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

Surviving a Heart Attack: Why Care in the First Hours is Critical

February is National Heart Health Month!

In the United States, about 805,000 people have a heart attack each year. With numbers like that, it’s likely that you, or someone close to you, will have a heart attack during your lifetime. Luckily, many people survive heart attacks and go on to live fulfilling lives. And the odds for this happy outcome are far higher among folks who recognize they’re having a heart attack and get the right care, right away. Protect yourself and your loved ones by understanding what causes this health crisis and how prompt treatment can save a life.

What is a Heart Attack?National Heart Health Month, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health

Your heart has the tough job of pumping blood and oxygen through the coronary arteries all along your body. A heart attack happens when plaque builds up in your arteries over time and blocks the flow of blood. Without blood bringing oxygen to the heart muscle, the area of your heart supplied by that artery begins to die.

This is the moment when quick medical care is critical: A blockage that’s re-opened in two to three hours will cause far less damage than one left untreated for five or six hours.

What to Do If You Suspect a Heart Attack

If you suspect you or a loved one is having a heart attack, call 911, where you’ll be taken to your local Emergency Room to get expert help right away. People who get to the hospital quickly have the best chance for survival. They also have a better recovery, since opening the blocked artery as soon as possible means less heart muscle dies.

The key to getting the help you need, when you need it, is recognizing the signs of a heart attack. While the most classic symptom is sudden severe chest pain, not all heart attacks give such a clear signal. In fact, many heart attacks are silent, causing few or no symptoms at all.

Heart attack symptoms can begin gradually or suddenly, and may be mild or severe. You or your loved one may experience:

Men's Heart Attack symptoms, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health

  • Cold Sweat
  • Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
  • Heartburn or indigestion, Nausea
  • Chest Pain, Pressure, Squeezing, Tightness or Aching
  • Pain Radiating From the Jaw, Neck Shoulders or Arms
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Unusual Fatigue

It’s especially important to know these symptoms if you or someone you love is at higher than average risk for a heart attack. In addition, women can have more subtle heart attack symptoms that are easily mistaken for other health conditions, such as anxiety. These include:Women's heart attack symptoms, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health

  • Dizziness
  • Heartburn or constant indigestion
  • Nausea
  • Pressure between your shoulder blades
  • Rapid heart beat
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Unexplained extreme fatigue that can last for days

Know Your Risk and Prepare for the Worst

As with most diseases, there are risk factors for heart disease you can influence with treatment or lifestyle change, and others you cannot. Some factors such as your age, gender and family history can’t be changed. However, others can be better managed to help reduce your risk for heart disease and heart attack, including:

  • Alcohol or Tobacco Use
  • Blood Pressure
  • Diabetes
  • LDL (Bad) Cholesterol
  • Physical Inactivity
  • Stress Level
  • Weight

Both your family history and certain lifestyle choices should be reviewed with your doctor at each well visit — especially at your annual physical. These routine checkups are designed to provide an opportunity for you and your doctor to determine your risk for certain diseases and conditions, put a screening plan in place, discuss any health changes and create a plan for any needed lifestyle changes.

Every Moment Counts

It’s smart to work at lowering your heart attack risks, so you can avoid this frightening and dangerous health crisis. In the meantime, remember the symptoms of heart attack and call 911 if you think you or someone nearby is having one — even if you’re not sure. “If someone is unconscious and you think they’re having a heart attack, first call 911 then check if the person is breathing and has a pulse. If the person isn’t breathing or you don’t find a pulse, begin CPR and have someone get an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) if you have access to one,” said Anna Swanson, American Red Cross CPR Instructor.

  • If you’re untrained in CPR, do hands-only CPR. That means push hard and fast on the person’s chest- about 100-120 compressions a minute.
  • If you’re trained in CPR, start with 30 chest compressions before giving two rescue breaths. Start using an AED as soon as it is available.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is an Authorized Provider of the American Red Cross and offers CPR/AED and First Aid classes monthly. CPR Instructor, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home HealthContact Anna Swanson by phone or email today and become better prepared to save a life!

