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

Highlighting Support for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health Highlights Support for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

In recognition of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health emphasizes the importance of compassionate care for those living with cervical cancer. Through our Home Health team, we offer specialized palliative care to help patients find relief from symptoms, manage emotions, coordinate care, and navigate complex decisions. For those at the end of life, our hospice care provides a peaceful, supportive environment for patients and families.Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health nurse with cervical cancer patient, Plymouth, NH

Palliative care focuses on relieving the symptoms and stress of serious illnesses, improving the quality of life for both patients and their families. This care is provided by a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, and other professionals who collaborate with your existing healthcare providers. Whether you are undergoing treatment or managing long-term effects, palliative care can offer a crucial layer of support tailored to your needs.

“Hearing a diagnosis of cervical cancer can feel overwhelming,” said Aubrey Engle, RN, Executive Director, at Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health. “Our Home Health team is here to help you and your family find comfort and clarity, addressing physical symptoms, emotional well-being, and practical needs.”

When to Consider Home Health Palliative Care or Hospice

Palliative care through Pemi-Baker’s Home Health team is appropriate at any age and any stage of cervical cancer. Whether you are newly diagnosed, in the middle of treatment, or living with long-term side effects, this specialized care focuses on improving your comfort and well-being.

Services provided by our team include:

  • Relief from physical symptoms like pain, nausea, and fatigue.
  • Emotional and psychological support to address stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • Assistance in understanding treatment options and making informed decisions.
  • Seamless coordination between healthcare providers for comprehensive care.

For those reaching the final stages of their journey, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health also offers hospice care, focusing on ensuring comfort, dignity, and peace for patients and their families. Our hospice care team provides compassionate end-of-life care, supporting loved ones every step of the way.

How to Access Care

If you or a loved one are living with cervical cancer, talk to your doctor about a referral to palliative care through Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health. “Our team works hand-in-hand with your primary healthcare providers to deliver personalized care plans,” said Engle. “Palliative and hospice care ensure you feel supported and empowered, no matter where you are in your journey.”

If you or a loved one are living with cervical cancer, ask your doctor about a referral to home health or hospice care. To qualify for home health care, a person must have a physician’s order and demonstrate a need for skilled care that can be safely provided at home. Our focus is on providing comfort to patients and support to families, with our team available 24/7 to address any concerns. The call is free, and our professionals are ready to assist you! Call us today at 603-536-2232 to learn more.

Palliative Care for Heart Failure Patients

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health Supports Heart Health Month with Palliative Care for Heart Failure Patients

As February marks National Heart Health Month, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is proud to highlight its palliative care services tailored to support individuals living with heart failure. Heart failure is a challenging condition that profoundly affects the quality of life for patients and their families. With our specialized palliative care, individuals can find relief from symptoms and improve their overall well-being. Palliative care consultation in the home with Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health, Plymouth, NH
Living with heart failure can be an uphill battle, often characterized by breathlessness, anxiety, fatigue, and discomfort due to swelling in the extremities. These symptoms can significantly limit one’s ability to engage in daily activities and diminish the enjoyment of life’s pleasures. Recognizing these challenges, our palliative care team steps in to provide comprehensive support and alleviate distress.
Palliative care, pronounced “pal-lee-uh-tiv,” is a specialized form of medical care designed to address the symptoms and stresses associated with serious illnesses such as heart failure. Our multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and specialists collaborates closely with patients’ existing healthcare providers to offer an additional layer of support. Regardless of age or stage of illness, palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for both patients and their families.
Heart failure presents a range of unpredictable symptoms, from fluid retention and breathing difficulties to pain and anxiety. Our expert palliative care team is adept at managing these symptoms and helping patients navigate the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis. Whether it’s providing strategies to improve breathing or offering techniques to reduce anxiety, our team is dedicated to empowering patients with the tools they need to cope effectively.
Beyond symptom management, our palliative care professionals serve as guides, assisting patients and their loved ones in navigating the complexities of the healthcare system. From facilitating discussions about treatment options to ensuring effective communication among healthcare providers, we strive to help patients make informed decisions about their care.
As we observe National Heart Health Month, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health reaffirms its commitment to providing compassionate palliative care for individuals living with heart failure. Through our tailored services, we aim to alleviate suffering, enhance comfort, and promote dignity for patients and their families throughout their journey.
For more information about our palliative care services for heart failure patients, please visit www.pbhha.org or contact 603-536-2232.

