In observance of National Health Care Decisions Day, the Stanly County Partnership for End of Life Care will present a community forum on advance directives in the Stanly County Commons meeting room on April 16 from 10 a.m. until noon.
The free event will feature a panel discussion that will include a Hospice representative, nurse, minister, physician and an attorney. 
Notaries will be available to assist with advance directives after the panel concludes.
All adults can benefit from thinking about what their healthcare choices would be if they are unable to speak for themselves.  These decisions can be written down in an advance directive so that others know what they are. 
Advance directives come in two main forms: a healthcare power of attorney and a living will. A healthcare power of attorney documents the person you select to be your voice for your healthcare decisions if you cannot speak for yourself.  A living will documents what kinds of medical treatments you would or would not want at the end of life.
The Stanly County Partnership for End of Life Care represents various community agencies that have an interest in end of life care.  The Partnership’s mission is to promote education and communication about end of life issues through various approaches.
Members of the Partnership include:  Britthaven of Piedmont, Forrest Oakes, Home Care of the Carolinas, Hospice of Stanly County, Dr. Nalin Mehta, Patricia Cowan, Ombudsman, Lutheran Home of Albemarle, Spring Arbor, Stanly County Department of Social Services, Stanly County Home Health, Stanly County Senior Center, Stanly Funeral Home, Stanly Manor and Stanly Regional Medical Center.
For more information about the April 16 forum, contact Audrey Howell of Hospice of Stanly County at (704) 983-4216.