Join the 12th Annual Health Care Decisions Spring Celebration March to June 2025

How are you celebrating? Free tools & event ideas!

Graphic of crocuses on a green and blue background to celebrate NHHD.

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 in partnership with their care providers, 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 this Announcement in your April-June Newsletters. Connect every adult to a free Health Care Proxy.
Host or co-host your own event. You choose a day; we'll provide the virtual presentation for consumers or care professionals.
Hosting a Health Fair this Spring? We'll send you a free Information Packet to print & distribute. It includes:
- "Who is Your Health Care Agent? Consumer Handout, available in 9 languages;
- Honoring Choices MA Health Care Proxy Information Page and Document; available in 16 languages;
- Make your own "I Have a Health Care Proxy" Wallet Card.

Join in. We'll supply everything you need. Contact Ellen, edipaola@honoringchoicesmass.com

Join the celebration. It's easy to do.

Portrait Hispanic mother and adult daughter.

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." You choose a date; we'll provdie the slide deck presentation and planning tools. You can choose a event name below 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, 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.

Reserve a date. Contact Ellen, edipaola@honoringchoicesmass.com

2025 Events Calendar: Promote Your Event 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

Also of note-

OPEN TO ALL (in red) - means everyone can take part in unique webinars and events.
Care Professionals- Register below for a no cost Health Care Planning Ambassador training April 30 or May 21. See April 9.
Hosting a Health Fair this Spring? We'll send you a free Information Packet to download, print and distribute to participants. It includes:
- "Who is Your Health Care Agent? Consumer Handout, available in 9 languages;
- MA Health Care Proxy Information Page and Document; available in 16 languages;
- Make your own "I Have a Health Care Proxy" Wallet Card.

NHHD spring crocus events month separator.

MARCH 2025 Events - Getting Ready

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

Photo of Althea Michel, MSN, RN 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

care providers in the community 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

Virtual Event. No cost.

Enhance your knowledge and communications skills to confidently and routinely engage adults in planning conversations to help adults make a personal health care plan. Come join the 6000 certified Health Care Planning Ambassadors who use our structured approach to health care planning and Getting Started Tool Kit to help adults complete a MA Heath Care Proxy and Personal Directive (Living Will). We will review the Next Steps Tool Kit to update their care plans and build on conversations to manage chronic illness and live well with serious illness.

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 - AgeSpan Housing Professionals become Health Care Planning Ambassadors

Hosted by AgeSpan, serving the North Shore

For Age Span Housing Professionals

Thanks to Katie Houle, LSW, Housing Program Manager, AgeSpan for co-hosting a Health Care Planning Ambassador virtual training. The housing professionals and staff at Age Span provide information on housing options for older adults looking to downsize or transition to supportive housing. As Ambassadors, they can also help residents understand their right to direct their health care choices and can make a personal plan starting with a Health Care Proxy and Personal Directive (Living Will). The Age Span staff help adults live well at every stage of life. Read more here.

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

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

MOLST form users

March 27, 2025, 10:15-11am

For Consumers

Thanks to Anne-Marie Gagnon, Executive Director, Millis Council on Aging for co-hosting an interactive consumer webinar- Now's the Time. Make Your Own Plan. Anne-Marie Gagnon is a long-time Honoring Choices Partner who always ensures her community has accurate information on care planning. We will review the 3-step process to make a personal plan using the Getting Started Tool Kit.

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

Share your expertise and experience in helping adults with serious illness. HPCFM is calling for proposals for their Annual Education Conference. This is a great way to highlight your work and strengthen our collective mission across the Commonwealth and beyond. Contact Christine McMichael, Executive Director, with questions about proposals or ways to support and exhibit at the conference. Learn more. See proposal application.

APRIL 2024 Events

April 1 - Community Transitions Liaison Program Professionals become Health Care Planning Ambassadors!

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- Plan a "Donuts & Decisions", "Pizza & Proxy", "Pastries & Planning" event.

Plan a fun and informative event any day April - June. Use these titles or create your own.

