Events

National Healthcare Decisions Day Add to Calendar

National Healthcare Decisions Day, acknowledged on April 16, encourages people to understand the value of advance care planning (ACP). Southwest Michigan’s ACP program Speak for Yourself, Plan Your Care is a collaboration of community partners that offers the opportunity for individuals to discuss their healthcare wishes with certified ACP facilitators.

During the month of April, take advantage of this community program and take a step forward with your plan, wherever you are starting from:

1. Pick up a free advance directive and educational information from a location below
2. Schedule a conversation with a facilitator to discuss what’s most important to you as you begin your plan
3. If you have an advance directive in place, review it with a facilitator to make sure it still reflects your wishes
4. When you are comfortable with your advance directive, provide copies to your advocates and family so they are prepared to be your voice if something happens
5. Provide a copy of your advance directive to the admissions department of your local hospital for placement in your electronic medical chart, so it’s easy to find in an emergency

Advance care planning resources are available at the following locations:
Area Agency on Aging, Region IV • Berecz & Associates • Caring Circle, St. Joseph • Cass Family Clinic • Coloma Medical Clinic • Community Medical Center, Watervliet • Lakeland Care Network, Benton Harbor •Lakeland Primary Care, Longmeadow • Lakeland Medical Practices, Watervliet • Lakeland Healthcare Specialist •Niles Public Library • PACE of Southwest Michigan • Southwestern Medical Clinic, Bridgman, Buchanan, Niles, St.Joseph, Stevensville • Stagg Medical Center • Strong Women of Faith • West Woods of Niles

For resource locations and more information on ACP, visit www.caring-circle.org/planyourcare,email acp@lakelandhealth.org, or call (269) 983-8166