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Show Citizen, Press, Review - Wed.. Mav 1 1 . 1988 - Page 15 Living wills can help decision-makin- g process A man was pronounced brain dead by a team of doctors, yet a rt system kept his blood pumping and body breathing for many weeks before he was technically dead. In this type of situation, a physician will not usually make a decision to take a patient off rt systems, due to questions of legality and liability. This painful and difficult decision is often left to family members. As part of a recent senior financial seminar at American Fork Hospital, Intermountain Health Care at-torney, Jim Gilson, detailed "Living Wills," which enable a person to make his own decision about con-tinued life support in a terminal situation. "A Living Will is a document that an individual signs before or during a terminal illness as a directive to physicians," explains Gilson. "It indicates that extraordinary means shall not be used to prolong the natural onset of death when a ter-minal condition exists." In the case of the man, mentioned above, the physicians turned to the man's two children to make a decision about taking him off the rt system. One child said yes, the other child said no. According to Gilson, the results were a bitter sibling conflict filled with grief, and added weeks of functionless "life" for the father before his routine body functions finally ceased. "This man is now dead, but he left a family battle that will not go away," says Gilson. "What course we want our medical attention to take during a terminal illness should be our decision. By signing a Living Will, we keep from throwing this heavy responsibility on our families." Gilson explains that a related area of concern is cost. Continued rt procedures may add thousands of dollars in medical costs, which can become the financial responsibility of a living spouse. Utah is one of the few states which has a Living Will statute. The "Living Will Act," passed by the 1985 State Legislature, requires that health care providers follow Living-Wil- l directives regarding treatment of patients with terminal conditions. According to Gilson, the Living Will, which is fully revokable by the person signing it, allows an in-dividual to make a predetermined choice about the unnatural prolongation of death, or to designate someone else (such as a spouse or a religious leader) to make a legally binding decision for him in the event of a terminal condition. A Living Will is a simple, yet specific, written form that is filled out by a person and given to his personal physician. It then becomes a permanent part of his medical record, Gilson explains. "I am not here to convince everyone to sign a Living Will," says Gilson, "but it is a choice we should all at least think about." For a free Living Will form, as well as complete information about Living Wills, send a stamped legal envelope to American Fork Hospital, 170 North 1100 East, American Fork, Utah, 84003. HC lists topics for free iereavement classes ice of IHC Home Care will iH a series of bereavement groups month at their office on 1842 e a Columbia Lane, Orem. May H the toP'c wl11 be ,N" Grief Behaviors." The Keeling will be June 8 when I topic will be "Loneliness, How i Handle It?" nn July 13, the topic will be Anniversaries and Other Difficult L,es " The August 10 meeting will on "Family Grieving." meetings will not be These group but rather informal rture groups iscussions on feelings and of grief and some of the ommon tasks of the grieving jess. Some time will be spent in sharing with each other from grief experiences. Printed handouts will be given. Phyllis Hansen, Medical Social Worker and Grief Therapist, stated, "The period of bereavement is usually a very emotional one. The group process helps people deal with the puzzling, lonely and stressful time. Hospice of IHC Home Care has as an integral part of its program the bereavement services necessary to support and comfort during this time." Anyone in the. county is welcome to attend and there is no charge. The time is from 7 to 8 :30 p.m., 1842 So. Columbia Lane, Orem. Telephone Eagles Auxiliary names officers The Pleasant Grove Eagles Auxiliary wishes to let all members know that their new officers for '88-'8- 9 have been put in office by ac-clamation. New officers are, junior past president. Annis Ferre; president, Evelyn Nielson; vice president, JoAnn Farley; chaplain, Gina Bowles; conductor, Gerri Timothy; inside guard, Gayle Brown; outside guard, Marie Nichols; secretary, Jeannie Padgett; treasurer, Connie Stagg; trustees, Beatrice Jones, LaRae Nielson and Connie Carlson. Juilt Guild to meet - The Utah Valley Quilt Guild will eet Wednesday, May 18, at the Idred Center, 270 W. 500 North, Vo, at 2 p.m. Featured speaker will be Betty Roberts from Gunnison. She will give a potpourri of her quilting tips. The public is invited. jfk COOK'S FARM ff & GREENHOUSE f 1600 N. 1645 W.. Orem Take Lindon Exit off freeway Large selection of bedding plants and vegetable plants SPECIAL OF THE WEEK: 4" Asparagus Ferns Qc reg l 50 & Drecena Grass Hours: Mon.-Sa- t. 9 a.m.-- 6 p.m. "n. ; rea laney's Jazzy Jump Suits gS j ssuit Wi Be Great For Spring! W eS Plain sheetins " iunior sizes - M raff t a;.:-M$-- vf$tZ '?V huge Glbnoti,555, :f iv . i?P " . .. Hi videos ' AivJU t- - r, H i includes newest V Hft , , v . Uff-- -- :t " Tuesday and Wednesday jjt ' " 'ij 3 Cartoons Q9C , " fI NOW PLAYING: V i ventures in Babysitting -- L-5 ifsJl Untouchables - Hiding Out W amburger any more ! Hill nd - A&" ZyCCSZlJ ' Opon 'til 9:00 p.m. Wfefllb lMM Every dav of the week! ic.'!s!,d$L"1day) 1 Seniors are invited to istate planning seminar t,;A free estate planning seminar for .nior citizens from Lehi and merican Fork will be presented :;hursday, May 12, at 7:15 p.m. at i: e Lehi City Council Chambers, 95 E. 100 North, Lehi. The seminar will be conducted by estate planners from Mason Adams & Company. Everyone is invited. |
