Local Organizations Unite To Offer Free Assistance To Execute “Medical Wills”
El Paso County Attorney's Office and the University Medical Center of El Paso are partnering with the Housing Authority of the City of El Paso (HACEP) to promote the use of Advance Medical Directives (“medical wills”) in the community, particularly among the beneficiaries of public housing programs in El Paso County. The pilot program was created to inspire, educate and empower the public about the importance of advance care planning.
As part of the campaign to promote the use of the “living wills,” attorneys from the County Attorney’s Office, and volunteers from the University Medical Center will be offering free assistance regarding advance care planning and advance directive forms on Wednesday September 17, 2014, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Hervey Community, 4949 Alps. All residents of El Paso County are encouraged to come and get assistance drafting their advance directives forms.
Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to convey your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time. They provide a way for you to communicate your wishes to family, friends, and health care professionals, and to avoid confusion later on.
A Directive to Physicians or Living Will tells how you feel about care intended to sustain life. You can accept or refuse medical care. There are many issues to address, including:
- The use of dialysis and breathing machines
- If you want to be resuscitated if breathing or heartbeat stops
- Tube feeding
- Organ or tissue donation
- Blood transfusions
A Medical Power of Attorney allows individuals to designate someone they trust to make health decisions if they are unable to do so.
As part of the program, the participating organizations will host similar events every month at different HACEP locations around El Paso. The events are open to the general public.
| October 16, 2014 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Father Pinto 1001 S. Ochoa St. El Paso, TX 79901 |
| November 13, 2014 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Alamito Terrace Community 509 St. Vrain El Paso, TX 79901 |
| December 6, 2014 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Baines Community 10661 Vista Del Sol El Paso, TX 79935 |
| January 20, 2015 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Father Ochoa 8820 Old County Rd. El Paso, TX 79907 |
| February 4, 2015 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Williams, Machuca Communities 1039 Sunland Park El Paso, TX 79922 |
| March 13, 2015 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Tays Community 2201 San Antonio St. El Paso, TX 79905 |
| April 7, 2015 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Paisano Green Community 4000 E. Paisano St. El Paso, TX 79905 |
Individuals interested in getting the Directive to Physicians and Medical Power of Attorney forms can download them by visiting the County Attorney’s web page at www.epcounty.com/ca. The forms are available in both English and Spanish.
WHO: Volunteers from the County Attorney’s Office and UMC
WHAT: Free Assistance in drafting “Living Wills”
WHEN: Wednesday, September 17, 2014, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Hervey Community, 4949 Alps
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2014 Living Wills Campaign Press Release 5.pdf