March 28, 2024

Branstad proclaims April 16 Health Care Decisions Day in Iowa

Most people have some idea of how they would like to die – perhaps peacefully in their sleep or surrounded by loved ones. Unfortunately, most people also have not taken the necessary steps to ensure their wishes will be followed.

April 16 is the eighth annual National Health care Decisions Day, an initiative dedicated to ensuring all adults discuss and document their health care wishes now, while they’re healthy and able.

“As a society, we pride ourselves in being busy.  We often use time as an excuse for putting off uncomfortable conversations and decisions,” said Katie McIntyre, Iowa liaison for National Health care Decisions Day and community relations coordinator for HCI Care Services. “National Health care Decisions Day is a great opportunity to think about how you would want – or not want – to be treated should you no longer be able to speak for yourself.  By completing an advance directive, you can give your loved ones the peace of mind of knowing they are doing what you would have wanted.”

HCI Care Services is providing free resources to help people talk about health care wishes with family, friends and health care providers, and to execute written advance directives (health care power of attorney and living will) in accordance with Iowa state laws.

Visit www.hcicareservices.org or call 1-800-806-9934 for a free advance directive planning packet.

Advance directives come in two main forms.  A “health care power of attorney” (“proxy” or “agent” or “surrogate”) documents the person selected to be the voice for health care decisions if the individual is no longer able to communicate.  And a “living will” (or “health care treatment directive”) documents the types of medical treatments he or she would or would not want at the end of life.

It is important to note that advance directives only go into effect if the patient is no longer able to make decisions. Copies of these documents should be given to doctors, family members and close friends, as appropriate. They can be changed or canceled at any time but are virtually useless if no one knows about them when the need arises.