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

PBH&HH Celebrates Social Work Month in March

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is helping celebrate this year’s Social Work Month in March with the theme “The Time is Right for Social Work” to highlight how social workers have enriched our society for more than a century and how their services continue to be needed today.

The annual Social Work Month campaign is a time to inform public, policymakers, and legislators about the services social workers provide in an array of sectors, including hospitals, mental health centers, schools, social service agencies, community centers and home health care.

People become social workers because they have a strong desire to help others and make our society a better place to live for all. Social work is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There are almost 720,000 professional social workers in our nation, but that number is expected to rise to more than 800,000 by 2030, BLS said.

Throughout U.S. History, social workers have:

  • Fought for client privacy and mental health services
  • Fought for civil and voting rights for people of color
  • Achieved the minimum wage and safer workplaces for poor people
  • Expanded reproductive and employment rights for American women
  • Raised awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment
  • Supported marriage and employment protections for LGBT people
  • And much more!

Social workers touch millions of lives each day and it is likely a social worker at some time will assist you, a family member, or a friend. For example, are you a student who needs athletic shoes to participate in sports, but your parents can’t afford to buy them? Talk to your school social worker. They can help you find the resources you need. Do you want a better relationship with your spouse, partner, children, or parents? A social worker can help you forge stronger connections. Are you living with depression, anxiety, or a substance use disorder? A social worker can help you overcome them and thrive.

Pemi-Baker’s social workers continue to work on the frontlines throughout the pandemic, helping clients get the health care they need and helping loved ones overcome grief and loss. We would like to say a huge thank you to our social workers, Lauren Bell, BSW and Shannon Cassidy, BSW who work tirelessly day in and day out to help our clients and client’s families connect with the services they need. During Social Work Month we urge you to learn more about their amazing profession, thank the social workers in your lives, and help support the profession.

Currently, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is hiring for a part time home health and hospice social worker position. Call for details or visit our page on Indeed.

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 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: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

~written by Anna Swanson

Dr. Kristi Saunders Joins Pemi-Baker Community Health

Pemi-Baker Community Health is excited to announce that Dr. Kristi Saunders, MD, has joined the team as their new Hospice Medical Director.

After working over twenty years in Family Medicine as a board certified OB/GYN, Dr. Saunders was drawn to palliative care and hospice by the desire to be more involved with her patients when facing serious illnesses and death. She became board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine in 2012 and since then has been educating her patients about living and embracing the normalcy of dying.

Working with other agencies in New Hampshire and recently receiving hospice help for her mother in California, has highlighted common challenges that families face. “My past experiences of different cultures, needs and desires made me realize how important it is to really have the time to listen, watch, and not treat everyone like medicine normally does…like everyone else. We are all different and need our care individualized. We spend too much time medicalizing death and not spending more time in what is the hard part…saying goodbye,” said Saunders. Pemi-Baker Community Health’s mission and philosophy of supporting their patients and families with compassionate care follows closely with Dr. Saunders’ beliefs. “Our goal is to educate families that hospice is really about living, not death. It should be about smiles, hugs and bringing people closer to acceptance as we possibly can,” said Saunders.

“Dr. Saunders has been serving our community as one of our hospice physicians since January and we are delighted that she will be taking over as Hospice Medical Director upon Dr. Arsenault’s retirement. Her commitment to the highest standards of client care blended with her knowledge and compassion make her an ideal fit for Pemi-Baker Community Health,” said Danielle Paquette-Horne, Senior Director of Home Health, Palliative Care & Hospice.

With over 50 years of experience, serving clients from 22 towns in central and northern New Hampshire, Pemi-Baker Community Health is committed to creating healthier communities. Services include at-home healthcare (VNA), hospice and palliative care, on-site physical and occupational therapy and aquatic therapy in their 90-degree therapy pool. 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.

PBCH is located at 101 Boulder Point Drive, Plymouth, NH. To contact us please call: 603-536-2232 or email: info@pbhha.org   Visit our website: www.pbhha.org  and like our Facebook Page: @PBCH4

~written by Anna Swanson

Dr. Diane Arsenault Retiring as Hospice Medical Director for Pemi-Baker Community Health

Please join Pemi-Baker Community Health (PBCH) in extending best wishes to Diane Arsenault, MD, FAAFP, HPM, HMDC, who is retiring as Hospice Medical Director for PBCH after 23 years of service. She will continue to serve hospice families at PBCH as well as her patients at Mid-State Health on a part time basis.