For consumer groups- help your group members start to make a personal care plan.

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 12^th 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 2 - Community Transitions Liaison Program Professionals become Health Care Planning Ambassadors!

Hosted by Community Transition Liaison Program (CTLP), Executive Office of Aging & Independence

April 2, 2025, 10:00-11:30am

For Care Professionals

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- 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

Five Easy Steps Video

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 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 increases access to health care planning information for Western MA

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.

Also look to the May edition of the Caregiver Newsletter. It will focus on the LifePath Pillar of 'Choice'. and share the Honoring Choices health care planning process and free tools for all caregivers.

April 9 - Engage Adults in Seamless Conversations from Simple to Serious Illness

Hosted by Honoring Choices MA, Statewide

Four care providers facing the camera: a nurse, a clinician, a primary practice doctor, an administrator. 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), Statewide

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 - End-of-Life Planning: Answer to Your Most Common Questions

Shared by LifeCare Advocates, Metrowest and beyond

For Consumers, Care Professionals, Families and Caregivers

OPEN TO ALL

Thanks to Kate Granigan and all the care professionals at LifeCare Advocates, a long time Honoring Choices Partner, who routinely help adults and their families have early and on-going care planning conversations to make a personal plan using the Honoring Choices process and tools and help connect them to essential care and resources. They have posted an informative article in this month's newsletter, End-of-Life Planning: Answer to Your Most Common Questions. The article says- “Planning for the end of life might feel like an uncomfortable topic, but it’s one of the most thoughtful things you can do for yourself and your family. By making decisions today about your healthcare, finances, and final wishes, you create peace of mind for your loved ones when they need it most.” Read the full article here.

End-of-Life Planning: Answers to Your Most Common Questions - LifeCare Advocates

April 14 - Community Transitions Liaison Program Professionals become Health Care Planning Ambassadors!

Hosted by Community Transition Liaison Program (CTLP), Executive Office of Aging & Independence

April 14, 2025, 10:00-11:30am

For Care Professionals

April- Notre Dame Health Center provides easy access to planning for the Worcester Community

Shared by Notre Dame Health Services, Worcester

Notre Dame HC Thanks to Patricia Thibeault and her colleagues at Notre Dame Health Care for sharing Honoring Choices health care planning information and free download multilingual documents 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 professionals are 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

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

OPEN TO ALL

Share the Flyer with your colleagues.

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 - Community Transitions Liaison Program Professionals become Health Care Planning Ambassadors!

Hosted by Community Transition Liaison Program (CTLP), Executive Office of Aging & Independence

April 16, 2025, 3:00-4:00pm

For Care Professionals

April to May- Helping many communities have equal access to care planning.

Shared by Oasis Senior Advisors Boston South Shore

April through May- Sharing the Honoring Choices Health Fair Packet at in several communities.

Thanks to Megan Fisher, MS, CSA, President, Oasis Senior Advisors Boston South Shore, for helping adults and families have equal access to health care planning by sharing accurate and reliable information and distributing the Honoring Choices informational packet are several community health fairs.

As an Honoring Choices Partner, Megan provides a free service to elders and their families, helping them find the independent living, assisted living, or memory care community that best fits their needs. Read more here.

Contact Megan Fisher at mfisher@youroasisadvisor.com

April 16 - MassNAELA Health Care Proxy Clinic

Hosted by MassNAELA and Boston Public Library & Partners, Statewide

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 16- Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association and Cross-Continuum Partners celebrate National Health Care Decisions Day.

Hosted by Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA), and Cross-Continuum Partners Honoring Choices MA, Mass Medical Society, Home Care Alliance, Mass Senior Care, LeadingAge MA, Hospice & Palliative Care Federation of MA and Mass Aging Access.

