CaringEdge Home Health and Hospice in Bismarck, North Dakota, has been a topic of conversation on KFYR TV’s North Dakota Today, highlighting its exceptional services in home health and hospice care. This feature spotlights the compassionate work spearheaded by Torie Lenhardt, Director of Home Health, and Jenalee Mollman, Director of Hospice. Here, we delve into the insights they shared about these vital services, who can benefit from them, and how their primary goal remains to provide care in the comfort of home, thereby reducing hospital visits.
Understanding Home Health and Hospice Services
Home Health Care: A Closer Look
Home health care is a broad term encompassing a range of health and social services delivered in a patient’s home. It is ideally suited for patients recovering from an illness or surgery, those needing assistance with chronic health issues, or individuals requiring therapeutic and nursing care. Torie Lenhardt, in her discussion, emphasized the personalized approach CaringEdge takes in crafting home health plans that cater to each individual’s needs. Torie highlights the multiple disciplines offered by CaringEdge, including, Skilled Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Home Health Aides.
Hospice Care: Compassionate End-of-Life Care
Hospice care, as explained by Jenalee Mollman, is specialized care designed to provide comfort and support to individuals in the final phase of a terminal illness. The focus here is not on cure but on ensuring quality of life, dignity, and comfort. Hospice care involves a multidisciplinary team approach, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and spiritual advisors, all working together to provide holistic care.
Who Can Benefit from These Services?
Eligibility for Home Health Care
Home health services are for those who find it challenging to leave home due to illness or disability. It is an effective option for post-surgery patients, those with chronic illnesses like heart failure or diabetes, and seniors needing assistance with daily activities.
Hospice Care Candidates
Hospice care is for individuals diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, having a prognosis of six months or less if the disease runs its usual course. It’s about caring, not curing, and provides support for both the patient and their family.
Goals and Benefits of Home-Based Care
Keeping Patients Out of the Hospital
One of the primary objectives of CaringEdge is to reduce the frequency of hospital visits for patients. By providing comprehensive care at home, CaringEdge aims to manage symptoms effectively, prevent complications, and improve the overall quality of life for patients.
Personalized Care in the Comfort of Home
Both home health and hospice services offer the advantage of personalized care tailored to individual needs, all within the familiar and comfortable setting of one’s home. This approach not only fosters a sense of independence and dignity for patients but also allows families to be closely involved in the care process.
CaringEdge’s Commitment to Excellence
Expert Team and Holistic Approach
CaringEdge stands out for its team of highly skilled professionals who adopt a holistic approach to care. This means addressing not just the physical needs of patients but also their emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.
Continuous Support and Education
In addition to providing care, CaringEdge is dedicated to educating families and caregivers, ensuring they have the knowledge and support needed to care for their loved ones effectively.
Conclusion
The feature on KFYR TV’s North Dakota Today has rightly highlighted the essential services provided by CaringEdge Home Health and Hospice in Bismarck. With a team led by experts like Torie Lenhardt, Jenalee Mollman and Janessa Vogel, CaringEdge continues to be a pillar of support and compassion for those in need of home health and hospice care. Their dedication to keeping patients comfortable in their homes and out of hospitals is not just a service; it’s a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and families during challenging times.
For more information about CaringEdge Home Health and Hospice services in Bismarck, please visit our website or contact us directly. Our team is ready to answer any questions and guide you through the process of getting the care you or your loved ones need.
With the holiday season upon us, it can be hard to find the joy and cheer we so deeply crave this time of year. For those in home care, hospice, or assisted living settings, however, the holidays may bring on additional challenges. Many public facilities may have less staff, reduced resources, and tight restrictions on visitors. As the providers of these vital services, it is up to us to ensure that our patients and the communities at large find ways to connect, rejoice, and celebrate, even amidst the ever-present challenges of the pandemic.
Whether they’re spreading light and joy through holiday concerts or caroling in the hallways, there are countless ways to encourage our patients and care recipients to find meaning in the holidays. We can use this season to bridge gaps between cultures, celebrate special gatherings of family and friends, and maybe find a holiday baking project to share with others. Comfort and joy could start with a kind word, heartfelt letter, a warm meal, or a socially-distanced visit.
