April is Healthcare Decision Month, and Vidant Health is holding a series of events throughout eastern North Carolina to emphasize the importance of end-of-life care.

Vidant has organized eight sessions, which will feature a presentation and panel of experts to answer any questions from the legal, faith and healthcare perspectives, according Mary Lou Infinito, community outreach coordinator with Vidant Home Health and Hospice.

Infinito said the panels feature these perspectives because it’s important for residents to realize the need for advance planning in all aspects of life.

“Vidant Health or any healthcare system where a person ends up can align the care we give people to the goal they have for themselves,” she said.

On Thursday, Vidant Beaufort Hospital is hosting a dinner event at Cornerstone Family Worship Center, with a panel including Rev. James McIntyre, Dr. Kirk Philpot and attorney Sonia Privette, Infinito said. Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, Dr. Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgical oncologist and author, will visit Vidant Medical Center in Greenville to talk with attendees about creating an advance care plan.

Infinito said the goal is to encourage people to settle end-of-life care before the fact, as it’s not a good idea to have the added stress while dealing with a health crisis.

“There’s always that ‘what if?’ … You never know what’s going to happen,” she said. “Because you never know, it’s better to have it done.”

This type of planning applies to young and old, alike.

“There can be higher risky behaviors when they are younger, and so getting those things in order in the event that something tragic or catastrophic happens,” Infinito said.

However, having such a conversation with family members can be difficult and uncomfortable, but it’s still one that should be had, according to Infinito.

“We see people at lots of ages who are not always on board,” she said. “Sometimes they are not on board; sometimes their families are not on board.”

Infinito said there is also a fairly recent push for doctors to address advance care planning with patients. By making these events accessible and addressing the importance of planning, she said organizers hope to make it an easier topic of conversation.

“The burden of lack of communication can really cause major problems for families that are maybe never resolved,” Infinito said. “Do it when you’re healthy.”

The Washington advance-care planning event will be Thursday, April 21, at Cornerstone Family Worship Center Church of God, 1918 W. Fifth St. Events are free, but space is limited. To register, visit VidantHealth.com/AdvanceCare, or call 855-698-4326.