PCHPCA urges families to discuss advance care planning

During this holiday season, the Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association advocates that advance care planning conversations are important for all adults at all stages of life and health.

“When people share their thoughts and wishes about end-of-life health care with their loved ones, they give their loved ones the gift of peace of mind,” PCHPCA Executive Director Elaine Peck said.

“At the end of life, difficult decisions about health care treatment must be made by loved ones if the seriously ill person is unable to make their own decisions,” Peck added. “Having a sense of what your loved one would want is such a wonderful gift to have at this very sad and stressful time.”

The PCHPCA offers information, resources and support with the goal of helping make these conversations easier for individuals, their loved ones and their health care providers. Some of these resources include:

1. Free information packets such as the Vital Medical Information File, the My Advance Directives folder and the Serious Illness Information and Resources folder;

2. The association’s website at www.pchpca.org;

3. Free consultations provided by trained local advance care planning facilitators; and

4. Free, individualized education and support sessions via Zoom on the second Wednesday of every month from noon-1 p.m.

To register for a monthly remote session or for additional information, contact Peck at contact.us@pchpca.org or 765-301-7614.

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.

For more information, visit www.pchpca.org.