Today is National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) and the perfect time for health care providers to have conversations with their patients about advance care planning. Usually celebrated on April 16, NHDD encourages providers to initiate these conversations and help patients make decisions about the care they want, especially in situations when they may not be able to convey their wishes. While advance care planning is important at any point in time, it is imperative in this climate of uncertainty that patients have plans in place in the event of a health care emergency and/or for end-of-life care.

The Conversation Project offers tools to help patients, their loved ones and their doctors engage in discussions about end-of-life care. The site also features a COVID-19 specific conversation guide and a conversation starter kit.

Our Resource Center includes a variety of advance care planning tools and resources like this “Who Will Speak for You?” video, as well as information about advance directives, preparing for care and more. To view these resources, click the Advance Care Planning box under “Topics” at the left-hand corner of the page and click “Apply.” Share these resources and use them in your own conversations, which can make all the difference for your patients, your loved ones and even, you!

Join our discussion by leaving a comment below about how you are increasing the number of advance care planning conversations you are having with your patients.