Join the 12th Annual Health Care Decisions Spring Celebration March to June 2025
How are you celebrating? Free tools & event ideas!
Every year the Honoring Choices Partners & Friends celebrate National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16, with our Health Care Decisions Spring Celebration. Our collective goal is to ensure every adult has equal access to planning tools, and all care professionals are equally prepared to engage adults in planning conversations. Working together, adults can make a plan to receive the best possible care today and over their lifetime.
It's easy to join the celebration. We'll post your event in the 2025 Events Calendar below.
- Share the Announcement in your April-June Newsletters and Social Media -Download the Announcement.
- Become a Trusted Messenger in Your Community - offer accurate, reliable, multi-lingual information & documents. See below.
- Host or co-host your own event - download free tools and view event ideas in the next section.
Join in. We'll supply everything you need. Contact Ellen, edipaola@honoringchoicesmass.com
Join the celebration. Here's how it works.
1. Make Your Own Plan
Starting at 18 years old, every adult can make choices about their care and write down their choices in a personal care plan. Download free tools and share with family and friends!
TOOLS: Download a single planning document or tool kit. View the videos. Spread the word with the Consumer Handout.
- Download, free MA Health Care Proxy, available in 16 languages
- See Video: How to Choose a Health Care Agent
- See Video: How to Complete an Honoring Choices Health Care Proxy. Do-it-yourself!
- Getting Started Tool Kit : Includes free Health Care Proxy, Personal Directive (Living Will), and Wallet Card.
- MA Personal Directive (Living Will), available in 5 languages
- "I Have a Health Care Proxy" wallet card
- Download & share "Who is Your Health Care Agent? Consumer Handout
Everything you need is on the QUICK START page.
2. Gather Your Group
Co-host our popular consumer webinar, "Now's the Time. Make Your Own Plan." Choose a date; we'll provdie the slide deck presentation and planning tools. You can choose a event name bleow or make up your own - the webinar content is the same.
EVENT IDEAS & TOOLS. Co-host a virtual consumer webinar or host your own event, and we will supply the downloadable tools.
- "Pizza & Proxy Party”; host provides pizza.
- "Pastries & Proxy Party"; host provides pastries.
- "Donuts & Decisions"; host provides donuts.
- "Now's the Time. Make Your Own Plan"- popular webinar.
- "Who’s Your Agent?: Complete Your Health Care Proxy"
- Who's Your Agent? flyer (English)
- ¿Quién es su Apoderado? (Spanish)
- Quem é o seu Agente? (Portuguese)
Be a Trusted Messenger in Your Community. Distribute the Consumer Handout- see below.
To co-host an event or become a Trusted Messenger, contact Ellen, edipaola@honoringchoicesmass.com
3. Educate & Support Staff
Co-host a virtual webinar for your staff & colleagues to enhance their knowledge and skills to confidently engage adults in planning conversations from simple to serious illness.
EVENT IDEAS & WEBINARS: Choose an activity or co-host a webinar in our training series.
- "Pastries & Proxy"- For your next staff meeting- you offer pastries; we'll send planning tools.
- Co-host an informational webinar. Choose-
- Become a Health Care Planning Ambassador
- Confidently engage adults in simple conversations using the HCM Getting Started Tool Kit.
- Engage Adults in Seamless Conversations from Simple to Serious Illness
- Build on conversations to live well with chronic or serious illness; review the HCM Next Steps Tool Kit and Ariadne Lab's Serious Illness Conversation Guide.
- Become a Health Care Planning Ambassador
Reserve a date. Contact Ellen, edipaola@honoringchoicesmass.com
Be a Trusted Messenger in Your Community
Be part to the statewide Health Care Proxy Campaign, MA Department of Public Health(DPH)
Help distribute the Who is Your Health Care Agent? Consumer Handout (available in 9 languages), which connects adults to our Quick Start page and a free, downloadable Health Care Proxy and other tools. The MA DPH partnered with Honoring Choices MA and the MA Health & Hospital Association to support the Health Care Proxy campaign, using Honoring Choices tools. We'll post your community initiative here. Send an email to select or co-brand multilingual documents for your community.
MA Health & Hospital Association and Cross-Continuum Partners
Hospitals & cross continuum partners take a simple step to complete a Health Care Proxy & Personal Directive.
South Shore Patients, Primary Care & Care Management Staff
Provides co-branded handouts & Health Care Proxy in English, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole.
Health Clinics, Flu Clinics, and Community Events in Lynn
Provides co-branded handouts in English, Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Khmer.
Dementia Friends MA Champions help Adults & Families, Community Events
Provides handouts, planning tools; See Dementia Friends MA information flyer (10 languages)
Mobile Health Care Proxy Clinics
Provides documents & videos: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole. Contact Clarence Richardson, Clarence@MassNAELA.com
Provides holistic services to navigate the aging journey.
Provides handouts Health Care Proxy & Personal Directive (Living Will).
Greater Springfield Senior Services
"Now's the Time. Make Your Own Care Plan" for consumers
Provides adults with the Getting Started Tool Kit, multilingual documents.
Nantucket Palliative & Supportive Care
Adults & families; Community Events
Provides handouts, Getting Started Tool Kit, multilingual documents
2025 Events Calendar: Post your participation here!
We post our Partners & Friends activities here. You can use an event idea below or create your own event, or include the 12th Annual Spring Celebration Announcement in your newsletter or social media.
We co-host consumer webinars and care provider trainings tailored for your group. Reserve a date early, first come, first serve. Contact Ellen at edipaola@honoringchoicesmass.com
OPEN TO ALL (in red) - means everyone can take part in unique webinars and events. Share your expertise with others to advance our collective mission.
Care Professionals- Register below for a no cost Health Care Planning Ambassador training April 30 or May 21. See April 9.
MARCH 2025 Events
March 19 - Become a Health Care Planning Ambassador
Hosted by Mass General Brigham Care Continuum Case Managers, Boston
March 19, 2025 12:00-1:00 PM
For Care Professionals
Thanks to Jonelle O'Connor, DNP, RN, CMGT-BC, Education and Professional Development Specialist, for co-hosting a virtual Honoring Choices Health Care Planning Ambassador Training for the Mass General Brigham Care Continuum team of nurse care managers and social work care managers and staff. We’ll review our structured approach to care planning to confidently engage adults in seamless planning conversations and suggest strategies to address barriers for smooth care transitions.
All participants receive an Honoring Choices Health Care Planning Ambassador Certificate.
March- Plan a "Pizza & Proxy", "Pastries & Planning", or "Donuts & Decisions" event.
Plan a fun and informative event any day March- June. Use these titles or create your own.
OPEN TO ALL
Gather your group- consumers, care teams, faith based and community groups - to take part in the Spring Celebration. You pick a date and supply the refreshments. Honoring Choices can either co-host a virtual webinar, or you can host a gathering and we'll send you links to the planning documents and wallet cards.
For consumer groups- help your group members start to make a personal care plan.
For professional staff- help ensure hard working staff have dedicated time to complete their planning documents. We can tailor tools to your group and supply everything you need. Email Ellen, edipaola@honoringchoicesmass.com
March - Senior Nursing Students become Health Care Planning Ambassador
Hosted by Althea D. Michel, MSN, RN, Assistant Professor of Nursing, American International College
March - Spring Semester
For Care Professionals
Thanks to Althea D. Michel, MSN, RN, and Assistant Professor of Nursing, American International College, and an Honoring Choices Health Care Planning Ambassador, (pictured here), 35 senior nursing students this semester will gain knowledge and communication skills as Honoring Choices MA Health Care Planning Ambassadors. Now in her 6thth year, Professor Michel has made this course part of her regular curriculum to ensure senior nursing students are well prepared to engage patients in health care planning conversations, and use the 5 MA planning documents to help adults make a personal care plan over their lifetime. Thank you Professor Michel for our valued partnership!
March 25- Now's the Time. Make Your Own Care Plan!
