Atlantic General Hospital gives advice for National Healthcare Decisions Day

MARYLAND – Each year, on April 16th, National Healthcare Decisions Day is held to educate healthcare providers and consumers about advance care planning and empower all to make their wishes for their care known.

Advance care planning includes completing a living will, appointing a healthcare power of attorney, and sharing this information with your loved ones to ensure all wishes are honored.

In 2020, many individuals who died from unexpected illnesses had no end-of-life plan, putting their families in difficult situations. Organ donation is often point of contention when a loved one is near death- if their family isn’t aware of their wishes.

Vice President of Medical Affairs for Atlantic General Hospital Dr. Sally Dowling says you regardless of age, this conversation is necessary. “It doesn’t have to be done through an attorney There are forms you can download online and complete, and as long as they are witnessed and notarized that is just as good as having it done through your attorney.”

The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation reports only half of Americans report having an End-of- Lige Conversation and less than 30 percent have written documents outlining wishes, and today is the perfect time to take a look at that.