PCHPCA gives 2020 community report

Monday, April 5, 2021

The board of directors of the Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) has announced its annual report to the community describing challenges and achievements in 2020.

The work of the PCHPCA focuses on increasing the quality of life for seriously ill persons and their loved ones, caregivers and health care providers by educating people in Putnam County about the benefits of hospice and palliative care and of having conversations about end-of-life wishes.

“Our work is always challenged by the sadness and discomfort people experience when thinking about death and dying,” PCHPCA Vice President Charity Pankratz said. “In addition, the pandemic prohibited in-person activities and events.”

In spite of these challenges, the PCHPCA accomplished the following:

It updated its website, www.pchpca.org, to include more information and links to resources and materials. It also conducted research on effectively communicating about hospice, palliative care and advance care planning and is using the information to update communications and create new educational materials.

In partnership with the Parkview Health system and the University of Southern Indiana, the PCHPCA also sponsored a two-day Respecting Choices workshop for First Steps’ Advance Care Planning Facilitator Certification training.

Eighteen community members completed the training and offer free advance care planning assistance. Interested persons can see the list of facilitators on the PCHPCA’s website and on the Putnam County Hospital’s website at www.pchosp.org.

Finally, the PCHPCA began developing a Vital Medical Information File, a system to improve access to critical medical information — including advance directives — for patients, loved ones, health care providers and emergency response personnel.

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

For more information, contact Director Elaine Peck at epeck@pchosp.org or visit www.pchpca.org.

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