RUMFORD — Rumford Hospital and its physician practices will sponsor workshops on living wills or advance directives at 2 p.m. Monday, July 30, and Thursday, Oct. 11.

Both workshops will be held in Conference Room A on the ground floor of the hospital. Light refreshments will be served.

Pat O’Brian and Lisa Caillier of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice will lead an interactive discussion on what advanced directives are, why people should have a living will, and how to fill out the advanced directive forms, Jane Bubar, hospital spokeswoman, stated Monday in a news release.

Because the workshop content is identical for both presentations, Bubar said people only need to attend one session to get all the information.

“Join us to learn about decisions people often face about their health care,” she said.

“Advanced directives allows you to select the person you want to make medical decisions for you in case you become unable to make those decisions.

“It’s essentially preparation for situations in which you might not be able to communicate your wishes,” Bubar said.

“We often think of living wills as being something for the older person or for someone who is gravely ill, but I believe everyone over the age of 18 should have one,” Karen Swan, manager of Community Care at Rumford Hospital, said.

After the session, Bubar said people will be better informed to understand their options, make sure their wishes are honored, and to share their decisions with family, friends and health care providers.

Preregistration is required due to space limitations. To register call Swan at 369-1151.

“If her voicemail is reached, leave the date you wish to attend, your name, the number of people attending and your phone number,” Bubar said.

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