The New York State Bar Association’s Elder Law and Special Needs Section is sponsoring National Healthcare Decision Making Day 2025. What is this? It is a volunteer, public-service project that involves attorneys speaking on topics relevant to older New Yorkers, their family members and caregivers.
The National Healthcare Decision Making Day initiative is a collaborative effort of national, state and community organizations committed to ensuring that all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare decisions.
Despite recent gains in public awareness of the need for advance care planning, studies indicate that most Americans have not exercised their right to make decisions about their healthcare in the event that they cannot speak for themselves.
National Healthcare Decision Making Day will help people understand that making future decisions includes much more than deciding what care they would or would not want; it starts with expressing preferences, clarifying values, identifying care preferences and selecting an agent to express healthcare decisions if people are unable to speak for themselves.
According to a recent research study: 71% of Americans have thought about end-of-life treatment preferences, and 95% have heard of a living will, but only 29% have a living will.
The public is invited to attend a free session of National Healthcare Decision Making Day 2025, which is being held locally at The Dale Association, 33 Ontario St., Lockport, at 10 a.m. April 17. Local attorney Marianne Koenig will help attendees feel more confident and be prepared to make better-informed health care and financial decisions. The program will show a “legal checklist” with an overview of legal documents every New Yorker should be aware of.
Topics will include:
• What are healthcare proxies and powers of attorney? How do they differ? How can these documents help avoid problems?
• DNR orders and organ donation requests
• Why do I need a will?
• What insurance, pension and financial documents should I have?
• What must be done to complete and maintain these documents?
Everyone should understand the importance of having these documents in order, no matter your age. When people are unprepared, it can be emotionally devastating, financially costly, and an obstacle for people to take care of everyday dealings.
The program is free of charge, will last approximately one hour and the community is welcome. For more information or to register for the session, please call 716-433-1886.