UUs gather to boldly explore a variety of important topics throughout our lives. We’ve invited a local expert, UCLA family physician Robert Ashley, M.D., to discuss with us end-of-life care, how to choose a durable power of attorney for healthcare, and how to make choices about the direction of our healthcare. He will give you information and the applicable forms and he’s eager to hear your questions. He’s even written a novel on the topic. This workshop is for adults of every age — singles, parents, partners, friends — and it’s free.

 

An Advance Directive is like what used to be called a Living Will. It’s a legal document that tells doctors and

hospitals what they can and cannot do regarding your care; that is, you can make medical decisions and practical arrangements now in case you are seriously injured or ill and cannot speak for yourself. Do you — or do you not — want particular kinds of medical interventions, under what circumstances? Who needs to know what you think about this? How can an Advance Directive help protect your family and friends from unnecessary grief and trauma? What are the rules about entering hospice care? Would a trust help you make sensible legal and financial planning decisions, or is a will enough? How do you want to distribute your assets? How can all these decisions reflect your UU values?

 

The Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur, the Rev. Silvio Nardoni, and members of our Caregivers’ Support Group will bookend the discussion in Forbes Hall on Sunday, March 30. You are warmly invited to the first of two sessions; this one will focus on medical decisions, and the second, later this year, will focus on financial and administrative responsibilities. Information and workshop cookie-baker: Joyce Holmen