How to start talking with your health care representative

The Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) advocates that all adults should have a legally designated representative to make health care decisions for them should they become unable to speak or make decisions for themselves in the future.

This is not just for older adults. Anyone may suffer an accident or an unexpected health crisis. Representatives may also be able to provide advocacy, support and a second set of ears when serious or multiple illnesses are involved.

“Identifying a legal health care representative is an important step. However, equally important is sharing your thoughts and wishes with your health care representative, and sometimes it can feel uncomfortable introducing these conversations,” PCHPCA Executive Director Elaine Peck noted.

Below are some conversation points that can help one get started:

• “I need your help with something.”

• “Can you and I have a conversation about my advance health care directives?”

• “I was thinking about what happened to –––––––, and it made me think about my own wishes. Will you help me think about them?”

• “Even though I’m okay right now, I’m worried that I could develop a health issue, and I want to be prepared. Can we talk about some things that matter to me?”

• “Will you help me think about my future?”

• “I have an advance directive in my Vital Medical Information File, and answered some of the questions about things that matter to me when it comes to my own health care through the end of life. Can we talk about it?”

To access a free advance health care directive, persons can visit the PCHPCA’s website at https://tinyurl.com/mr3y43rj or the Indiana Department of Health’s website at https://tinyurl.com/3v34mxxx

The Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association seeks to enhance the quality of life for the terminally ill, their loved ones and caregivers by educating the community about the benefits of hospice, palliative care and advance care planning.

The PCHPCA is a nonprofit public charity that operates with the help of donations, financial support from the Putnam County Community Foundation and fiscal sponsorship by Putnam County Hospital.