PCHPCA: There is a need for health care representatives

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.

This is should they become unable to make decisions for themselves in the event of an accident or health crisis. However, it has been found that some seriously ill and elderly persons have difficulty identifying someone to be their health care representative.

“After a presentation in the community, people frequently approach me saying that they are all alone and do not know whom to ask to be their representative,” PCHPCA Executive Director Elaine Peck said.

Peck noted that this increasing isolation is due to several factors, including the aging of the population, extended longevity, the mobility of society and people having fewer or no children.

These representatives may also be needed to provide support and a “second set of ears” for a person in the case of any serious illness.

“While modern medicine has created amazing opportunities for prevention, treatment and cure of diseases, health care today is stressed, fragmented, complicated and specialized, with different systems unable to communicate well with each other,” Peck said. “Ideally, everyone facing serious illness will have input and support from a trusted person when navigating the health care system.”

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.