Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST). A POLST is different from a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order in that a POLST includes directions about life-sustaining measures - such as intubation, antibiotic use and feeding tubes in addition to CPR. A DNR merely informs medical practitioners of your wish not to be resuscitated should you suffer cardiac arrest or a terminal illness.

The special program is part of BACOA's monthly Caregiver Support Group, which meets the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at BACOA. Registration is required for new attendees.

For more information, contact Scherkenbach at (847) 881-0472.

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