Here’s a great New Year’s Resolution to consider – make 2018 the year you complete Advance Directives.

Only about one-third of Americans have Advance Directives in place to help guide their loved ones and physicians on their personal preferences for end-of-life care. Who should make these decisions if you are unable to do so? Do you want it to be someone who knows and cares for you? If so, you need to take steps to ensure that is what happens. The completion of Advance Directives is critical to enabling you to be in control of your healthcare treatment when you are facing a life-limiting illness.

The Greater Dayton Advance Care Planning Initiative is offering our community assistance in examining the issues and making decisions about end of life care that are based on personal values, preferences and discussions with loved ones. You can explore the Decide to be Heard website to learn more about Advance Directives and find links to resources that enable you to guarantee this New Year’s resolution is successfully achieved. It will be a much-appreciated gift to your loved ones and a guarantee of peace of mind for yourself.