Locally, National Healthcare Decisions Week events will occur on Thursday, April 20 from 1:30-3:30 pm, and again from 6:30-8:00 pm at Vintage House, 264 First Street East, Sonoma CA. Taylor McCandless, MSW, Co-Chair of My Care, My Plan: Speak Up Sonoma County will lead two sessions where participants can learn about the importance of advance care planning and how to put it in writing.

Presenters will include Taylor McCandless, MSW, Medical Social Worker (Healing At Home – the Skilled Home Care service of Sonoma Valley Hospital), Brian Arendt (Heartland Hospice) and Elissa DeWolfe, RNC, ACHPN Palliative Care Advanced Practice Nurse (Hospice By the Bay).

Session I: 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Advance Health Care Planning – Who Will Speak for You… if you can’t speak for yourself?  Explore what to consider and how to establish an effective directive with your family, friends and health providers.

Session II:  6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Advance Health Care Directive Workshop, a “How To” complete your directive session.

There is no cost to attend. Register by calling Vintage House at 707.996.0311 or Sonoma Valley Hospital at 707.935.5257.

Information and helpful tools for talking about your wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers are always available at www.mycaremyplansonoma.org.  My Care, My Plan: Speak Up Sonoma County, is an Advance Care Planning community initiative that aims to encourage everyone age 18 and older to contemplate, communicate about, and document their health care wishes.