5 Wishes

The church I attend, The First Unitarian Society, is offering a course on 5 Wishes -- a form of a living will, also known as an advanced directive. While this is not something I use for my clients, it may be of interest to my readers. Details are as follows:

Five Wishes: Prepare Your Advance Directive Now

Tuesday, April 19 Time: 1 – 3:30 p.m.
Fee: $10 pledged/$15 non-pledged
Location: Courtyard ABC
Facilitators: Carol Ferguson and Lisa Shervin

Five Wishes has become America's most popular living will because it is written in everyday language and helps start and structure important conversations about care in times of serious illness. It was developed by Aging with Dignity, a national non-profit organization with a mission to affirm and safeguard the human dignity of individuals as they age. Mother Teresa of Calcutta served as the inspirational foundation for its formation. Five Wishes helps you express how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself. It deals with all of a person's needs: medical, personal, emotional and spiritual. During this two hour class, participants will be provided with the Five Wishes booklet and each section in it will be discussed. If participants wish to complete their booklet at this time, members of the FUS End of Life Task Force will be available to witness signatures. This is a legal document in the state of Wisconsin. Also covered in this class will be information on current trends in hospice care in Wisconsin.

Carol Ferguson is a lay minister at FUS, a nurse, and a Hospice volunteer. She is also a member of the FUS End-of-Life Task Force. Lisa Shervin is Director of Access at Hospice Care.

Five Wishes: Prepare Your Advance Directive Now, Pledged, $10