Seeking Palliative Care and Hospice Care Early: Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health Emphasizes the Importance of Timely Support

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health, a leading provider of compassionate healthcare services, is urging individuals and their families to consider seeking palliative care and hospice care at the earliest stages of a serious illness diagnosis. By doing so, patients can experience improved quality of life, better pain management, and emotional support while relieving the burden on families and caregivers.Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health Nurse visiting Hospice patient and family, Plymouth NH

Recognizing the pivotal role of early intervention in enhancing patients’ well-being, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is committed to raising awareness about the benefits of seeking these services well before the stage when death is imminent. Often, patients and families are under the misconception that hospice care is only meant for end-of-life situations. However, integrating palliative care and hospice care early in the care continuum can lead to holistic care and optimal outcomes.

Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of serious illnesses, with the aim of improving the patient’s overall quality of life. Hospice care, on the other hand, is a specialized form of care provided to individuals with a life-limiting illness when curative treatments are no longer effective. It prioritizes comfort and emotional support, enabling patients to spend their remaining time in a comfortable and dignified manner.

“Timely access to palliative and hospice care can significantly enhance the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of patients,” stated Dr. Kristi Saunders, Hospice Medical Director at Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health. “By initiating these services early, we can create a care plan that addresses not only the medical needs, but just as important if not more, the emotional and spiritual dimensions of the patient’s journey.”

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health’s team of experienced professionals is dedicated to guiding patients and their families through this challenging phase. Through personalized consultations, they assess the patient’s needs and preferences, allowing them to tailor a comprehensive care plan that aligns with the patient’s goals and values.

The benefits of early palliative and hospice care include:

  1. Enhanced Quality of Life: By managing symptoms and providing emotional support, patients can continue to engage in activities that bring them joy, maintaining a sense of purpose.
  2. Reduced Hospitalizations: Early intervention can help prevent crises and hospitalizations, reducing stress on both patients and families.
  3. Effective Symptom Management: Expert pain and symptom management contribute to a more comfortable and dignified experience for the patient.
  4. Emotional Support: Patients and families receive counseling and emotional support to navigate the challenges of a serious illness.
  5. Informed Decision-Making: Early involvement of palliative and hospice care specialists allows for informed decisions about treatments and interventions that align with the patient’s wishes.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health welcomes individuals and families to learn more about their services through their website, www.pbhha.org, or by calling 603-536-2232 to arrange a free consultation. The organization emphasizes that seeking palliative care and hospice care early is a proactive step towards ensuring the best possible quality of life during a challenging time.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is a trusted, nonprofit agency proudly serving 32 towns in Belknap and Grafton counties 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

Top 5 Misconceptions Regarding Hospice Care

There are many misconceptions around hospice care that often keep patients and caregivers from seeking it out when it could be of benefit and provide much-needed comfort to loved ones in their last days. Here are some of the top misconceptions patients and caregivers have:

Misconception 1: Hospice care is a death sentence.  Because it often comes at the end of life, it is a popular belief that hospice care means death is imminent. This can certainly be the case if hospice care is delayed until the very end, but waiting until the last minute is not an ideal situation for the patient or the hospice provider. The Medicare benefit has structured hospice benefits for the last six months of life. Patients may remain in hospice care longer if their illness continues to run its course and there is no cure.

Misconception 2: Hospice care means giving up.  Hospice care does mean giving up active treatment for your disease. This choice is made because treatments no longer work or the side effects of treatment are worse than the disease itself. However, hospice never gives up hope for the patient; hope just takes a different form. It might not be hope for a long life but hope for another year, or to make it to an event or milestone. End-of-life care focuses on making the remainder of one’s life as fulfilling as possible. Patients can still travel, enjoy family reunions and celebrate life events.