Dr. Arsenault has had an extraordinary career as a family physician, working in low risk obstetrical care for the first 20 years of her career before changing her focus to the care of the middle aged and the elderly for the last 20+ years. She felt that hospice care was just a natural extension of her role as a family physician providing care from birth to death. “Just as pregnancy and birth involve a process of anticipation, planning and intense work at the end, the end of life and process of dying have a similar journey and work. My personal experience with my father’s death in 1993 and my mother’s death in 2004, both on Hospice, allowed me to experience firsthand the joys and burden of caregiving for a dying loved one. I aspire to care for patients and families on their Hospice journey, as I and my family were supported,” said Dr. Arsenault.

When Dr. Arsenault started as Hospice Medical Director for PBCH in 1998, she had less than 10 patients at any given time. Community awareness of Hospice services and what PBCH can provide has grown over the years, increasing that number four fold. “For many years Dr. Arsenault has been the only Hospice physician in the Pemi-Baker area. Her dedication to our staff and our patients, to be available night and day, has been invaluable,” said Amy Dennis, Interim Executive Director for PBCH.

Dr. Arsenault will continue her role as Family physician at Mid-State Health Center as well as part time Hospice physician for PBCH but her schedule is now 6 weeks working then 6 weeks off. As she eases into retirement she looks forward to traveling with her husband to national parks in the Southwest, Pacific Northwest and the Canadian Maritime provinces, as well as spending as much time as possible with her 3 preschool aged grandchildren and their families.

“Our organization has grown and become stronger thanks to Dr. Arsenault’s commitment to our mission, vision and values. She has touched many lives in the process. Her kindhearted manner, undeniable professionalism and many achievements will not be forgotten. We wish her the best in the next steps of her journey,” said Danielle Paquette-Horne, Senior Director of Home Health, Palliative Care & Hospice at PBCH.

Thank You for 12 Amazing Years of Leadership!

We are at once happy and sad to announce the retirement of our CEO, Chandra Engelbert. She has been an outstanding leader for more than 12 years of dedicated service at Pemi-Baker Community Health and a true inspiration for all of us.

The entire Central NH/Plymouth community has benefitted from Chandra’s leadership for much longer than that though. Chandra began her career earning a B.S. in Nursing at Northeastern University in Boston, MA and her MBA from UNH’s Whittemore School of Business and Economics. Chandra’s professional expertise included: Nursing in Medical Surgery, Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Recovery Room, Home care and Hospice. Profit and nonprofit administrative background included management of home care and hospice, Vice President of Diagnostic Services at LRGHealthcare and ICU/ED Manager at Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster, NH.

Over the years she served on the Home Care, Palliative Care and Hospice Alliance of NH and the Central New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Boards, Central NH Health Partnership, Rural Healthcare Association, Plymouth State University Nursing Honor Society and Nursing Advisory Board and the Central Service Health Network; participating in emergency preparedness efforts and public health initiatives in NH.

Creating a collaborative effort between PBCH, Mid-State Health Center and Speare Memorial Hospital is one of her most proud accomplishments and instilling the ‘Ubuntu’ philosophy for the employees of Pemi-Baker Community Health, creating a culture for them filled with respect, honesty and value.

She will be deeply missed but we can only feel happy for her after many years of service to our community and hope that she enjoys her well-deserved retirement.

~written by Anna Swanson

Thank You Veterans!

Pemi-Baker Community Health would like to thank our employee veterans:  Dori Freer, Rebecca Curran and Sandra Coleman for their service to our country! We also would like to thank the veterans in our community.

On Veteran’s Day, PBCH  delivers appreciation bags to all of our Hospice, Home Care and Physical Therapy patients as well as our neighbors at the Veteran’s Housing on Boulder Point. We were very fortunate to be able to speak with Mr. Paul Ash, a PBCH patient and veteran who served in the Marine Corps before, during and after the Korean War. He shared stories of fellow New Hampshire and Vermont marines he met during his service. 