It is our mission at CaringEdge Health Services to make the holidays special for our patients and their families, with a unique blend of personal, compassionate care and an array of organizations and initiatives devoted to making the holidays brighter for everyone in our extended network. Our private home health care companies and our elderly care home teams offer festive programs crossing cultural, religious, and social lines, and we work diligently with our local businesses, churches, and affiliates to provide meals, music, decorations, and the chance for our patients to enjoy the winter season together.
Volunteer Opportunities to Bring Holiday Cheer to Home Care Settings
The holiday season is a great time to reach out to our local communities to solicit or host an event like a Holiday Toy Drive, a Secret Santa program, or a special event for patients. The donation of gifts and food items, and the joy associated with holiday decorations brightens our facilities, and leads to smiles all around. We’ve found that having volunteers bring goodies, cards, decorations, food, books, or even play cards or offer an activity of their own helps spread cheer and a sense of family and holiday spirit.
Community Support for our Home Health, Hospice, and Assisted Living Settings
Beyond gifts and decorations, there are lots of creative and meaningful ways we can connect with our larger community. A few ideas that may spark joy in our centers include:
Making holiday ornaments, paintings, or special gifts
Creating holiday cards for troops, elderly friends, or loved ones
Sending out good wishes and holiday letters through friends and family
Hosting a virtual holiday party with stories, music, and dance
Organizing games, puzzles, and activities for residents
Coordinating caroling events and story-telling
Posting festive photos and video messages on social media
Making blankets or other items to donate to charities in need
At CaringEdge, we know the power of kindness and the significance of togetherness, especially during the holidays. We are proud to share in the holiday spirit and embrace the joy of the season through our services and local partnerships. This year, let’s step up and make the holidays brighter for everyone in our care and beyond.
For home health patients and their families, emergency preparedness is a critical component of avoiding costly medical bills, injury due to delays in care and patient safety. There are a few key steps in planning and preparing for different types of medical emergencies that all home health patients should take.
Gather an Emergency Kit
Ideally, each home health patient should gather essential items needed in case of a medical emergency. Essentials differences will depend on the individual’s medical conditions but should include items such as a first-aid kit and any emergency medication that a patient takes on a daily basis. Additionally, patients should carry or keep close items such as their photo identification, insurance information, emergency contact numbers, list of medications, hospital preferences, and a list of medical conditions. All of these items should be placed in the patient’s emergency kit, as well as any other information that the health care provider of patient may deem important. Patients should also include in the kit any necessary medical aides, such as an oxygen tank.
Practice Health Safety
For emergency preparedness, it is also important for home health patients to practice health safety at all times. This includes following all diet and exercise plans that have been prescribed by the health care provider. Additionally, patients should practice standard hygiene measures, take any daily medication as prescribed, and wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace if need be, to alert bystanders of key medical conditions or allergies. Additionally, patients should routinely check all medical equipment that is used to monitor certain conditions.
Create a Crisis Plan
It is also important for home health patients to create a crisis plan that outlines what should be done in the event of a medical emergency. This plan should include emergency contact numbers, of both close family and health care providers, as well as specific plans of action for different types of medical emergencies. This plan should be shared with all family members and emergency contacts involved in a patient’s care and should be kept easily accessible in an emergency.
Stay Informed
In order to stay safe and prepared in the case of a medical emergency, home health patients and their families should stay informed about the latest developments in medical alert and emergency response technology. This technology includes products such as medical alert systems, mobile apps that track and monitor medical conditions, and monitoring systems that notify healthcare providers upon an emergency. Staying informed about these products can ensure that home health patients are able to take advantage of the latest technological advances in emergency preparedness.
By following the steps above, home health patients can become better equipped to deal with medical emergencies. Planning ahead is critical to avoiding delays and ensuring patient safety and security, making emergency preparedness essential for all home health patients.
Caring for individuals with rare diseases can be a challenging and exhausting task. With so much to consider, the challenges of finding the right kind of care, understanding the diagnosis, and navigating the complexities of the disease require special attention and personalized resources. For those dealing with rare diseases, home health care has become an important option for comprehensive care.
