April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day – excerpt from LeadingAge NY

April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day    

National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), April 16, is the effort of multiple organizations to provide access to information about health care decision making to all persons with decision making capacity. The information will allow them to communicate and document their decisions.  

Research completed in 2006 indicated that while 95 percent of Americans had heard of living wills, only 21 percent actually had completed one.  In spite of public campaigns and media coverage, most Americans have not made decisions about their future health care or who will speak for them if they are unable.  National Healthcare Decisions Day is planned to assist Americans to:

  • Understand advance planning
  • Clarify values
  • Identify care preferences
  • Select an agent

This is an important initiative which also supports health care organizations in presenting required information about health care decision making rights to our resident and family communities.  It also serves as an opportunity to open important and necessary conversations about advance directives with residents and families in all settings.  Click here to access more information and resources on the NHDD website.

Contact: Susan Bartholomew, [email protected], 518-867-8383, ext. 146

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