Providing compassionate in-home and out-patient care in Plymouth, NH

FREE Advance Directive Workshops in April

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health Empowers Individuals to Make Informed Healthcare Decision by Offering FREE Workshops at Local Senior Centers in April

National Healthcare Decision Day is an annual event that takes place on April 16th to encourage individuals to make decisions about their healthcare in advance of a medical crisis. This day aims to empower patients to make informed decisions about their care, reduce confusion and stress for families, and ultimately improve the quality of healthcare for everyone.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of making healthcare decisions in advance. Many people have had to make critical decisions about their health and the health of their loved ones in a matter of minutes or hours. The stress and confusion of these situations can be overwhelming, making it difficult to make informed decisions that align with an individual’s values and wishes. Advance Care Planning at Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health, Plymouth, NH

National Healthcare Decision Day provides an opportunity for individuals to take control of their healthcare decisions before a medical crisis occurs. This day reminds us all of the importance of discussing our healthcare wishes with our loved ones, healthcare providers, and designated agents. This open dialogue can help ensure that our healthcare choices are respected and followed in the event we cannot speak for ourselves.

The theme for this year’s National Healthcare Decision Day is “Planning for your Future: It’s Always Too Early Until It’s Too Late.” We urge everyone to take the time to consider their health care wishes and make plans for the future. This can involve completing an advance directive, naming a healthcare agent, and discussing these decisions with family and loved ones.

Pemi-Baker is offering three Advance Directive workshops during the month of April, collaborating with the Grafton Senior Citizens Council:

  • April 5th, 10-11:00am: Orford Senior Center (603-353-9107)
  • April 12th, 10:30-11:30am: Lin-Wood Area Senior Services (603-745-7446)
  • April 19th, 10:30-11:30am: Plymouth Regional Senior Center (603-536-1204)

These group workshops are free. Our Pemi-Baker social worker will be a neutral guide helping you reflect on and identify the values, beliefs and goals that shape the way you make health care decisions. Advance Directive forms will be available for use and we ask that you pre-register by phone, before the event, using phone numbers listed above.

For more information on Advance Directive Forms please visit our website: www.pbhha.org

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is a trusted, nonprofit agency proudly serving 29 towns in central and northern NH since 1967. Expert services include at-home healthcare and physical therapies (VNA), hospice and palliative care, and community programs including: American Red Cross CPR/AED/FA, Caregiver and Bereavement Support Groups and ‘Ask A Pemi-Baker Nurse’ days at your local senior centers. Providing compassionate care with experienced staff who are trained, certified professionals and also your neighbors.  In your time of need, we’re right where you need us.

Pemi-Baker is located at 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, Plymouth, NH. To contact us please call: 603-536-2232 or email: info@pbhha.org  Like our Facebook Page: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

~Written by Anna Swanson

Advance Care Planning-An important home health service you shouldn’t overlook

FREE Zoom Workshops to help you ‘FILL OUT YOUR FORMS’, hosted by Pemi-Baker Community Health, in Plymouth, NH.

Have you wondered how to talk to your loved ones about what medical care you would or wouldn’t want in a medical crisis?  Does your health care provider want you to have these conversations and fill out your end of life wishes?  Would your wishes change if it was COVID-19 related?  Pemi-Baker Community Health can help with all your advance care planning needs.

Advance care planning (ACP) is a process of understanding, reflecting on and discussing your experiences, values and beliefs in an effort to identify how you want to live if faced with a serious or life-limiting illness. It may include identifying the care you would want at the end of your life or the care you would want if you were too injured or ill to speak.

Download a Conversation Starter Guide

It is also important to choose someone to speak on your behalf if you are unable to make your own decisions, and take comfort in knowing that person will convey your wishes. This person is called a Health Care Proxy, in NH it is termed Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare.  It could be your partner, a sibling or a close friend.

Download a Guide to Choosing a Health Care Proxy/Durable Power of Attorney

Once you decide what care you want and who to help voice your opinions, you will be ready to complete an ACP document, often referred to as an advance directive. This is the legal form from your state that puts your wishes on paper and legalizes them with witness signatures. When this form is complete, you will want to give it to and communicate your wishes to your family, friends, clergy, other advisors, physicians and other health care professionals to help ensure that your wishes are honored.

Download the New Hampshire Advance Directive

Take time to plan ahead now so future healthcare challenges don’t create difficult questions and unnecessary worry for family caregivers and decision makers. Pemi-Baker Community Health offers free monthly Zoom workshops to help you ‘FILL OUT YOUR FORMS’. Download the advance directive form from our website, poor a cup of coffee and join us for a group Zoom meeting to walk you through the form and answer any questions you might have.

Couple attending zoom workshop
Couple filling out advance directive forms with help from zoom workshop

Pemi-Baker’s Social Workers will be neutral guides helping you reflect on and identify the values, beliefs and goals that shape the way you make health care decisions.  As experienced facilitators, they will explain how important sharing this information is to others so that decisions can be made for you if you ever cannot speak for yourself.

 

~written by Anna Swanson

The Rewards of Being a Hospice Volunteer

While I was familiar with Hospice for many years, I only have been a hospice volunteer with Pemi Baker Hospice and Home Health (PBHHH) since October 2021.  When I retired, I began searching for volunteer work that would allow me to give back to my community.  A newsletter from PBHHH arrived in my email announcing training for hospice volunteers.  My family had experienced the need for hospice twice, once in Ohio and again in Florida.  The relief my family and I felt when the hospice volunteers arrived was beyond measure.  I want to bring the same kind of assistance to others.  PBHHH given me that opportunity by providing professional training with knowledgeable nurses, doctors, social workers and other health care professionals.  Their guidance has enabled me to meet the challenges of being s hospice volunteer, and I am very glad that I did it.

