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The hospice philosophy holds that end-of-life care should emphasize quality of life.
A nationwide Gallup survey conducted for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization produced five key outcomes:
- Nine out of 10 adults would prefer to be cared for at home rather than in a hos-pital or nursing home if diagnosed with a terminal illness. 96% of hospice care is provided in the patient’s home or a place they call home.
- When asked to name their greatest fear associated with death, respondents cited “being a burden to family and friends,” followed by “pain” and “lack of control.” Addressing the whole range of physical and psychological needs of the patient and his or her family in an interdisciplinary way is what makes hospice care so special.
- The vast majority of adults said that if they were terminally ill, they would be interested in the comprehensive program of care at home that hospice programs provide. Yet most Americans know little or nothing about their eligibility for or the availability of hospice care.
- 90% of adults believe it is the family’s responsibility to care for the dying. Hos-pice provides families with the support needed to keep their loved one at home, and can take over fully to give the care-giver short “respite” periods.
- Most adults believe it would take a year or more to adjust to the death of a loved one. Hospice programs offer one year of grief counseling for surviving family and friends.
My husband received hospice care while a patient at Mill Pond Health Care Campus. He had a cancer we didn't know about until it was too late, plus some other problems which made his life miserable. Hospice eased the pain and gave him a better quality of life - and added a couple of days to that life so he didn't die on his granddaughter’s birthday. THANK YOU HOSPICE!
Both of my parents had serious illnesses that put them into Intensive Care, and eventually led to their deaths. Having their advance directives in hand and in our memories saved my brother and I from having to ask each other, "What would Mom want?" "What would Dad want?" While their deaths still hurt, we knew that we had worked with the medical staff to give them the care that they wanted. I want other people to have the peace that we had.
Hospice care is for people who are nearing the end of life and is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance providers in Indiana. Unlike other medical care, the focus of hospice care isn't to cure the underlying disease. The goal is to support the highest quality of life possible for the patient and family for whatever time remains.
The services are provided by a team of health care professionals who maximize comfort for a person who is terminally ill by reducing pain and addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. To help families and caregivers, hospice care also provides counseling, respite care, and practical support. Bereavement support is also a central goal. Caregivers and other loved ones need support during and after the hospice process.
Who SHOULD CONSIDER hospice care? Hospice care is for a seriously ill person who is expected to have six months or less to live. Many people who receive hospice care have cancer, while others have heart disease, dementia, kidney disease, stroke, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Hospice care can be provided for as long as the person's doctor and hospice care team certify that the person’s condition remains life-limiting.
- Hospice supports the whole person and the family. In addition to managing the patient’s physical concerns, social, emotional, and spiritual factors are also addressed. Hospice helps families deal with the range of emotions that surround this difficult time, offering support from social workers and chaplains. After a loved one has passed, hospice offers the family bereavement and grief counseling and help with some of the after-death tasks that need to be completed.
- Hospice seeks to empower individuals and families by providing them with information so they know what to expect.
- Hospice offers a familiar environment. Hospice will come to the patient wherever he or she calls home.
- Hospice care prevents or reduces trips to the emergency room.
- Hospice care can free patients to have a time of personal growth, allowing them to get the most they can out of the time they have left
- Research indicates longer average survival rates in hospice. A 2015 review study reported hospice care might be associated with longer survival compared with “aggressive” care outside of a hospice, and that patients who received hospice care had greater satisfaction and superior symptom control compared with those who did not receive hospice care.
- Research indicates a better end-of-life experience. A 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Associationindicates a better end-of-life experience for cancer patients who died with the support of hospice as compared with a hospital's intensive care department.
- Families receiving hospice services report healthier grieving.
Dear Senior Odyssey Reader,
For many people in America today, the senior years are Golden Years. Low stress, peace of mind, freedom, and the time to enjoy life and engage in meaningful activities are just some of the many benefits of aging.
It can also be a time of reflection and acceptance that life will end, and that with information, communication, and planning, our inevitable deaths can be peaceful – even beautiful – and an inspiration and gift to those we leave behind.
Human beings rarely give thought to their own deaths until it is upon them. Sigmund Freud said that we are incapable of imagining our own deaths. Very truly, it is difficult. I joined the work of the Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association as Director in November 2019, because of my passion for helping people have a “good” death.
From Facebook:
City of Greencastle · October 22nd, 2020
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month in the City of Greencastle, recognizing the impact of compassionate end of life care. We hope you pause to read this proclamation and honor the service of the talented professionals who work in this field.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09/01/2020
Greencastle, Indiana – Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) announces that World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is Saturday, October 10, 2020. This year’s public theme is “Palliative Care: it’s My Care, My Comfort.”
