National Healthcare Decisions Day was observed April 16. The day was created to raise public awareness and inspire, educate and empower everyone to begin conversations with their loved ones and health care providers about their advance health care wishes. While making such decisions is difficult in the best of circumstances, making decisions for others is even more complicated.

Everyone has the ability to guide their health care providers and loved ones about their wishes. Completing an advance directive documents the types of health care interventions you do and do not want and names a health care proxy to speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself. An advance directive is valuable for all adults, regardless of current age or health status. Contact the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General at 860-808-5318 or visit their website at http://www.ct.gov/ag/site/default.asp to obtain a copy of Connecticut’s Living Will Laws and Advance Directive forms, or speak with your doctor.

Advance Directives can be easily completed without a lawyer and with no cost. Please begin this conversation and document your wishes. Your decisions matter, make your wishes known.

Barbara Sinko

Preston