Hosted by First Congregational Church of Winchester
March 25, 2025, 7-8 pm
For Consumers
Thanks to Michelle Crawford, Registered Nurse, Co-Chair of the Health Ministry for cohosting our interactive consumer webinar- Now's the Time. Make Your Own Care Plan. The webinar offers a simple 3 step process to start to make a personal care plan to complete a Health Care Proxy and Personal Directive (Living Will) and put your plan into action with your care providers. We'll review the 5 MA planning documents and strategies to revise and update your personal plan as your health needs and care preferences change. Adults receive the Getting Started Tool Kit with planning documents, conversation guides, and a wallet card.
Want to complete your Health Care Proxy after the presetnation? Two witnesses will will on hand to wtiness your signature to complete a valid Health Care Proxy. Just bring the name and contact phone numbers of your Health Care Agent and Alternative Agent.
March 25 - Become a Health Care Planning Ambassador
Hosted by Honoring Choices Massachusetts
March 25, 2025 12:00- 1pm.
SESSION CLOSED. Please Register for the Ambassador training on April 30 or May 21.
OPEN TO ALL CARE PROFESSIONALS
Participants receive a HCM Health Care Planning Ambassador Certificate, easy access to multilingual tools, and our monthly e-newsletter with updated tools and the latest information.
March - MA Behavioral Health Help Line Virtual Presentation for Staff and Consumers
March 2025 and beyond- MA Behavioral Health Help Line available 24/7.
OPEN TO ALL CONSUMERS AND CARE PROFESSIONALS
Schedule a virtual presentation for your staff or consumer community today.
The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) provides a direct connection to mental health and substance use care for anyone in the Commonwealth – no insurance needed. Available 24/7, in more than 200 languages, the BHHL is a phone, text, and online chat line whose clinically trained staffed will work with you to determine the care that best fits your needs and directly connect you to treatment, including outpatient, urgent care, and immediate crisis care. Click here to learn more about the Help Line, or email BHHLCommunityRelations@carelon.com for a virtual or in person presentation on the service for staff or consumer groups. Thanks to Becky Manseau Barnett, Community Relations Manager for her partnership and helping our Partners and Friends schedule presentations.
March 22- Cafe Conversations: Now's the Time. Make Your Own Care Plan!
Hosted by Millis Council on Aging
March 27, 2025, 10:15-11am
For Consumers
March 28- Share Your Expertise. Call for Proposals. HPCFM Annual Education Conference
Hosted by Hospice & Palliative Care Federation of MA (HPCFM)
March 28, 2025 Deadline- Call for Proposals
HPCFM Annual Education Conference October 29 & 30, 2025, Four Points by Sheraton
OPEN TO ALL CARE PROFESSIONALS
APRIL 2024 Events
April 1 - Health Care Planning Ambassadors for CTLP Professionals
Hosted by Community Transition Liaison Program (CTLP), Executive Office of Aging & Independence
April 1, 2025, 3:00-4:00pm
For Care Professionals
Thanks to Julianna Santiago, M.Sc., Community Transition Liaison Program Manager, for cohosting a Health Care Planning Ambassador interactive training for CTLP professionals. Honoring Choices provides our structured approach to care planning to confidently engage adults in planning conversations and help adults make a personal plan. We'll review the 5 MA planning documents, guardianship, conservatorship and alternatives, and strategies to advocate for adults and address barriers for smooth transitions from nursing facilities to home and community care.
April - Visiting Rehab and Nursing Services promotes equal access to health care planning!
Shared by Visiting Rehab and Nursing Services, North Central MA
Thanks to Hannah Goncalves, PTA, North West Clinical Liaison, Visiting Rehab and Nursing Services (VRNS) for posting the 12th Annual Spring Celebration Announcement in their April Newsletter to ensure all adults, families and care professionals in their community have equal access to planning tools and can engage in effective, care planning conversations. VRNS is an Honoirng Choices Partner and can help adults make a personal care. Read more here.
April- Tap Dance Your Way to Planning with the "Five Easy Steps" Video
Hosted by Healthy Aging Martha's Vineyard
Fun Health Care Decisions Month Public Service Announcement
For Consumers and Care Providers
Created by Healthy Aging Martha's Vineyard.
