Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health Launches Online Auction Fundraiser to Support Free Community Services

May 1, 2023

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is pleased to announce our upcoming online auction fundraiser in support of our free community services. The auction will run for one month, starting from May 1^st to May 31^st, 2023, and will feature over 120 items from local businesses.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all of our business sponsors who generously contributed to this event. Their support has made this auction possible, and we are grateful for their dedication to our cause. Thank you to Speare Memorial Hospital, Dumont Construction, