Lawrence Area Coalition to Honor End-of-Life Choices (CHEC)
Lawrence Area CHEC provides education and resources regarding Advance Care Planning and End-of-Life Issues
CHEC is dedicated to providing the Lawrence, Kansas community with quality information about Advance Care Planning. CHEC presents quarterly educational programs concerning all aspects of completing a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOAHC) and information on Living Wills. The DPOAHC is a legal document that allows a person to designate an agent who can make health care decisions for him/her during a period of disability or incapacity. The Living Will is a document that allows a person to state in advance that his/her dying should not be artificially prolonged under chosen circumstances. Even though these are legal documents, you do not need an attorney for completion, but they must be notarized or witnessed. Our goal is to answer questions about why these documents are needed and how they are utilized. All programs are free and open to the public!
...CHEC out our Resource Center at the Lawrence Public Library for more information on advance care planning, chronic illness, pain management, caregiving and end-of-life choices. We thank the Library for generously providing space to house the Center.The library is currently undergoing new construction...look for us in the future.
CHEC is dedicated to providing the Lawrence, Kansas community with quality information about Advance Care Planning. CHEC presents quarterly educational programs concerning all aspects of completing a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOAHC) and information on Living Wills. The DPOAHC is a legal document that allows a person to designate an agent who can make health care decisions for him/her during a period of disability or incapacity. The Living Will is a document that allows a person to state in advance that his/her dying should not be artificially prolonged under chosen circumstances. Even though these are legal documents, you do not need an attorney for completion, but they must be notarized or witnessed. Our goal is to answer questions about why these documents are needed and how they are utilized. All programs are free and open to the public!
...CHEC out our Resource Center at the Lawrence Public Library for more information on advance care planning, chronic illness, pain management, caregiving and end-of-life choices. We thank the Library for generously providing space to house the Center.The library is currently undergoing new construction...look for us in the future.
Join Us...
Lawrence Area CHEC meets on the first Tuesday of odd numbered months. Our meetings and membership are open to anyone. We encourage you to join us! NEXT MEETING: July 2, 3 p.m., Lawrence Senior Center, 745 Vermont.
Terms To Know
Advance Care Planning: Decision-making process about healthcare you would choose to receive if you were unable to communicate or make decisions for yourself. Based on understanding your values, personal reflection, and discussion with loved ones, healthcare providers and others.
Advance Directives: Are legal documents that allow you to plan and make your own end-of-life wishes known in the event that you are unable to communicate. Can include both a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare Decisions and a Living Will.
Download and Instructions
Living Will Declaration: Your directions to healthcare providers for end-of-life treatment you do and do not want if you are terminally ill, cannot speak or make decisions for yourself, and are near death. Declaration means a witnessed or notarized document in writing, voluntarily executed in accordance with the law.
Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare Decisions (DPOAHC): A legal document that allows you to select a person you trust to make decisions about your medical care if you are temporarily or permanently unable to communicate and make decisions for yourself. This includes not only decisions at the end of your life, but also in other medical situations. This document goes into effect when your physician declares that you are unable to make your own medical decisions. The person you select can also be known as a healthcare agent, surrogate or proxy.
Healthcare Agent: The person you choose to make healthcare decisions for you when you cannot make or communicate decisions for yourself. It is the agent’s job to carry out YOUR wishes, so you should name an agent who knows your goals and values best, someone you trust. It is very important that you discuss your wishes regarding healthcare choices with your agent and make sure that person is willing to act on your behalf.
Durable Power of Attorney/Power of Attorney (POA): A legal document appointing another person to make financial or business decisions. A POA can be specially prepared so that it is valid if you ever become incapacitated.
Will: A document that states how you wish your possessions to be disposed of after your death.
Advance Directives: Are legal documents that allow you to plan and make your own end-of-life wishes known in the event that you are unable to communicate. Can include both a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare Decisions and a Living Will.
Download and Instructions
Living Will Declaration: Your directions to healthcare providers for end-of-life treatment you do and do not want if you are terminally ill, cannot speak or make decisions for yourself, and are near death. Declaration means a witnessed or notarized document in writing, voluntarily executed in accordance with the law.
Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare Decisions (DPOAHC): A legal document that allows you to select a person you trust to make decisions about your medical care if you are temporarily or permanently unable to communicate and make decisions for yourself. This includes not only decisions at the end of your life, but also in other medical situations. This document goes into effect when your physician declares that you are unable to make your own medical decisions. The person you select can also be known as a healthcare agent, surrogate or proxy.
Healthcare Agent: The person you choose to make healthcare decisions for you when you cannot make or communicate decisions for yourself. It is the agent’s job to carry out YOUR wishes, so you should name an agent who knows your goals and values best, someone you trust. It is very important that you discuss your wishes regarding healthcare choices with your agent and make sure that person is willing to act on your behalf.
Durable Power of Attorney/Power of Attorney (POA): A legal document appointing another person to make financial or business decisions. A POA can be specially prepared so that it is valid if you ever become incapacitated.
Will: A document that states how you wish your possessions to be disposed of after your death.
