April 2026 – Advance Care Planning
Advance Care Planning Made Simple
National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), observed annually on April 16, is a nationwide initiative that encourages adults of all ages to reflect on and communicate their wishes for future medical care. NHDD helps normalize conversations about advance directives and end-of-life preferences so that patients’ values and goals can guide care if they become unable to speak for themselves.
Community Nurse supports patients and families through palliative care consultations with a Nurse Practitioner (NP) which helps them understand disease progression, explore care options, and clarify goals. The Nurse Practitioner also provides guidance on advance care planning, assisting with the Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) form, which documents medical treatment preferences. Another important topic discussed is the importance of choosing and documenting a Health Care Proxy to ensure someone they trust can speak on their behalf when needed.