SJMO Encourages Everyone to have a Advance Directive

Pontiac, MI—St. Joseph Mercy Oakland (SJMO) is encouraging patients, associates, physicians and the public to prepare advance directives to help their families or guardians make health care decisions for them when they are incapacitated and can’t make such decisions for themselves.

This effort is in observance of National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), Friday, April 16. SJMO will have a display, messages in internal newsletters and hospital-wide emails addressing the importance of having an advance directive.  Select associates will wear stickers with the message, “Ask me about advance directives,” to help those who want more information about this important legal document.

Jack Weiner, SJMO President and CEO, said having an advance directive “not only provides patients with the comfort of knowing that their wishes will be followed, but also is a profoundly thoughtful gift to those who might have to make difficult decisions for them one day.”

An advance directive can reduce the sorrow and frustration that occur when a person’s wishes are unknown, and allows healthcare providers to follow the wishes of the patient, even when he or she cannot participate in decision making.

SJMO is one of more than 700 national, state and community organizations participating in NHDD.  This year’s theme is “Leading by Example.”

“It is our special goal this year to encourage all SJMO associates to complete their own advance directives so that we will be better equipped to answer questions and assist patients in completing theirs,” Weiner said.

For details about advance directives, visit www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org.