April 16th, 2018 is National Healthcare Decision Day (NHDD). An initiative of the Conversation Project, it is a day meant for considering and openly discussing the importance of advance care planning and healthcare decision making.
National Healthcare Decisions Day (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. —www.nhdd.org
Advance care planning is making decisions about the care you would want to receive if you become unable to speak for yourself. These are your decisions to make, regardless of what you choose for your care, and the decisions are based on your personal values, preferences, and discussions with your loved ones. –www.nhpco.com
Click here for additional resources and information on advance care.
To help prepare our patrons for NHDD, the library is hosting several events throughout the month of April.
Wednesday, 4/11 @ 7pm:
Advanced Directive Panel Discussion
Come learn about advance care planning and why it is important from this panel of experts.
The panel will include:
- Beth Jameson, nurse
- Carl Archer, attorney
- Michael Angrosino, member of the clergy
Bring your questions! Registration is requested but not required. Register here!
Saturday, 4/14 @ 11am: Second Saturday Book Club – Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande
Monday, 4/23 @ 7pm: Estate Planning
Learn everything you need to know about estate planning from nationally-recognized estate planning and elder law attorney, Victor J. Medina.
Registration is requested but not required. Register here!
Wednesday, 4/25 @ 3pm: Go Wish – Cards and Conversation
Come play the card game Go Wish, a game that helps participants prioritize their end-of-life wishes. Tracy Grafton, Counselor at JFK Haven Hospice, will be on hand to facilitate. Light refreshments will be served.
Registration is requested but not required. Register here!
Mortality is always a distressing thing to talk about. Hopefully, these programs will help guide you in making the best healthcare and advance care decisions for you. Thanks for reading!
-George, FTPL
