FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2017
CONTACT:
| Teri R. Sumbry | Jeremy R. Alphord, Vice President |
| Communications & Public Relations Specialist | Marketing, Communications & Public Relations |
| https://www.westsidecares.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Open-Sign-1.jpg@westsideteam.com | jalphord@westsideteam.com |
| 334-394-2310 ext. 2514 | 334-394-2310 ext. 2504 |
| 334-339-1928 | 334-207-0602 |
National movement urges talking about healthcare decisions before it’s too late
DOTHAN, Ala. (April 11, 2017) — Times of unexpected illness or emergency medical care for a loved one can be difficult, not knowing their wishes is an added burden that can be avoided with a simple conversation. Westside Terrace Healthcare Center, along with other national, state and community organizations, is leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making for National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD).
Every April 16, NHDD organizers raise awareness of healthcare planning and writing advance directives. The theme for this year’s NHDD is “It always seems too early, until it’s too late.” On this day, the public is encouraged to talk to their loved ones about health and life decisions such as living wills, long-term care planning, end-of-life care, and medical wishes.
This year, NHDD falls on Easter and this can be an optimal for talking with family and friends about healthcare decisions.
“The holidays are natural times when different generations gather to celebrate and talk,” said Kristie Hughes, administrator for Westside Terrace, a long-term care facility in Dothan. “We need to make sure healthcare is a part of these conversations.”
NHDD is an initiative of The Conversation Project that works to provide clear, concise, and consistent information on healthcare decision-making to both the public and providers/facilities through the widespread availability and dissemination of simple, free, and uniform tools (not just forms) to guide the process. The project’s website at NHDD.org features a variety of information for the public and providers to help make the conversation easy and productive.
“It can be a bit of an uncomfortable talk at first, but knowing what to do is the greatest gift you can give the people who care about you,” Hughes said.
To learn more about National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) and advance care planning, go to: http://www.nhdd.org/public-resources/#where-can-i-get-an-advance-directive
About Westside Healthcare Center
Built in 1994, Westside Terrace Healthcare Center is one of the newest and best skilled nursing facilities in Alabama. Located in Dothan, we are also one of America’s finest long-term care facilities. U.S. News and World Report has named us one of the top nursing homes in Alabama and we hold the CMS designation of a 5- Star facility. We offer clean, comfortable private and semi-private rooms; spacious living areas; and four open courtyards for our residents and their families. Our professional staff offers a full range of skilled nursing and rehabilitative care while answering residents’ emotional and spiritual needs with dignity and compassion. Westside Terrace pairs innovative care with a focus on our individual residents’ needs while providing a secure, warm and caring home.