Healthy Aging Martha's Vineyard (HAMV) believes in the importance of advance care planning, for all adult residents of Martha's Vineyard, and especially for our older adult population. They share a creative and fun public service announcement to celebrate Healthcare Decisions Day called "5 Easy Steps." See the video here.
April 2 - Health Care Planning Ambassadors for CTLP Professionals
Hosted by Community Transition Liaison Program (CTLP), Executive Office of Aging & Independence
April 2, 2025, 10:00-11:30am
For Care Professionals
Thanks to Julianna Santiago, M.Sc., Community Transition Liaison Program Manager, for cohosting a Health Care Planning Ambassador interactive training for CTLP professionals. Honoring Choices provides our structured approach to care planning to confidently engage adults in planning conversations and help adults make a personal plan. We'll review the 5 MA planning documents, guardianship, conservatorship and alternatives, and strategies to advocate for adults and address barriers for smooth transitions from nursing facilities to home and community care.
April 3 - Community Coffee Hour and Making Your Care Plan
Hosted by Beacon Hill Village, Boston
April 3, 2025, 2:00pm-3:00pm
For Consumers
Thanks to Sabrina Carter, Program Manager, Beacon Hill Village, for co-hosting a Now's the Time. Make Your Own Care Plan interactive webinar during their Community Coffee Hour. The webinar offers a simple 3 step process to complete a Health Care Proxy and Personal Directive (Living Will) and put your plan into action with your care providers. We'll review the 5 MA planning documents to add and update your plan for the best possible care today and over your lifetime. Adults receive the Getting Started Tool Kit with planning documents and conversation guides.
April 8 - Your Health, Your Plan: Navigating Dementia Together
Hosted by Alzheimer's Association, MA/NH Chapter
April 8, 2025, 12:00-1:00pm
For adults, families and caregivers statewide
Thanks to Nicole McGurin, Programs & Services Director, Alzheimer's Association, MA/NH Chapter for cohosting an informative consumer webinar for all adults, families and caregivers. Care planning is key to ensuring the best possible care and quality of life for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Join us for a special webinar designed to help individuals with dementia and their caregivers create a personal health care plan to document your care goals. priorities and care preferences. Learn how to use the Honoring Choices Massachusetts Getting Started Tool Kit to complete a free MA Health Care Proxy and MA Personal Directive (Living Will). You'll also receive a guide, “5 Things to Talk About with Your Care Providers,” to ensure your care preferences are known and respected.
April- LifePath Shares health care planning infrmation with the Western MA Community
Shared by LifePath, Western MA
Thanks to Lynnee Feldman, MBA, Associate Executive Director, and Sara Levy, Client Services Senior Program Assistant, LifePath for sharing Honoring Choices health care planning information and free download multilingual document with the Greenfield and Western MA community. They are helping to ensure all adults, families and importantly caregivers, have equal access to planning tools, and care professionals are well prepared to engage in effective, care planning conversations. Read more here.
April 9 - Engage Adults in Seamless Conversations from Simple to Serious Illness
Hosted by Honoring Choices MA
April 9, 2025, 12:00pm-1:00pm. No cost
OPEN TO ALL CARE PROFESSIONALS
Honoring Choices is hosting a virtual session, Engage Adults in Seamless Conversations from Simple to Serious Illness, open to all interprofessional care team members assisting adults with chronic illness and serious illness. Enhance your knowledge and communication strategies whether your work in health care or community settings. This webinar builds on the Health Care Planning Ambassador training to start simple conversations using the Getting Started Tool Kit, and helps you engage adults in conversations to manage chronic illness and live well with serious illness. We will review our structured approach to care planning and the Honoring Choices Next Steps Tool Kit and the Ariadne Labs Serious Illness Conversation Guide.
April 11 - Help Adults with Behavioral Health Challenges Make a Care Plan!
Hosted by Older Adult Behavioral Health Network (OABHN)
April 11, 2025, 10:00-11:00am
For Care Professionals helping adults with behavioral health challenges.
