Research and advances in medical technology have resulted in living longer and fuller lives. Today’s advance healthcare directives require great forethought. Without a written directive, the journey to decision and action for families can be slow and wrought with conflict. As a result, end of life medical issues have become a focus of attention for patients, their families and physicians alike.
End-of-life healthcare, advance directives and family caregiver’s concerns will be the focus of a free community education forum sponsored by Saint John’s Health Center as part of the National Healthcare Decisions Day Initiative. “Your Health and Life — Decisions, Wishes, and Conversation,†will be presented on Tuesday, April 17 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm and repeated on Wednesday, April 18 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at the Santa Monica Public Library auditorium.
Palliative care, a newer branch of medicine, has evolved to meet the needs of patients and families experiencing serious and life-threatening illness. Offering comprehensive, compassionate and holistic healthcare, the inpatient palliative care team of professionals can provide assistance with the patient’s physical, social, spiritual and advance care planning.
At Saint John’s new Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic, chronically ill patients whose condition may not be life threatening, receive the same supportive services as inpatients do. Unlike hospice, patients do not need to be in the last six months of life, they can continue curative treatment and do not have to be homebound or “home care†patients. Visits for nursing care, pain management, assessments, teaching, skilled procedures and symptom control are overseen and provided by a palliative care physician and a team of specialized clinicians including a palliative care nurses, social workers, chaplains, speech therapists and pharmacists. Social workers can assist with financial issues, applications for medication acquisition programs, food acquisition and assistance from local, state and federal resources. Chaplain visits provide spiritual support, emotional support and referrals to local clergy.
On April 17 and 18, featured speakers and topics will include: Babak Roozrokh, MD, Medical Director of Saint John’s Palliative Care, “What Is Palliative Care? Inpatient Services and Outpatient Clinic;†Daniel Wohlgelernter, MD, Medical Director of Saint John’s Post Coronary Care Unit, “A Physician’s Perspective on End of Life Medical Issues;†Poonam Bhatla, Greater Los Angeles POLST Liaison, “Understanding and Writing Advance Directives;†and Judith Delaney, MA, MFT, marriage and family therapist, “Family Caregiver Stress & Communication.†Speakers and members of Saint John’s Palliative Care Team will participate in a Question and Answer Panel.
Segments of the award winning short documentary film, “Consider the Conversation…†will be shown. This film has won Award of Merit for short documentary, Award of Merit for viewer impact in addition to Best Shorts International Competition.
Reservations are required. Please call (310) 829-8453.
For more information:visit www.newstjohns.org.
