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(Hyannis, April 20, 2017) The Quality of Life Initiative, a task force of more than 50 community organizations, has launched an education and outreach program to encourage adults of all ages to complete healthcare proxies and advance care directive forms that outline their medical wishes. Members of the Quality of Life task force will be visiting community centers, residential complexes and human service organizations across Cape Cod to talk about the importance of advance care planning – the information that will guide individuals’ healthcare in the event they can’t speak for themselves. This outreach program coincides with National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), a national effort being celebrated all this week (April 16-22), to begin the conversations needed among family members and between patients and physicians about end-of-life care. As a participating organization, the Quality of Life Initiative will provide information and tools in accordance with Massachusetts state laws. “All too often I have seen when a patient is unable to communicate during a medical crisis, chronic condition or end-of-life situation, and the family is not fully aware of the treatment wishes of their loved one,” said Donald A. Guadagnoli, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Cape Cod Healthcare. “Through our Quality of Life Initiative, primary care physicians, hospitals, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities staff, as well as emergency medical personnel are being trained to help you make good healthcare choices throughout your life.” Educational materials and Health Proxy forms, as well as more information about the Quality of Life Initiative are available at www.capecodhealth.org/qualityoflife Cape Cod Healthcare is the leading provider of healthcare services for residents and visitors of Cape Cod. With more than 450 physicians, 5,300 employees and 790 volunteers, Cape Cod Healthcare has two acute care hospitals, the Cape’s leading provider of homecare and hospice services (VNA), a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, an assisted living facility, the Cape’s only local laboratory service and numerous health programs. For more information, visit Cape Cod Healthcare’s web site at www.capecodhealth.org. Cape Cod Healthcare. Visit our health news site www.capecodhealthnews.com for the latest in relevant and credible healthcare news.