SALISBURY — With National Health Care Decision Day approaching later in the month, Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care will host a free Advance Care Planning Workshop at J.F. Hurley YMCA on Friday, April 7.

The Rowan agency is among the organizations across the state and nation highlighting the importance of advance care decision-making. The effort led to formal designation of April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) and Health Care Decisions Day in North Carolina.

Organizations are providing information and tools to help people talk about their wishes with family, friends and medical providers, and to write advance directives such as a health care power of attorney and a living will in accordance with state law.

The effort involves the N.C. Bar Association, the N.C. Partnership for Compassionate Care, local attorneys and Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care.

The resources are available online at www.gotplans123.org

The Advance Care Planning Workshop is scheduled 1-2:30 p.m. April 7 at the Y at 828 Jake Alexander Blvd. West. The public is welcome and will receive free information and help with completing health care power of attorney and living will forms.

“National Healthcare Decisions Day is an opportunity to spotlight the importance of making your wishes known by having thoughtful conversations and completing your advance directives,” said Ann Gauthreaux, regional director of public relations for Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care.

“Fewer families and health care providers will have to struggle making difficult health care decisions for a loved one who is unable to speak.”

Gauthreaux said the agency’s has a resource — “Got Plans?” — that makes the process simple and understandable.

For more information about National Healthcare Decisions Day, visit www.nhdd.org. For more information about this and other free workshops statewide, visit www.gotplans123.org. Workshops are offered throughout the year.