Banner Health offers free event for advance directives April 11

Making an end-of-life decision for a loved one isn’t something anyone should have to guess about. Yet a study found people guessed nearly one out of three end-of-life decisions for their loved one incorrectly, according to the National Institute on Aging.

Banner Alzheimer’s Institute will hold a free event from 10:30 a.m. to noon April 11 to raise awareness about the importance of completing advance directives, which ensure a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment are carried out in case they’ve become seriously ill or unable to communicate them. The facility is located at 2626 E. River Road.

Experts will provide special focus on assisting people recently diagnosed or living with early-stage dementia or mild cognitive impairment and their care partners. Anyone may attend and receive help.

“Your health care should always be guided by your wishes,” said Michelle Faddoul, licensed social worker and community services specialist at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. “This is an important opportunity to learn from experts on advance directives and connect with organizations and resources that can help you complete and file your decisions, all in one day.”

Participants will learn which documents need review, receive resources to inform discussions and decisions, and have an opportunity to complete and register documents containing their health care decisions.

Elder law attorneys will be available to answer questions.

There are 150,000 Arizonans living with Alzheimer’s disease, and 257,000 Arizonans caring for a friend or family member with dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Research shows that you are more likely to get the care you want if you have conversations about your future medical treatment and put a plan in place. It may also help your loved ones grieve more easily and feel less burden, guilt, and depression.

Registration is required. Register online here or call 800-230-CARE (2273).

Since its inception in 2006, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute has sought to find effective Alzheimer’s disease prevention therapies without losing another generation, establish a new model of dementia care for patients and family caregivers, and forge new models of collaboration in biomedical research. It has made groundbreaking contributions to the unusually early detection, tracking, diagnosis and study of Alzheimer’s, and aims to find an effective prevention therapy by 2025. It includes the pioneering Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative, an extensive profile of research studies and clinical trials, comprehensive clinical, family and community service programs, a leading brain imaging research program, and strategic partnerships with public and private research organizations around the world. Learn more at www.bannerhealth.com/Alzheimers.

Contact Information: media@bannerhealth.com or (602) 747-3080.

Registration link: Tinyurl.com/WorkshopBAIT

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