Misconception 3: Hospice care is expensive.  Medicare pays for hospice, and most insurances will have hospice benefits. Hospice covers medications, durable medical equipment and medical supplies related to terminal illnesses. This is a substantial help to families. For more information on what’s covered by Medicare, visit https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care

Misconception 4: Hospice care ends with the passing of the patient.  Hospice continues to follow the bereaved family for 13 months beyond the life of the patient, understanding that those “left behind” continue to need support, people to confide in and sometimes just notes to say someone is there for them if they need to talk. Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health offers in-person and on line grief support groups and individual support with their chaplains, Guy Tillson and Salvatore Ippolito.

Misconception 5: Hospice care means 24-hour care.  It is important to know that hospice care does not mean somebody is there with your loved one all hours of the day. Our nurse, chaplain or social worker will visit according to your needs and preferences; the visit times and days are flexible. The bulk of hands-on care is provided by family or private caregivers throughout a patient’s time in hospice. Our hospice team will teach caregivers how to give medications, address symptom management and deliver the correct care.

I have questions, when should I reach out to get them answered? 

If you have questions about the stage of your loved one’s illness, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health will meet with you in-person or via a phone call to answer your questions. It’s never too early to start asking. It is best to reach out while your loved one is still undergoing treatment for their serious illness. Our Palliative care team helps those with Cancer, Diabetes, Stroke, COPD, ALS, Emphysema, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Congestive Heart Failure, Liver or Kidney Disease, Dementia or other serious progressive illness.

“Being involved with the patient soon after prognosis allows our nurses to help manage the symptoms, pain and stress that comes with their illness. We work with their primary care physician and family to make them as comfortable as possible and improve their quality of life,” said Tori Clark, MMHC, Hospice & Palliative Care Supervisor.

If you have questions about Palliative or Hospice care, call today: 603-536-2232.

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

Celebrating the Holidays While on Palliative or Hospice Care

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health teams help the Caregiver too!

The holiday season can be a difficult season for family caregivers. When your loved one is living with a serious illness, you want to carry on traditions with friends and family but the grief and responsibility of caring for them can greatly diminish the usual holiday cheer. Spending the holidays with a loved one receiving palliative or hospice care is a balancing act between maintaining traditions and not overstimulating.

Caregiving may include lifting, bathing, delivering meals, taking loved ones to doctor visits, handling difficult behaviors, and managing medications and family conflicts. This level of care can result in lost work hours, high stress, and serious declines in physical and mental health. If you are caring for someone receiving palliative or hospice care, however, it is important to know that the Pemi-Baker team will help you in this challenging role.

Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of an illness. As your loved one’s illness advances, they transition into hospice care near the end of life. Pemi-Baker’s goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family during both stages.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health Caregiver Support

  • They will keep you informed. Knowing what to expect can help a caregiver prepare appropriately for the ups and downs of an illness. Families are invited to every meeting so that everyone is on the same page exploring goals, treatment options and pain management.
  • They will equip you with practical tools and resources. The Pemi-Baker team will give you tips for taking care of your loved one, connect you with community resources, and make sure that you are able to take care of your own physical and emotional health. Attending Pemi-Baker’s free caregiver support group on the first Wednesday every month will provide you with conversation, education and support.
  • They will help you deal with stress too. Your loved one may be feeling frustrated and stressed. You may be feeling the same way. Our specialists take the time to listen to patients and caregivers, to answer their questions, hear their frustrations and help them take the necessary steps to feeling healthier and more focused in their roles.

During the holidays it’s important to continue traditions that are important to your family, however, overstimulating patients with lots of people, sounds and activity can cause your loved one to tire quickly and feel uncomfortable.

Don’t forget to decorate-There’s nothing like favorite lights, cookies baking and ugly sweaters to make someone’s personal space feel more festive.

