National Home Health and Hospice Month: “Courageous Conversations”

November 1, 2023

National Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care Month: “Courageous Conversations” – Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health Advocates for Open Dialogue.

November is National Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care Month, and Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is joining the nationwide effort to raise awareness and promote “Courageous Conversations” about end-of-life care. This year’s theme emphasizes the importance of initiating open dialogues within your inner circle of friends, family, and care providers about your healthcare preferences and choices. These conversations can be a powerful way to ensure that your wishes are respected and honored.

In a world that often shies away from discussing topics related to mortality and end-of-life decisions, “Courageous Conversations” encourage individuals to break the silence and engage in meaningful discussions. Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health believes that starting these conversations is an act of love and compassion, benefiting both you and your loved ones in the long run.

Initiating such discussions can be daunting, but it is an essential step toward ensuring that your values and preferences are understood and respected. Here are some suggestions for starting “Courageous Conversations”:

“I know this isn’t a concern for us now, but I was thinking…” – This gentle approach allows you to express your thoughts without making it an immediate issue, giving your loved ones time to process and respond.
“Remember when our (name of friend or family member) was sick/in the hospital? I’m wondering what you would have wanted if it were you.” – Relating your question to a shared experience can help open the conversation and make it feel less intimidating.
Review and Update Advance Directives – Ensure your healthcare directives accurately reflect your current wishes and values. It’s crucial to keep these documents up-to-date, especially if there have been changes in your life circumstances or health status.
The 5 D’s: Recognize that certain life events, such as Divorce, Death, Diagnosis, Decline, or Decade (significant milestone birthdays), can trigger the need to revisit your healthcare decisions. Use these events as reminders to update your preferences and inform your loved ones.

Conversation Starter kit for Advance directives — Click Here To Download Guide

Having clarity about what is important to you in terms of your medical care can significantly ease the burden on those who may need to make decisions on your behalf. It provides them with the reassurance that they are acting in accordance with your wishes.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health offers support and guidance for those who want to initiate “Courageous Conversations” with their loved ones. Our team of healthcare professionals is available to provide information, resources, and advice on advance care planning and end-of-life decisions.

This National Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care Month, we encourage everyone to take the first step in having “Courageous Conversations” about their healthcare preferences. By doing so, we can ensure that each individual’s dignity and choices are respected, providing peace of mind for both patients and their families.

For questions about advance directives or hospice call 603-536-2232 or visit us at one of our Ask A Pemi-Baker Nurse drop in days at your local senior center. For days and times please check our website calendar.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is a trusted, nonprofit agency proudly serving 32 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.

November is Home Care & Hospice Month

November 4, 2022

More and more, people prefer to be cared for in the comfort and dignity of their own homes. Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health provides in-home medical services that are cost-effective and person-centered. November is a chance to recognize the dedication and innovation of providers of health care at home. It is an opportunity to acknowledge recipients of in-home care services, and celebrate that they are able to remain in the safety and comfort of their own homes while receiving quality care.

Home health, hospice & palliative care providers have always been important to vulnerable citizens in our communities. But now that importance is underscored by the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in public/facility settings. When given the option, patients want to receive care in their homes. We believe that desire is stronger today than it has ever been. Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is proud to support 29 communities in central and northern NH.

Home Health

Home Health provides skilled services, including nursing care, physical, occupational and speech therapy. Pemi-Baker will send a licensed professional to assess home health needs and develop a complete care plan. These services are usually short-term, as in the case of a person recovering from surgery or other health issues.

What are the costs and what is covered?
Medicare will cover home health if it is ordered by a physician and the person is homebound and in need of skilled services. Services are usually covered for a 30-day “episode of care.” However, if an individual is enrolled in a Medicare HMO, known as a Medicare Advantage Plan, services are authorized on a per-visit basis. Long-term care insurance and Medigap plans may also cover some costs of a home health aide.

Hospice Care

Hospice care brings together medical care, pain management and emotional and spiritual support for patients at the end of life and their families. The mission of hospice staff and volunteers is to address the symptoms of a terminal illness with the intent of promoting comfort and dignity. They are experts at pain management.

Hospice will manage your loved one’s pain, help you understand what he or she is going through and help you and other family members cope with your emotions. Many of us are at a loss as to what we should do before and at the time of death. Hospice professionals help you get through a very difficult time and are there even after your loved one’s death.

What are the costs and what is covered?

