Do you know what health care treatments you would and would not want if
you could not speak for yourself? Do others know what your wishes are?
Most people are reluctant to talk about their medical decisions in the
event of serious illness or end of life. Unfortunately, this can lead
to family conflict and confusion at a time when you cannot speak for yourself.
Southeast Georgia Health System encourages the community to consider health
care treatment preferences and document their health care decisions in
an advance directive. On Friday, April 15, 2016, in observation of National
Healthcare Decisions Day, the Health System will host informational tables
at the Brunswick and Camden campuses from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Advance directive
forms will be available as well.
An advance directive is a legal document that tells caregivers who can
make health care decisions for you in the event you are unable to speak
for yourself and what treatments you would want or would not want. By
planning ahead, you can avoid unnecessary suffering and relieve friends
and family of decision-making burdens during moments of crisis or grief.
Once completed, advance directives should be kept in a safe and easily
accessible place, and a copy should be provided to your physician and
loved ones.
“We encourage all adults, regardless of age or current health, to
consider what their health care choices would be if they were unable to
speak for themselves,” says Christina S. Jones, director, Risk Management
and assistant general counsel at Southeast Georgia Health System. “Completing
an advance directive is an easy way to make certain your choices are known
and respected.”
Advance directives are available at the Southeast Georgia Health System
Brunswick and Camden campuses or visit
sghs.org/advancedirectives.