Celebrate the service– If a religious service is an important part of a patient’s normal celebrations, perhaps the family could celebrate with them by performing a worship at home. As always, you can reach out for spiritual support from our Chaplain, Guy Tillson, MDiv, MA.

Avoid Over-stimulation– Remember that the patient might not be able to keep up with the pace of a regular celebration. The family should make sure that they are not overwhelmed by people who would like to see them, especially since a break in routine can be upsetting for dementia patients.

Prepare for guests-If you are having lots of visitors over to open presents or share memories, you should take steps to ensure that decorations, accommodations and activities don’t interfere with the space, equipment or care that are necessary for patient care.

We should do our best to honor favorite holiday traditions, but remember to ask the patient how they would like you to incorporate their favorite songs, movies and rituals. The patient may prefer a lower key celebration. Whatever you decide, the staff at Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health wish you and your family a Happy and Healthy New Year!

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

How to Manage Fatigue When Living with a Serious Illness

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health introduces newest Palliative Team member, Krissy Carr, APRN.

When living with a serious illness, it’s important to know that feeling easily and constantly tired—or fatigued—is a common symptom. In fact, many people experience fatigue, no matter if they are living with cancer, COPD, kidney disease, or another serious illness. Fatigue may make you or your loved one feel forgetful and unable to stay focused or have energy to do everyday things. This may include activities like seeing friends, pursuing hobbies, or even pursuing treatment for the serious illness.

While fatigue is not always easy to recognize, learning about its symptoms is a good place to start. Since fatigue can impact quality of life, it is important to get it under control so that you or your loved one can start to feel better. If you aren’t sure where to start or need support along the way, palliative care from Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health can help.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care is provided by a specially trained team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who work together with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment.

How Can Palliative Care Help?

If you notice that you or your loved one are constantly tired, unable to focus, withdrawn, or just not doing things you normally enjoy, let your doctor know. They will ask you questions and try to figure out what may be causing it.  This could mean anything from low blood count, pain, medications, anxiety and/or depression, and more. There are different ways to treat fatigue, depending on the cause. Either way, your doctor can refer you to palliative care, to help manage the fatigue and get back to doing what is most important to you.

During your first visit with the palliative care team, let your doctor, nurse, or social worker know that you’ve been feeling fatigued. They will continue to evaluate your fatigue by asking about sleep disturbances, pain, nutrition, emotional distress, and more. And they will work with you to come up with ways to start feeling better.

This may mean following a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine, choosing relaxing activities before bed, and more. But it all depends on the root cause, and you will figure this out together.

Kristina Carr, RN, MSN, ANP-BC, APRN

Krissy Carr, APRN has recently joined the Pemi-Baker Palliative Care team. She brings over 27 years of Hospice and Palliative care experience to the Plymouth area and is eager to meet the community. For more information on how palliative care can help you or your loved one please call Pemi-Baker and ask for a free consultation.

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

Palliative & Hospice Care Teams Helping Those with Sarcoma Cancer

July is National Sarcoma Cancer Awareness Month

July is National Sarcoma Cancer Awareness month and Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health (PBH&HH) would like to shed some light on this cancer and how their Palliative & Hospice team can help those affected. Sarcomas are cancers that arise from the cells that hold the body together. These could be cells related to muscles, nerves, bones, fat, tendons, cartilage, or other forms of ‘connective tissues.’ There are hundreds of different kinds of sarcomas, which come from different kinds of cells.

According to the Sarcoma Foundation of America, sarcoma accounts for 1% of adult cancers diagnosed in the United States and 15%-20% of childhood cancers. Every cancer treatment can cause side effects or changes to your body and how you feel. For many reasons, people do not experience the same side effects even when they are given the same treatment for the same type of cancer. This can make it hard to predict how you will feel during treatment.

