H E A LT H C A R E
EMPATH CHOICES
The Gift of Advance Care Planning
THERE IS SO MUCH WE PREPARE
for through careful planning,
including plans for our health.
However, what if life takes a turn and we
get in an accident or become extremely ill
and are unable to make our own healthcare
decisions? Did we plan ahead? Did
we relay what we would or would not
want done for us?
Sadly, few of us have discussed or
planned for such end-of-life care situations;
“82% of people say it’s important to put
their wishes in writing, but 23% have
actually done it,” according to the Survey
of Californians by the California Healthcare
Foundation (2012) via The Conversation
Project. Instead, we leave it to
chance, that our families and physicians
will make the right treatment choices on
our behalf, creating an agonizing
dilemma when they are in the dark about
our preferences.
To ensure our voices will be heard and
aid others in honoring our wishes, we
must do and share our greatest plans in
life - our advance care plans. Our Empath
Choices for Care’s mission is to educate,
empower and help our community with
advance care planning. Our specially-trained
staff assists individuals (18 and older)
and their families through the entire
process, from starting the conversations
to choosing healthcare surrogates/proxies
(appointed and trusted individuals to
carry out wishes, even if they do not
agree with them) to completing living
forms that are discussed with and signed
by physicians, convey the treatment
choices of our patients and are recognized
in all healthcare settings.
Last year, Suncoast Hospice and
Diagnostic Clinic Medical Group in Largo
partnered in a joint Life Solutions Center
that facilitates advance care planning
sessions with Diagnostic’s patients,
caregivers and physicians. Having these
important conversations earlier can
significantly improve the quality of life
for patients and their families. Together,
our goal is to be able to reach more people
in the community and ensure patients
have an opportunity to identify their endof
life care wishes in advance so their care
can be carried out on their own terms.
We must encourage our younger
generation to get their planning done too,
especially while they are still healthy. It is
an invaluable gift for everyone. We can
help our community prepare, plan and
live with peace of mind at Empath
Health.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Rafael J. Sciullo is president
and CEO of Empath Health, an integrated
network of care. For more information
about Empath Home Health eligibility or to
make a referral, call 727-523-2360 or visit
empathhealth.org.
FOR CARE
By Rafael J. Sciullo
Rafael J. Sciullo
wills or other advance directive documents.
They also provide training to healthcare,
social work and spiritual care professionals
statewide.
Empath Health offers advance care
planning as part of our care to those
facing advanced or chronic illness across
our integrated network of care. It is crucial
that these plans are put in writing,
verbalized and accessible to physicians
and other healthcare providers who will
be responsible for care, as well as family
members, so they will be clear about
wishes.
Col laborat ing wi th communi ty
physicians i s anothe r focus of our
advance care planning services. Our
Suncoast Hospice became the first hospice
in Florida to pilot POLST (Physician
Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) in
2013. This entails specific medical order
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