NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

What are your most important wishes if life were short?

Vernon, BC  (April 25, 2018): The North Okanagan Hospice Society is pleased to present a free 2 hour interactive workshop for care partners who are living with a serious illness or aging. This workshop called “What are your Most Important Wishes” will be held in Armstrong, May 16, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm; Vernon, May 16, 2:00 – 4:00 pm and Lumby, May 17, 1:00 – 3:00 pm.

Increasingly, people are showing interest in thinking about and sharing their wishes for future health care but they don’t know where to start. They may hear words such as “advance care planning” or see brochures with words such as “Speak Up” or “My Voice” and wonder if the time is right to have future health conversations. They may hold off having these conversations because they think they are too busy, too young, not ill enough, or that they may upset the other person. However, this conversation is about how they would want to live their lives if life were short. Having this discussion early can help to make this valuable time more rewarding and less stressful.

This workshop was offered last Spring and is back by popular demand. Bring your partner, relative, or best friend and join us in a workshop to learn ways to start this conversation. We will have conversations about what matters most if life were short; why it is important to discuss your wishes with someone you are close to and how to do it; and who would speak up for you if you were unable.

The workshop will be facilitated by Dr. Carole Robinson. Dr. Robinson is a Professor in the School of Nursing at UBC Okanagan. She has experience with advance care planning and assisting families to live well with serious life-limiting illness. Co-facilitators include staff from Interior Health and North Okanagan Hospice Society.

The North Okanagan Hospice Society is very pleased with the many partnerships that have been developed in planning this workshop.  We would like to acknowledge UBC Okanagan, Interior Health, Lumby Health Society, and Whitevalley Community Resource Centre.

Space is limited and the pre-registration is required by May 8. To register, call Phyllis at the North Okanagan Hospice Society at 250-503-1800 Ext. 101 or email [email protected].

LOCATION of Workshops

Armstrong                                          Vernon                                   Lumby
May 16                                                May 16                                    May 17
10:00 am to Noon                               2:00 pm to 4:00 pm                 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Pleasant Valley Health Centre            Schubert Centre                     Whitevalley Community Hall
3800 Patten Drive                               3505 30^th Avenue                    2250 Shields Avenue

 

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The North Okanagan Hospice Society exists so there will be quality end-of-life care for all in the North Okanagan community at a cost that demonstrates good stewardship. The Society was incorporated in 1984 as a charitable organization with the purpose of supporting those with a palliative diagnosis, their loved ones and the bereaved. Initially formed as a small volunteer organization with a visiting program, the Society is currently recognized as a leader in the development and delivery of comprehensive hospice palliative care services in British Columbia.

For more information contact:

Clara Dyck, RN, MSN
Education and Resource Leader
North Okanagan Hospice Society
Tel: 250-503-1800 (ext. 104) / Email: [email protected]
www.nohs.ca