A unique conference was held in Nisswa today to encourage community members to think about their plans and wishes for their end of life care.

The 4th annual Got Plans? Conference was put on by Essentia Health and Crow Wing Energized and encouraged attendees to ask themselves: if they were suddenly unable to voice their own wishes for medical treatment, do their loved ones know their wishes? The event featured various speakers from a lawyer to health professionals and hospice workers.

“If you can do this with family and let them know your wishes before you’re unable to, it’s really a gift to give to the family. Even though it can be kind of a distressing talk. Death is not easy for anyone to talk about,” said conference attendee Mary Fedor. “But it really is a gift you can give family.”

Though the conversation is not an easy one, the organizers of the conference hope that it sparks people to consider their end of life wishes. According to a speaker, anyone over the age of 18 should have an advance health care plan. The plans are easy to fill out and can be filed with a physician.

“If you have a sudden event and you’re hospitalized and have a health care crisis and you’re unable to speak for yourself, it’s very important for you and your family that your wishes are carried out. If we don’t have a plan and it’s sudden, it can cause a lot of complex feelings with family,” explained conference organizer Mara Larson.

By — Rachel Johnson

Lakeland News Lead Reporter