By Kathy Wieliczko, Director of Patient Care Services

Speare Memorial Hospital, along with Pemi-Baker Community Health and Mid-State Health Center, are leading an effort locally to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making. We will be providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written
.

Specifically, on April 23, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., we are inviting people to come to   Speare MemorialHospital throughout the day at, to talk with representatives from Speare, Pemi- Baker and Mid-State and receive free information about advance care planning and advance directive forms.  No appointment is necessary.

Eight out of 10 people say that it is very important to write down their end of life wishes. In 2014, 44% of the patients admitted to Speare had copies of their advance directives on their charts.

WHAT

• Advance Directives – A document that is created by you to give instructions regarding your future medical care.

WHY

• Gives family a peace of mind to follow your wishes during difficult times.
• Completing the document assists you in having the conversation with family, friends and your medical team.
• Accidents happen at any time to anyone.

HOW

• Think about what is right for you.
• Name a healthcare agent, someone who is able to make difficult decisions and will stand up for your wishes.
• Put your wishes in writing.

“As a result of National Healthcare Decisions Day, many more people in our community can be expected to have thoughtful conversations about their healthcare decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known,” said Kathy Wieliczko, Director Patient Care Management.  “Fewer families and healthcare providers will have to struggle with making difficult healthcare decisions in the absence of guidance from the patient, and healthcare providers and facilities will be better equipped to address advance healthcare planning issues before a crisis and be better able to honor patient wishes when the time comes to do so.”

For more information about National Healthcare Decision Day, please visit www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org.  If you have questions about the event at Speare on April 23, please call 603-238-2216.