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

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

Winter Grief Support Group Series

Offered by Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health and Plymouth Regional Senior Center.

Grief is the complex of feelings one experiences after loss- any kind of loss.  Though we usually associate the idea of grief with the death of someone we have known and loved, grief is also experienced following termination of employment, destruction of one’s home after fire or natural disaster, divorce or the breakup of a relationship, relocation to an unfamiliar place where you know no one, loss of one’s finances through bad investments or crime, or the death of a pet.  Many people choose to brush off grief or ignore it, but it really does not go away on its own.  It can be helpful to be in the company of others who are also coming to terms with their grief.

PEMI-BAKER HOSPICE AND HOME HEALTH offers grief support groups at various times throughout the calendar year to assist persons in our area who would like help and companionship in processing their losses.

GRIEF 101: The Basics

The next group, “GRIEF 101:  The Basics”, will begin on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.  There will be an in-person morning session at 11:00am, held in the Exercise Room at the Plymouth Area Regional Senior Center.  There will be a late afternoon session, accessible virtually only, beginning at 5:30pm.  Virtual participation is also possible for the morning session.  ALL virtual participants will need to download the app for TEAMS (It’s like ZOOM) on their devices.  There is no cost to attend either session.

Each group will go for six weeks, ending on March 21, 2023.  The group meetings will include presentations by the facilitator, worksheets, and sharing and discussion on such topics as:

  • “Types of Grief”
  • “What Is Grief Work?”
  • “Principles of Transformation”
  • “What About Me?”

You must pre-register by Wednesday, February 7, 2023, in order to attend so that we know how many to prepare for.  The groups will be facilitated by Guy Tillson, Pemi-Baker’s Bereavement Coordinator.  You may contact him by email: gtillson@pbhha.org  or by leaving a message by phone at (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

Become a Hospice Volunteer!

Reap the rewards of volunteering and join Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health’s Team of Hospice Volunteers.

Hospice volunteers know that helping others at the end of their lives is tremendously rewarding. Being part of a hospice team gives you the profound privilege of bringing comfort, peace and care to patients, caregivers, and their families during their transitional journey. Volunteers feel a greater appreciation of life itself, a deeper understanding of what’s truly important, and an authentic sense of fulfillment.

Why volunteer?

As a hospice volunteer, you become part of a person’s life when you are needed most. That sense of fulfillment is priceless. Also, without caring volunteers like you, there would be no Medicare-certified hospice programs. Medicare law requires that 5% of hospice care hours are provided by volunteers.

Who volunteers?

People just like you. Adults, young adults, and in some cases mature teens from all backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. Effective hospice volunteers embrace the fact that their role is one of compassionate service.

What skills do I need?

Most agencies like Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health, will provide the training and orientation you need to feel confident and comfortable with whatever level of support you choose to give. Training can include things such as grief counseling, boundaries between the volunteer, the patient and the family, and emergency medical support.

Do you love music? Sharing stories? Playing cards? Whatever passions, talents, or interests you bring can also be valuable assets. The most precious asset, of course, is simply caring.

What does a hospice volunteer do?

Ultimately, hospice care is about providing patients, caregivers, and families with the most comfortable and compassionate end-of-life experience possible. Your responsibilities will vary. In many cases it’s as simple as companionship. Sitting and talking. Or just listening. Or playing a patient’s favorite music.

You may also assist patients with tasks they can no longer perform for themselves. It may include anything from light household chores to lending emotional support to the patient’s family during this difficult time.

If you prefer to work in a different capacity, some hospice providers have opportunities to help with administrative office tasks.

What is the time commitment?

As with most things around hospice volunteering, your commitment can vary. It depends a lot on the time you’re willing to commit and the needs of the patients you are matched with. Some volunteers work an hour a week, some 2 hours each month.

I’m interested; how do I pre-register?

The next FREE VIRTUAL Hospice Volunteer training will start Tuesday, February 7th and run 5 weeks through March 7th, 2023.  Class time is 2pm-4pm. All the training is done via TEAMS meetings (like Zoom) in the comfort of your own home. Contact Karen Bownes, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health’s Hospice Volunteer Coordinator at 603-536-2232 or email her at kbownes@pbhha.org.  For more information visit Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health’s website:  www.pbhha.org

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

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

New Year’s Challenges

A New Year is the perfect time to kick-start a new beginning and finally achieve the things you’ve always wanted to get around to.  Whether you’re yearning to learn a new skill, improve on your existing skills, better yourself as a person, or even overcome some obstacles, what better way to push yourself than with a New Year’s challenge.

Why take a New Year’s Challenge?

New Year’s resolutions are great; they not only encourage us to reflect on the last year and see what progress we have made, they also inspire us to change and make better choices for the year ahead.  But ask yourself this: how often do you achieve your New Year’s resolution?

Resolutions are too easy to break. No one is watching you or cheering you on, and there’s simply nothing on the line that drives you to accomplish them.  If you really want to achieve something real, a New Year’s challenge is the way forward.  A challenge has more urgency than a resolution and if you have a competitive side, challenges push you and make you rise to the occasion.

How to Prepare for a New Year’s Challenge

Preparing for a New Year’s challenge isn’t as simple as saying, “this is what I want to do” and then doing it. These are the things that will help you achieve success:

  • The reason people take a New Year’s challenge is to improve—either you want to save money, adopt a healthier lifestyle, etc. Whatever your reason, you need to remember that you have a reason. Your reason is your motivation. Write your reason down and stick it somewhere where you will see it every day such as the bathroom mirror.
  • You can also get a challenge buddy-If you want to train for a marathon or learn a new language-those are great challenges to do with friends. By working together, you can easily motivate each other.
  • If time is an issue, set an alarm on your phone every day and label it as ‘challenge time’, that way you will never forget to do what you set out to do.
  • Break your goal into smaller chunks (aka mini-goals). If your goal is a big task, such as writing a book, you should set daily limits (like how many words you will write each day) that eventually add up to achieve your overall goal.
  • Research says it take on average 66 days to change a habit, but there are some who manage to kick bad habits in as little as 18 days. So if you want to make a change, we recommend choosing a challenge that lasts between 30 and 100 days.

Now that you are mentally in the zone, let’s look at some popular challenge ideas for you to choose from!

30-Day Challenge Ideas

A 30-Day challenge is a great idea for those wanting to try something new, different, healthy, or enjoyable, just for the fun of it. Here are some popular ideas:

  1. Give up buying coffee. Or give up coffee completely!
  2. Go 30 days smoke/vape free
  3. Make your own lunches for work
  4. De-clutter your house. (Choose a room a week and throw out all those unused or expired items)
  5. Take a social media detox for 30 days
  6. Give up sugar
  7. Give up meat-or try Veganuary!
  8. Drink 2 liters of water a day
  9. Take a photo a day-photography challenge
  10. Learn a language using Duolingo or Babble
  11. Go 30 days without snacking
  12. Give up a bad habit such as biting your nails
  13. Watch every sunset
  14. Read 30 minutes a day
  15. Try intermittent fasting
  16. Sweat every day: 40-minute walks, 50 squats, 50 situps
  17. Draw a doodle a day
  18. Wake up at 6 am every day
  19. Do 10-15 minutes of yoga or meditation a day
  20. Write down one good thing that made you laugh or smile a day
  21. Start a new craft or hobby
  22. Do one act of kindness a day
  23. Tell someone you love them every day
  24. Sing a song or dance every day
  25. Spend an hour a day in nature

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

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

Winter Safety For Older Adults

When the temperature drops, older adults run a higher risk of health problems and injuries related to the weather, including hypothermia, frostbite, and falls in ice and snow. Like most things in life, it is better to be prepared. Here are a few precautions everyone should take, especially older adults, during the winter.

