National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) – April 16 2024
April 15, 2024
National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) – April 16
National Healthcare Decisions Day is celebrated annually on April 16th, the day after the date traditionally known as Tax Day. The date was chosen based on this quote from Benjamin Franklin, “…in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” So, by April 15th of each year make sure your taxes are completed and on April 16th review your health care wishes.
NHDD is a way to encourage people to have conversations about their wishes for care through the end of life. This day, as well as events held throughout the year, are intended to empower people to complete advance directives by providing education on the importance of advance care planning and sharing the tools (forms, resources, guides, training) to help them express their wishes regarding healthcare.
Numerous events are held each year in April, as well as throughout the year. The following events are being held on April 16 or 17:
- Brown County:
https://gwaar.org/api/cms/viewfile/id/2008094 - Chippewa County:
https://gwaar.org/api/cms/viewFile/id/2008113 - Fox Valley, Appleton:
https://gwaar.org/api/cms/viewFile/id/2008095
https://gwaar.org/api/cms/viewFile/id/2008099
https://gwaar.org/api/cms/viewFile/id/2008100 - Kenosha County:
https://gwaar.org/api/cms/viewFile/id/2008096 - LaCrosse:
https://gwaar.org/api/cms/viewfile/id/2008097 - Portage County:
https://gwaar.org/api/cms/viewFile/id/2008098
These events will be held later in April or May:
Fox Valley, Appleton:
https://gwaar.org/api/cms/viewFile/id/2008095
May 8 - Virtual via the UW Health's Advance Care Planning Coordinators
May 30 at 1 PM (in-person only) with Legal Action of Wisconsin's SeniorLAW Attorneys.
No advanced registration required. At the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center
Note: If you are holding an advance directives workshop or training in your area that isn’t listed here, please send us your information.
For more information and access to advance directive forms:
- Visit the Wisconsin Medical Society website at:
https://www.wismed.org/wismed/wismed/about-us/advance-care-planning.aspx - For answers to your questions or for assistance with forms, see this contact list on the Wisconsin Medical Society’s website - Advance Care Planning Wisconsin Contacts - April 2023.pdf - Google Drive (includes Wis. healthcare facilities and community organizations such as ADRCs/aging units):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hQRKHcXCEZQ21pdEYlTo5ExaOuQbr6-L/view?pli=1 - For additional information and resources, go to: https://theconversationproject.org/
Advance directive forms and guides can be found at:
- Advance Directives | Wisconsin Department of Health Services
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/advdirectives/index.htm - Guardianship Support Center Resources (gwaar.org)
https://gwaar.org/guardianship-resources - Do-it-Yourself Consumer Packet: POA for Health Care
- Power of Attorney for Health Care State Form
- Power of Attorney for Health Care: An Overview
- Requirements for a Valid Power of Attorney for Health Care
- Responsibilities of a Health Care Agent Under a Wisconsin Power of Attorney for Health Care
- Revoking a Power of Attorney for Health Care
- Ten Reasons to Complete a Power of Attorney for Health Care
- Advance Care Planning & Advance Directive (wismed.org)
- Let'sTalk, Fox Valley Fox Valley Advance Care Planning Partnership (fvacpp.org)
An earlier version of this information was included in the April 9 issue of the GWAAR newsletter.
