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.

Being a good representative isn’t about being perfect — it is about doing the best you can. Sometimes it is not possible to follow all the person’s wishes:  maybe they said they want to be home, but it is not physically, financially, or safely possible to keep them there.  In that case, just do the best you can.

The toughest decisions may involve starting or stopping life-sustaining treatments.  These decisions are made even more difficult if the person has not provided any information about future healthcare preferences - especially if family members and/or healthcare providers do not all agree.  This is why we say completing an advance directive is truly a gift to your loved ones – a gift of peace of mind.  Research shows that the presence of advance directives reduces the likelihood that surviving loved ones will suffer from complicated grief. 

Your duties as a healthcare representative depend upon what the person’s advance directive says and upon state law.  Your duties begin when a doctor determines the person has lost the ability to make healthcare decisions on his or her own.  In general, you will have the same authority to obtain medical information and to make all decisions a patient would make for him or herself, if able.  This authority includes: discussing treatment options with the medical team; asking questions and getting explanations; requesting consultations and second opinions; authorizing a transfer to another physician or facility; and consenting to or refusing medical tests or treatments, including life-sustaining treatment.

This information is provided by Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association.   For more information visit www.pchpca.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

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 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.