Hospital, Hospice host end-of-life workshop

A panel of experts from Sonoma Valley Hospital and Hospice by the Bay will discuss the importance of having an advance directive identifying end-of-life health care decisions at two informational sessions at Vintage House on Thursday, April 16.

The event, “Planning Ahead – Making Your Health Care Wishes Known,” is open to the community at no cost.

“Advanced planning is an opportunity to begin a conversation with loved ones about the care we want for ourselves as we age,” said Dr. Robert Cohen, SVH chief medical officer, and a panel participant.

Topics will include discussion of the newest version of the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), a form that gives seriously ill and medically frail patients more control over their end-of-life care, including medical treatment, extraordinary measures (such as a ventilator or feeding tube) and CPR. Signed by both doctor and patient, POLST can prevent unwanted or ineffective treatments, reduce patient and family suffering, and ensure that a patient’s wishes are honored.

Panelists include Robert Cohen, MD; Elissa DeWolfe, SVH Palliative Care advanced practice nurse; Teresa Tooker, provider relations liaison with Hospice by the Bay; and Taylor McCandless, Healing At Home. Jane Hirsch, who is first vice chair of the Sonoma Valley Health Care District, will moderate.

The sessions will be held Thursday, April 16, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., and again from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. To reserve a space, or for more information, call 935-5081, or email Elissa DeWolfe at edewolfe@svh.com. Vintage House is located at 264 First St. E., Sonoma.