Connie C.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health
2022-06-27T12:20:25-04:00

Connie C.

While I was familiar with Hospice for many years, I only have been a hospice volunteer with Pemi Baker Hospice and Home Health (PBHHH) since October 2021.  When I retired, I began searching for volunteer work that would allow me to give back to my community.  A newsletter from PBHHH arrived in my email announcing training for hospice volunteers.  My family had experienced the need for hospice twice, once in Ohio and again in Florida.  The relief my family and I felt when the hospice volunteers arrived was beyond measure.  I want to bring the same kind of assistance to others.  PBHHH given me that opportunity by providing professional training with knowledgeable nurses, doctors, social workers and other health care professionals.  Their guidance has enabled me to meet the challenges of being s hospice volunteer, and I am very glad that I did it.

You give of yourselves day & night without end!

To the Pemi-Baker Hospice Team--Words really can't express my feelings-

Your help during one of the most difficult times of my life is SO appreciated.  I'm so grateful that because of you, Doug was able to get his wish not to spend the last of his days in a hospital, but at home with those of us who loved him.

And to be constantly reassured that if I needed anything you would be there-oh my gosh-ANYTIME!  Well, you people need to know how much you are appreciated.  You give of yourselves day & night without end!  God Bless you and thank you!

Pam O.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health
2020-06-11T07:31:14-04:00

Pam O.

To the Pemi-Baker Hospice Team--Words really can't express my feelings- Your help during one of the most difficult times of my life is SO appreciated.  I'm so grateful that because of you, Doug was able to get his wish not to spend the last of his days in a hospital, but at home with those of us who loved him. And to be constantly reassured that if I needed anything you would be there-oh my gosh-ANYTIME!  Well, you people need to know how much you are appreciated.  You give of yourselves day & night without end!  God Bless you and thank you!

“My home physical therapy was fantastic.”

Pemi-Baker provided very good home therapy. All their therapists were pleasant, helpful in offering suggestions for better functioning after surgery, and practiced good health protocols. They were also very prompt in showing up for scheduled appointments.

Elizabeth B.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health
2019-11-07T12:26:12-05:00

Elizabeth B.

Pemi-Baker provided very good home therapy. All their therapists were pleasant, helpful in offering suggestions for better functioning after surgery, and practiced good health protocols. They were also very prompt in showing up for scheduled appointments.

“Your generosity with your time and your loving care is appreciated more than you know.”

Thank you to everyone who played a role in taking care of my mother and giving her the freedom of remaining home while suffering from dementia. Your generosity with your time and your loving care is appreciated more than you know. A special thanks goes to Macayla and Colleen, who visited her on a regular basis, and to Lauren who was helpful in connecting us with state services.

Terry W.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health
2020-01-17T12:43:19-05:00

Terry W.

Thank you to everyone who played a role in taking care of my mother and giving her the freedom of remaining home while suffering from dementia. Your generosity with your time and your loving care is appreciated more than you know. A special thanks goes to Macayla and Colleen, who visited her on a regular basis, and to Lauren who was helpful in connecting us with state services.

“Everyone is so understanding supportive and kind.”

From the director to the nurses to the health care workers.  So cheerful, helpful and accommodating.  This is our second time receiving assistance from Pemi-Baker and we are very lucky to have found this amazing group!  Thank you for your excellent care and compassion.

Leila L.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health
2020-01-17T13:19:24-05:00

Leila L.

From the director to the nurses to the health care workers.  So cheerful, helpful and accommodating.  This is our second time receiving assistance from Pemi-Baker and we are very lucky to have found this amazing group!  Thank you for your excellent care and compassion.

“Pemi-Baker Hospice services provided kind, professional, competent services every step of the way-and even vaccinated us all for Covid/19!””

Our primary nurse, Fred, was outstanding, and others who filled in (Cathy, Penny, Colleen) were wonderful and a credit to your organization. Fred, you were amazing, not only for mom but for my husband and I as well. I will forever be grateful for your support, wisdom, humor and kindness, all along the end of life journey for mom. I am so deeply thankful that circumstances conspired such that mom was able to die at home, and your role made that time as seamless as it could be made.

Paula W.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health
2020-01-17T12:31:13-05:00

Paula W.

Our primary nurse, Fred, was outstanding, and others who filled in (Cathy, Penny, Colleen) were wonderful and a credit to your organization. Fred, you were amazing, not only for mom but for my husband and I as well. I will forever be grateful for your support, wisdom, humor and kindness, all along the end of life journey for mom. I am so deeply thankful that circumstances conspired such that mom was able to die at home, and your role made that time as seamless as it could be made.

Your courage during Covid-19 does not go unnoticed

Hello. We just wanted to take a moment and let you know how much we truly appreciate all that you do for us in these trying times. You're commitment to the health of our community is a special thing, and we know that you are working under stressful conditions due to the Covid 19 crisis. We realize that in order for you to treat those who may be ill, you are putting you're own lives and even you're own families lives in danger, and that is truly a courageous and honorable thing to do. We want you to know that it does not go unnoticed. Thank you all for all that you do!

Bryan and Renee C., and our mom Joan

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health
2020-06-11T06:27:43-04:00

Bryan and Renee C., and our mom Joan

Hello. We just wanted to take a moment and let you know how much we truly appreciate all that you do for us in these trying times. You're commitment to the health of our community is a special thing, and we know that you are working under stressful conditions due to the Covid 19 crisis. We realize that in order for you to treat those who may be ill, you are putting you're own lives and even you're own families lives in danger, and that is truly a courageous and honorable thing to do. We want you to know that it does not go unnoticed. Thank you all for all that you do!
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