Each November, the nation recognizes National Home Care & Hospice Month, honoring the dedicated healthcare professionals who bring hope, healing, comfort, and support to millions of patients and families. Nurses, therapists, home health aides, social workers, and volunteers play an essential role in helping people receive quality care in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes.
At Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health, this month is an opportunity to recognize the remarkable team members who make a difference in the lives of individuals and families throughout our community. Their compassion, expertise, and commitment help patients maintain their independence, recover from illness or surgery, and experience greater comfort and dignity at every stage of life.
“Every day, our team has the privilege of meeting people where they are in their healthcare journey,” said Aubrey Engle, RN, Executive Director of Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health. “Whether we are helping someone regain their strength after surgery, supporting a patient living with a chronic illness, or providing comfort and guidance at the end of life, our goal is always the same: to deliver compassionate, personalized care that allows people to remain as safe, comfortable, and independent as possible. I am incredibly proud of our staff and grateful for the dedication each person brings to our mission.”
Pemi-Baker also recognizes the employees who work behind the scenes in administration, finance, quality improvement, and support services. Although their work may not always be visible to patients and families, their contributions are essential to ensuring that care is coordinated, resources are available, and the organization continues to provide the highest quality services.
Understanding Home Health and Hospice Care
Many families are unsure when it may be time to consider home health or hospice services. Understanding the difference can help patients and loved ones make informed decisions and access the right support when they need it.
Home health care provides skilled medical services to individuals who need professional care but prefer to remain at home. This may include patients recovering from surgery, a stroke, or another serious medical event, as well as those managing ongoing conditions such as COPD, diabetes, or heart failure. Skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy, wound care, medication management, and assistance with mobility and fall prevention can all help patients regain strength, manage their health, and avoid unnecessary hospital visits.
Hospice care takes a different approach, focusing on comfort and quality of life for individuals living with a life-limiting illness. An interdisciplinary team works together to manage pain and other symptoms while providing emotional, spiritual, and practical support to patients and their families. Bereavement services, volunteer companionship, and specialized support for veterans are also important parts of hospice care. Hospice is not about giving up; it is about making the most of the time that remains while ensuring patients and families do not have to navigate the journey alone.
Although home health and hospice serve different healthcare needs, they share an important philosophy: care should be centered on the individual and delivered in the place they feel most comfortable. Both services are personalized to each patient’s needs and goals, with a focus on safety, independence, dignity, and quality of life. Services are available through a physician’s referral, and receiving appropriate care at home may help reduce the need for costly hospital or facility-based services.
The Importance of Care at Home
For decades, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health has been committed to helping individuals throughout its 32-town service area receive compassionate, high-quality care where they feel most secure—at home. Whether supporting recovery, managing a chronic condition, or providing comfort during life’s final chapter, the Pemi-Baker team believes that everyone deserves care that honors their wishes and respects their dignity.
The need for home-based care continues to grow. According to national home care industry statistics, providers collectively travel more than 8 billion miles each year to deliver care, home care services reach more than 5 million Americans annually, and approximately 90% of Americans express a preference for aging in place.
National Home Care & Hospice Month is a reminder that behind every visit is a healthcare professional making a meaningful difference—not only for patients, but for the families and caregivers who depend on their support.
To learn more about home health, hospice, or the services offered by Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health, visit www.pbhha.org or call 603-536-2232. Compassionate guidance is just a phone call away.
