Advance health care directives reduce patients’ anxiety, enhance care

INDIANAPOLIS – St. Francis Hospice is leading an effort to educate the public about the importance of having advance health care directives.

That’s why it is coordinating an event Friday, April 16, at Greenwood Park Mall and Mooresville Public Library, 220 W. Harrison St. The Greenwood event is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Mooresville venue will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Advance health care directives instructions are given by individuals specifying what actions should be taken for their health in the event that they are no longer able to make decisions due to illness or incapacity.

Hospice staff will be joined by St. Francis nurses, social workers, chaplains and attorneys specializing in health care law. Other experts from outside the hospital will be on hand to answer questions.

The event coincides with the National Health Care Decisions Day, designed to raise awareness and the importance of advance care planning.

“Our goal is to provide much-needed information to the public and reduce the number of problems that occur when a patient’s wishes are unknown and to enhance the ability of health-care facilities and provides to offer their patients and their families informed and thoughtful guidance,” said Monica Burkhart-Negri, R.N., community liaison at St. Francis Hospice.

To learn more about St. Francis Hospice, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=280