We are so fortunate to be protected by those who accept the risk, make the sacrifice and dare to serve.  We honor them today, on Veteran’s Day but are grateful to them always! 

PBCH & Mid-State Health Welcome Barbara Greenwell, ACHPN

Mid-State Health and Pemi-Baker Community Health have collaborated to create an innovative joint position to best serve patients in the Plymouth community. “We are excited to welcome back Barbara Greenwell, APRN, ACHPN, to our practice. Barbara was a member of our team back in 2013-2014 when she practiced as an Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner. She has returned to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience as Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner. Barbara’s primary role will be to work closely with the Pemi-Baker Community Health team to build their Palliative Care Program,” reports Bob MacLeod, the CEO of Mid-State Health. 

Palliative care is a medical specialty designed to improve the health and quality of life for people with progressive illnesses.  As an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse, Barbara will be working with the PBCH team to prevent and treat patient’s symptoms and side effects, as early as possible. Her twenty years of nursing experience in acute care and psychiatric nursing will benefit the patient’s psychological, social, and spiritual concerns as well. By offering face to face patient assessments in the office and in their homes, the hope is to prevent suffering and crisis that often result in hospitalizations.

“Palliative care is about improving the quality of someone’s life even when the disease cannot be cured. We may not be able to cure the disease but we can improve the journey by improving the symptoms so people can truly live,” said Barbara Greenwell.

Pemi-Baker Community Health has seen the need for a larger palliative care program in Grafton County for some time. Barbara Greenwell will be joining Dr. Diane Arsenault, MD, Board-certified Palliative Care Physician along with the nurses and social workers on their team.  “As we work collaboratively with Mid-State Health Center, Speare Memorial Hospital, and Newfound Area Nursing Association; having an APRN who is passionate and who is certified in both Palliative Care and Hospice, will greatly benefit our communities,” said Chandra Engelbert, CEO of Pemi-Baker Community Health.

With 52 years of experience, serving over 1000 clients from 18 towns in central and northern New Hampshire, Pemi-Baker community Health is the home care provider of choice for Grafton County.  Services include at-home healthcare (VNA), hospice and palliative care, on-site physical and occupational therapy and fitness memberships including a fitness gym and fitness classes in our 90-degree therapy pool. PBCH 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 our website: www.pbhha.org  and like our Facebook Page: @PBCH4

Mid-State Health, ‘Where your care comes together.’  A health center on the leading edge of innovative, high-quality, patient-centered primary care. Two convenient locations:  Plymouth Office 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 1, Plymouth, NH  03264 (603-536-4000) and Bristol Office 100 Robie Road, Bristol, NH 03222 (603-744-6200), Visit our website: www.midstatehealth.org.

~Anna Swanson

PBCH Field Staff Tested for Covid-19

In an effort to keep all their home care and hospice clients safe, Pemi-Baker Community Health is taking preventative measures by testing their field staff for Covid-19. A team from the National Guard completed the tests last week for staff coming in contact with clients in their homes as well as therapists and administrative assistants working in their physical therapy office on Boulder Point.

“Our field staff are continuing to provide the much needed skilled services to our hospice and homecare patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. The patients we serve are able to remain at home due to our home visits that are being made by our dedicated team that consists of RN’s LPN’s, LNA’s, PT’s, OT’s, social workers and Chaplin. It’s very important to keep our clients safe and that we do not have any staff that are asymptomatic spreaders,” said Ernest Roy, PT, DPT, Clinical Supervisor PBCH-Home Health.

For over 52 years, Pemi-Baker Community Health has served family, friends and neighbors in eighteen towns and they are the home care and hospice provider of choice for Grafton County. PBCH partners with patients, their doctor, family and caregivers, helping home bound individuals in need of skilled medical services during recovery from illness, injury, surgery. Their Palliative and Hospice teams provide comfort and support for those who are facing life-limiting illnesses.

 If you or your loved one have questions about receiving home health or hospice services, please visit their website at www.pbhha.org or call 603-536-2232 for more information.

~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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