Reporter for The Canyon Weekly
The Canyon Service Center is hosting a class on advanced directives and portable Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST).
The class is Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. at the Canyon Service Center, 844 S. 1 st Ave, Mill City. Doors will open at 1:40 p.m. for cookies and coffee. Interested parties can register for the event by Jan. 21 by leaving a message at 503-897-4176, sending an email to [email protected], or sending a Messenger email on the CSCFacebook page facebook.com/groups/cscmillcity.
During an emergency or near the end of your life, you and your family may face questions about your medical treatment and not be able answer them. Advance care planning involves discussing and preparing for future decisions about your medical care if you become seriously ill or injured, and are unable to communicate your wishes.
Having meaningful conversations with your family is the most important part of advance care planning. And it is very helpful to put preferences in writing by completing legal documents called advance directives.
Putting your wishes in writing will help avoid conflicts among family members and better ensure you get only the life-sustaining treatment you want.
Melissa Lindley, community outreach coordinator at Willamette Vital Health, will be on hand Jan. 30 to walk class participants through Oregon’s advance directive rules as well as POLST orders. There will also be discussion of some of the financial and legal topics to address in end-of-life planning. Oregon’s advance directive policies have undergone changes in the past few years, so if your documents were completed years ago it might be time for new ones.
Key pieces include appointing a healthcare representative and documenting your instructions about health and end of life treatment if you cannot express your wishes.
Class participants will leave with complimentary copies of Willamette Vital Health’s Advance Care Planning Guide and Oregon’s Advance Directive.
Santiam Canyon residents also are reminded that the Canyon Service Center has a mobility equipment loaning program. The use of an assistive device can make many tasks easier and safer.
The Service Center supply room is stocked with canes, walkers, crutches, bedside commodes, toilet risers, bath benches, and wheelchairs. Equipment is intended to be loaned for no longer than a month. The service has been helpful to residents who entertain out-of-town visitors who need support. To check out equipment, call 503-897-4176.
