Beginning the Conversation will be held at ISU’s Alumni Center. (ISU Photo)

By Andy Dahn

BLOOMINGTON – An upcoming workshop and discussion will tackle the difficulty of talking about healthcare advance planning with loved ones.

Reverend Cheree Johnson said the discussion isn’t exactly about what happens when our loved ones are gone.

“It’s about how we help people make the choices regarding end-of-life care that are most meaningful for them,” Johnson said. “We can all agree that at some point, every life is going to end, whether that happens unexpectedly or that happens as part of a gradual transition.”

Johnson said the event will inform participants of ways to make the conversation easier.

“This is will be an opportunity for people to learn how to have that discussion,” said Johnson. “We’ll talk about having that talk not just with loved ones, but with ourselves.”

The discussion can be uncomfortable, but Johnson said it’s an important one to have.

“For most people, when it comes to what happens for them regarding medical care at the end of life, they really do want people to know what they want,” Johnson said. “They want to be able to have that happen in a way that’s really meaningful for them. This is really about choice.”

Beginning the Conversation will be held on October 6th from 4:30 to 8 p.m. in the ISU Alumni Center. Johnson said participants will gain hands-on experiences and skills that will make it easier to have conversations with friends and loved ones about their wishes for their care.

The event is free and open to the public but registration is required and can be done over the phone at 1-800-323-8622 or online at healthadvisor.advocatehealth.com/class.

Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].