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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 02/15/2024
Greencastle, Indiana.
Board members of Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) had their first meeting of 2024 on January 24. The all-volunteer Board of Directors have members representing healthcare, education, skilled nursing facilities, pastoral care, communications, hospice and palliative care, social work, caregivers, business, and others. They are committed to advancing the PCHPCA mission of optimizing the quality of life for seriously ill persons and their loved ones, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
The PCHPCA is an independent nonprofit and a source of unbiased information and support for people and families coping with serious illness. PCHPCA encourages people to talk to someone they know, and to become informed before there is a crisis. Elaine Peck, Director noted, “Knowledge is power, and it can also relieve stress. We are here for you in person, by phone, by email, whatever works best for you.”
2024 officers are: Christina Wagner, PhD, President; Tammy Keenan, Vice President; Judi Purvis, Treasurer; Alice Greenburg, Secretary.
2024 Board Members are: Amber Alexander, Brian Black, DO, Bethany Combs, RN, Marilyn Culler, Crystal Fortner, Elizabeth Garber, RN, Cathy McCall, Sue McCune, Meagan Montague, Brand Selvia, Laury Wallace, NP, and Beth Newton Watson, MDiv, RCC.
Elaine Peck, LCSW is the Director.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 02/15/2024
Greencastle, Indiana.
Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (“PCHPCA”) has released its 2023 annual report to the community. Elaine Peck, Director, noted that in 2023, PCHPCA was frequently told how fortunate Putnam County is to have an organization like the Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association. “Whether it is an individual or family coping with serious illness or providers from other communities seeking information about local resources, they express gratitude for the services PCHPCA provides and for its independent, unbiased, and free assistance,” said Peck. Peck added that research supports the use of advance care planning, hospice, and palliative care to reduce complicated grief and improve the mental health of those dying, their healthcare providers, and their survivors.
In a rural community with many people of lower socio-economic and educational status who cannot afford to pay for assistance, the PCHPCA provides an important role in addressing health inequities in Putnam County. Research documents that these populations are less likely to engage in ACP and to utilize hospice and palliative care, making access to PCHPCA’s free education and resources especially valuable.
In 2023, the PCHPCA reported that it expanded its relationships and collaborations with organizations critical to the long-term success of its mission, including healthcare providers, faith communities and nonprofit organizations. Many local healthcare professionals are now utilizing PCHPCA-provided resources for their patients. Greater comfort and involvement with hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning is being seen within local healthcare systems. More providers are offering community-based palliative care in Putnam County. Four churches came on board in 2023, supporting educational presentations and distribution of PCHPCA materials to their members in a variety of settings. PCHPCA expanded its relationship with Dusk to Dawn in 2023, distributing its grief materials in the Serious Illness folders, and collaborating on a Lenten program with Gobin Memorial UMC. PCHPCA continues efforts to reach under-resourced individuals in Putnam County. An education table was organized at the Community Connect event this year. Emergency responders are important partners in this effort, and conversations will continue in 2024 about reaching seriously ill persons in jail and prison.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/01/2023
Greencastle, Indiana.
During this season of giving, the Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHCA) reminds everyone that getting organized for death and making key financial, healthcare, and even funeral decisions now, while we are healthy, is a huge gift and an act of kindness for those who will be left behind. These actions are important for all adults at all stages of life and health.
Elaine Peck, Director of PCHPCA, said, “We all know people who have died at all ages and in many different circumstances. I believe that when we die, the people who love us should be able to simply grieve. We can support them by making key decisions now and being organized. This act of courage and kindness will eventually be our final expression of love.”
Most of society’s conversations around estate planning centers on the desires and needs of the deceased - which is important - but that’s not who will have to live with those decisions. Avoiding planning for dying is tantamount to offloading our hard decisions onto the shoulders of our loved ones to deal with, when they are already stressed and struggling to think. If we expand how we think about our own deaths to consider those we love, we may discover that doing this work and having these conversations brings us closer.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/01/2023
Greencastle, Indiana.
For many people, the start of a new year marks an opportunity to reflect on life and think about setting goals for the future. However, change is difficult, and most new year’s resolutions fail within the first two months, primarily because people set goals that are too large to sustain. In 2024, consider engaging in self-improvement by making small incremental changes to daily habits. This strategy makes positive change more achievable and ultimately more impactful.
In this spirit, the Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) encourages all adults to consider working on or updating their advance healthcare directives and having at least one advance healthcare planning conversation in 2024. Advance directives are important for all people in all stages of life and health.
