Deborah White, Client Care Coordinator for Bivens & Associates, PLLC Will be Serving as the State Liaison for the National Healthcare Decision Day

Scottsdale, AZ, December 11, 2012 --(PR.com)-- In a national effort to bring awareness to the need for advance directives, Deborah White, client care coordinator for the Elder Law Firm Bivens & Associates, PLLC has volunteered to be the Arizona State Liaison for an initiative which culminates on National Healthcare Decision Day, April 16, 2013. The initiative, now in its sixth year, exists to inspire, educate & empower the public & providers about the importance of advance care planning. National Healthcare Decisions Day is an initiative to encourage patients to express their wishes regarding healthcare and for providers and facilities to respect those wishes, whatever they may be.

· Studies show that less than 30% of Americans have not exercised their right to make decisions about their healthcare in the event they cannot speak for themselves. (Reuters Health, Jan 2011)

Advance Directives, which include the Healthcare Power of Attorney, Living Will and Do Not Resuscitate, are important documents for adults of any age. Their existence and use allows a healthcare proxy and/or physician to follow a general or specific guideline of medical care in the event the individual is unable to communicate his or her medical preferences.

The National Healthcare Decision Day will be recognized in Phoenix with an event designed to educate the public on the ease of obtaining and drafting Advance Directives and their specific uses. For more information, visit www.NHDD.org or contact the Arizona State Liaison Deborah White, 480-922-1010.

Deborah White is the Client Care Coordinator with Bivens & Associates, PLLC, an elder law firm in Scottsdale, AZ. The firm assists clients with estate planning, probate, guardianship, conservatorships, special needs planning and long term care planning matters. For information about Bivens & Associates, PLLC visit www.bivenslaw.com