SOUTHAMPTON — On Tuesday evening, the First Congregational Church of Southampton will host a Zoom meeting about advanced care directives, which are instructions for doctors and health care proxies designed to guide decisions about a person’s medical care.
Rev. Quentin Chin, interim pastor at First Congregational, said that the COVID-19 pandemic was the impetus behind the event.
“It freaks the heck out of us,” he said. “It’s striking people of all ages.”
Chin will be looking at advanced care directives from an ethical perspective, while Alison Wondriska, a physician and member of the congregation, will tackle the medical side of the issue.
Chin said that it is important to put advanced care directives into place before one gets sick.
“What do you value about your life?” he asked.
He gave the example of a son serving as a health care proxy for his father without the necessary guidance.
“The son could really be floundering,” he said.
Chin also noted that directives are not permanent and can be changed.
The meeting takes places Tuesday at 7 p.m., and the Zoom videoconferencing link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87911601981. It is open to all.
The topic of discussion “forces you to take a pretty soulful look at life,” Chin said. “What is valuable to you?”
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.