The Role of Faith Communities and
Congregational Nurses in Advance Directives
Faith communities and congregational nurses uphold people of faith by guiding informed discussions about advance directives. Advance directives are legal documents that allow Ohio citizens to take control of important choices about what they (may or may not) want done in critical health care situations. In advance directives people choose who they would like to speak for them if they cannot speak for themselves. These discussions should take place throughout the life span. For people of faith, advance directives are an expression of stewardship of the life given to them by their creator. Advance directives are rooted in faithful reflections on the meaning of life and one’s relationship with God.
With all of the advances in medical care during the last 50 years, it is possible to keep the body functioning with the assistance of modern technology for long periods of time. The faith community, including the congregational nurse, is in a position to help people think about these difficult decisions and talk to their loved ones about them. The place and time to make difficult decisions about life and death is often within a faith community and with loved ones before situations arise where quick decisions must be made. The faith community with the guidance of the congregational nurse can help people complete the correct paperwork to inform health care providers about their wishes. In addition, this interchange allows the faith community to stress its understanding of death.
Making decisions to direct end-of-life care can be stressful and anxiety producing. Many people have a limited understanding of the medical, spiritual and emotional aspects of the death and the dying process. It is important for the Congregational Nurse to be comfortable and secure in her/his own knowledge and understanding of the process and the varied and interrelated issues involved. All the world religions recognize that death is a part of life. The goal of these conversations is that the decisions made and formally stated within the advance directive documents will reflect the person’s spiritual beliefs. The care provided by the congregational nurse will assist them in finding meaning in dying and hope that extends beyond the grave.
The following are important steps that Congregational Nurses should undertake before the Advance Directive documents are completed:
*Adapted from Respecting Choices: Facilitator’s Manual 2nd Edition,
Gunderson Lutheran Medical Foundation, La Cross, WI, 2004.
Copies of advance directives should be given to the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, loved ones, and the attending physicians. Copies of these documents should also be taken to the health care facility when admitted. It is also wise to consider whether people should have a copy on file in the faith community, particularly if hospital visitation is one of the pastoral programs.
Many excellent resources are available to the faith community to help guide the important conversations about advance directives. Congregational nurses and pastoral care staff are strongly encouraged to become fully knowledgeable about advance directives, as well as, their faith communities’ beliefs and practices so they can support and facilitate decision-making.
Resources are listed below:
1646 West Lane Avenue Suite 2
Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221-3343
(614) 485-0021 or (800) 776 9513 fax (614) 485-0560
e-mail info@ohpco.org
http://www.hospiceoh.org/living_will.htm
Obtain; Advance Directive Packet, 4th Edition
Obtain: Conversations That Light the Way: Advance Care Planning.
A Document to Guide Conversations and Make your Wishes Known.
Five Wishes is a legal document in 35 states that allows adults to plan how they want to be cared for in case they are seriously ill. The form allows the person completing the form to talk about their personal, emotional and spiritual needs as well as their medical wishes. Five Wishes also encourages discussing your wishes with your family and physician.
1 888 5 WISHES
http://www.agingwithdignity.org/5wishes.html
What is Advance Care Planning? Advance Care Planning is TALKING to your family about your Choices for medical care so they and your health care providers can RESPECT your wishes in the event you are unable to speak for yourself.
Advance Care Planning Hotline 419 725 0523
P. O. Box 541, Maumee OH 43537-0541
Get Forms, Fill out a Health Care Power of Attorney, Determine if you need a document, Have someone speak to your congregation about Advance Care Planning, free of charge.
Available to give talks to faith communities
Contact: Karen Eubanks
419 423 5595
Life Connection of Ohio
800 262 5443 Toledo, 200 535 9206 Dayton
Donor Referral Hotline 877 223 1606
Standards and Practice Committee of the
Congregational Nurse Project of Northwest Ohio
Endorsed by the CNPBoard April 27, 2005