North Island College nursing students are partnering with the Comox Valley Hospice Society’s advance care planning team to present “Talk to Me Goose”—a light-hearted take on advance care planning conversations for adults of all ages hosted in Berwick Comox Valley’s Grounded Pilot on Tuesday, April 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
There will be fun, food and great prizes.
When you wake up in the morning, do you check the weather? Some days, the forecast may say there’s a 60 per cent chance of rain, and you need to decide whether to go out that day, what to wear, or if you should go flying. It’s the same with your medical care. You don’t know what the future will bring, but you still have to plan in advance by thinking about what’s important to you, so that you are prepared for whatever might happen.
“I was initially drawn to this opportunity because I have found people tend to shy away from the conversations around end-of-life care, even within my own family,” noted Maria Einarson, nursing student. “I’m not sure what my own parents’ wishes are, so how am I going to advocate for them without having this conversation? From a young adult’s perspective, I believe we should begin having conversations about advance care planning in order to better prepare for our own future healthcare if we become unable to make decisions for ourselves.”
“We live in a society that does not talk about death despite the fact that each and every one of us will experience it,” said fellow nursing student, Natasha Farrant. “I believe it is important to participate in advanced care planning, to have my own wishes recorded, and to be informed of my loved ones’ wishes.”
“Advance care planning conversations are a gift to the people close to you who can support and honour your healthcare wishes,” said Sue Grant, a retired nurse who will facilitate the evening’s activities. “In a time of health crisis, if you’re able to communicate, you will make your own healthcare decisions; but if you cannot communicate, your ‘what if’ conversation will be a true gift.”
For more information and to register for Talk To Me Goose call the Comox Valley Hospice Society at 250-339-5533 or email reception@comoxhospice.com . Admission is by donation. Registration is also available for a more structured advance care planning workshop on Wednesday, April 17, from 1-3 p.m. at Berwick Comox Valley.