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VITAS Healthcare Highlights Advance Care Planning Ahead of National Healthcare Decisions Day

As April 16 approaches, recognized as National Healthcare Decisions Day, VITAS Healthcare is urging individuals to prioritize documentation of their healthcare wishes and goals before a medical crisis arises. With a significant portion of the population not having completed advance directives, VITAS aims to empower people to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare choices.

Dr. Heather Veeder, regional medical director at VITAS, emphasized the importance of advance care planning in ensuring individuals receive care that truly reflects their values. "Too often, these conversations happen in moments of crisis, when patients may no longer be able to express their desires," she stated.

To address this critical issue, VITAS will host a complimentary Continuing Medical Education (CME) webinar on April 15 that is tailored for healthcare providers and community members. This session promises to equip participants with practical tools necessary for facilitating meaningful discussions around advance directives and care planning. The educational opportunity is positioned as a means to ease emotional burdens on families while enhancing communication within the healthcare system.

The Role of Advance Directives

Advance directives serve as guiding documents that outline an individual's healthcare preferences when they might be unable to communicate them. By documenting these wishes, VITAS believes individuals can ensure they receive care that aligns with their personal values. Furthermore, it alleviates the distress families might face when making complex decisions without guidance.

Many adults, however, have yet to initiate these crucial discussions or complete the necessary paperwork. VITAS aims to bridge this gap through awareness initiatives and educational outreach efforts designed to normalize these critical conversations.

Upcoming Educational Initiatives

The upcoming webinar on April 15, titled "Advance Directives and Advance Care Planning," will occur virtually, allowing for widespread participation. Clinicians attending this session will earn one complimentary CME or CE credit and will learn strategies on how to integrate advance care planning into their everyday practice. This includes normalizing discussions around serious illnesses and helping patients articulate their preferences clearly and effectively.

In addition to hosting this webinar, VITAS is collaborating with the Florida Hospital Association to enhance community-wide healthcare conversation. On April 16, a joint webinar will be held to focus on strengthening discussions surrounding advance care planning throughout Florida’s healthcare systems. This collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to implementing patient-centered care through consistent dialogue.

A Continual Commitment to Patient-Centered Care

While National Healthcare Decisions Day serves as an annual reminder, Dr. Veeder stresses that the message about advance care planning should be reinforced year-round. "Every adult should have a plan in place, regardless of age or health status," she insisted. Documenting preferences not only better aligns patient care to individual goals but also relieves families from the uncertainty of navigating from a place of distress.

VITAS Healthcare continues to lead by example in promoting compassionate end-of-life care by driving education, fostering collaboration, and equipping clinicians with the necessary tools to successfully lead these critical conversations. For healthcare professionals and community members interested in learning more about advance care planning, registration for the webinar and additional resources are available at VITAS.com/Webinars.

About VITAS® Healthcare

VITAS Healthcare is the foremost provider of end-of-life care services in the United States. Established nearly 50 years ago, VITAS (pronounced VEE-tahs) has delivered compassionate hospice and palliative care to seriously ill patients and their families. The company's headquarters are located in Miramar, Florida, with operations across 59 service areas in 15 states and the District of Columbia, caring for over 22,000 patients daily. Recognized as a 2025 Top Workplace in Healthcare, VITAS remains committed to integrating compassionate care into all aspects of its operations.