National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16. This day exists to inspire, educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of Advance Care Planning. Sleepy Eye Medical Center encourages Advance Care Planning, a process which helps patients think about, talk about, and write down their choices for future health care decisions.
What is a Health Care Directive?
A Health Care Directive is a written plan for loved ones and health care providers to follow so that your wishes are known if a time comes when you cannot speak for yourself.
Why Plan Ahead?
When you make health decisions ahead of time and put those wishes on paper, you bring peace of mind to your family. You also enable your caregivers to advocate for you if you are unable to do so for yourself. This can help avoid difficult situations if you become seriously ill and your loved ones are left to guess what you would have wanted. By having an Advance Directive, you can relieve your spouse or children of making a difficult decision during a time that can already be filled with emotional turmoil.
Resources from Honoring Choices Minnesota
Honoring Choices Minnesota is focused on helping every adult Minnesotan understand what Advance Care Planning is. In addition, they work with health care providers to make sure they offer assistance to all patients and honor their choices.
Guide to Completing Your Health Care Directive
Honoring Choices MN Tools and Resources
We’re Here to Help
Health care directives are available at Sleepy Eye Medical Center and can be downloaded by clicking the link below. Our staff is available to answer your questions and provide helpful tools to assist you in completing a health care directive in accordance to Minnesota state laws.
Download a Health Care Directive Here
Sleepy Eye Medical Center is here to provide personalized, comprehensive care for you and your family throughout every stage of life. Having an Advance Care Plan allows your voice to be heard in the decision-making process on your unique health care journey. We encourage every adult to write down their health care wishes. In turn, we promise to respect your wishes, whatever they may be.
Lanna Raatz, RN, Discharge Planner/Swing Bed Coordinator, SEMC is available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. She can be reached at 507-794-8455.
Take the Next Step
- Start with yourself and think about your own health care decisions. While it can be difficult to talk about your future wishes, the time is now.
- Document your priorities and wishes by completing a health care directive.
- Talk to family, friends and loved ones. Discuss your wishes with others and learn about their wishes as well.
- Help spread the word. Encourage others to talk about Advance Care Planning.