By Ann Wondergem

Big events and special occasions in our lives often involve planning parties or making preparations. This month, just within our immediate family; we are planning a birthday party for our granddaughters, a baby shower for our niece and a memorial service for our aunt and uncle.  A few years back, we planned a special anniversary trip, researching air travel, lodging and attractions we wanted to visit. Although 40 plus years have passed, I recall the months of preparation and the details involved in planning our wedding.

I remember meeting with an attorney over 10 years ago to update our will and completing the power of health care paperwork. I expect some of you also have in place wills and as part of that process may have completed the paperwork designating a spouse, other family member or friend to make health care decisions for us should we become incapacitated due to a health condition or accident.  I believe, that like me, many of you have not really thought about the variety of treatment options and choices, we may face; let alone discussing our thoughts and desires with our families.

I invite you to a free screening and discussion of the PBS FRONTLINE documentary Being Mortal.  This emotional documentary, based on the bestselling book Being Mortal by Dr. Atul Gawande, follows several patients with terminal illness and their families as they grapple with decision making about end-of-life care and what they learned through the process. After viewing the documentary, a number of local community medical providers will facilitate a discussion about the documentary and what we may want to consider when facing difficult treatment decisions for ourselves or a loved one.

Please join me for one of these two presentations on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Bull at Pinehurst Farms, Heritage Event Center in Sheboygan Falls or Tuesday, November 1, 2016, from 1:15 to 3:15 p.m. at Generations located at 1500 Douglas Drive in Plymouth.

Registration for this free event is appreciated to ensure a sufficient amount of handouts and refreshments.  You may register on line at https://aurorahealthcare.org/events or by calling Aurora Community Outreach at (920) 451-5513.

This event is a program of the HOSPICE FOUNDATION OF AMERICA and underwritten by the John and Wauna Harman Foundation and locally sponsored by the Aging and Disability Center of Sheboygan County, Aurora Health Care, Lakeshore Community Health Care, Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, Sheboygan Internal Medicine Associates, Sheboygan Progressive Care Center, Senior Activity Center of Sheboygan and the United Way of Sheboygan County.