Does your family know what health care you want in the event you can’t communicate your decisions? Are those healthcare decisions documented? Sunday is the 10th annual National Healthcare Decisions Day. A day to speak with your family and fill out the appropriate paperwork detailing what care you’d want. Katie Smith is a social worker with HCI Care Services, she says taking the time now can help your family later because they’ll know they’re following your wishes and not deciding for you.

Two main forms of advance directives are appointing a healthcare power of attorney and establishing a living will for medical treatments you would or would not want at the end of life. Smith advises it’s good to complete the paperwork at any age. You don’t need a lawyer to complete the paperwork, two witnesses can be used or a notary.

For more information listen to the Washington Page with Smith or click here to see documents.