Downtown park a boon for community
A park in downtown Hillsboro (April 2 issue)? What a wonderful idea! Congratulations to members of the Tree Board for coming up with such a beautiful vision.
I see this as a nice extension of the recent Main Street improvements and a benefit to downtown businesses, their owners and employees, customers, visitors and all who walk, bicycle or drive by. A park would be a great community use for that small piece of land.
I truly hope this idea meets with few?if any?obstacles, and becomes a reality as quickly as possible.
Pam Penner
Hillsboro
Clothing ministry finds new home
The Shepherd's Shed Free Clothing Storehouse has found a new home. Due to the generosity of Emanuel Baptist Church, I have relocated to their basement. The church is located at 229 Walnut, Marion.
I will reopen for business on Wednesday, April 23, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. to receive donations and to distribute needed items.
During business hours, you can leave donations at the very north door, ring the doorbell to let me know, or bring them on down to the basement.
Donations can also be left in front of my garage at 314 N. Walnut. I?m in need of men?s, women?s and junior boys? clothing. For more information, contact me at 382-2643.
Thanks to those who helped me move, and to all who have been praying. The Shepherd Shed lives on.
Robin Dicks
Marion
Make known your end-of-life decisions
Are you sure what your wishes are at the end of life? Will your spouse, children or close friend be able to uphold your wants or fulfill those wishes?
April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions day. Decisions at the end of life are difficult for anyone to make, let alone discuss due to societal stigma of death. There are documents that you may have in place to uphold your wishes: durable power of attorney of healthcare decisions (DPOAHC), living will declaration and do not resuscitate (DNR), also known as Allow Natural Death.
All of these documents can be done as advance directives. Advance directives must be done by individuals when they are cognitively aware.
Make sure to enlist someone as DPOAHC who is able to fulfill your wishes even if they do not agree with them. This person is only able to make decisions when you are unable to cognitively make your own.
Your living will declaration can be as specific as you wish it to be. This is different from your last will and testament, which address finances only. The living will declaration will clarify what procedures you would like, or would chose not to have, such as feeding tube, artificial hydration, dialysis, etc.
A DNR allows a person to have a peaceful death with nature taking its course. Studies show the percent of elderly people who survive from resuscitation are less than 5 percent. To make the DNR legal in Kansas it must be a signed order by a physician.
Death is inevitable; some have had more encounters with it than others. It is beneficial for your caregivers and doctors to know and understand your wishes for dignity at the end of life. Be open and honest when having these conversations. Know that you have the right to make decisions about your health care treatment.
Hospice Care of Kansas is partnering with the Hillsboro Senior Center to give you an opportunity to put those documents in place. Please join us from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at the Hillsboro Senior Center, 212 N. Main.
Call with any questions, 620-245-0891 or 800-854-4802.
Tara L. Dahlstrom
Hospice Care of Kansas
McPherson
