A free information session to provide helpful advice and tips regarding advance care planning will be held from 10.30am to 2pm at Griffith City Library on Thursday August 2 to help answer any questions or concerns you may have.

The information session has been developed in conjunction with the Griffith Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC), Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network and Murrumbidgee Local Health District.

Griffith LHAC Chair Margaret King said the free session was designed to start a conversation about advance care planning in the local Griffith community for not only the aged care community but for family members and other support people.

“It’s important family members also attend if they are likely to become a decision maker in the future. It is also suitable for service providers and healthcare professionals,” Mrs King said.

“An advance care plan helps to ensure that a person's preferences, beliefs and values about health care are known and respected if they are too unwell to speak for themselves,” Mrs King added.

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The session will cover topics such as knowing when to appoint a substitute decision maker, communicating with those involved in your life and medical care, documenting the information and instructions that will decide and guide your future, and communicating your wishes with your loved ones.

Presenters and speakers will include local doctors Dr Marion Reeves and Dr Catherine Stuart, solicitor Vicki Wade, NSW Ambulance representative Colleen Carter, palliative care nurses Natasha Panapa and Jacki Salvestro, and Stacey Heer from Compassionate Communities.

Griffith LHAC has more events planned over the next 18 months to inform the community and continue to raise awareness on ageing, planning and having difficult but necessary conversations with loved ones.

Please register interest by phoning the Griffith City Library on 69628300, visit www.eventbrite.com.au, or for more information call Margaret King on 0409 815 901.