Hypothermia & Frostbite   Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature drops to a dangerous level. Your body temperature can drop when you are out in the cold for an extended time because it begins to lose heat quickly. Older adults are at an increased risk of hypothermia due to changes that happen to your body with aging.

Hypothermia Warning Signs: cold skin that is pale or ashy; feeling very tired, confused and sleepy; glassy stare; feeling weak; problems walking; slowed breathing or heart rate. Call 911 if you think you or someone else has hypothermia. Shivering is not a reliable warning sign because older people tend to shiver less or not at all when their body temperature drops.

Frostbite occurs when a body part experiences damage to the skin from extreme cold. It is most likely to occur on body parts farthest away from your heart. Common places include your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. In severe cases, frostbite can result in loss of limbs. People with heart disease and other circulation problems are at a higher risk.

Frostbite Warning Signs: skin that’s white or ashy or grayish-yellow; skin that feels hard or waxy; numbness. If you think you or someone else has frostbite, call for medical help immediately. If frostbite occurs, run the affected area under warm (not hot) water, or place it against warm skin. Do not rub!

Precautions to take

  • Stay indoors (or don’t stay outside for very long).
  • Keep indoor temperature at 65 degrees or warmer.
  • Stay dry because wet clothing chills your body more quickly.
  • Dress smart- protect your lungs from cold air. Layer up! Wearing 2 or 3 thinner layers of loose-fitting clothing is warmer than a single layer of thick clothing. Think about getting your thermals!
  • Essential winter wear: hats, gloves (or preferably mittens), winter coat, boots, and a scarf to cover your mouth and nose.

Injury While Shoveling Snow  It’s one of the evils of winter—snow shoveling. If you choose to shovel, take some precautions. Remember, when it’s cold outside, your heart works double time to keep you warm. Strenuous activities like shoveling snow may put too much strain on your heart, especially if you have heart disease. Shoveling can also be dangerous if you have problems with balance or have “thin bones” (osteoporosis).

  • Ask your healthcare providerwhether shoveling or other work in the snow is safe for you. Some healthcare providers suggest not shoveling over age 45.
  • Pace yourself. If you start to tire or become short of breath, take a rest break.
  • Push snow rather than throw or lift whenever possible. Take smaller shovelfuls and avoid using large shovels. Bend your knees and lift with your legs.
  • If you smoke, please do not smoke while shoveling, it will deprive your muscles of needed oxygen.

Falls  It is easy to slip and fall in the winter, especially in icy and snowy conditions.

  • Make sure steps and walkways are clear before you walk.
  • Wear boots with non-skid soles or use traction cleats such as Yaktrax.
  • If you use a cane, replace the rubber tip often and consider an ice pick-like attachment.

Accidents While Driving  Adults 65 and older are involved in more car crashes per mile driven than those in nearly all other age groups. Winter is an especially important time to be vigilant when driving because road conditions and weather may not be optimal.

  • “Winterize” your car before the bad weather hits! This means having the antifreeze, tires, and windshield wipers checked and changed if necessary.
  • Remember your cell phone when you drive in bad weather, and always let someone know where you are going and when you should be expected back.
  • Stock your car with basic emergency supplies such as: first aid kit, blankets, extra warm clothes, booster cables, windshield scraper, shovel, rock salt or a bag of sand or cat litter (in case your wheels get stuck), Water and dried food (nuts, granola bars), flashlight.

With a little preparation, we hope that you and your family stay safe and warm this winter. Happy Holidays from the team at Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health!

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 Plan For Recovery at Home After Surgery

In this blog, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health brings to light the services you can receive after surgery and how to be prepared before your surgery. There are a lot of things to think about when preparing for major surgery. What are the risks? Will you be in pain? Have you thought about what help you’ll need to recover? Will you be able to stay at home while you heal? Although every surgical recovery is different, the goals of home-based clinical care after surgery include patient and family involvement, shared decision-making, and flexibility around changes in plans to meet your needs.

