Anyone who has gotten sick on vacation or slipped on the stairs knows that you can’t pre-plan your health, but that doesn’t mean that when something serious strikes, you can’t have directives in place for your doctors and family to follow.

Everyone has the right to make decisions about their own healthcare. On Monday, April 15, the House of the Good Shepherd in Hackettstown will host a special program discussing how advanced planning can make your wishes known even if you are unable to communicate.

Led by Joan Pollner, MSN, RN, CHPN, CNE, the presentation will be held 1-2 p.m. in the House of the Good Shepherd Lodge. Attendees will receive all the resources needed to develop a plan so that their treatment preferences are honored in the case of emergency.

Registration is required to attend, but the session is completely free. To register, please call 908-684-5722.

The session is also presented by Atlantic Health System and Hackettstown Medical Center.

The House is located at 798 Willow Grove Street and offers public programming and an array of living options for seniors, from independent and assisted living to skilled nursing care. They also offer short term post-hospital stays, all in a beautiful setting along the bank of the Musconetcong River.