On April 16, 2010, the third anniversary of National Healthcare Decisions Day, all people regardless of age or current health are reminded of the importance of making their healthcare wishes known to loved ones and their care providers.

This year, St. Anthony’s Charitable Foundation, with the assistance of South County Senior Law & Estate Planning Center, LLC, will host a free clinic where individuals can meet with an attorney and complete a Healthcare Power of Attorney and Advance Directive.

The clinic will be open from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16 th, at the St. Anthony’s Medical Center in the Highland Educational and Training Center Building, 10020 Kennerly Road, Saint Louis, Missouri 63128. For more information contact South County Senior Law at (314) 845-0541.

An advance directive is a legal document that tells healthcare providers who it is that you wish to make medical decisions for you and what treatments you would want or not want, in the event you would be unable to communicate with your healthcare provides because of a medical emergency or life-limiting illness.

“Over the past year, the number of people who have actively sought out information about making their wishes known and then have taken the steps to request an advance directive form has been remarkable,” said Kathy Brandt, vice president of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and a member of the National Healthcare Decisions Day (“NHDD”) executive committee. “Just as important as putting this information into peoples’ hands is making sure they complete the directives and take time to talk about their wishes with their loved ones and healthcare provides.”

National Healthcare Decisions Day is an initiative to encourage patients to express their wishes regarding healthcare through conversations and the completion of advance directives. NHDD is also working with providers and facilities to ensure that individual wishes are respected, whatever they may be.