Sonoma Valley Hospital Workshop Helps Participants Understand The POLST For End Of Life Choices

May 9, 2022

Some of the most important decisions we’ll face come at end of life. What do we want our healthcare providers to know when we may not be able to convey our wishes?

One way to make sure is by creating a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment document, or POLST with your physician. Sonoma Valley Hospital, By The Bay Health, and Vintage House will host a workshop, for those interested in learning about a POLST, at two different times on Wednesday, June 8, at Vintage House, 264 First St. E., Sonoma. The day session will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., and will be repeated in the early evening, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Both sessions will be conducted in-person and virtually.

Presenters include Sage Conlon, a Medical Social Worker with Sonoma Valley Hospital; Rob Matheson, a Community Liaison with By The Bay Health; and Dr. Jasper Schmidt, Director of Emergency Medicine at SVH. They will focus on the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment document and will guide participants through questions they’ll answer in filling out a POLST. The larger goal however is to assist the participant (or their health agent) in having a conversation with their doctor about their wishes regarding resuscitation measures at end of life should they be needed.

There is no cost to attend the workshop. When you register specify participation type, in-person or virtual. To register online, go to vintagehouse.org/classes, or call Vintage House at 707.996.0311 for assistance.