This National Healthcare Decisions Day, MHA and a coalition of cross-continuum members encourage all adults to take a simple step to take charge of your healthcare. In the Simple Step Campaign, the coalition is highlighting three key steps for community members:

Choose someone you trust to be your designated Health Care Agent and have a simple conversation about what’s important to you.
Complete a Health Care Proxy form – you can do it all yourself! (This form from Honoring Choices Massachusetts is available in 15 languages.) You can also complete a form that comes directly from your healthcare provider.
Have a simple conversation with your care team about the care that’s right for you.

Health Care Agents work directly with trusted loved ones and efficiently transition them to other care settings from the moment their hospital stay is winding down. Hospital case managers report that when patients lack a health care agent, it prevents them from being discharged and ties up acute-level beds for other patients in need. Patients do not get the level of care they need, while hospital wait times and care access for other individuals suffer.

Learn more here: https://shorturl.at/vJFRS

See the MHA toolkit on PatientCareLink.

For Social Media: #NationalHealthcareDecisionsDay, MHA, @MassDPH

April- Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative empowers adults of all ages and abilities.

Shared by Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, Statewide

Thanks to James Fuccione, Executive Director, Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative (MHAC), for sharing the 12^th Annual Spring Celebration Announcement in their News webpage for adults, families and care professionals in their expansive statewide network. The information helps adults of all ages and abilities have equal access to free health care planning tools to make a personal plan, and work in partnership with their care providers for good care TODAY and over their lifetime. MHAC is working to make Massachusetts a national leader in vibrant, healthy and inclusive age-friendly communities. They collaborate with many communities through networking, communication, and information sharing to optimize opportunities for health, participation, and security to enhance the quality of life as people age. See MHAC's many great resources. Read more here.

April 23-26 "Rise to the Challenge: Elevating the Aging Life Care Profession" 41th Annual ALCA Conference

Hosted by Aging Life Care Association (ALCA), National Conference in 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 23, 2025 - Barre Council of Aging Information Fair distributes free planning tools.

Hosted by Barre Council of Aging, serving Towns of Barre and Hardwick

April 23, 2025

For all consumers and care professionals serving the Town of Barre and Hardwick and surrounding areas.

Thanks to Betty-Jo O’Brien, Barre COA/Senior Center Director, for hosting an Information Fair and distributing the Honoring Choices Information Packet available to all attendees.

The packet includes the following helpful information and free Honoring Choices documents:

“Who is Your Health Care Agent? handout (English), available in 9 languages,is a simple 3-step guide to choose a Health Care Agent and complete a free Health Care Proxy and Personal Directive (Living Will);
MA Health Care Proxy and Instruction Form (English); available in 16 languages;
Make Your Own “I Have A Health Care Proxy” Wallet Card (English); available in 6 languages.

Many thanks to Betty Jo for helping her community have equal access to multilingual health care planning tools. For more information contact Betty Jo at coa@townofbarre.com

April 24 - Beth Israel Lahey Health Care Managers become Health Care Planning Ambassadors

Hosted by Beth Israel Lahey Health Case Management, Burlington

April 24, 12:30-1:30pm

For BILH Nurses and Social Workers, BILH Care Management

Thanks to Doris Labby RN, BSN, MHA, Nurse Manager of Case Management and Christa Cavallo RN, BSN, Complex Case Manage at Beth Israel Lahey Health (BILH) in Burlington, for co-hosting a Become a Health Care Planning Ambassador training for care management team of nurses and social workers. Ambassadors confidently engage adults in simple conversations using our structured process to planning and free downloadable documents and tool kits. The virtual webinar will cover strategies to start simple conversations, review the 5 MA planning documents, and take the next steps to seamlessly flow from simple to serious illness conversations with accompanying planning tools and conversations guides. All participants receive an Honoring Choices MA Health Care Planning Ambassador Certificate.

April 29- Mind & Body Connection Series hosted by MA Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Hosted by MA Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Statewide

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

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 12^th 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, Statewide

care providers in the community April 30, 2025, 12:00- 1:00pm.

OPEN TO ALL CARE PROFESSIONALS

Virtual Event. No cost.

