UPDATE: “Can We Talk?”

The “Can We Talk? About Your Health Care Wishes” program was introduced in the spring. The program, a two part workshop, guides people in thinking about and discussing their health care wishes based on their personal and Jewish values, rather than based on specific medical interventions (as is so often the case). Nearly all 97% of participants filling out the workshop evaluation said they would recommend the workshop to others and 92% indicated that they would indeed complete a health care proxy form. Most importantly, nearly all participants came away more likely to discuss their health care wishes with their family members (although some participants do not have family with whom they can share their wishes). The workshops will continue to be presented throughout the coming months to Westchester’s Jewish Community.

The workshops, developed by Westchester End-of-Life Coalition, are facilitated by the incredible social work team from Westchester Jewish Community Service’s Partners in Caring program, who provide ongoing social work support to Westchester County Jewish institutions. Representatives from those organizations, along with PJCC’s own Stephanie Garry, presented this collaborative model of community service along with a sample workshop to a packed audience of health care professionals at the Collaborative for Palliative Care Conference in Westchester. Conference organizers report that this workshop was among the best received among the sixteen workshops presented at the two day conference. Attendees from Stamford Hospital (CT) were so excited about the program.

Categories: Plaza Grants