Media release from Atrium Health Floyd:
If you could not speak for yourself, do you know who would be legally responsible for making your medical choices? Without an advance directive, your legal next of kin is your decision-maker – that’s the law. While that works for many people, often a different decision-maker is desired.
That is why Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center is holding an advance directive signing event at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center on Wednesday, April 16, National Health Care Decisions Day.
The events will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. at Stuenkel Conference Center on the first floor of the hospital and at the Orthopedic Rehabilitation Gym on the fourth floor.
“An advance directive is used to help your family, friends and clinical caregivers know your wishes in the event you cannot make your wishes known in a health crisis,” said Chris Barbieri, an Atrium Health Floyd chaplain. “Too many people wait to act, leaving loved ones guessing about their preferences. It can cause a lot of stress among families.”
An advance directive also lets patients provide guidance about whether they want aggressive treatments like CPR, life-support and feeding tubes, if something catastrophic happens.
Attendees will be invited and encouraged to complete and sign their own advance directive.
“We specifically themed the event after National Signing Day, when high school football players sign with their chosen college teams,” Barbieri said. “Just like players are making their decisions about their future known, we encourage everyone to have an advance directive and to inform their loved ones about their decision.”
Even healthy individuals can benefit from completing an advance directive. It can give them the opportunity to reflect on their own personal values and ensures peace of mind knowing their wishes have been made known, he said.
“At Atrium Health Floyd, we encourage every patient who is 18 or older to at least think about an advance directive,” Barbieri said. “We care about our community and have planned this event to offer this opportunity to learn, take control over your health care decisions and identify what matters most in your medical journey.”