Hospice of Dayton, along with other national, state and community organizations, is involved in leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making—an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). As a participating organization, Hospice of Dayton is providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives (healthcare power of attorney and living will) in accordance with Ohio state laws.

“We want to be able to honor patient wishes when the time comes to do so,” says Dr. Ruth Thomson, Chief Medical Officer at Hospice of Dayton.  “We want to encourage many more people in our community to have thoughtful conversations about their healthcare decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known.”

The state of Ohio has recently updated advance directive forms, and Hospice of Dayton offers the new documents for download by clicking here.  The forms can be easily printed and completed to help guide healthcare providers in addressing your individual preferences for care.

“Pledge to yourself — and just as importantly your family — that by the time National Healthcare Decisions Day ends, you will have taken steps to make sure your wishes are clear to your family or the person you choose to make decisions for you if you can’t make them for yourself,” Dr. Thomson suggests.  “It is a gift of peace of mind that only you can give to your loved ones.”