Advanced Care Planning at BCCC | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    WASHINGTON, N.C.   It can be a challenge to bringing up end-of-life issues within a family. Making wishes known in legal documents can be even tougher. If the past few weeks have taught us anything, it is that preparation needs to happen before a crisis, and that this preparation can build resilience. It will also help ensure that your wishes are honored. To help make these conversations easier, Beaufort County Community College is partnering with Vidant Health to put on a free two-part series called Advanced Care Planning starting in October.

    Vidant Health's Mary Lou Infinito will lead this educational event to help participants learn how crucial it is to act now to specify their desires for care in their final days. This type of planning is important in case the participant were to become a victim of a serious injury or illness, even temporarily.

    "This seminar stemmed from several of own experiencing unexpected losses," said Jackie Butcher, Director of Health Care Programs in the Continuing Education Division. "Many view it as sensitive, taboo or 'it won't happen to me'. Education is key to understanding and being prepared. We hope to communicate with our community that AC planning is important in ensuring decisions and desires are carried through."

    In Session 2, a certified facilitator, notary and witnesses will be available at no charge to assist participants with completion of Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will documents. Participants will need to bring photo identification for the completion of these documents.

    The unexpected happens every day. These crises can be on the scale of a hurricane, throwing an entire region into turmoil. They can also happen on a personal level, and in the lives of those affected such tragedies can result in similar level of turmoil, only with less community attention and resources, forcing individuals to make hard decisions in isolation.

    Instead of denying the possibility of such inevitabilities, family members can use this series to help them and their families face these situations with the knowledge and legal framework they need to provide care, honor their legacies and build financial resilience.

    Participants can attend Session 1 on Monday, October 1 at 4:00 p.m. or Thursday, October 18 at 6:30 p.m. Participants can attend Session 2 on Thursday, November 1 at 6:30 p.m. or Monday, November 5 at 4:00 p.m. All sessions will take place in the Building 8 Auditorium on BCCC's campus and are free to the public. For more information, participants can contact Jackie Butcher at 252-940-6263.

• Contact: Attila Nemecz
•     Attila.Nemecz@beaufortccc.edu