Griffin Hospital in Derby to mark National Health Care Decisions Day

DERBY - Griffin Hospital and other national, state, and community organizations are leading a large-scale effort to highlight the importance of advance health care decision-making in recognition of National Healthcare Decisions Day April 16.

As a participating organization, Griffin is providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and health care providers, along with options for completing advance directives. 
State documents (Appointment of a Healthcare Representative and Living Will) along with other versions of advance directives valid in Connecticut are available at griffinhealth.org/ACP or in the hospital’s Community Health Resource Center.

Griffin has scheduled several activities for the public during April to highlight why all adults need advance care planning.

On April 16 Griffin will host an Advance Care Planning information table outside the hospital dining room where ACP experts can answer questions, take appointments to meet with a trained ACP facilitator, and enter a free drawing to win one of four “Conversation Starter Baskets.”

On April 17 at 11 a.m., Griffin’s Community Health Resource Center, located in the hospital lobby, will present “Knowing and Honoring What Matters Most,” an interactive presentation on the facts and misconceptions of advance care planning and the use of advance directives. 
Register at 203-732-7399 or email griflib@griffinhealth.org.

“Understanding and honoring what matters most is key to our Planetree philosophy of person-centered healthcare and Advance Care Planning,” said Lynn Aiksnoras, Advance Care Planning Coordinator for Griffin Health. “As a result of National Healthcare Decisions Day, and our activities throughout the month, many more people in our community can be expected to have thoughtful conversations about their health care decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known. Fewer families and health care providers will have to struggle with making difficult healthcare decisions in the absence of guidance from the patient, and healthcare providers and facilities will be better equipped to address advance health care planning issues before a crisis and be better able to honor patient wishes when the time comes to do so.”

For more information about National Healthcare Decision Day, call 203-732-1255, visit griffinhealth.org/ACP or check out the national picture at nhdd.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Learn to plan for health care at Griffin Hospital presentation

Griffin Hospital will offer a free talk April 3 on how to plan for future health care decisions./  Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will offer a free talk on how to plan for future health care and medical decisions April 3 at 6 p.m. April 3. 

Griffin Hospital Advance Care Planning Coordinator Lynn Aiksnoras will present “What if?” an interactive presentation and discussion will focus on the first steps of Advance Care Planning – those “what if” scenarios which can profoundly alter an individual’s life and painfully disrupt even the most stable families.

“Most adults don’t think about creating advance directives for themselves, and often respond with an amused or quizzical look when asked if they have one,” Aiksnoras said. But life can change in an instant. Making the ‘first steps’ of Advance Care Planning a routine part of healthcare can develop the awareness, comfort, trust and skills to build the foundation for more difficult conversations with our loved ones and doctors if/when health takes a serious turn.”

Advance Care Planning is a process of understanding, reflecting on and discussing individual goals, beliefs and values in order to determine a person’s overall wishes, should a time come when he or she cannot make them for him or herself. 

ACP ensures that patients’ healthcare wishes are respected by loved ones and healthcare providers. This process also gives comfort and reassurance to healthcare representatives, enabling them to clearly understand patients’ end-of-life preferences.

This talk is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U Talks, a series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

To reserve a spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org/events.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk on advance care planning

UPDATE from an email Thursday morning - Griffin Hospital has postponed this event. Not yet rescheduled.

Griffin Hospital will offer a free talk on how to plan for health care and medical decisions./ Contributed photo

DERBY -  Griffin Hospital will offer a free talk on how to plan for future health  care and medical decisions at 6 p.m. March 14.

Griffin Hospital Advance Care Planning Coordinator Lynn Aiksnoras will present, “What if?” an interactive presentation and discussion will focus on the first steps of Advance Care Planning - those “what if” scenarios which can profoundly alter an individual’s life and painfully disrupt even the most stable families.

“Most adults don’t think about creating advance directives for themselves, and often respond with an amused or quizzical look when asked if they have one,” Aiksnoras said. 

But life can change in an instant.  Making the ‘first steps’ of Advance Care Planning a routine part of healthcare can develop the awareness, comfort, trust and skills to build the foundation for more difficult conversations with our loved ones and doctors if/when health takes a serious turn.”

Advance Care Planning is a process of understanding, reflecting on and discussing individual goals, beliefs and values to determine a person’s overall wishes, should a time come when he or she cannot make them for him or herself. 

ACP ensures that patients’ health care wishes are respected by loved ones and health care providers. 

This process also gives comfort and reassurance to healthcare representatives, enabling them to clearly understand patients’ end-of-life preferences.

Wellness talks

This talk is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U Talks, a series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics.

To reserve a spot or for information, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org/events. The hospital is at 130 Division St.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby seeks advance-care planning volunteers

Griffin Hospital seeks volunteers to help patients and visitors develop a plan for future health care choices./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital seeks volunteers to help provide patients and caregivers peace of mind about future health care decisions.

The hospital’s new Advance Care Planning Volunteer Program will train individuals to help guide others in developing a plan for their care in the event they are unable to speak for themselves. 

Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a process of understanding, reflecting on, and discussing individual goals, beliefs and values in order to determine one's healthcare wishes and assign a health care representative to make decisions on his or her behalf.
The program includes an online learning component and interactive classes.

For more information or to register, call Lynn Aiksnoras, 203-732-1255 or email at laiksnoras@griffinhealth.org.  


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.