Vintage House hosts talk on palliative care on April 13

Noted UCSF end-of-life expert Steven Pantilat to discuss care, advanced directives|

Exploring how palliative care can help maintain quality of life during a serious illness is the topic on an upcoming talk at Vintage House.

Titled “Living Well with Serious Illness,” the talk will be given by Steven Pantilat, MD, professor of medicine at UCSF and the founding director of the UCSF Palliative Care Program. It will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 13, at Vintage House senior center, 264 First St. E., Sonoma.

There is no cost to attend and a light lunch and refreshments will be provided.

“Being diagnosed with a serious illness can feel overwhelming and frightening,” said Pantilat. “Between the initial shock and the confusing terminology flying around, it’s hard to understand what exactly the diagnosis is - and how it will affect your life.”

“Whether it’s diabetes, cancer, lung disease, stroke or Parkinson’s, the next question that haunts patients and caregivers alike is the same: what happens next? Unfortunately there are many false assumptions about serious illness that make it even harder to get good care. One false assumption is that you have to choose between quantity and quality of life. The truth is that you can have both,” he said.

Pantilat has discussed this topic in depth in his book, “Life After Diagnosis, Expert Advice on living Well with Serious Illness for Patients and Caregivers.”

Related to the topic of palliative care is the importance of having an Advance Health Care Directive to ensure that your health care plans are communicated to care providers and family members.

Following the talk there will be two workshops to create one’s own Advance Health Care Directive that will be led by a team of experts from Sonoma Valley Hospital, Hospice by the Bay, and My Care My Plan – an initiative of Sonoma County.

Workshop I will be held from 2 to 3 p.m., in Stone Hall at Vintage House following the keynote speaker. Workshop II will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the same day in Room 105 at Vintage House.

RSVP to Vintage House at 996-0311 or to Celia Kruse de la Rosa, SVH, at 935-5257, or ckrusedelarosa@svh.com.

Let Vintage House know if you also plan to participate in one of the Advance Health Care Directive Workshops.

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