At-home care offers a wealth of benefits. In addition to providing reliable care in familiar surroundings, home health care can provide access to a wide range of specialized services that may not be available at a traditional facility or doctor’s office. These services include physical and occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, behavioral health care, and nutritional counseling. Experts can work closely with the patient, caregiver, and family to understand and address the unique needs of the individual, while supporting the household’s overall health and well-being.
Home health care can be especially beneficial for those managing rare diseases. Individuals with rare diseases often have complex needs that may not be adequately met in an institutional setting. The specialized services and personalized attention provided by home health care can help bridge the gap between traditional care and the extra help needed for those facing extraordinary challenges. With home health care, patients are able to receive round-the-clock care that is tailored to their particular diagnosis and circumstances.
For those managing rare diseases, home health care can be a valuable asset. With the ability to create a custom care plan, rely on skilled professionals, and access specialized services, home health care is an excellent option for those facing extraordinary health care challenges. Home health care can offer the care and comfort needed to help individuals with rare diseases and their families reach their goals.
November is Home Health and Hospice Month. While celebrating this month is important, having care available when and where you need it is something we should celebrate ALL year! Living in poor health or chronic pain can be dreadful. Enjoying activities and hobbies is hard when you’re not feeling well.
Here are some of the fantastic healthcare services that offer hope to those planning to age in place:
Home health or outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Dealing with chronic health issues and pain can be a full-time job. The physical and mental strain a disease or injury can cause is one thing, but doing all that’s needed to heal or improve a condition is another story. If daily life consists of being on hold on the phone with providers, sitting in waiting rooms, running to pharmacies, and making endless trips back and forth to the clinic for treatment, healing might feel impossible.
We often look to our families or loved ones to help emotionally support us, but that can also affect them and our relationships. You know what they say about venting! It’s all fine and dandy, but you can’t expect friends and loved ones to always be there or to solve what’s bothering you.
The same is true for physical well-being; friends and family are great, but they can’t be there to answer everything unless they’re in the medical field or have training. Having additional oversight from a healthcare team can be helpful. Services like care management and coordination, home health, or at-home therapies can reduce the scheduling hassles, allowing patients the energy they need to heal.
To help improve the quality of life for many, healthcare has gone mobile! From physical, occupational, and speech therapy to at-home nurse visits, home healthcare is becoming widely available to improve life for those who are homebound.
Support at the End of Life
When healthcare systems can no longer cure the conditions plaguing us, we’re forced to stare down the barrel of mortality. To say this is hard would be an understatement. Only those who have been through it know the feeling.
Talking about dying often creates silence. People don’t know what to do or say. The trouble is that silence about the end of life does not make it go away or change; it makes it more complicated. Loved ones may keep trying to find cures or other providers to unravel the prognosis, but when death stares us in the face, and the clinicians truly can’t make us any better, where do we turn?
The answer, another silencing response, is hospice. Hospice is a microphone-dropping word. Hospice means death. People don’t like to discuss death, much less how to die comfortably and pain-free. Barbara Karnes, RN, has expanded upon an excellent point throughout her various podcasts and written materials: when we’ve always been taught to keep trying to get better, allowing death seems foreign. This is precisely why hospice is such an important service.
Staff who work in hospice become experts in helping others go through the dying process. They know what to do even when the ugly crying happens. They can help you make the hard decisions based on what you, as a patient, want versus what your family thinks should be done. Hospice staff can tell you what to expect and, better yet, what they can do to make you comfortable as you complete the circle of life.
When it feels like there’s no hope, hospice is that very hope. Hospice gives patients the tools and voice to die on their terms. They can choose support services and volunteers, have a pain management plan, and feel comfortable knowing they won’t have to go it alone. It’s not just for the patient, but hospice supports families. For up to 13 months following a patient’s death, hospice staff can offer emotional support services and resources to family members or a patient’s loved ones. Knowing that the family will be cared for provides additional comfort for the dying patient.
Hospice can offer services on-site at senior living communities or in private homes. This can help create a calming place to pass away where someone is familiar with their surroundings. Without hospice, patients may be in and out of the hospital trying to treat something that can be managed in the short term but not cured. That can create a revolving door for ambulance rides, emergency medical services, and hospitalizations.
If you’re interested in how home health or hospice services could help you or a loved one, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at CaringEdge. We operate in a number of areas, and we’d love to help you in any way we can. Drop us a line at info@caringedge.com.
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