Enhance your knowledge and communications skills to confidently and routinely engage adults in planning conversations to help adults make a personal health care plan. Come join the 6000 certified Health Care Planning Ambassadors who use our structured approach to health care planning and the Getting Started Tool Kit and Next Steps Tool Kit , to help adults start a personal plan by completing a MA Heath Care Proxy and Personal Directive (Living Will), and build on their personal plan to get better care to live well with chronic and serious illness.

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.

April 30 - Desserts and Decisions

Hosted by Lutheran Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center, Worcester and beyond

April 30,2025 2:00pm-3:00pmpm

Lutheran Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center

For Residents and Families

Thanks to Michele R. Morin, Director of Marketing & Business Development, for co-hosting the very first “Dessert and Decisions” event for families and residents at Lutheran Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center. In addition to sampling tasty desserts, participants will learn how to make their own health care plan, starting with a simple conversation to complete a Health Care Proxy and Personal Directive (Living Will). We'll reveiw information to build on their conversations with their care providers to get the best possible care over their lifetime. All participants receive the Honoring Choices Getting Started Tool Kit. Contact Michelle for more information, at Mmorin@lutheranrehab.com

April- May Supporting older adults with behavioral health needs make a care plan.

Shared by the Older Adult Behavioral Health Network (OABHN), Statewide

Thanks to Cassie Cramer, LICSW, Project Director, Older Adult Behavioral Health Network (OABHN) for sharing the 12^th Annual Spring Celebration Announcement to ensure all adults with behavioral health concerns, and their families, have equal access to free tools to make a personal care plan for the best possible care today and over their lifetime. OABHN's mission is to highlight and elevate the importance of behavioral health in Massachusetts to improve the lives of older adults and support community living. See their Annual May 13, 2025 Conference on this calendar. Read more about OABHN here

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 3 - New England Translators Association Conference for all translators and interpreters.

May- LifePath help Caregivers access to health care planning information in Western MA

Shared by LifePath, Western MA

The May edition of the Caregiver Newsletter will focus on the LifePath Pillar of 'Choice'. and sharing the Honoring Choices health care planning process and free tools for all caregivers.

May 5 to May 9 - Palliative Care Week Celebration, Nantucket Cottage Hospital

Hosted by Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Nantucket

Senior woman being served a meal 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.

Download the Flyer here.

May 6-12 Beth Israel Lahey Health celebrates National Nurses Week!

Hosted by Beth Israel Lahey Health, Burlington

May 6-12

Thanks to Doris Labby RN, BSN, MHA, Nurse Manager of Care Management and Christa Cavallo RN, BSN, Complex Case Manager, whose care management staff recently become Honoring Choices Health Care Planning Ambassadors (April 24, 2025). On May 6- 12, they will celebrate National Nurses Week by thanking nurses for their skills and dedication and distributing information and tools to complete a Health Care Proxy for themselves, their families and their patients.

You can read more about National Nurses Week here.

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

Honoring Choices Presetnation duirng Palliative Care Week Celebration at Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

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

Honoring Choices Presetnation duirng Palliative Care Week Celebration at Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

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- Community Health Workers Become Health Care Planning Ambassadors

Hosted by Berkshire Community College

May 13, 2025, Time TBA, Virtual Session

For Community Health Workers in Berkshire County, Cape Cod and Franklin County

Thanks to Tiffany Moreno, Instructional Program Manager, Health & Social Services at Berkshire Community College for co-hosting the Honoring Choices Health Care Planning Ambassador virtual training for Community Health Workers (CHW). Berkshire Community College offers a CHW program as part of their curriculum which provides rigorous training for frontline professionals who serve as an important link between traditionally underserved populations and provide key health information, support, care, as well as management of various health conditions. As Ambassadors, CHWs can confidently engage adults in simple and culturally sensitive health care planning conversations to help ensure all adults understand their right to direct their health care choices and can make a personal plan starting with a Health Care Proxy and Personal Directive (Living Will). The Ambassador's virtual training is offered to Community Health Workers within Berkshire County, Cape Cod and Franklin County. For more information and to register, email Tiffany at Tmoreno@berkshirecc.edu

