Learn to prepare for end of life at Hospice of Hilo

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Hospice of Hilo will host an in-service event from 4-5:30 p.m. Monday at the organization’s Community Building, 1011 Waianuenue Ave.

Hospice of Hilo will host an in-service event from 4-5:30 p.m. Monday at the organization’s Community Building, 1011 Waianuenue Ave.

“In life, many of us plan for all kinds of circumstances — car accident, environmental disasters and retirement,” said Hospice of Hilo CEO Brenda S. Ho. “But we often overlook the one event in life that is inevitable — the decline of health and our eventual passing away.

“Advanced health care directives are helpful tools that can empower individuals to document their health care wishes and share them with others. It also allows individuals to document who they would want to make decisions if they are no longer able to do so themselves.”

The scheduled speakers for the in-service are representatives from Community First: Anthony Kent, community engagement coordinator at Pono Health, and Chris Ridley, director of social services at Life Care Center of Hilo. Ridley also serves as the East Hawaii program director for the Alzheimer’s Association.

“In a day and age when medical technology can keep us ‘alive’ well beyond our ability to live, it is more important than ever to prepare the proper instructions so that loved ones are able to honor a patient’s wishes if he or she is no longer able to speak for themselves,” Ho said. “I want to encourage people to come out and join us for an informative and dynamic discussion about how to complete your advanced health care directive.”

Hospice of Hilo provides specialized comfort care for patients facing a life-limiting or serious illness. Services are delivered to patients in their place of residence or at the Pohai Malama a Harry &Jeanette Weinberg Care Center. Hospice of Hilo also provides bereavement counseling to any and all residents who have lost a loved one (regardless of whether the loved one received hospice care).

For more information about Hospice of Hilo, call 969-1733 or visit www.hospiceofhilo.org. For those planning on attending the in-service, RSVP by today by calling 969-1733.