Medicare and Medicaid provide a hospice benefit that covers almost all of the costs of caring for a dying person during his or her last six months of life. To qualify for the Medicare hospice benefit, a person must have:

Medicare Part A
A life expectancy of less than six months
An agreement in writing that he or she will not pursue any treatments to cure his or her illness

The Medicare hospice benefit covers skilled nursing services, physician visits, skilled therapy (i.e. physical, speech or occupational), medical social services, nutrition counseling and bereavement counseling, most of the cost of prescription drugs for symptom control and pain relief. Short-term inpatient respite care to relieve family members from care-giving is also covered.

“I am proud to celebrate our staff who work tirelessly to provide exceptional care to our most vulnerable community members and to provide the opportunity for people to remain in their homes as long as they can,” said Pemi-Baker’s Executive Director, Danielle Paquette-Horne, RN. “I encourage everyone to learn more about their options of care and share their wishes with their family, loved ones, and health care professionals.”

For more information about how you can benefit from home health or hospice care in the home, please contact Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home health at 603-536-2232 or 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.

~written by Anna Swanson

Why We Love National Home Health & Hospice Month

November 11, 2021

National Home Care and Hospice Month in November is when we honor all professionals who work in the broad field of home care and hospice work – this includes physicians, nurses, LNAs, social workers, physical therapists, and so many more. Each requires a different skill-set and comes with its own emotional and physical demands. The professionals who perform these services are committed to helping patients live, as well as pass away with dignity. This month is for them.

Home Health Care Can Reduce Falls and Hospital Re-admissions

If you have had surgery or been hospitalized for a medical illness, you might have safety concerns at home, particularly the risk of falls. The truth is that falls with resulting injuries are quite common in hospitals, despite efforts to reduce them. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that an elderly or ill person is less likely to suffer a serious event at home compared to an acute care setting. Home care can also reduce the rate of hospital re-admission.

Home Health Care Provides a Medical Level of Care at Home

After hospitalization, most people prefer to heal at home. Similarly, the elderly prefer to stay home rather than go to a skilled nursing facility.

Home health care can provide a variety of benefits to support activities of daily living as well as 24/7 nursing care, disease management, ostomy and catheter management, surgical after care/wound care, medication management and care for high risk pregnancies, infants and children.

If the only thing keeping a patient in the hospital is the need for intravenous medications, there is good news: there is now a way to manage infusion therapy at home.

Home Health Care Can Provide Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

If you’ve had surgery and you’ll be needing physical or occupational therapy, you don’t have to go to a rehabilitation facility. Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health offer at-home therapy services. Another benefit that at-home therapy provides, is the opportunity to assess the safety and accessibility of the home environment. A therapist’s trained eyes can spot fall hazards or bathroom dangers and provide helpful preventive advice.

Hospice Provides Dignity for Many

Home care and hospice workers believe that those at the end of their lives deserve the right to pass peacefully and on their own terms. The elderly often far prefer to stay in the comfort of their homes, where they feel freer and are at less risk of contracting other illnesses. The existence of hospice makes this level of freedom available to many who otherwise would not have had it. Hospice care offers 24/7 clinical support, medication and pain management, assistance with daily living activities, medical supplies and equipment, volunteer support and companionship, social, spiritual and grief support from social workers and chaplains, for the whole family.

Hospice Month Gives us a Chance to Improve Caregivers’ Lives

These family members and/or professionals dedicate physical, emotional, and mental energy to each one of the individuals in their care, and often deal with the emotional fallout when the terminally ill take a turn for the worst or pass away. Pemi-Baker offers advice and support in the home to the families they are caring for and also offers a Caregiver Support group every first Wednesday of the month at 10:00am in person or via ZOOM.

Hospice Proves the Healing Power of the Home and Loved Ones

The elderly who wish to retain the freedom of staying in their home and ending their lives on their own terms experience true psychological benefits. Their comfortable surroundings allow them to end their lives with a sense of dignity, which is incredibly valuable. In fact, home care harkens back to older days, when tending to the terminally ill at home was the standard. There’s always the added benefit of being closer to their loved ones in their final days.

If you think you or your loved one would benefit from home health care, palliative care or hospice care we urge you to visit our website to learn more or call to speak directly to a professional who will guide you.

With over 50 years of experience, serving clients from 28 towns in central and northern New Hampshire, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is committed to creating healthier communities. Services include at-home healthcare (VNA), hospice and palliative care, and Community Programs including: American Red Cross CPR/AED/FA, Caregiver Support Groups and Grief and Bereavement Support Groups. Providing compassionate care with experienced staff who are trained, certified professionals in the business because of their hearts. 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: @PBCH4

~written by Anna Swanson