Thanks to Cassie Cramer, LICSW, Project Director, Older Adult Behavioral Health Network (OABHN) for co-hosting an informative presentation at their virtual monthly Older Adult Behavioral Adult Collective meeting. The presentation will address the importance and urgency of making sure every adult has a personal care plan to get good care today and over their lifetime. Having a plan using the 5 MA care planning documents can help safeguard the rights and independence of adults living with behavior health challenges, mitigate bias and discrimination, and ensure each person gets the best possible care that aligns with their care goals, priorities and care preferences. Come join the meeting.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85295388923?pwd=Hi1cWOxG7ygWcrx42knGgEls3GcGfj.1
April 14 - Health Care Planning Ambassadors for CTLP Professionals
Hosted by Community Transition Liaison Program (CTLP), Executive Office of Aging & Independence
April 14, 2025, 10:00-11:30am
For Care Professionals
Thanks to Julianna Santiago, M.Sc., Community Transition Liaison Program Manager, for cohosting a Health Care Planning Ambassador interactive training for CTLP professionals. Honoring Choices provides our structured approach to care planning to confidently engage adults in planning conversations and help adults make a personal plan. We'll review the 5 MA planning documents, guardianship, conservatorship and alternatives, and strategies to advocate for adults and address barriers for smooth transitions from nursing facilities to home and community care.
April- Notre Dame Health Center provides easy access to planning for the Worcester Community
Shared by Notre Dame Health Services, Worcester
Thanks to Patricia Thibeault and her colleagues at Notre Dame Health Care for sharing Honoring Choices health care planning information and free download multilingual document with the Worcester and Central MA community. As an Honoring Choices MA Partner, they are helping to ensure all adults, families and caregivers have equal access to planning documents, and care professional can be well prepared to engage in effective, care planning conversations. Read more here.
April 15 - Making Decisions When it Matters Most: Conversations about Health Care Proxy, Five Wishes & More!
Hosted by Care Dimensions, North Shore and beyond
April 15, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
No Cost. Virtual event.
OPEN TO ALL Consumers and Professionals
Thanks to all the staff at Care Dimensions, a long time Honoring Choices Partner, and Lisa Conti, Senior Marketing Communications Specialist for hosting a special event to have conversations about the making decisions when it matters most, the Health Care Proxy and more. This program empowers people to advocate for their health care wishes with family, friends and medical professionals, and provides practical tools for setting up advance directives.
April - Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA): Vital Resource for All
Patie
ntCareLink (PCL) is the MAssachusetts Health & Hopsital Association's go-to online platform for Massachusetts patients, families, and healthcare providers to access important information about healthcare safety, quality, and care choices. MHA celebrates patient choice and safety year round by providing great tools and resources such as:
MHA has developed an “After the Hospital” guide for patients and healthcare providers to understand their options when transitioning out of acute settings. We know this transition can be challenging and confusing, and our hope is that this guide makes the options involved more transparent and easy to understand.
PatientCareLink is a joint venture of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, Organization of Nurse Leaders of MA, RI, NH, CT, VT, and Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts.
April 15 - The Impact of Alzheimer’s and Dementia in the Community
Hosted by Alzheimer's Association, MA/NH Chapter & Honoring Choices MA
April 15th, 2025, 12:00-!:00pm. No cost. Virtual Session
Thanks to Nicole McGurin, Programs & Services Director, Alzheimer's Association, MA/NH Chapter for co-hosting a unique and informative virtual session with Honoring Choices MA.
Today, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and over 11 million are their unpaid caregivers – an escalating health crisis that affects many in our community. Nicole McGurin will present an overview of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, treatment options, research directions, and brain health. She will also share information about the resources of the Alzheimer’s Association and opportunities for Honoring Choices MA's community partners to get involved in its mission. There will be time for discussion, questions, and to share your work.
April 16 - Health Care Planning Ambassadors for CTLP Professionals
Hosted by Community Transition Liaison Program (CTLP), Executive Office of Aging & Independence
April 16, 2025, 3:00-4:00pm
For Care Professionals
Thanks to Julianna Santiago, M.Sc., Community Transition Liaison Program Manager, for cohosting a Health Care Planning Ambassador interactive training for CTLP professionals. Honoring Choices provides our structured approach to care planning to confidently engage adults in planning conversations and help adults make a personal plan. We'll review the 5 MA planning documents, guardianship, conservatorship and alternatives, and strategies to advocate for adults and address barriers for smooth transitions from nursing facilities to home and community care.
