NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

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 3: 10:00 AM -12:00 PM; Vernon:  May 3, 2:00 – 4:00 PM; and Lumby: May 4, 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.

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 assisting families to live well with serious life-limiting illness and advance care planning. 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 the workshop is funded in part by the BC Centre for Palliative Care Seed Grant Program and the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required by April 26. To register, call Tanya at the North Okanagan Hospice Society at 250-503-1800 Ext. 101 or email [email protected].

                                                LOCATION of Workshops                                                                                                                                                               

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

                                                                                    -30-

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:

Lorrianne Topf, RN, MSN, CHPCN (C)
Learning and Effectiveness Leader
North Okanagan Hospice Society
Tel: 250-503-1800 (ext. 104) / Email: [email protected]
www.nohs.ca