National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16

Thursday, April 16, is National Healthcare Decisions Day – a nationwide initiative to raise awareness, educate and empower healthcare providers and the public about advance care planning.

“Advance care planning allows you to prepare for whatever life may bring. It tells others about the care you would like to receive should you become seriously ill,” explained Leo Cooney, MD, Adler Geriatric Assessment Center. “You should appoint a health care representative to speak for you if you cannot express your wishes. You should ensure that this representative, and your family and physicians, know how you wish to be treated should you become very ill. An advance care document is an excellent way of assuring that physicians in all sites of care know the intensity of care you would like to receive.”

Advance directives forms are available for people to express their treatment preferences, make their living wills and appoint healthcare representatives. Visit the Yale New Haven Health website to access these documents and links to additional sources.