National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), celebrated every year on April 16th and across the month of April, encourages people to begin or continue conversations about their wishes for care through the end of life. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of advance care planning (ACP). Looking for ideas to plan or promote NHDD in your community? We’ve gathered some inspiring ideas from individuals and groups across the country to help you think about what you might do for those in your personal, social, or community circles.
Create and/or Share Existing Resources on Social Media
Develop or adapt existing resources such as social media graphics and outreach materials to support a month-long campaign. Highlight organizations with free resources like CaringInfo and The Conversation Project, and engage your community by promoting ACP conversations throughout the month. Or, simply share a post, an email or one resource on one day leading up to NHDD to let others know this day exists. Example: National Alliance for Care at Home, Washington, DC & VA
Highlight NHDD in Newsletters and Communications
Feature NHDD in newsletters and/or in other communications. Use creative approaches, like involving your organization’s mascot or creating engaging content, to keep readers interested and informed. Example: Bier Law, CA (Bier Law’s CEO -chief excitement officer – Teddy (a dog), writes his own blog and that keeps people tuned in!)
Collaborate with Employee Assistance Programs or other Employee Groups
Employee assistance programs can be valuable partners in promoting NHDD. They often seek resources to support their employees and can help spread the word about NHDD. Consider collaborating with them to provide educational materials and resources on ACP. Example: UVA Faculty & Employee Assistance Program, VA
Offer focused opportunities to equip your employees (or employees of a local business) with ACP tools, including medical power of attorney forms to complete after having conversations about care wishes with those important to you. Example: Tru Community Care, The Conversation Project Boulder, CO
Conduct Targeted Education and/or Media Push
Engage multiple groups through a targeted media push or education campaign. This can include targeting health care providers, medical teams, patients, and the wider community. A comprehensive approach can help raise awareness and encourage ACP conversations. Example: Parkview Health, IN
Tap into Existing Community Classes and Promote Participation
If you regularly teach community ACP or other classes, use NHDD as an opportunity to boost participation. Effective promotion can lead to greater engagement and encourage more people to think about what matters to them when it comes to care wishes through the end of life. You can share resources such as this blog: 10 Ideas of Things to Do for National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) (in 10 Minutes or Less). Example: PeaceHealth, WA
Organize Death Over Dinner or Death Over Drafts Events
Host a Death Over Dinner or Death over Drafts event for friends or neighbors. Or host this type of event for healthcare workers or volunteers in your organization. These events can foster open discussions about value-based care wishes and advance care plans in a relaxed and supportive environment. Example: Individuals like Karen Powell in CA or Organizations like TRU Community Care, The Conversation Project Boulder, CO
Offer Online ACP Opportunities
Those in health care can tap the resources available from organizations like WiserCare, My Living Voice, My Directives, and others to provide online ACP opportunities. Use patient-facing communication portals like MyChart to allow individuals to complete the ACP process online. Example: Parkview Health, IN
Incorporate ACP and NHDD Resources into Support Groups
Integrate ACP discussions and NHDD resources into support groups, such as those for retired and aging women. These groups provide a safe space for participants to share their values, thoughts, and plans for care through the end of life. Example: She Shed, MA
Create and Share Educational Content
Develop educational content, such as interviews or scripts, to share with staff before NHDD to help with talking points and/or to use on social media to jump start conversations. This can help open honest conversations and make the information more accessible and relatable. Example: Southwest Community Health Care, CT
Promote ACP through Community Programs
Leverage existing community programs, such as community paramedicine service personnel, to promote conversations about care wishes and advance directives. Engage a speaker to speak to older adults/seniors in your community where they gather (senior centers, library programs, music/art classes for seniors, etc.). Reach community members through groups that see them frequently (Meals on Wheels, EMTs, etc.) and provide materials to these groups so they are equipped to engage and support. Aim to have every adult over 65 in your community complete an advance directive by providing information and support across April. Example: A volunteer in Maine and The Town of Newcastle, NY
Partner with Local Faith Organizations
Engage local faith organizations (churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, meeting houses, etc.) to host events or provide information on NHDD. These partnerships can help reach a broader audience and encourage more people to participate, through trusted leaders. Example: End-of-Life Doula Tranquil Transitions, OK
Plan Presentations and Workshops
Organize presentations, workshops or host an information table in various onsite locations, such as community centers or healthcare facilities. Or collaborate with other networks to plan a virtual event or a series of events to reach people across multiple neighborhoods, counties, or regions. Consider hosting more than once throughout the month of April leading to NHDD to spread the word prior/post the official day. These events can provide valuable information to help people think, prepare, and then take action. Example: Delaware Quality of Life, DE; The Courage to Care, MA; Erie County Medical Center, NY
Hold Staff Advance Directive Fairs
Host fairs for staff to learn about and complete advance directives (e.g. a statewide Staff Advance Directive Fair). Providing resources and support within the workplace can help ensure that employees are prepared and informed. Example: Texas Oncology, TX
Train Doulas and Caregivers
Incorporate ACP into the training programs for doulas and/or support and train caregivers in skilled nursing facilities. This can help spread awareness and ensure that those providing care are knowledgeable about advance care planning, The Conversation Project resources and NHDD. Example: Gentle Passage Doula Collective, WA
Encourage Conversations and Completion of Advance Care Documents
Create workshops focused on conversations and completing advance care documents, such as letters to loved ones, healthcare proxies or 5 Wishes. Providing guidance and support can help individuals take meaningful steps toward talking about and then documenting their wishes. Example: ACP: A Gift For Your Loved Ones, NJ
For a host of additional ideas from small to big, check out our frequently asked questions about planning for NHDD, including a roadmap with specific examples and resources to help provide answers as well as our NHDD communications toolkit.
Let’s make NHDD 2025 a day to remember by inspiring and empowering our communities to take charge of their healthcare decisions. Feel free to share your own ideas and experiences in the comments below!
Want to keep connected to The Conversation Project for more ideas from other communities? Sign-up for our community engagement newsletter, follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube), and feel free to reach us at ConversationProject@ihi.org.