North Country HealthCare to host workshop on advance healthcare decisions
WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Fit and healthy adults often give little thought to illness and injury. When everything is going well, it is easy to forget about aging.
However, having conversations about end of life decisions can help people avoid unnecessary obstacles in their later years.
Advanced healthcare directives can be invaluable resources for family members and friends who will be responsible for managing a person's plans should they become unable to make their own decisions. Various organizations offer resources on advanced planning and the options available to adults looking to plan their estates.
In recognition of National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), North Country HealthCare Williams will host a free workshop highlighting the importance of advance healthcare decision making April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Representatives from Vista Hospice, ResCare and Campassus will provide information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives, including healthcare powers of attorney and living wills, in accordance with Arizona state laws.
"As a result of National Healthcare Decisions Day, many more people in our community will have thoughtful conversations about their healthcare decisions and can develop advance directives to make their wishes known," said Jeff Axtell, North Country HealthCare Williams Clinic manager. "Fewer families and healthcare providers will have to struggle with making difficult healthcare decisions in the absence of guidance from the patient. Healthcare providers and facilities will be better equipped to address advance healthcare planning issues before a crisis and will be better able to honor patient wishes when the time comes to do so."
Susan Blanchard, executive director of Compassus - North Central Arizona, said the day provides an opportunity to educate the community about the importance of making significant healthcare decisions in advance.
"We hope this special day will help spark healthcare conversations among families and equip them with tools to prepare for how handling any future healthcare decisions in a manner that would reflect the guidance and wishes of their loved ones."
This year, NHDD falls on Saturday, April 16. NHDD exists to inspire, educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning. NHDD is an initiative to encourage patients to express their wishes regarding healthcare and for providers and facilities to respect those wishes, whatever they may be. The theme for 2016 is "It Always Seems Too Early, Until It's Too Late."
More information about National Healthcare Decisions Day is available by visiting www.nhdd.org. or North Country HealthCare
The event takes place at North Country HealthCare Williams, located at 301 S. 7th St. Free refreshments will be provided.
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