In preparation for the day, PCHPCA is asking people who have been impacted by a life-limiting illness – either personally or by supporting a loved one – to consider contacting the Association at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to share their experiences. With permission, these stories will be shared via social and other media to help educate the public.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09/01/2020
Greencastle, Indiana – Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) supports increased access to palliative care in Putnam County. Palliative care provides holistic support for persons living with serious illness and their families.
Palliative care is not hospice care; it is not time limited and does not require a 6-month or less terminal prognosis. In addition, palliative care does not replace the patient’s primary treatment. Palliative care can begin at diagnosis along with medical treatments focused on curing the disease. Services are performed in collaboration with the primary care physician and specialists through consultative services or co-management of the patient’s disease process. Services focus on pain, stress, and symptom management, help navigating treatment options, advance care planning, and referrals to community resources.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 08/01/2020
Greencastle, Indiana – Following its mission of improving quality of life at the end of life, Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) continues to raise awareness of the benefits of receiving hospice care. Released on August 17, 2020 the latest edition of the Facts and Figures Report prepared by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reports that roughly 40% of hospice beneficiaries were served fourteen days or less before dying.
Elaine Peck, Director of the Association, stated that delaying hospice care reduces the benefits that patients and family members could experience during the difficult end-of life period. “Hospice provides a great deal of support to patients and their loved ones,” said Peck. “Services such as home-based medical care, respite care, education, assistance with feeding and bathing, medications, durable equipment such as hospital beds, and supplies such as disposable undergarments can be a god-send.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 07/03/2020
Greencastle, Indiana. Following its mission of improving quality of life at end of life, Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) continues to raise awareness of the importance of receiving hospice care. PCHPCA is pleased to note that according to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare, for the last few years, more people in Putnam County are receiving the benefits of hospice before they die.
Why is this good news? Julianne Miranda, Secretary of PCHPCA and Bereavement Coach stated, “Research clearly shows the benefit of hospice. Persons receiving this compassionate care often survive longer and the support the family receives is essential at this difficult time.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 07/02/2020
Greencastle, Indiana. National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) is usually on April 16th, the day after tax returns are due. However, since the income tax filing deadline was postponed this year until July 15, NHDD was also postponed to July 16. The date was inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s quip that “nothing in life is certain but death and taxes.”
NHDD exists to educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning and completing advance directives such as a healthcare representative and a living will. Tammy Hunter, board member of the Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) commented, “It is important for all adults in all stages of life and health to discuss and document their healthcare wishes in case they suffer an accident or medical event and cannot speak for themselves.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 07/02/2020
Greencastle, Indiana. Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) announced the launching of its refreshed website, www.pchpca.org. The website features expanded information on hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning designed for the general public, healthcare professionals, and trusted advisors.
“We are excited about the tools and resources provided in the updated website,” said Elaine Peck, Director of PCHPCA. “Our goals were to offer a user-friendly, mobile-friendly, search friendly, one-stop shop for all issues related to improving the end-of-life experience for patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in Putnam County. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and questions.”
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 765.301.7614.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Human beings struggle with change. Communal rituals help us frame the changes we are going through and provide opportunities for insight that can help us have a smoother transition and gain support from our family, friends, and community. Coping with death is one of the most difficult of life’s milestones to navigate.
Due to social distancing and quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic, we see the sudden development of being unable to join together in person for funerals, memorial services, wakes, calling hours, sitting Shiva, etc. When a death occurs due to COVID-19, family members have often been denied the opportunity to be with their loved one at the time of death. Rituals that have sustained us in our respective cultures for thousands of years have been eliminated in a matter of weeks.
Greencastle, Indiana. COVID-19 has caused healthcare facilities and hospice providers to at least temporarily change their care practices. There are new limits on who can care for patients. New ways to care for patients. New ways to help families say goodbye. New ways to help people grieve. Lisa Miller, President of the Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association, stated, “It is important for people to understand this new reality as they cope with serious illnesses.”
The hospice care tradition is to surround a dying patient with loving visitors and professionals, and to focus on pain management, comfort, and peace at the end of life. Hospice is meant to address not only physical care, but also the substantial emotional, social, and spiritual needs that arise as death approaches.
Hospice providers must now minimize visitations and utilize masks and gloves and other personal protection equipment. Visits to patients in long-term care facilities, where about a third of hospice patients reside, are limited. Before COVID-19, a team of professionals would see patients in nursing homes. Now, only nurses may visit, and the frequency of in-person visits are limited. Social work, chaplaincy, and other services are provided by phone. Visits by nurses to hospice patients in the home have also been limited and are augmented with phone and virtual contacts.