As you prepare to start cancer treatment, it is normal to fear treatment-related side effects. It may help to know that your health care team will work to prevent and relieve side effects. Doctors call this part of cancer treatment “palliative care” or “supportive care.” It is an important part of your treatment plan, regardless of your age or the stage of disease. Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home health offers free consultations to explain the benefits of having a Palliative Care team on your side. This can be done over the phone or in person.

Coping with physical side effects

Talk with your Pemi-Baker Palliative health care team regularly about how you are feeling. If they know how you are feeling, they can find ways to relieve or manage your side effects to help you feel more comfortable and potentially keep any side effects from worsening.

Sometimes, physical side effects can last after treatment ends. Doctors call these long-term side effects. They call side effects that occur months or years after treatment, late effects. Treating long-term side effects and late effects is an important part of survivorship care.

Hospice care for cancer patients is a special kind of care that provides comfort, support, and dignity at the end of life, typically when you or your loved one’s life expectancy is six months or less. Hospice cares for the whole person, addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.

Coping with emotional and social effects

You can have emotional and social effects after a cancer diagnosis. This may include dealing with difficult emotions, such as sadness, anxiety, or anger, or managing your stress level. Sometimes, people find it difficult to express how they feel to their loved ones. Some have found that talking to PBH&HH’s social workers or chaplain can help them develop more effective ways of coping and talking about cancer.

Caring for a loved one with cancer

Family members and friends often play an important role in taking care of a person with sarcoma. This is called being a caregiver. Caregivers can provide physical, practical, and emotional support to the patient, even if they live far away.

Caregivers may have a range of responsibilities on a daily or as-needed basis, including:

  • Providing support and encouragement
  • Talking with the health care team
  • Giving medications
  • Helping manage symptoms and side effects
  • Coordinating medical appointments
  • Providing a ride to and from appointments
  • Assisting with meals
  • Helping with household chores
  • Handling insurance and billing issues

It is important to care for yourself as well as your loved one with cancer. Caregiver burnout is very common but PBH&HH can help through their free ‘Caregiver conversation, education & support group’ held the first Wednesday of every month from 10am-11:30am. You can join the support group in person at their facility on Boulder Point Drive or by Zoom. Pre-registration is required through Guy Tillson, Chaplain at gtillson@pbhha.org or by calling 603-536-2232. We hope you will join us!

With over 55 years of experience, serving clients from 29 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, Grief and Bereavement Support Groups and Ask-A-Pemi-Baker Nurse senior center programs. 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: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

 

Palliative Care for People Living With Parkinson’s Disease

April is National Parkinson’s Awareness Month!

April is National Parkinson’s Awareness month and Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health would like to shine the light on how a palliative care team can help those living with Parkinson’s Disease.

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive illness of the central nervous system that affects muscles and movement. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in one hand. While hand tremors are the best-known sign of Parkinson’s disease, the disorder also causes muscle stiffness, slowing and jerking.

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system. It damages the system of nerves that the brain uses to tell the body’s muscles what to do. Brain activity is also affected by the loss of dopamine, an important chemical messenger that helps the neurons in the brain do their work.

Parkinson’s disease symptoms get worse as the condition progresses over time. Although the disease cannot be cured, medications can improve the symptoms. So can palliative care.

Understanding Palliative Care

Palliative (pronounced “pal-lee-uh-tiv”) care is specialized medical care for people with serious illness. It focuses on providing you with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness like Parkinson’s disease. The goal is to improve quality of life for both you and your family.

Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers and other specialists who work alongside your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage of your illness. You can have it together with curative treatment.

Your palliative care team will help you to match your treatment choices to your personal needs and goals. That will allow you to have more control over your life. In all ways, the palliative care team helps you to better cope with the challenges of living with Parkinson’s disease.

Treating the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease–How Palliative Care Can Help

While there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, there are a growing number of treatments that can provide you with relief from its symptoms. People with Parkinson’s disease are often prescribed a combination of levodopa and carbidopa, which helps replenish the brain’s shrinking supply of dopamine.

