IGNITE Leadership Academy LeadingAge New York 2014-15 2014-15 | Page 20

Denise Boerst-Ohman
Director of Social Work
Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation
Center

Making Sure Your Voice is Heard
1

How would you describe your Action Learning Project and the difference you hope it will make to
advance your organization’s mission (or the field) and benefit the individuals you serve?

I chose, as my project, to create an in-service/seminar on advanced directives. The reason I decided to focus on this particular topic is
that in many cases, new admissions to the nursing home were coming in without a Health Care Proxy in place. Although the Health
Care Proxy is just one piece of the puzzle, is in an integral piece that is the foundation for which further advanced directives are made.
Educating the public was a way to network with the community and talk to people about a subject that often times is avoided. I wanted
people to be aware that they have the ability to make their voice heard and by educating people of the process, they would be reassured
that their wishes are honored when, or if, there came a time they were no longer able to speak for themselves.

2

How have the relationships you’ve developed as part of your project (with mentors, partners,
stakeholders, etc.) influenced this direction and you as a leader?

I also chose to work on this particular project because it is the role of our staff social workers to review the residents’ advanced
directives. Just having the Health Care Proxy alone creates a smoother transition for the completion of the Medical Orders for LifeSustaining Treatment (MOLST) and the Decision Making Capacity form that i ́