News Center

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Advance health-care directives make patients’ medical decisions known

INDIANAPOLISWho do you want to speak for you and make health-care decisions when you are unable to do so?

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.

That’s why Franciscan St. Francis Health is helping lead and coordinate efforts to educate the public about the importance of having advance health-care directives.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, April 16, information stations will be set up at Franciscan St. Francis hospitals in Indianapolis (main lobby) and Mooresville (cafeteria). Hospital clinical experts, social workers, chaplains and attorneys specializing in health-care law will be on hand to answer questions about advance directives and end-of-life planning.

The events coincide with the National Health Care Decisions Day, designed to raise awareness about the importance of advance care planning.

To learn more about advance health-care directives, go to http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=129.