Each year, National Healthcare Decisions Day is recognized on April 16. Hospice of The Western Reserve and Western Reserve Hospital are joining together to remind all individuals, regardless of age or current health status, about the importance of making their personal healthcare decisions known. It’s important that individuals discuss their end-of-life wishes with their family members, especially as we continue to battle COVID-19.

Through advance care planning, individuals can document their future healthcare decisions and provide instructions for their medical care. By sharing information with loved ones and your doctor about what you would want if you are facing life threatening circumstances, you are not only helping yourself, you are also alleviating family members of guilt, stress, fear and potential long-lasting conflict.

On Friday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., representatives from Hospice of the Western Reserve and Western Reserve Hospital will be available in the Wi-Fi Café off the main lobby of Western Reserve Hospital to answer questions and provide the documents to execute written advance directives, including healthcare power-of-attorney and living will, in accordance with Ohio state laws. Please feel free to stop by and ask questions or to pick up copies of the Ohio Advance Directives forms to take with you.