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.   

Being a healthcare representative is not for everyone.  The representative may have to make tough, quick decisions on your behalf — including decisions about medical treatments, procedures, and even life support. Your representative does not need to be a medical expert, but he/she should be someone who can apply your general values to specific circumstances and make decisions that are consistent with your expressed wishes.

Ideally, your healthcare representative will have the following qualities: 

• Will talk with you now about sensitive issues and listen to your wishes.
• Lives close by or could travel to be at your side if needed.
• Able to communicate your wishes and handle conflicting opinions between family members, friends, and medical personnel.
• Able to make decisions on your behalf that are in line with your wishes and values and to separate his/her own feelings from yours.

Can be a strong advocate and comfortable asking questions of doctors and other busy providers and standing up for you and your wishes if necessary.

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.