Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley is encouraging people to make their healthcare wishes known to family, friends, and healthcare providers and to complete advance healthcare plans.

Interested people can register at https://secure.givelively.org/event/hospice-of-st-lawrence-valley-inc/national-healthcare-decisions-day for a free Advance Care Planning Resource Guide sent directly to them.

Hospice is offering community members the opportunity to obtain free resources and have their questions about advance care planning answered through a Virtual National Healthcare Decisions Day event on “National Healthcare Decisions Day,” April 16.

While we cannot predict the future, each of us can guide our healthcare providers and our loved ones about the care we want. Advance directives give you the ability to document the types of healthcare treatments and interventions you do and do not want, and to name an agent to speak for you if you become unable to speak for yourself.

“To some, it might seem morbid or feel like fearmongering to have these conversations – but it’s not,” said Samantha Jones, Marketing Manager for Hospice. “The need to have clear advance directives and discussions about life support is critical and realistic for all of us always, but especially now that we are facing a major health crisis that we know has the potential to leave us in an incredibly vulnerable state.”

For more info contact Jones at 315-265-3105 or samj@hospiceslv.org or visit www.hospiceslv.org.