“There are many reasons to make advance healthcare planning a part of your life,” said Elaine Peck, PCHPCA Director. “For example, research shows that people become more active in their own healthcare, and more engaged with life and living when they are not afraid to have conversations about death and dying.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/02/2023
Greencastle, Indiana. On November 11 our nation marks Veterans Day and thanks veterans for their service. Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) takes this opportunity to share some of the many resources that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides to ill or disabled veterans. “At the PCHPCA, we hear many stories of satisfied veterans receiving financial assistance, health care, and other benefits from the VA,” said Elaine Peck, PCHPCA Director.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/01/2023
Greencastle, Indiana. On November 11 our nation marks Veterans Day and thanks veterans for their service. Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) takes this opportunity to remind the public of the many resources that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides to ill or disabled veterans. “Post discharge, many veterans reengage with civilian employment, obtain benefits from their employers, and forget about the many resources that are available through the VA,” said Elaine Peck, PCHPCA Director. “We encourage all veterans to become informed.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09/01/2023
Greencastle, Indiana. Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) is pleased to announce the availability of free Vital Medical Information Files in new locations throughout the county. “We are making them available at no charge to local physicians and many other locations,” said Elaine Peck, PCHPCA Director.
Peck said that free Vital Medical Information Files are now available at Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Greencastle City Hall, North Putnam Family Healthcare, Putnam Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, Family Medicine of Greencastle, Internal Medicine of Greencastle, Family Medicine of Cloverdale, Putnam County Hospital Cardiology, Putnam County Hospital Cancer Center, Greencastle Family Health, and in the Medical Records Department at the Putnam County Hospital. “Some of the local volunteer fire departments also carry them on runs,” Peck said.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09/01/2023
Greencastle, Indiana. A google search for “medical alert bracelets” or “medical identification tags” yield many resources for obtaining these items, with assurances that they will protect the wearer. But this is not always the case. In complex or emergency medical situations, it depends upon the situation and current Indiana law.
When is medical identification jewelry helpful? Most emergency responders are trained to look for medical identification jewelry worn as a necklace or bracelet. Emergency medical information can also be made available on a person’s phone. This information can be helpful when identifying allergies or medical diagnoses that could explain a person’s condition or provide guidance for medical care.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09/01/2023
Greencastle, Indiana. Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) is pleased to offer free information and forms to all Putnam County adults wishing to choose a legal healthcare representative and complete other advance healthcare directives. The “My Advance Directives” folder is a deep blue color and full of important information, such as how to choose a healthcare representative, how to be a healthcare representative, and fact sheets about life prolonging treatments.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 07/10/2023
Greencastle, Indiana. All adults should have a legally designated healthcare representative to make healthcare 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 healthcare representative is an important step. However, equally important is sharing your thoughts and wishes with your healthcare representative, and sometimes it can feel uncomfortable introducing these conversations.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 07/10/2023
Greencastle, Indiana. As of January 1, 2023, any new advance healthcare directives should utilize the term “Healthcare Representative.” The terms “Healthcare Power of Attorney” or “Medical Power of Attorney” are no longer legally valid in Indiana. However, advance healthcare directive documents utilizing these terms and legally signed PRIOR TO January 1, 2023 will be grandfathered in and do NOT need to be redone.
It is still possible for a healthcare provider to “rely” on a Power of Attorney (POA) document signed on or after January 1 of this year as general evidence of the signer’s intent about whom should make healthcare decisions for the signer if the signer later lacks capacity. In this respect, although a 2023 POA will not confer healthcare decision-making authority on the named agent, a healthcare provider could give the document some weight under I.C. § 16-36-7-1(f).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 05/26/2023
Greencastle, Indiana. Some seriously ill and elderly persons have a difficult time identifying someone to be their healthcare 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,” said Elaine Peck, Director of the Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association. Peck stated 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.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/05/2023
A healthcare representative is a person chosen to make healthcare decisions, including end-of-life decisions, for someone else should that person become unable to make his or her own decisions due to an accident or illness.
As someone’s healthcare representative, the most important thing you can do is talk to that person about his/her wishes and get a copy of the person’s advance directive(s). The decisions that you - as healthcare representative - might make in the future must be based on what the other person would want, even if those wishes are different from what you would want for yourself. Ask yourself, “If the person were able to speak and to make a decision right now, what would he/she say?” If you do not know the patient’s wishes, you are responsible to make decisions you believe to be in the patient’s best interest.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/05/2023
Many people who are admitted to a hospital – including half of all people over age 65 - are unable to make decisions for themselves. Everyone aged 18 or older in all conditions of health should choose a healthcare representative and talk with him/her. Once you turn 18, your parent or legal guardian no longer automatically serves as your legal healthcare representative. A healthcare representative is the person you choose to make healthcare decisions for you if you should become unable to speak or make decisions for yourself due to an accident or illness.
