Facts Not Fear. Confronting Health Care Decisions.

90 percent of people say talking with their loved ones about end-of-life care is important. Only 27 percent have actually done so.

LAS VEGAS, May 4, 2020 – It’s always too early until it’s too late. You don’t know what the people you love want, until you talk about it.

At this unique time in our history, Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican is holding a two-part ZOOM discussion series to encourage these important discussions. Entitled “Facts Not Fear, Confronting Healthcare Decisions” the sessions are designed to help people gain a better understanding of advance directives, end of life care, and how to approach these conversations with your loved ones.

When asked, people say they consider these to be important discussions they want to have. However, the same surveys indicate they are slow to initiate them. 

• 90 percent of people say that talking with their loved ones about end-of-life care is important
  • 27 percent have actually done so*
• 60 percent of people say making sure their family is not burdened by tough decisions is extremely important
  
  • 56 percent have not communicated their end-of life wishes**
• 82 percent of people say it’s important to put their wishes in writing.
  
  • 23 percent have actually done it**

* The Conversation Project National Survey (2013)
** California HealthCare Foundation (2012)

Veneta Lepera, Manager of Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican’s In-Patient Palliative Care Program and Chair of the Nevada Council on Palliative Care and Quality of Life said, “When we face a frightening or uncomfortable situation, we have two choices – avoid or confront. Advance care planning is making decisions about the health care you would want to receive if you are facing a medical crisis. These are your decisions to make based on your personal values, preferences, and discussions with your loved ones.” 

The first hour-long presentation will be held Thursday, May 7, at 1:00 p.m. The discussion will be led by experts in the field of palliative care, including members of the State of Nevada Palliative Care and Quality of Life Council. The seminars are free, but you must register in advance. 

Ms. Lepera said, “Taking these steps, talking with your loved ones, completing the paperwork is a gift of loving direction to ease fears and reduce stress. During a hospitalization, a serious illness, or injury, emotions are high, making it difficult to make decisions that feel right, which opens the door for future doubt and emotional pain.” 

Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican has assembled a group of Nevada’s top Palliative Care experts to participate in this ZOOM discussion. Scheduled to participate are: 
 
Kim Anderson - Area Manager for Encompass Health Hospice, Vice Chair of the Nevada Council on Palliative Care & Quality Life, and Hub Member for Project ECHO-Palliative Care

Mary-Ann Brown - RN, MSN, CHPCA, HEC-C, Renown Health Director of Palliative Care & Clinical Ethics, Member Nevada Council on Palliative Care and Quality of Life, and a Board Member for Nevada POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment).
 
Sally Hardwick - Member of the Community Health Science faculty at the University of Nevada, Reno; Former Director of the Nevada Center for Ethics & Health Policy; and Founder of Nevada POLST.

Veneta Lepera - BA, BSN, RN, Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican Manager Palliative Care In-Patient Program, Chair of the Nevada Council on Palliative Care and Quality of Life, and a board member for Nevada POLST, the Nevada Crisis Standards of Care Council, and the Rare Disease Council.
 
Tom McCoy - BA, MA, JD, Nevada Director of Government Relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Chair of the State of Nevada Advisory Council on Wellness and Prevention of Chronic Disease, and Chair of the Nevada Chronic Care Collaborative
 
Sister Kathleen McGrail - O.P., MTh., Community Health Educator for Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican, Former Vice President of Mission Integration and Spiritual Care at Dignity Health. 

Ms. Lepera notes that this unique time in history is opportunity for these types of conversations may arise naturally and encourages people to take advantage and engage on the subject. 

“Facts Not Fear, Confronting Healthcare Decisions”
A free, two-part ZOOM discussion about advance directives, end of life care, 
and how to approach these conversations with your loved ones.
Thursday May 7 & Friday May 22 at 1:00 p.m.
Seminars are free 

About Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican
As the community’s only not-for-profit, faith-based health system, Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican has been guided by the vision and core values of the Adrian Dominican Sisters since 1947. As the Henderson and Las Vegas communities grow, the St. Rose Dominican health system and its nearly 4,000 employees will continue the Sisters’ mission of serving people in need. St. Rose Dominican is a member of the multi-state Dignity Health network of nearly 10,000 physicians, 60,000 employees, 41 acute care hospitals, and 400-plus care centers, including hospitals, urgent and occupational care, imaging centers, and primary care clinics. For more information, visit our website at www.strosehospitals.org.