National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16 each year.  This is an ideal time for families and loved ones to have discussions about advance care planning.  Advance Care Planning is making decisions about the care you would want to receive if you become unable to speak for yourself.  At any age you can think about your health, reflect on what is important to you, talk about your wishes and make a plan for your loved ones to follow.  Advance care planning gives you the power to name a surrogate decision maker and provide guidelines for what you would want or not want for care. Knowing this lessens the burden on loved ones.

While 92% of Americans say it’s important to discuss their wishes for end-of-life care, only 32% have had such a conversation. 95% of Americans say they would be willing to talk about their wishes, and 53% even say they’d be relieved to discuss it.  The Conversation Project, which sponsors National Healthcare Decisions Day has a website, https://theconversationproject.org  It offers forms for every state, tools to make a plan and start the conversation,  and tons of resources to help you get started. 

Here is a video that gives an overview and helps you consider the importance of advance care planning:  https://youtu.be/znZDO5B6wDU.  Also, Chaplain Pat Spears presented a program in 2020, Preparing the Way.  It is available under the “Spiritual” tab on Resident Apps (Touchtown).  She is available to discuss Advance Care Planning and can be reached at 540-568-8401.