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Monthly Newsletter
March 2019
Our Impact
"Having a plan is one of my easier choices."
-Belinda H.
Thanks to our partners around the state who register their patient and client Advance Directives to Great Lakes Health Connect, we now have over 47,000 documents available in the Community Health Record! Registering these documents makes them available (only as appropriate) to a state-wide network of hospitals, primary, specialty, and allied care organizations, ensuring that healthcare providers will have immediate access to their patient's wishes.
Click here to learn more about registering your patient and client documents or to schedule your ACP appointment today!
Upcoming Webinar
Webinar is free and open to the public
SW & RN CEUs available: $15
Out of Hospital Deaths
Monday, March 25, 2019| 12 PM to 1 PM

Presented by:
Rose Seavolt, BSN, RN, CCP

This course offers Advance Care Planning Facilitators the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the legal needs for those who choose to no longer be resuscitated. Required documents, elements required for EMS to honor the preference in the community and handling of the body at the time of death will be presented. Michigan’s Funeral Representative law will also be discussed. Ample time for questions is provided for the topics covered in this course.

To register contact:
info@makingchoicesmichigan.org or (616) 421-4840


Upcoming Events

Mental Illness at the End of Life
Thursday, March 21, 2019: 8 AM to 3:45 PM
Grand Rapids, MI


This conference will cover topics related to mental health issues at the end-of-life. Specific topics include how to address psychiatric illnesses encountered in hospice and palliative care, end-of-life decision making with people with mental illness, end-of-life care advocacy for persons with advanced dementia, and resources for practitioners in West Michigan who are facing these complex cases.
LaughFest - Laughter Rx

Making Choices Michigan is teaming up with LaughFest for their special Laughter Rx Series

Laughter: Duct Tape for the Body and Soul

Thursday, March 14, 2019
11:30 AM
Gilda's Club Grand Rapids

What to do when you’re not sure how to fix something?—break out the duct tape! It’s sticky, strong, and flexible, and helps even the most complicated projects. But what about when the “projects” involve our personal and social well-being? Where’s the “duct tape” for that?! Join Dr. Jayson Dibble to learn more about what research says when it comes to laughter, humor, and our social and physical health. Come see how laughter and humor could work as “duct tape” for your body and soul!

This event is a Continuing Education (CE) opportunity for Nursing and Social Work!
This event is FREE to attend, however there is a $10 fee for CEs.



Care for the “Carer”: How to Support the Person Caring for a Loved One

  Tuesday, March 12, 2019
11:30 AM
Gilda's Club Grand Rapids

It can be a privilege and honor to care for someone walking the serious illness journey. It can also be exhausting, time-consuming, confusing, and overwhelming. This session will explore the psychosocial, spiritual and physical needs of the caregiver and provide local resources for some of the more common needs. The format will be a panel representing social work, spiritual care, nursing and an experienced caregiver.
Featuring panelists: Sara Lowe, LMSW, Chaplain Steve Schick, and Carol Robinson DNP, RN, CHPN

This event is a Continuing Education (CE) opportunity for Nursing and Social Work!
This event is FREE to attend, however there is a $10 fee for CEs.


The Naked Truth: 
The price we pay for things unsaid. 
An advocate speaks from experience. 

Making Choices Michigan is honoring National Healthcare Decisions Day with this special presentation.

Presenter: Julie Wallace

Person-centered decision-making considers and integrates an individual’s goals, values and preferences when delivering care. It is essential for care team members to listen for and validate what matters most, as failure to do this may result in unwanted or unnecessary care. Storytelling allows individuals to share what is most important to them through their own perspective, allowing a two-way conversation that results in a shared understanding. Through storytelling, this session will share patient and families’ experiences---good, bad, and ugly---demonstrated with the presence or absence of a person-centered decision-making approach to care.

Location:
Grand Rapids First United Methodist Church
227 Fulton E
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Time:
6:30-7:00 PM Refreshments and socializing
7:00-8:30 PM Presentation and Panel Discussion


Cost:
Free
RN and SW CE will be available for $15, pending approval
RSVP is not required, but is preferred for adequate seating.

Please register by emailing

Click HERE to To learn more about National Healthcare Decision Day
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Interested in exploring how you can volunteer with MCM?

Support Our Mission
Encouraging and facilitating advance health care
planning for the people of Michigan.


We believe that every person should be empowered to advocate for their personal health by identifying their preferences for healthcare and designating a trusted friend or family member to be their patient advocate. We also believe that every person deserves to have their preferences honored by their healthcare providers.

Together, with our generous donors and supporters, we’re helping people create a personal plan to clearly communicate their preferences, values, and beliefs about healthcare choices.

Will you join us in empowering our community by
making a gift today?

Making Choices Michigan | Office: (616) 421-4840 | MakingChoicesMichigan.org