FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/05/2022
Greencastle, Indiana.
In 2021, Indiana legislators passed a new law simplifying Indiana’s legal advance healthcare directives.  Advance healthcare directives state a person’s appointment of one or more healthcare representatives and also a person’s medical treatment preferences for future care in various situations.  They are completed in “advance,” while a person is mentally competent, and may be changed at any time by the person, either verbally or in writing.  Advance directives do not become active or enforceable unless a doctor determines that the person is unable to communicate his or her own decisions.  Adults of all ages and health conditions should complete and share their advance directives with loved ones and healthcare providers.

Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association shares important information about the impact of the new law below. For additional information, call (765) 301-7614 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

• Advance directives completed in accordance with prior Indiana law are grandfathered in and DO NOT need to be changed, re-signed, or updated to remain legally binding.
• Advance directives completed in accordance with prior Indiana law until the end of this year, December 31, 2022, are grandfathered in and remain legally binding.
• Effective January 1, 2023, required signatures on newly completed advance directive forms are as follows: The person (or “declarant”) who is creating the advance directive must sign the document in the “presence” of either two (2) adult witnesses (who are not the healthcare representative) OR a notarial officer (notary public).
• The new law allows for another adult (not the healthcare representative and not the witnesses) to sign the document if the person is physically unable to sign. The new law also allows for electronic and remote signing of documents if in-person signing is impracticable.
• Moving forward, the new law combines the roles of healthcare representative and healthcare power of attorney into one role: the healthcare representative. The healthcare representative in Indiana has many powers and duties, unless specifically limited by the advance directive.
• The new law gives a great deal of flexibility to the creation of advance directives. There are no legally required forms or specific language that must be used for legally binding advance directives in Indiana.

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.   PCHPCA is a nonprofit, public charity, and 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 email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or visit www.pchpca.org.