Free community workshops are planned for January on the topic of "advance care planning."

The workshops, titled "My Life, My Health, My End-of-Life Choices," are being provided by staff and trained volunteers through the Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement.

Participants will learn why advance care planning is important, how to choose someone to be your durable power of attorney for health care, how to talk to loved ones and doctors about preferences for end-of-life care, and how to complete advance directive paperwork.

The workshop schedule:

• Jan. 16, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Spring Creek Retirement and Assisted Living, 223 E. Bakerview Road.

• Jan. 16, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Luke's Health Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway.

• Jan. 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Lynden Library, 216 Fourth St.

• Jan. 23, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Spring Creek Retirement and Assisted Living.

For more information, or to schedule a private appointment or another workshop, call 360-788-6526 or email waha.acp@hinet.org.

For more about the alliance, go online to whatcomalliance.org.

Reach DEAN KAHN at dean.kahn@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2291.