Free Assistance for Completing a Health Care Directive January 13: Q&A and Notaries on hand to sign

Advance Health Care Directive Assistance & Notary Services to be offered at LRH
Sessions will be held 2^nd Wednesday of Each month at Noon

(FERGUS FALLS, Minn.)  In an effort to help community members complete advance Health Care Directives, Lake Region Healthcare will be offering a monthly lunch hour informational session on the topic at its Cancer Care & Research Center Conference room.

According to Deb Forstner, Chaplain at Lake Region Healthcare, the sessions are being offered in response to community conversations identifying Healthcare Directives as a significant community concern. “That’s why we’re offing this opportunity monthly over the lunch hour to offer as much information and assistance as possible in a convenient format,” Forstner said.  Facilitators will be on hand during the lunch hour on the 2^nd Wednesday of each month along with Notaries who can sign as witnesses for anyone wishes to fill out a health care directive.  There will also be opportunities for Q&A.  “A healthcare directive is a simple form that you can fill out independently to ensure your healthcare wishes are honored in the event you are unable to communicate due to illness or injury,” she said. “It’s a legal document and it can be such a gift for you to give your family and loved ones,” she added.

LRH received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to train Healthcare Directive facilitators and to offer community education and assistance on this topic. Currently there are 12 Certified Health Care Directive Facilitators in the area, and she says funding is available for up to 12 more.

Anyone interested in learning more about becoming certified, about the monthly sessions or having a speaker present on this topic to community or civic groups can contact Forstner at Lake Region Healthcare by calling 218.736.8077.

Information on Healthcare Directives can be found at www.lrhc.org under the Community Link.  Session details are available on the “Education & Events” link at www.lrhc.org.

About Lake Region Healthcare

Lake Region Healthcare is living out its vision to be Minnesota's preeminent regional healthcare partner. With over 80 Medical Staff and over 900 employees, its team is dedicated to serving its patients and community with integrity, teamwork, compassion and excellence. For more information about Lake Region Healthcare, visit www.lrhc.org.