OKEECHOBEE — In observance of National Healthcare Decisions Day on Wednesday, April 16, Treasure Coast Hospice will distribute advance care planning materials at the Okeechobee Public Library, 206 SW 16th Street, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Staff and volunteers will offer information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with loved ones, including Five Wishes, America’s most popular advance directive.

Founded in 2008, National Healthcare Decisions Day is observed annually on April 16. Its goal is to increase the number of Americans who have completed an advance directive (“living will”), in which they name the person who will make medical decisions for them in the event they are seriously ill and can’t speak for themselves. Experts say only about 20-30% of Americans have completed an advance directive even though all people age 18 and older should have one.

“Advance care planning empowers individuals to shape their future healthcare decisions and ensures their end-of-life wishes are honored with compassion and respect,” said Treasure Coast Hospice CEO Jackie Kendrick, CHPCA.

Treasure Coast Hospice staff and volunteers will encourage community members to prepare their advance directives by distributing Five Wishes, America’s most popular advance care planning program at participating area libraries. Five Wishes, a 12-page booklet that helps guide individuals in discussing personal, family and spiritual matters, in addition to medical and legal concerns, is a valuable tool for beginning difficult family discussions. When completed, it meets the legal requirements of 46 states and is useful in those states that still require state forms and mandatory notices. To meet the cultural needs of the community, English, Spanish and French Creole versions of Five Wishes will be available.

“Five Wishes deals with the things people say matter most to them,” said Aging with Dignity President Paul Malley. “It allows them to clearly state what kind of treatment they want or don’t want so their families aren’t left to guess or second-guess. Treasure Coast Hospice is providing a helpful service to the whole community by offering Five Wishes, and it’s a sign of their commitment to understand and honor the wishes of those whom they serve.”