April 16 - MassNAELA Health Care Proxy Clinic
Hosted by MassNAELA and Boston Public Library & Partners
April 16, 2025, 12:00-2:00pm
For Consumers
Locations: Central Library in Copley Square, Kirstein Business & Library Innovation Center, and the Mattapan Branch, Parker Hill Branch, Roslindale Branch, Roxbury Branch
Thanks to Clarence Richardson Esq., Executive Directive, Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA) partnering with the Boston Public Library, Honoring Choices MA, MA Health & Hospital Association, and Age Strong Boston, for hosting a 2-hour event taking place in five libraries to help community members understand the importance of a Health Care Proxy and complete a free Health Care Proxy document at the event. Everyone who attends the event in person at one of the participating libraries can speak with a volunteer to ask questions and get help completing the Health Care Proxy document. For those who can not attend in person, you can listen to the 20 minute virtual session to hear the information, and download a free Honoring Choices MA Health Care Proxy to complete on your own.
TO REGISTER: Please use the flyer to register if you'd like to attend either the in person or virtually session. The flyer has more information and event locations.
HCM Partners: Please add the flyer to your communications to help adults learn about the events and register. Thank you!
April 23-26 "Rise to the Challenge: Elevating the Aging Life Care Profession" 41th Annual ALCA Conference
Hosted by Aging Life Care Association (ALCA), Boston
April 23-26, 2025
Boston Marriott Copley Place, 110 Huntington Avenue in Boston, MA
OPEN TO CARE PROFESSIONALS
The 41st Annaul ALCA National Conference is held in Boston this year gives all Aging Life Care Advocates and interprofessional care team members the opportunity to be introduced to distinguished speakers who have risen to the challenge to share their insights and knowledge at this conference to elevate the profession of Aging Life Care™. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with these thought leaders and network with fellow professionals. See the full agenda here.
Keynote on Friday, April 25, 2025 from 9:00 - 10:150 am "Enhance Your Serious Illness Communication Skills and Optimize Your Role on the Care Team” with Erik Fromme, MD, MCR, FAAHPM, Senior Scientist/Lead Faculty, Serious Illness Care Program, Ariadne Labs, and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Ellen DiPaola, Honoring Choices MA.
April 29- Mind & Body Connection Series hosted by MA Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Hosted by MA Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
April 29- Mind & Body Connection Series.
Topic: Thinking & feeling good as we age: Self-care & preventing memory problems
No cost. Virtual Events on April 29, May 27, June 24, 6:30pm-7:30pm. Choose one or all. No Cost. Spanish language interpretation will be provided
OPEN TO ALL
Register Here. https://bit.ly/MBCRegister
Thanks to Christine M. Brown, Senior Project manager, Depart of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and all our partners at Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (MADRC). They posted the 12th Annual Spring Celebration in their newsletter to ensure all adults, family members and caregivers can access the multilingual planning documents and tools to make a health care plan.
They are excited to launch a 3-part Mind Body Connection Series this Spring. Each session will feature a discussion about changing memory, physical and mental health, brain health tips & steps to reduce your risk of dementia. Register for one or more sessions.
April 30 - "Become a Health Care Planning Ambassador"
Hosted by Honoring Choices Massachusetts
April 30, 2025, 12:00- 1:00pm.
OPEN TO ALL CARE PROFESSIONALS
Virtual Event. No cost.
Participants receive a HCM Health Care Planning Ambassador Certificate, easy access to multilingual tools, and our monthly e-newsletter with updated tools and the latest information.
MAY 2025 Events
May 1- Now's the Time. Make Your Own Care Plan with AARP Massachusetts
Hosted by AARP Massachusetts
May 1, 2025 12:00-1:00pm
For Consumers- adults, family members and caregivers
No cost. Virtual Session.
