April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day with the theme, “It Always Seems Early, Until It is Too Late.”
West Shore Medical Center offers area residents “Five Wishes” packets that will help individuals ensure their thoughts about medical care are documented should they become incapacitated.
For those interested in learning more about advance directives, Stephanie VanSlyke, R.N., of Munson Medical Center’s Advance Care Planning, will offer the program “Advance Medical Directives: Honoring Your Wishes” at several locations in the Traverse City area this month. She will share about the importance of having a medical directive, how to choose a health care advocate, and how to start a conversation with loved ones about medical issues.
Participants will also go through an advance medical directive page-by-page, allowing VanSlyke an opportunity to answer questions and provide a thorough understanding of the document.
Programs are planned for:
- April 6 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Grand Traverse Bay YMCA’s multi-purpose room, 3700 Silver Lake Road, Traverse City.
- April 13, from 4 - 5:30 p.m. at Munson Community Health Center’s Rooms A&B, 550 Munson Ave. in Traverse City.
- April 16, from 10 a.m. - noon at the Traverse Area District Library’s Thirlby Room, 610 Woodmere Ave., in Traverse City.
- April 20, from 1 - 2 p.m. at Cowell Family Cancer Center, 217 S. Madison St., Traverse City.
While the sessions are free, registration is requested. To register for a seminar, go to munsonhealthcare.org/acp-events.
Five Wishes packets are available by calling West Shore Medical Center at 231-398-1000 or emailing advancecareplanning@mhc.net.