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, 2025, 8-4pm

The Hogan Center, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester, MA

Thanks to Cassie Cramer, LICSW, Project Director, Older Adult Behavioral Health Network (OABHN) for hosting Aging at Home: Advancing Supports for Older Adult Homelessness, Housing Stabilization and Community Living Annual Conference, held in partnership with MA Housing and Shelter Alliance, at The Hogan Center, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester, MA. Older adults are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population not only in Massachusetts but nationwide. This year, the OABHN's annual 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. It's a great networking event for all professional working with adults with behaviorl health concerns.

May 14- Take a Simple Step: Become a Health Care Planning Ambassador

Hosted by Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association

May 14, 2025, 12:00-1:00pm

For Care Professionals. Virtual. No cost.

Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association. The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA) and Honoring Choices have partnered to support the MHA Simple Step Campaign to encourage adults to take the first important step to designate a Health Care Agent and complete a Health Care Proxy. Thanks to Pat Noga, Adam Delmolino, and the amazing Education staff for co-hosting a virtual webinar to help ensure every care professional can enhance their knowledge and skills as a Health Care Planning Ambassador. Ambassadors confidently engage adults in simple conversations using our structured planning process and free multi-lingual downloadable documents and tool kits. The virtual session will cover strategies to start simple conversations and take the next steps to seamlessly flow from simple to serious illness conversations with accompanying planning tools and conversations guides. All participants receive the Honoring Choices Health Care Planning Ambassador Certificate.

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 15- Community Health Workers Englage Adult in Simple to Serious Illness Planning Conversations

Hosted by Berkshire Community College

May 15, 2025, Time TBA

For Community Health Workers in Berkshire County, Cape Cod and Franklin County

Thanks to Tiffany Moreno, Instructional Program Manager, Health & Social Services at Berkshire Community College for co-hosting the second in the series of virtual trainings for Community Health Workers (CHW) through the Berkshire Community College curriculum. CHWs enhance their knowledge and skills to confidently engage adults in simple and culturally sensitive planning conversations using the Honoring Choices Getting Started Tool Kit and building on planning conversations to help adults manage chronic illness and live well with serious illness using the Ariadne Labs Serious Illness Conversations Guide. The virtual training is offered to Community Health Workers within Berkshire County, Cape Cod and Franklin County.

For more information and to register, email Tiffany at Tmoreno@berkshirecc.edu

May 21 - Become a Health Care Planning Ambassador

Hosted by Honoring Choices Massachusetts, Statewide

care providers in the community May 21, 2025, 12:00- 1:00pm.

OPEN TO ALL CARE PROFESSIONALS

Virtual Event. No cost.

Enhance your knowledge and communications skills to confidently and routinely start a planning conversation to help adults make a personal health care plan. Come join the 6000 certified Ambassadors who use the Getting Started Tool Kit and Next Steps Tool Kit to engage adults in powerful planning conversations to complete a MA Heath Care Proxy and Personal Directive (Living Will), and build on their personal plan to get better care to live well with chronic and serious illness. Ambassadors gain strategies to start simple conversations, understand the 5 MA documents to revise and update a plan, and access resources to help connect adults to better care in their community.

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

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.

June 2024 Events- Posted Shortly

June 5 - A Time to Reflect, Western MA Elder Care 33rd Annual Conference

Hosted and sponsored by JGS LifeCare, Western MA

June 5, 8am-4pm

Kittredge Center at Holyoke Community College

Hosted and sponsored by JGS LifeCare

Come join the 300+ professionals from Western Massachusetts, including case managers, nurses, social workers, front-line workers, professionals, and advocates whose life centers care for older adults. It’s a great networking and informal event with many great speakers and workshops. This program has been approved for 5.5 Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure, meets the requirements of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing at 244 CMR 5.00 for 6 Contact Hours.

For more information, Western Mass Elder Care Conference - Western Mass Eldercare Conference

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

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.