PRESS RELEASE: June 5, 2007 For Immediate Release
MEDIA CONTACT:
Beverly Crowl, Public Relations Specialist
Tel: 302 547 1816
Em: bcrowl@delawarehospice.org
Delaware Hospice presents seminar on Advance Directives at New Castle Senior Center
PHOTO CAPTION: Delaware Hospice Social Worker, Drew Biehl, discusses Advance Directives at the New Castle Senior Center’s seminar.
PHOTO CAPTION: Delaware Hospice Community Ed Coordinator Jill MacKay (standing left) and Social Worker Drew Biehl (standing 2nd to left) visits with participants at the New Castle Senior Center’s seminar on Advance Directives.
Mr. Drew Biehl, Licensed Social Worker for Delaware Hospice, presented a seminar on “Advance Directives: What You Need to Know,” to participants at the New Castle Senior Center on Wednesday, May 30th, sponsored by the Delaware End-of-Life Coalition.
Mr. Biehl first thanked and introduced the Delaware End-of-Life Coalition for its sponsorship of the seminar, explaining that the Coalition’s mission is to share information which will enable every Delawarean to be aware of issues and choices related to the end of life.
Then Mr. Biehl discussed several issues concerning Advance Directives, including what they are, who needs them, who should act on your behalf, who decides your fate, and when should you prepare Advance Directives.
He explained that an Advance Directive is a written document which protects your right to refuse or to request medical treatment in the case you lose ability to make decisions yourself, and that this document ensures that your desires and wishes will be carried out. All adults should consider having an Advance Directive prepared, as the Terry Schiavo case tragically showed us.
Mr. Biehl emphasized that the person you designate as your spokesman should be someone who clearly understands your wishes and who will do as you request.
He told the group that there are two types of legal documents which qualify as advance directives: a Living Will and a Medical Power of Attorney for healthcare. A Living Will guides family members and doctors in deciding how aggressively to use medical treatments; allows you to convey your wishes regarding treatment; and is the simplest way to ensure that your wishes are carried out. A Medical Power of Attorney allows you to designate someone to make healthcare decisions for you when you are unable to communicate.
An Advance Directive becomes a legal document when you have signed it in the presence of two witnesses who are neither family nor financially connected to you and who are over the age of 18.
Mr. Biehl concluded by answering questions from the audience which primarily addressed Delaware Hospice programs and services.
Delaware Hospice, as the only nonprofit hospice in the state of Delaware, is committed to meeting community needs for end-of-life care. To learn more about hospice care or end-of-life issues, call: 1-800-838-9800 or visit: www.delawarehospice.org.
To learn more about the mission and programs of the Delaware End-of-Life Coalition, please visit their website at www.deolc.org.
About Delaware Hospice:
Since 1982, Delaware Hospice has provided exceptional care and support to 26,000 patients and their families. Its mission is to help each patient, each day, live the fullest, most comfortable life possible. Delaware Hospice is the largest and only licensed, nonprofit, community-based hospice serving New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware and southern Chester and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania. For more information about Delaware Hospice’s programs and services, upcoming events, or employment opportunities, call 800-838-9800 or visit our website,
Delaware
Hospice is accredited by JCAHO.
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