Save the Date. Registration open shortly.
Thanks to Kara L. Cohen AARP Massachusetts Manager, Community Outreach and Volunteer Engagement, AARP Massachusetts, for co-hosting a statewide consumer webinar for all adults, family members and caregivers. The webinar offers a simple 3 step process to start to make a personal care plan to complete a Health Care Proxy and Personal Directive (Living Will) and put your plan into action with your care providers. We'll review the 5 MA planning documents and strategies to revise and update your personal plan as your health needs and care preferences change. Adults receive the Getting Started Tool Kit with planning documents, conversations guides, and wallet card.
May 5 to May 9 - Palliative Care Week Celebration, Nantucket Cottage Hospital
Hosted by Nantucket Cottage Hospital
May 5- 9, Palliative Care Week Celebration at Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
Please Register ahead: 508 825-8325
Thanks to Debbie Dolan, RN,BSN,MSN,CRNP,ACHPN, Palliative & Supportive Care Manager/PASCON, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, for inviting consumers and care professionals to their Palliative Care Week Celebration.
Here’s the schedule:
Monday 5/5/25 12:00pm-1:00pm at Nantucket Cottage Hospital Watkins Room: Libby Tracey RN/MSN Nurse Specialist Presentation: “Spiritual Assessment Matters.”
Tuesday 5/6/25 12:00pm-1:00pm at Nantucket Cottage Hospital Watkins Room: Sarah Wright LICSW & Mackenzie Swensen LCSW Social Service Dept: “Our Grief, Ourselves: When Sad Things Happen to Good People.”
Wednesday 5/7/25: Honoring Choices Consumer Webinar, "Now’s the Time. Make Your Own Plan."
Thursday 5/8/25 12:00pm-1:00pm at Nantucket Cottage Hospital Watkins Room: Ugne Aleknaite CNP Oncology Team NCH: “Living Well with Cancer”
Friday 5/9/24. 12-1pm, Honoring Choices virtual webinar for care professional, at NCH Watkins, "Engage Adults in Seamless Conversations from Simple to Serious Illness." Care professionals help adults build on planning conversations to live well with chronic and serious illness, using the Honoring Choices Next Steps Tool Kit and Ariadne Lab's Serious Illness Conversation Guide. Guest speaker Ellen DiPaola from Honoring Choices MA.
May 7 - Now's the Time. Make Your Own Care Plan with Nantucket Cottage Hospital
Hosted by Palliative and Supportive Care on Nantucket (PASCON), Nantucket Cottage Hospital
May 7, 2025,12:00-1:00pm
For Consumers- adults, family members and caregivers
Thanks to Debbie Dolan, Palliative & Supportive Care Manager, PASCON, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, for co-hosting a consumer webinar for all residents in the community, held at the Nantucket Athenaeum Library. The webinar offers a simple 3 step process to start to make a personal care plan to complete a Health Care Proxy and Personal Directive (Living Will) and put your plan into action with your care providers. We'll review the 5 MA planning documents and strategies to revise and update your personal plan as your health needs and care preferences change. Adults receive the Getting Started Tool Kit with planning documents, conversation guides, and a wallet card. For more information contact Ms. Dolan at PASCON, 508-825-1310.
May 9- Engage Adults in Seamless Simple to Serious Illness Conversations, Nantucket Cottage Hospital
Hosted by Palliative and Supportive Care on Nantucket (PASCON), Nantucket Cottage Hospital
May 9, 2025,12:00-1:00pm
For Clinicians and care professional team members
Thanks to Debbie Dolan, Palliative & Supportive Care Manager, PASCON, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, for co-hosting Engage Adults in Seamless Conversations from Simple to Serious Illness, at NCH Watkins for clinical providers) Care professionals help adults build on planning conversations to live well with chronic and serious illness, using the Honoring Choices Next Steps Tool Kit and Ariadne Lab's Serious Illness Conversation Guide. Guest speaker Ellen DiPaola from Honoring Choices MA. For more information contact Ms. Dolan at PASCON, 508-825-1310.
