Advance directive forum

All across the country, national, state and local organizations will participate in a collective effort to highlight the importance of making advance health care decisions.

To celebrate locally National Healthcare Decisions Day, the Partners Coalition is sponsoring a community forum from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at McHenry County College.

The forum will include a panel of local community experts discussing advance health care planning and will have "Advance Directive" forms available for guests.

The Partners Coalition includes Able Home Health, Centegra Health System, Crossroads Care Center of Woodstock, Fair Oaks Health Care Center, Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, Immanuel Lutheran Church, McHenry County College, McHenry County Task Force on Aging, Seasons Hospice and Vitas Hospice.

Despite recent gains in public awareness of the need for advance care planning, most Americans have not exercised their right to make decisions about their health care in the event that they cannot speak for themselves.

The focus of this national effort is to encourage people to complete an advance directive and talk to their loved ones about their future health care decisions.

The college is located at 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.

The forum is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Molly Walsh at (815)455-8697 or e-mail mwalsh@mchenry.edu.