National Healthcare Decisions Day Set for April 16, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2009
Contact:
Sam Angelo, Bethany Hospice
412-921-2209
sangelo@bethanyhospice.com
www.bethanyhospice.com
National Healthcare Decisions Day Set for April 16, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA (PittsburghNewsWire.com) — Bethany Hospice, along with other national, state and community organizations, are 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, 2009 as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). As a participating organization, Bethany Hospice 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 Pennsylvania state laws. These resources are available at www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org
Specifically, on April 16, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, Bethany Hospice is welcoming the public throughout the day at 7 facilities throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania with free information about advance care planning and advance directive forms. The facilities open to the public for advance care planning are Baldwin Health Center, Asbury Heights, Overlook Green, Village of Pennwood, Caring Heights, Bayberry Court, and Wexford House. You may contact Bethany Hospice at 412-921-2209 for information on the facility closest to you.
“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 Sam Angelo, Vice President, Bethany Hospice. “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.”
“It is heartbreaking when a patient enters a healthcare crisis with no advance directive, and no one to speak for them,” said Angelo. “Many times they end up on a path they would not choose if they were able to speak for themselves. Spend a few minutes with us on NHDD and learn how you can make sure you have an advocate when you need one the most.”
For more information about National Healthcare Decision Day, please visit www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org. For more information on hospice, please visit www.bethanyhospice.com
