Directors Team 4: Jody Foster, Amy Johns, Lindsey Ranstadler, Stephaine Ryan and Laura Weberg Ferris State University

 Vital Discussions-Advance Directives, Decision Making and Health Care Planning is an educational opportunity provided free-of-cost for the adults of the community to learn more about making informed decisions regarding advanced healthcare planning.  Vital Discussions is run by compassionate and qualified registered nurses as a community service to assist clients and families with conversations regarding end-of-life medical and legal issues at a stress-free time of the client’s choice, before crises or illness arise.

 Educational classes will be conducted by registered nurses that have knowledge of advanced directives.  An elder-law attorney representative will be available to answer questions beyond the scope of Vital Discussions or to schedule a consultation.

 Educational classes will be held at local hospitals, senior centers, and retirement communities; areas that are convenient for a majority of community members to attend.

 We believe in promoting client autonomy, dignity, and empowerment with regard to end-of-life decision making through education and collaborative communication.

 We respect each client's personal beliefs and wishes, and we believe that it is the right of every person to have access to information to ensure that the quality of their life experience is consistent with their own personal values.

 Volunteer Nurse Educators …will provide education regarding end-of-life healthcare decision topics. …will answer questions on how advance directive documentation is used in the medical setting.  Elder-law Attorney Representative …will be available to answer questions beyond nurses knowledge base.

 Classes will be held twice per month. Morning and evening classes will be available.  Sample agenda: TopicPresenter Welcome and review of agendaVolunteer Nurse Educator Presentation and Explanation of documentsVolunteer Nurse Educator Individual consult with RN. Referral to Attorney Representative as warrantedVolunteer Nurse Educator & Elder-Law Attorney Representative Question and AnswerVolunteer Nurse Educator & Elder Attorney Representative

 Vital Discussions ’ modest financial needs are estimated at $700 per year and will be obtained through fundraising and community donations.

Budget Proposal: Vital Discussions Per Month Year End Revenues Patient Revenues TBDDonationsTBD Expenses Personnel 0Professional0 Non-personnel 20Supplies/materials240 0Operating Expenses0 30Food/beverage360 25Advertising100 75Total700 TBD: to be determined *: excluding funds from donations and/or fundraisers

 Volunteer Staff  Class supplies: provided as donations from local businesses.  Classroom facilities: free access or donations of hospital/retirement community/senior center space.

(Efunerals.com, n.d.)

 Administration on Aging, (1600). Projected Future Growth of the Older Population [Webpage].  Aging with Dignity, (2011). Five Wishes [Brochure]. Retrieved from  American Nurses Association, (2001). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. Retrieved from es/Code-of-Ethics.pdf  Ferris State University, (n.d.). Nursing: RN to BSN Completion Program BSN, [Webpage]. Retrieved from  Oncology Nursing Society, (2014) Media Kit. Retrieved from ONS:  Record Eagle, (2013) Local Media Kit. Retrieved from The Record Eagle: %20Print.pdf  Yoder-Wise, P.S., (2014). Leading and Managing in Nursing (5 th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier