National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16, 2015

We all have wishes, but do your loved ones really know what your wishes are when it comes to your healthcare? Your decisions matter. April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). NHDD exists to help patients become aware of the ability to express their wishes regarding their healthcare and for providers and facilities to respect those wishes. Despite increased awareness of the need for advance care planning, most Americans have not exercised their right to make their wishes known in the event they cannot speak for themselves.

NHDD helps us understand that making future healthcare decisions encompasses much more than deciding what care we may or may not want. It begins with clarifying our preferences and values, as well as selecting someone to make decisions if we are unable to speak for ourselves.

NHDD is a 50-state initiative in which national, state and community organizations are committed to being sure that each and every one of us has the information and opportunity to communicate and document our healthcare decisions.

NOTE: The following is not a substitute for legal advice. To help you understand what an advance directive is, you should know they come in two main forms. A healthcare power of attorney would document the person you select to be your voice for your healthcare decisions if you were unable to speak for yourself, or a living will documents what kind of medical treatment you would or would not want at the end of your life.

• There are multiple places to obtain an advance directive document. Here are just a few:
  • A/D Vault/My Directives (Platform to complete free advance directives online)
  • Aging With Dignity (Five Wishes) - Order Online
  • Caring Connections - Download Free State Specific Advance Directives
  • Center for Practical Bioethics – download for free
  • Compassion & Choices – State Specific Advance Directive Material

You are urged to consider completing your advance directive today and also to encourage all your loved ones to do the same.

For advance directive planning information specific to the state of Michigan, please visit www.caringinfo.org or call 800-658-8898.

For more information about National Health Care Decisions Day, please visit nationalwww.healthcaredecisionsday.org

“The future depends on what we do in the present.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Contributed by: The Physician Alliance

Read previously published blog articles from our physician members.

This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your doctor for more information or if you have a medical concern.