Griffin Hospital will offer a free talk on how to plan for future healthcare and medical decisions on Mon., Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Oxford Library, 486 Oxford Rd., Oxford.

Griffin Hospital Advance Care Planning Coordinator Lynn Aiksnoras will present, “Advance Care Planning: Honoring Healthcare Choices,” an open discussion on the three stages of Advance Care Planning (ACP) in which individuals discuss and decide their future healthcare wishes in the event that they are unable to speak for themselves.

“As adults, we make many choices throughout life. Most often, the best choices are made as a result of good planning, such as career, financial, retirement and estate planning,” Aiksnoras said. “So, why is it that so few people have a plan for making healthcare and end-of-life decisions?”

ACP is a process of understanding, reflecting on and discussing individual goals, beliefs and values in order to determine a person’s overall wishes, should a time come when he or she cannot make them for him or herself. ACP ensures that patients’ healthcare wishes are respected by loved ones and healthcare providers. This process also gives comfort and reassurance to healthcare representatives, enabling them to clearly understand patients’ end-of-life preferences.

“ACP is an important part of a good health and wellness program,” Aiksnoras said. “It may also be one of the most important gifts you ever give your family and those who care for you.”

Light refreshments will be served.

The program is free, but registration is requested at the library, or by calling 203-888-6944 or online at oxfordlib.org (click on “Events”).