May 13- Aging at Home: Advancing Supports for Older Adult Homelessness, Housing Stabilization and Community Living
Hosted by Older Adult Behavioral Health Network, MAMH and MA Housing and Shelter Alliance
May 13, 20245, 8:30am-4:00pm Annual Conference
OPEN TO ALL CARE PROFESSIONALS
In-Person. The Hogan Center, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester. CEUs pending.
Thanks to Honoring Choices Partner, Cassie Cramer, LICSW, Project Director, Older Adult Behavioral Health Network (OABHN) in partnership with the MA Housing and Shelter Alliance for hosting this year's annual conference for all care professionals.
Older adults are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population not only in Massachusetts, but nationwide. This year's conference will shed light on this issue, bringing together people from both the homeless/housing network and aging services to encourage greater collaboration and strengthen partnerships. More information to come. Learn more about OABHN here.
May 15- How to Have a Health Care Planning Conversation with Your Clients and Families: Tips & Strategies.
Hosted by Professional Healthcare Education, Alzheimer's Association, MA/NH Chapter
May 15, 2025, 12:00-1:00pm
For Care Professionals
No cost. Virtual Session
Save the Date. Registration open shortly.
Thanks to Lorraine Kermond, MSG, Manager of Professional Healthcare Education, Alzheimer's Association, MA/NH Chapter, for co-hosting the Honoring Choice's Health Care Planning Ambassador training. Health care team members will confidently engage adults in early and on-going health care planning conversations using the Honoring Choices' structured approach to care planning. The program offers strategies to flow from simple conversations to serious illness conversations using the Honoring Choices MA Tool Kits and Ariadne Labs Serious Illness Conversation Guide. For individuals living with dementia, early detection is important, not just for accessing appropriate treatments but to direct this care decisions for future care. This includes care preferences and end of life wishes.
Participants receive an Honoring Choices Health Care Planning Ambassador Certificate.
May 21 - Become a Health Care Planning Ambassador
Hosted by Honoring Choices Massachusetts
May 21, 2025, 12:00- 1:00pm.
OPEN TO ALL CARE PROFESSIONALS
Virtual Event. No cost.
Participants receive a HCM Health Care Planning Ambassador Certificate. Ambassadors receive our monthly e-newsletter with updated tools and the latest information.
May 27- Mind & Body Connection Series hosted by MA Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Hosted by MA Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
May 27, 2025, 6:30-7:30 pm The Mind & Body Connection Series
Topic: Taking care of those living with memory problems: Caregiving support & research.
Three Virtual Events on April 29, May 27, June 24, 6:30pm-7:30pm. Choose one or all. No Cost. Spanish language interpretation will be provided.
OPEN TO ALL
Register Here. https://bit.ly/MBCRegister
Thanks to Christine M. Brown, Senior Project manager, Depart of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and all our partners at Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (MADRC). They posted the 12th Annual Spring Celebration in their newsletter to ensure all adults, family members and caregivers can access the multilingual planning documents and tools to make a health care plan.
They are excited to launch a 3-part Mind Body Connection Series this Spring. Each session will feature a discussion about changing memory, physical and mental health, brain health tips & steps to reduce your risk of dementia. Register for one or more sessions.
June 2024 Events- Posted Shortly
June 24-- Mind & Body Connection Series hosted by MA Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Hosted by MA Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
June 24, 2025, 6:30-7:30 pm The Mind & Body Connection Series
Topic: Managing health care: How to find help for memory problems
Three Virtual Events on April 29, May 27, June 24, 6:30pm-7:30pm. Choose one or all. No Cost. Spanish language interpretation will be provided.
OPEN TO ALL
Register Here. https://bit.ly/MBCRegister
Thanks to Christine M. Brown, Senior Project manager, Depart of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and all our partners at Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (MADRC). They posted the 12th Annual Spring Celebration in their newsletter to ensure all adults, family members and caregivers can access the multilingual planning documents and tools to make a health care plan.
They are excited to launch a 3-part Mind Body Connection Series this Spring. Each session will feature a discussion about changing memory, physical and mental health, brain health tips & steps to reduce your risk of dementia. Register for one or more sessions.