Free Workshop Offers Essential Guidance on Advance Care Planning

A free workshop aimed at guiding residents through the process of advance care planning will take place in Greater Sudbury on November 25, 2023. Hosted by Maison McCulloch Hospice, this session is part of its Dying Well series and is designed to empower individuals to ensure their healthcare wishes are respected during critical moments.

Julie Aube, executive director of the hospice, emphasized the importance of having these conversations early. “It’s going to cover all aspects of advance care planning,” she stated. “The questions we need to ask ourselves when we’re going through a life-limiting illness or facing end of life, and 100% of us are going to get there someday.”

The workshop aims to prevent families from making urgent decisions in a state of crisis. Aube noted that when families arrive at the hospice, they often face overwhelming pressure to make choices without prior discussion. “What we want is to give more power, more control to our community members over their healthcare journey by having these conversations before they end up in the healthcare system,” she added.

Participants can attend the workshop alone or with a loved one. The session will be facilitated by palliative care coaches who will help attendees create their advance care plans in a supportive group environment.

Understanding Advance Care Planning

Facilitator Jennifer Gosselin, a registered social worker and geriatric assessor, outlined the primary objectives of the workshop. One key goal is for each attendee to identify a substitute decision-maker—someone who will speak on their behalf if they become unable to communicate their wishes. “We’re going to make sure that everybody leaving the session is going to be able to identify who their substitute decision-maker is,” Gosselin explained.

The workshop will also provide resources for participants to document their values and beliefs regarding healthcare decisions. Gosselin described this planning as a profound gift to family members, relieving them from the emotional burden of making decisions without guidance. “It’s almost a promise or a guarantee that you will make jobs easier for your family and loved ones during a difficult time,” she said.

Gosselin highlighted the significance of having these discussions beforehand. “Knowing you’re just being the voice for a person makes a big difference,” she noted.

Research Component to Enhance Planning Efforts

The workshop will include a voluntary research component led by Dr. Caroline Duquette, a third-year medical resident at NOSM University. Dr. Duquette is studying the effectiveness of group sessions in facilitating the completion of advance care plans. “This research came out of a previous project where we looked at how to integrate advance care planning into family physicians’ offices,” she explained.

Dr. Duquette’s research aims to establish a new model for communities across the province. “Can we share this throughout the province and be a model for other communities?” she asked. The findings from this workshop will be presented at a provincial conference in the spring, with hopes of improving advance care planning practices in healthcare settings.

The workshop will take place at the United Steelworkers’ Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on November 25. Interested individuals must register by November 23, with options to sign up online or by calling 705-674-9252, ext. 222. This event represents a valuable opportunity for community members to engage in essential discussions about their healthcare preferences.