VERO BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 5, 2006) – Do your loved ones know what you want for end-of-life care in case something happens to you? Author and attorney William Colby spoke on this topic, as well as other end-of-life issues at a seminar hosted by VNA Hospice for National Hospice Month on Nov. 28.
Colby related his personal experience working on the case for the family of Nancy Cruzan. After a car accident, Nancy was in a persistent vegetative state and placed on a feeding tube. The case made it to the U.S. Supreme Court, which catapulted end-of-life care to national attention.
“Great good came from the Cruzan case, because it started people talking about illness and their end-of-life wishes,” said Colby.
Colby urges residents to fill out a living will stating your medical wishes. After deciding your plan, communicate your wishes with loved ones, doctors, and spiritual leaders.
“Families that don’t get along before a tragic event occurs aren’t going to turn magically into the Cleavers,” joked Colby, while stressing that all involved family members should be present when discussing end-of-life wishes.
VNA Hospice offers free copies of the living will Five Wishes, which meets Florida state requirements and is used in more than 35 other states. Stop by the VNA offices (1110 35th Lane), VNA Hidden Treasures (656 21st St.), or VNA Hospice House (901 37th St.) today and pick up a free copy. Available while supplies last; limit one per person.
The seminar was sponsored by PNC Wealth Management. For more information about VNA Hospice services, visit www.vnatc.com or call 772.567.5551.