Having home care services from Pemi-Baker can help you recover more quickly, keep you safe at home, and just as importantly, help you avoid another hospital stay.

Planning ahead for care

Although it’s not always possible to schedule your surgery in advance, you should understand beforehand how long your recovery may take, what you will and will not be able to do, and what help you will need while you are home.

Speaking to your doctor or your hospital discharge planner about home health care services prior to surgery will help you prepare for when you go home again. If your surgery is the result of an emergency situation, a family member or other caregiver could arrange for services on your behalf.

Additionally, since outpatient (day) surgery has become a much more common option, many people find themselves recovering from surgery at home the same day as their procedure. Some are unprepared to effectively manage their pain and discomfort, making it difficult for them to perform even routine tasks or basic personal care. They may be weak and tired. Managing multiple medications can be confusing and properly caring for the incision site can be challenging. The trusted, compassionate staff at Pemi-Baker will help.

How home health care helps your recovery

Home health care is personalized to fit your needs, based on your physician’s instructions and your own personal preferences. Depending on the complexity of the surgery, you may receive a single type of care or a combination of services. Nurses can provide services including wound care and medication management, while home health aides can provide assistance with personal care including bathing, dressing, and light housekeeping. Physical and occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and social workers also play an important role in the recovery process. With orders from your doctor and input from you about your needs, the Pemi-Baker team will design a plan of care to reach your goals and help you recover.

What you can do ahead of the surgery

You can make your recovery at home go a lot smoother if you take a little time to plan ahead. Ask your doctor what you won’t be able to do at first while you’re healing up, and get help from friends and family to prepare your living space. You need to be careful about falling after an operation. “People get dizzy because they haven’t eaten for a few days and from being in bed,” says Jenn Stewart, RN, Clinical Supervisor. “You may need to get a walker or crutches to cut down your risk of a fall. Other tips to avoid stumbling would be using night lights in hallways, sleeping in a bedroom near a bathroom, wearing flat shoes or slippers and reducing the clutter in your home” said Stewart.

  • Do I need to make changes to my house? This depends on what kind of operation you have. If it’s a complicated one, like a joint replacement or stomach surgery, you may need to tweak a few things in the bathroom or bedroom for easier access.
  • Stairs: If you can’t climb up and down them after your surgery, you might have to make some changes. For instance, if your bedroom is upstairs, you may need to sleep on a lower floor for a while. Ask your friends or family to move your bed before you go into the hospital, or check into renting a hospital bed if you need it.
  • Equipment: After some types of surgery, you’ll need to get special gear at home. Plan ahead if your doctor tells you that you need oxygen tanks, elevated toilets, shower seats, supplies to care for your cut, or other items. Get in touch with your insurance company to see if they’re part of your coverage.
  • Stock your pantry: Ask your doctor if you have to stick to a certain diet. Make sure you’re well supplied with the right food before you get back home. Since you may feel tired during your recovery, prepare some meals before your operation and put them in the freezer.

There are many things you and your family can do to prepare for your surgery and give you the best possible recovery. Make arrangements in advance if your surgeon suggests getting a nurse, physical therapist, or health aide. Make sure you schedule the first visit before you leave the hospital. Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health can see you in less than 24 hours of arriving home.

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

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

November is Home Care & Hospice Month

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

The Rewards of Being a Hospice Volunteer

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

Connie C.

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

Connie C.

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

You give of yourselves day & night without end!

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

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

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

Pam O.

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

Pam O.

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

“My home physical therapy was fantastic.”

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

Elizabeth B.

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

Elizabeth B.

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

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

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

Terry W.

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

Terry W.

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

“Everyone is so understanding supportive and kind.”

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

Leila L.

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

Leila L.

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

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

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

Paula W.

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

Paula W.

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

Your courage during Covid-19 does not go unnoticed

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

Bryan and Renee C., and our mom Joan

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

Bryan and Renee C., and our mom Joan

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