FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/22/2020

Greencastle, Indiana. November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) and other programs across the country are reaching out to raise awareness. This year’s theme is “It’s about how you live,” a message that underscores the reality that hospice and palliative care are about how people choose to live with serious illness or during their final months.

Elaine Peck, Director of the Association said, “The challenge of a serious illness is to remain optimistic and realistic, both at the same time.” A person with a serious illness will have good days and bad days. But even a terminal diagnosis does not mean that days are filled with hopelessness.  Hope is always available. We just need to know how to look for it.

The Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association offers the following ideas to add more hope and life to your days:

• Enjoy simple pleasures such as glorious fall trees, a beautiful sunset, favorite music, yummy food, and laughing with friends.
• Strive for realistic goals. What’s on your “bucket list?” Is there anything that really stands out? It doesn’t have to be big or challenging - just meaningful. Perhaps it’s going to a loved one’s wedding or seeing a grandchild graduate. Maybe there’s a place you would like to revisit, a project you would like to complete, or a rift in a relationship you would like to mend. Having goals and doing things you enjoy provide a sense of purpose.
• Talk to the doctor about your goals and what might be feasible. It may be realistic to meet a goal if treatments are paced in a certain way or other modifications can be made.
• Get support from hospice. Some people mistakenly think hospice is about giving up hope. Not so! Hospice brings together a team of health professionals to help a patient achieve realistic goals. In many studies, the support of the hospice team not only improves quality of life, it actually seems to help people live longer.

Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) is a nonprofit, charitable organization that has joined national, state, and community efforts to increase the quality of the end-of-life experience for patients, loved ones, caregivers, and the healthcare community in Putnam County. PCHPCA is partially supported by The Putnam County Community Foundation and the Putnam County Hospital. For additional information, contact Elaine Peck, Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.pchpca.org.

Contact information:
M. Elaine Peck
Director, Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association
1542 South Bloomington Street
Greencastle, IN 46135
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.