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Most Americans have not exercised their rights to make decisions about their health care in the event that they cannot speak for themselves.

Renee Hurley

Monongahela Valley Hospital will offer free information and tools to help members of the community public make future health care wishes known to their family, friends and medical providers. National Healthcare Decision Day on Thursday, April 16, is a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance health care decision making.

Renee Hurley, M.Ed., L.P.C., MVH director of Patient Relations, will provide free information, tools and assistance to the public on completing one's advance directives, in the hospital's lobby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Advance directives come in two main forms: a medical power of attorney and a living will.

A "health care or medical power of attorney" appoints a trusted person you select to be your voice for your health care decisions if you cannot speak for yourself.

A "living will" documents the kinds of medical treatments you would or would not want at the end of life, particularly regarding life-prolonging medication or measures if you had an end stage medical condition, were permanently unconscious and couldn't speak for yourself.

Also, Pennsylvania Orders For Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) information will be available. This is a document that can voluntarily be completed by a patient with their health care provider to communicate, as a medical order, his or her goals for care at the end of life.

The information and assistance in completing the forms at MVH is free. Parking will also be free for participants.

For more information, visit www.nhdd.org or contact Ms. Hurley at 724-258-1076. 

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