Greencastle, Indiana. The Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association reminds everyone that for many, social distancing has created some space and time that could wisely be used to have advance healthcare planning conversations and develop advance care directives. Information and forms can be found on the Indiana State Department of Health Advance Directives Resource Center at www.isdh.gov.
Everyone 18 years of age and older should have an up-to-date healthcare representative, which identifies a person you choose to receive healthcare information and make healthcare decisions for you if you become unable to do so. It is recommended that you consider choosing a secondary healthcare representative in case your primary representative is unable to serve. If you have a healthcare representative directive, review it today and be sure it is up-to-date. If you don’t have one, choose a healthcare representative and talk with that person about your values and wishes.
Greencastle, Indiana. Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) announced 2020 National Healthcare Decisions Day on April 16th. The theme is “Speaking Up for Your Care”. If you became seriously ill, would the people who matter most to you really know what matters to you?
“Speaking Up for Your Care,” continues the Association’s work to increase discussions about advanced care planning in Putnam County. A growing number of residents are having conversations clarifying what they would want most. Speaking up about the kind of care we want also means telling those closest to us what we’d want if we couldn’t make decisions for ourselves. When we share our values, preferences and wishes with our doctors and loved ones, we’re part of the team that helps us get the right care for us. We have a right to have a say in our care.
Greencastle, Indiana. The Board of the Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) announced that it will offer free Advanced Care Planning (ACP) Facilitator training for practitioners in Putnam County. The training includes completion of online education modules as well as an in-person day of education. Continuing education credits will be offered for various professions. The in-person portion of the training will be held on September 30, 2020 at the Putnam County Hospital. Space is limited, and PCHPCA will be accepting applications to attend the training.
“Advance care planning is important for all adults at all stages of life and health and is an important part of routine, high-quality healthcare,” said Elaine Peck, Director of PCHPCA. Peck stated that the Advance Care Planning (ACP) Facilitator is a growing role in healthcare. ACP Facilitators are instrumental in helping individuals and their loved ones become more engaged in person-centered healthcare decision-making. When integrated into the primary care or community setting early in the course of healthcare, ACP discussions help normalize the concept of planning.
Greencastle, Indiana. Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) announced its 2020 board of directors. The all-volunteer Board of Directors has members representing health care providers, extended care facilities, funeral homes, the faith community, hospice providers, caregivers, and others committed to the PCHPCA mission.
2020 officers are: Lisa Miller, President; Charity Pankratz, Vice-President; J Miranda, Secretary; and John Savage, Treasurer. 2020 board members are: Robert Allen, Jinsie Bingham, Paul Champion, Tasheena Duncan, Susan Gick, Tammy Hunter, Jared Jernagan, Lana Nascimbene, Brand Selvia, Jeannie Stinson-McLean, and Jacob Whitaker. Elaine Peck joined the PCHPCA as Director in November 2019.
Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA), along with other national, state and community organizations, are leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making—an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). As a participating organization, PCHCPA is providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives (healthcare representative and living will) in accordance with Indiana state laws. These resources are available at pchpca.org
On April 15th the public is invited to National Healthcare Decisions Day Brown Bag Lunch and Learn at Putnam County Hospital from 12 noon to 1pm in the 3rd floor classrooms. On April 16, from 10 to 4, Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Association, is welcoming the public throughout the day at Putnam County Hospital with free information about advance care planning and advance directive forms.
Often opportunities to plan ahead are put aside with the intent that time will always be available tomorrow. Unfortunately, tomorrow may have its own agenda and not the one you planned. A sudden medical event or a chronic debilitating condition can take away your freedom to make future health care decisions. That is why taking action today is so important. April 16th was National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day that exists to remind everyone about the importance of taking time to think about and share your medical care and treatment preferences should you be unable to speak for yourself. Engaging in the process of Advance Care Planning is the opportunity that influences the end-of-life medical care and treatment decisions that affect you. Taking the time to exercise your freedom to choose what end-of-life care and treatment decisions you desire will relieve this burden from your loved ones. In addition, the medical team assigned to your care and treatment will be more prepared to meet your expectations. We encourage you to plan ahead and exercise your freedom to voice your healthcare decisions while you are still able to speak for yourself. For more information visit our website, www.pchpca.org.
Thank you,
Joni Perkins, DON @PCH
Danielle Franklin, RN
Sharon Nicoson, MSN, ACNP
John Savage, MD
Tammy Hunter
Professional Education Committee
Putnam County Hospice & Palliative Care Association
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.
