The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened public awareness of the need for advance directives. One of the most important things to do while you are healthy is to let your loved ones know what your health care wishes are. Having these conversations provides you and your loved ones with peace of mind.

Honoring Choices Indiana® – North Central (HCI-NC) was created to help with those sometimes-difficult conversations. The organization, whose mission is to proactively engage adults in north central Indiana in conversations with their loved ones and medical caregivers about their goals for quality of life and advance care planning, educates facilitators about how to assist with this process. Facilitations can take place in person (with masks and socially distanced) or digitally via videoconference or FaceTime.

Having conversations about serious healthcare issues is tough, particularly during a pandemic when every aspect of healthcare provision has been impacted. But the alternative can be even tougher. Even without the added stress of COVID-19, asking loved ones to make decisions about care choices is difficult. HCI-NC’s certified facilitators engage loved ones in people-centered conversations that result in informed healthcare decisions. These decisions can be documented in advance directives which will guide care if you are unable to speak for yourself.

In addition, HCI-NC provides education about advance directives, tools and resources to assist with the process. The partners that comprise HCI-NC include area hospitals, health systems, community groups, employers, educators, social service organizations and faith communities – as well as Center for Hospice Care and the Hospice Foundation (CHC/HF). By assisting with conversations and documentation of advance directives, these organizations hope to achieve their vision that everyone in north central Indiana receives care that honors their personal values and goals in catastrophic or end-of-life care.

“Honoring Choices Indiana – North Central stands ready to make community presentations and facilitate conversations with individuals and families to help educate people on end-of-life choices, explore their personal goals for end-of-life care and assist them with completing the proper documents to help ensure their wishes are followed – all free of charge,” said Dr. Mark Sandock, who heads the organization’s steering committee and was instrumental in pulling together the community consortium that brought HCI-NC into existence.

To schedule a facilitation or presentation, contact Steve Chupp, Honoring Choices coordinator at ChuppS@hci-nc.org or call 574.243.2058. You can also visit www.hci-nc.org to learn more about advance directives and Honoring Choices® Indiana – North Central.