M ost people do not like to think about end-of-life medical care. But the failure to do so can result in patients receiving unwanted -- and often prolonged -- medical care even when there’s no hope of recovery.

If you’re like the three out of four Americans who have not stated their wishes in writing, April 16 -- National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) -- may be the day to change that.

"Consider it a gift to your family," says Nathan A. Kottkamp, an attorney and chair of the NHDD initiative, a grassroots effort to promote advance-care planning.

By completing an advance directive, you can give a trusted person power of attorney for your health-care decisions in case you’re unable to make them... and specify in a living will exactly what types of care you want -- or do not want -- to receive. To prevent mistakes...

Share the documents. Less than half of severely or terminally ill patients have an advance directive in their medical records. Copies should be given to your doctors... and if you go to the hospital, bring a copy with you.

Be specific when preparing a living will. Avoid terms like "always" or "never." You might write that you "never" want to be put on a ventilator, but if you’ve been in an accident, you may need help breathing for only a few days.

For more information -- including free advance directive forms -- go to the NHDD Web site, www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org, or call 800-658-8898. You can take this important step any day of the year, but April 16 may be just the deadline you need.