Don't Forget National Healthcare Decisions Day,

April 16, 2011

             With the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990, Congress affirmed the right of every citizen to set forth his or her future healthcare wishes in writing with an "advance directive." Yet, various estimates suggest that only about 25% of all Americans have done so.  Because advance directives can be created without a lawyer, for free, and relatively easily, this figure is astonishingly low.

             In recognition of this, National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) on April 16 strives to provide much-needed information to the public, reduce the number of tragedies that occur when a person's wishes are unknown, and improve the ability of healthcare facilities and providers to offer informed and thoughtful guidance about advance healthcare planning to their patients.

             Hospice Buffalo and the Coalition for Health Care Decision-Making (a group of concerned individuals and health care providers in WNY) are making available free "Sharing Your Wishes" guides to assist individuals and families. The guides offer four easy steps in making choices to receive the type of care a person wants or does not want in the event the person cannot speak for him or herself:

·        Think about what is important and how you would want to receive care.

·        Select a person to speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself.

·        Talk about your health care wishes.

·        Put your choices in writing using the New York State Health Care Proxy form.

            Each Sharing Your Wishes guide contains a NYS Health Care Proxy form, a health care agent card and a wallet card to tell medical personnel that the patient has a health care agent and how to contact them.

            "Everyone age 18 and over should name a person they trust to make medical decisions for them before a health crisis," said Rosemary Collins, APR, facilitator of the Coalition and director of Public Relations & Community Marketing for Hospice Buffalo. "Talking about what brings meaning to your life can help your family and your chosen health care agent understand what is important to you. The conversations can give you and your loved ones peace of mind. Your physician and family needs to know your wishes to honor them."

            To obtain your free guide, go to www.sharingyourwishes.org and download the guide or call (716) 686-8070 to ask for one. Many of the guides are also available at local physician offices, health insurance companies, and hospitals. For state-specific forms and other resources about health care decision-making, visit the NHDD website, www.nhdd.org.

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