The importance of advance care directives will be covered on Aug. 10 during the Partners In Education (P.I.E.) series. The free program will be from noon until 1 p.m. at the LIFE Center Special Hospital, 1111 Gallagher Road, in Sherman.

Advance care directives are specific instructions that are prepared in advance specifically to direct a person's care if he or she is unable to do so in the future. The directive enables a relative to provide instructions about care preferences in the event that a person develops a terminal illness or a life-threatening injury. Advance care directives can also designate someone the patient trusts to make decisions about medical care if the patient becomes unable to communicate or to make those decisions. It is basically a health care "power of attorney".

Making the presentation will be Rick Dickson and Ann Black, LBSW. Dickson is a benefits counselor with the Texoma Council of Governments. Black has 30 years of experience in case management and supervision for Texas Department of Human Services (now DADS) and seven years with Home Hospice of Grayson County. After discussing advance care directives, the group will answer questions and help participants to start the process of creating advance care directives.

Complimentary pie and coffee will be served at the seminar. A to-go lunch will be available in the hospital cafeteria at a 10 percent discount if desired. Anyone needing transportation is encouraged to contact TAPS at least a day prior to the program.

For more information, call Nancy Russell, Home Hospice of Grayson County, at 903-868-9315, Nora Habal from the Texoma Council of Governments at 903-813-3506, Cheryl Brandon of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital - WNJ at 903-813-8747 or Joyce White from the Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service at 903-813-4203.

The P.I.E. series is provided to the public by the Area Agency on Aging, Home Hospice of Grayson County, LIFE Center Specialty Hospital, Texoma Council of Government, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital - WNJ, and the Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service.