2005 Press Releases
Advance Directives featured at Rome Memorial Hospital’s April Live & Learn Program ROME – With continuing national attention on the Terri Schiavo case, Rome Memorial Hospital will be providing information about advance directives to the public at its April Live & Learn program. The program, “Planning for Future Healthcare Decisions,” will be held Thursday, April 14, at 12:30 p.m. at the Ava Dorfman Senior Citizens Civic Center at 305 East Locust Street in Rome. Presenting the program is Rome Memorial Hospital’s Vice President of Senior Services Debra Wurz. “As a result of the Schiavo case, the hospital and its nursing home have seen a greater interest in information about advance directives,” said Wurz. “Thinking about decisions in advance and communicating them through formal advance directives can help alleviate some of the emotional turmoil families face when confronted with difficult medical decisions. It’s easier for families to make decisions about life-prolonging interventions if they know what their loved ones would have chosen for themselves if they were able to communicate,” she added. With a healthcare proxy, Wurz said, you can appoint someone you trust to make decisions about your medical treatment if you are unable to communicate your wishes yourself. A living will is a document that provides specific instruction about your treatment wishes. While it can be used alone, the living will is often more effective when used as a guideline for an appointed healthcare agent. Wurz will be providing information packets about advance directives including living wills, do not resuscitate orders and naming a health care proxy. Participants will be able to obtain copies of the forms that the hospital makes available to its patients and residents. Wurz graduated from SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in health services management. She became Administrator of Rome Memorial Hospital’s skilled nursing facility in 1999 and was promoted to Vice President of Senior Services in 2003. Pre-registration is not required to attend the program. |
