When a medical emergency happens, family members may be forced to make quick health care decisions for their loved ones. Without knowing the loved one’s health care wishes, those decisions can be stressful and overwhelming.
FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care are helping community members prepare for the unexpected by hosting two Advance Health Care Planning events. Attendees can have their health care power of attorney and living will documents notarized at no cost.
The first free notarization event is Thursday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at FirstHealth Hospice, 251 Campground Rd. in West End. This is a “drive-thru” event, and attendees do not need to leave their cars.
The second free notarization event is Friday, April 24, from noon to 2 p.m. at the FirstHealth Cancer Center at 135 Page Rd. N. in Pinehurst. The event is in the Cancer Center’s fourth-floor conference room.
“Creating a health care power of attorney and a living will helps ensure your care reflects your wishes—particularly if you’re ever unable to speak for yourself,” said Timothy Beittel, MD, medical director of FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care. “These documents give your family clear guidance about your health care choices and can ease emotional strain and uncertainty during challenging moments.”
What Is a Health Care Power of Attorney?
A health care power of attorney is a legal document that allows an individual to designate a trusted person as their health care agent. This agent is authorized to make medical decisions on the individual’s behalf if they become incapacitated or unable to communicate, ensuring medical care reflects the individual’s values and preferences.
What Is a Living Will?
A living will—also known as an advance directive for a natural death—documents a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment if they are no longer able to provide informed consent. It outlines preferences for life-sustaining treatments, such as a breathing machine or feeding tube, and serves as guidance for health care agents and providers when making care decisions.
Preparing for the Advance Health Care Planning Events
Community members may call FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care Liaison Maggie Bonecutter at (910) 715-3408 to register for a 10-minute slot at either event.
Attendees are encouraged to visit firsthealth.org/advancedirectives to download and print their health care power of attorney and living will forms in advance. The website also features educational videos that explain the purpose of each document and how to complete them.
On event day, participants should bring a valid photo ID and their completed—but unsigned — health care power of attorney and living will documents. Participants will sign the documents before a notary and two witnesses.
Blank documents will be available if needed, and FirstHealth staff members will be on-site for questions. Notarization is limited to one health care power of attorney and one living will per person.
“FirstHealth is focused on caring for people across every dimension of health care,” said Dr. Beittel. “This free notarization event helps community members make thoughtful, empowered choices about their medical care.”
For more information, please call FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care at (910) 715-3408.
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