You must legally identify your healthcare representative in an advance directive. If you do not do so, and become unable to make your own healthcare decisions, Indiana law decides who will make decisions for you. In this situation, your healthcare provider will try to contact someone to provide consent for your care, using a priority list defined in statute. Your health care decisions will be made by the first person your provider is able to contact.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 03/29/2023
Greencastle, Indiana. Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA), along with other national, state, and community organizations, is leading the effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making—an effort that is celebrated on April 16th - National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). As a participating organization, PCHCPA provides information and tools to help people talk about their wishes with loved ones and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives in accordance with Indiana state law. These resources are available at www.pchpca.org. Free local learning opportunities are announced below.
- Tuesday, April 4 – Noon to 1 PM. Free workshop. Choosing your healthcare representative and talking to them. Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church in the Colonnade Room. Register by 5 PM on April 2 at https://dusk-to-dawn.org/.
- Wednesday, April 12 - Noon – 1 PM. Free monthly Advance Healthcare Planning Learning Opportunity, via ZOOM. Register by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Call (765) 301-7614 for additional information.
Friday, April 14 - 10 AM to 3PM. Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Association welcomes the public in the Putnam County Hospital lobby with free information about advance healthcare planning and advance directive forms. Masks are required.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 03/24/2023
Greencastle, Indiana. Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association is gearing up for National Healthcare Decisions Day on April 16th, and in preparation, provides these terms that every adult should know.
- Advance Healthcare Planning (ACP)– Advance healthcare planning is a process for identifying wishes for future medical care should you become unable to make decisions for yourself due to an accident or illness. The critical tasks in advance healthcare planning are to identify a primary and secondary healthcare representative, and to talk with them about your healthcare wishes. Ideally, your wishes are legally documented, shared with your loved ones, recorded in your medical record, revisited periodically, and become more specific as your health changes.
Mission Statement: The Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) seeks to enhance the quality of life for the terminally ill, their loved ones, and caregivers, by educating the Putnam County community about the benefits of hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning.
Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (the “Association”) is pleased to release its 2022 annual report to the community, and reports that it accomplished a great deal in 2022 both for the community and to strengthen itself as an organization. Highlights of the year are provided below, and in-depth committee activities and accomplishments follow.
In addition to its ongoing programs and activities, 2022 highlights include the following:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 01-20-2023
Greencastle, Indiana. Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA), announces that in 2023, it will again be holding free advance healthcare planning (ACP) Lunch and Learn opportunities that will take place on the second Wednesday of each month from Noon to 1 PM via Zoom. This is the second year the PCHPCA has offered these opportunities to the community. PCHPCA Director, Elaine Peck, said that during 2022, attendance was small at sessions, which created the opportunity for very personalized learning and discussion. She hopes that more attendees will enjoy the opportunity to have their questions about advance healthcare planning answered while enjoying the comfort and convenience of meeting in their home or office.
The next Advance Healthcare Planning Lunch and Learn opportunity is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8 from noon to 1PM. Register by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 5 PM the night before the Lunch and Learn. A Zoom invitation and instructions to access the meeting will be emailed to you the morning of the session. Call 765.301.7614 for assistance and additional information.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
January is more than just the start of the New Year. It’s also National Blood Donor Month, an opportunity to recognize those across the country who regularly roll up their sleeves and help save lives. Without the generosity of those who give so selflessly, millions of patients each year would not have the blood they require for emergency needs or ongoing treatments.
According to ADRP, an International Division of America’s Blood Centers, only 3% of the U.S. population donates blood. This is not enough to consistently support the demand. Many communities experience severe blood shortages.
All of us are likely to know someone who will need blood. The ADRP reports that one in seven patients entering a hospital requires blood to be available. These patients range from trauma victims to persons battling sickle cell disease or who need an organ or bone marrow transplant. Cancer patients use 25 percent of all blood donations, and blood transfusions are needed in one out of every 83 newborn deliveries in America today. Every two seconds, someone in America needs a blood transfusion.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 01/01/2023
Greencastle, Indiana. Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) announces its 2023 board of directors. The all-volunteer Board of Directors has members representing healthcare, education, skilled nursing facilities, funeral homes, faith communities, communications, hospice providers, caregivers, emergency responders, and others committed to advancing the PCHPCA mission.
2023 officers are: Tammy Hunter, President; Kelly Russ, Vice President; Judi Purvis, Treasurer; Christina Wagner, Secretary.
2023 Board Members are: Amber Alexander, Jenny Charles, Marilyn Culler, Angie Davis, Matt Demmings, Shannon Detro, Crystal Fortner, Alice Greenburg, Tammy Keenan, Sue McCune, Meagan Montague, Brand Selvia, and Laury Wallace.
Elaine Peck is the Director.
Putnam County Hospital
1542 S. Bloomington Street
Greencastle, IN 46135
T: 765.301.7614
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
