Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) is a nonprofit charitable organization that has joined national, state, and community efforts seeking to enhance the quality of life for terminally ill persons, their loved ones, and their caretakers, by providing education and resources about the benefits of hospice care, palliative care, and advance care planning.

The Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association does not charge for its services.  It relies on donations to support its work.  PCHPCA is partially supported by the Putnam County Community Foundation and the Putnam County Hospital.

• PCHPCA provides FREE educational opportunities, information, tools, and resources to the general public and to Putnam County healthcare providers and systems, and we are always seeking new ways to be of greater support.
• PCHPCA does NOT provide hospice or palliative care services.
• PCHPCA does NOT provide legal or medical advice or recommend particular companies or organizations.
  
  

Specifically, PCHPCA seeks to accomplish two things: 

• Increase utilization of hospice and palliative care in Putnam County. PCHPCA assists the general public, patients, loved ones, caregivers, and healthcare providers to understand and access hospice and palliative care.
• Increase advance care planning conversations in Putnam County.  PCHPCA assists the general public, patients, loved ones, caregivers, and healthcare providers to have meaningful conversations about values and preferences for health care in the event of a serious injury or illness. 

Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association seeks to enhance the quality of life for terminally ill persons, their loved ones, and caregivers by educating the Putnam County community about the benefits of hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning. 

OUR VISION

Every person’s end-of-life healthcare decisions are known, respected, and fulfilled.

OUR VALUES

1. Respect – We pledge to honor the worth and dignity of all people and treat them with fairness and courtesy.
2. Empathy – Empathy drives our commitment to serving others with compassion, respect, and dignity. 
3. Collaboration – We will achieve greater success by working with others. 
4. Innovation - We strive to have an open and curious mind about how best to accomplish our goals and search for better solutions.   
5. Purposeful - We act intentionally, keeping our goals in mind, and using data to guide our decisions.
6. Excellence - We strive for the highest standards and to excel in all areas of operation. 

•  High-quality healthcare is whole-person-centered and family-oriented, and includes mental, spiritual, social, and emotional care.
• Advance care planning conversations are important for all adults in all stages of life and health.
• Advance care planning conversations are an important part of routine, high-quality healthcare.
• Advance care planning is most effective when it is part of a coordinated effort that can be used across all healthcare settings by paramedics, in hospitals, and in residential care facilities.

The Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association originated as an initiative of The Putnam County Community Foundation. It was established in 2016 as a partnership between The Putnam County Community Foundation and the Putnam County Hospital. Funding is provided by the Putnam County Hospice Endowment created by former DePauw University professor, Mary Louise Miller, who passed away in 2007. The Endowment is administered by the Putnam County Community Foundation.

Our Principles

•  High-quality healthcare is whole-person-centered and family-oriented, and includes mental, spiritual, social, and emotional care.
• Advance care planning conversations are important for all adults in all stages of life and health.
• Advance care planning conversations are an important part of routine, high-quality healthcare.
• Advance care planning is most effective when it is part of a coordinated effort that can be used across all healthcare settings by paramedics, in hospitals, and in residential care facilities.

The Board of Directors is a dedicated group of volunteers representing healthcare providers, extended care facilities, funeral homes, the faith community, hospice providers, caregivers, and others committed to the PCHPCA mission. 

M. Elaine Peck, LCSW

Our Volunteers

Joni Perkins –
   Director of Nursing, Putnam County Hospital
Judi Purvis –
   Retired Clergy, United Methodist Church