Whether someone is 25 or 75, having a conversation about health care wishes with the people they love isn’t just important – it’s essential.

Emplify Health by Bellin is helping community members have these discussions in honor of National Healthcare Decisions Day, observed annually on April 16, which is Thursday.

“Advance care planning isn’t just a conversation for older people,” Maria Lodenkamp, chaplain at Emplify Health by Bellin, said in a news release. “Unforeseen things can happen to any of us, at any age, which is why it’s important to be prepared.”

National Healthcare Decisions Day is a great reminder to start talking with loved ones about medical decisions should someone be unable to speak for themselves in the future. While these conversations aren’t always easy, they are very important and can ease the minds of all involved.

Bellin offers these tips on starting these discussions —

— Choose the right moment: Find a calm, comfortable time when everyone can focus without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

— Start with your own wishes: Share what’s important to you and why to help others feel comfortable opening up.

— Keep it simple: Everything doesn’t need to be figured out in one conversation. Take your time.

“After you’ve had this conversation (or a few), and you feel comfortable with knowing who you feel can best represent you and your wishes, it’s time to complete an Advance Directive,” Jenna Hajny, nurse practice specialist at Emplify Health by Bellin, said in the release. “An Advance Directive allows you to clearly specify what kinds of medical treatments you would or wouldn’t want and who can act on your behalf.”

Advance care planning doesn’t need to be done alone. Emplify Health by Bellin offers Advance Care Planning facilitators who can assist with conversations, help complete an Advance Directive and help individuals understand all available options. In addition, the local Aging and Disability Resource Center in Wisconsin can provide resources on preparing oneself or loved ones.

“Whether you’re looking to start the conversation or ready to formalize your wishes, National Healthcare Decisions Day is the perfect reminder that these discussions matter,” Hajny added. “Taking this step is one of the most caring things you can do for the people you love.”

To learn more about Advance Care Planning, go online to bellin.org/patients-visitors/advance-care-planning.

Sanford Health Marshfield Clinic, which operates Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson in Iron Mountain, also has Advance Directive information and forms online for both Wisconsin and Michigan residents, at https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/patient-resources/advance-directives.