While most Americans support the individual's right to decide whether to be kept alive through medical treatment, far fewer have made their own wishes clear. Fort Worth, Tex., March 26, 2015 - While most Americans support the individual's right to decide whether to be kept alive through medical treatment, far fewer have made their own wishes clear. The public can learn about advance care planning and ask questions at any of three seminars being held locally 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Apr. 16, which is National Healthcare Decisions Day. Admission to the events is free and lunch is included; RSVPs are necessary by April 13 and can be made by calling 682-367-6248. The event locations and speakers are:

Location: Brookdale Arlington, 1250 W. Pioneer Pkwy., Arlington
Speaker: Lisa Ash, elder law, probate and guardianship attorney

Location: Brookdale Broadway Cityview, 5301 Bryant Irvin Rd., Fort Worth
Speaker: Tammie Guinn, nurse consultant, Guinn Senior Care Solutions

Location: Brookdale Ridgmar, 2151 Green Oaks Rd., Fort Worth
Speaker: David Lowe, chaplain, Baylor Health Services


Eighty-four percent of Americans support laws allowing the terminally ill to decide whether medical treatment should keep them alive, according to the Pew Research Center. However, the United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality says fewer than half of the medical records for people with a severe or terminal illness contain advance directives. The majority of doctors whose patients have directives do not know about them.

"We meet seniors on a daily basis who haven't thought about or talked to their families about what is important to them at the end of their life," said Emily Hovde Belew, healthcare administrator for Broadway Plaza City View. "The seminars being held at the three Brookdale communities will provide practical information on how to begin these conversations, how to make these healthcare decisions and how to complete the paperwork so the decisions may be honored."

For more information about Brookdale, visit brookdale.com.

Contact: Kristin Puckett, 615-564-8481, kpuckett@brookdale.com

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Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is a leading owner and operator of senior living communities throughout the United States. The Company is committed to providing senior living solutions within properties that are designed, purpose-built and operated to provide the highest-quality service, care and living accommodations for residents. Currently Brookdale operates independent living, assisted living, and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers, nearly 1,150 communities in 46 states and the ability to serve approximately 110,000 residents. Through its ancillary services programs, the Company also offers a range of outpatient therapy, home health, personalized living and hospice services.

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