Aging Wisely: Reframe on the POLST

Description

Reframe on The Physician’s Orders for Life-Sustaining TreatmentPresenters: Mehrdad Ayati, MD and Paula Wolfson, LCSWKaiser Foundation Family Surveys indicate that 80% of us want to have quality of life care discussions with our physicians but only 18% of us have had them. Please join our speakers for an interactive discussion and review of the Physician's Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form. We will give everyone in the room a draft copy and help you decode each question. There is no right or wrong answer: the questions pertain to your values and treatment preference in case of an emergency.Our reframe for this discussion is to consider this form as your new best friend: one who will stand up for you in the emergency room if you cannot speak for yourself.Paula Wolfson, LCSW, is a career social worker who facilitates multiple caregiver support groups, coordinates educational presentations, conduct elder care consultations. Call 650-289-5438 or email pwolfson@avenidas.org to learn about her array of services with Avenidas Social Work Services. Dr. Mehrdad Ayati, Director of the Geriatric Center, is an aging activist, thought leader, and public speaker who has testified before California State Legislature and the Senate Select Committee on Aging. He is a Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and author of "Paths to Healthy Aging". To contact Dr. Ayati, call 650-808-0180 or email mayati@stanford.edu.