A new therapy uses electrodes surgically implanted inside the brain, and a small electrical device called a pulse generator to provide electrical deep brain stimulation (DBS). Parkinson’s patients also benefit from the expertise of physical, occupational and speech therapists to help them manage practical issues in their daily lives.

Other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include a variety of motion-related issues, as well as sleep disturbances, fatigue (feeling weak or tired), constipation and other gastrointestinal problems, and low blood pressure.

Decisions about nutrition and feeding tubes eventually may become an issue, but the palliative care team will be able to provide guidance on this difficult subject. The social worker on your palliative care team can work closely with you to help you cope with the changes in your health. Sometimes just talking with an expert about what’s happening can be a great relief.

Another whole area of Parkinson’s symptoms is called cognitive decline, whereby ravages of the disease affect thinking and other uses of the brain. These include troubling mood disorders like depression and anxiety, unclear thinking, difficulty concentrating on a task and the potential emergence of dementia.

Some people become more disabled and dependent over time despite the best treatments. They may come to need so much help with the routine tasks of living that they require 24-hour care. This care may be provided at home or in a setting like assisted living, where they get the personal care they need.

Your palliative care team will talk with you about your hopes and preferences, and what may be possible for you to get the support you need to continue living life to the fullest. Because of the long course of Parkinson’s disease, the palliative care team can help you to clarify your goals and set up treatment plans far in advance. There are personal decisions you can make about how to live the life that remains, no matter what direction the disease takes-(Advance Care Planning).

Your palliative care team can help you with all this and more. The team will be your sounding board and your first line of defense against any symptoms of pain, discomfort, depression or anxiety.

The team specialists will help you and your loved ones to make both large and small decisions. They will enhance communication between you, your family and your other doctors, and help you to clarify your goals for care.

How to Get Palliative Care

If you or a loved one is facing Parkinson’s disease, ask your doctor about the benefits of a palliative care team or call Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health for a FREE consultation to help you make sense of the situation. PBH&HH also offers free Advance Directive help, helping you fill out your forms via Zoom. We hope you call or email us today for more information.

With over 55 years of experience, serving clients from 29 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 Loss 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: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

Home Care: More Than Just a Visiting Nurse

When patients leave the hospital and return home, they go from highly supportive medical environments with physicians, nurses, aides, and other professionals, to non-medical environments with informal caregiver support. Patients and caregivers must struggle to absorb confusing medical information before leaving the hospital and often providers have incomplete understandings of home environments and caregiver capabilities. Patients are largely left to themselves, expected to manage their medical conditions on their own. It is a daunting task.

This is where Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health (PBH&HH), can assist; supplementing visits from home care nurses, physical therapists and licensed nursing assistants.

What is the Meaning of Home Health Care?

  • Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be given in your home for an illness or injury.
  • Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

Patient safety at home is as important as patient safety in hospitals. Unsafe conditions in the home can lead to unnecessary or avoidable, expensive, re-hospitalizations. Your PBH&HH team will be a bridge of communication and care between you and your physician. Receiving home care decreases costs, improves health outcomes, and reduces hospital stays. PBH&HH helps support your family by teaching you to properly care for wounds, follow medication regimens correctly, manage durable medical equipment and keep your house free of hazards.

What Can I Expect From A Home Health Care Visit?

  • Checking your blood pressure, temperature, heart rate and breathing.
  • Making sure you understand the purpose of your medicines.
  • Teaching you or your caregiver to care for a wound or IV.
  • Creating an exercise plan to build your strength and improve balance/walking.
  • Helping you assess your pain and monitor your food intake.

PBH&HH’s primary goal is to discharge you to self or family care and avoid subsequent hospitalizations. We want you to feel confident and comfortable not only in your home but with the goal of returning back to your normal daily routines in your community. PBH&HH provides services to residents who reside in Grafton and Belknap counties, but we also accept referrals in other counties upon request. Call or contact us today to learn more.

With over 50 years of experience, serving clients from 29 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   visit online: www.pbhha.org

~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.

“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.

“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.

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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