New Denver and area churches:

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church

• Gail Hebert 250 358 2397
• Bev Casley 250 358 7771
• Father David John – St. Rita’s Church (Castlegar) 250 365 7143

Zion – United Church

• Theresa Gerow – 250 358 7973
• Eleanor Spangler – 250 358 2145
• Therese DesCamp – 250 358 7904

Jehovah’s Witnesses

• Walter Dagostini – 250 358 7710

Anglican Church

• Rhonda Farrell – 250 358 7941
• Liz Ruder – St. Stephens (new Denver) 250 687 1694

Gospel Light Chapel

• Joan Law – 250 358 2374
• Wilf Wilson – 250 358 2626

Although BC Legislation says that your wishes, whether verbal or written, must be followed, you have much better protection if your wishes are written. It is also important for all the people close to you and your doctor(s) to know that you have written an advance directive and for them to have a copy or know how to find it. Your wishes can only be followed if people know them. Do NOT put your advance directive in a safety deposit box as it may not be accessible when it is needed.

Currently there is no standardized advance directive form to use and some types that exist are not very useful because they are unclear and/or incomplete. The more detail you provide, the more you will be recognized as an informed consumer of medical care, and the more likely it is that your wishes will be followed.  The Canadian Medical Association directs physicians to follow living wills, and doctors have been successfully sued for not doing so.

An extensive Living Will document is obtainable on line from the University of Toronto Joint Center for Bioethics.
If you make a Representation Agreement, you may have your advance medical directive as part of the Agreement or as a separate document you would attach to it.

It is also important to remember that these documents are a form of “insurance” and may never come into effect. If you remain able to direct your own affairs and give or withhold consent to medical treatment, they will never have to be used. Having them in place, however, provides you, your family or loved ones with peace-of-mind should the need ever arise.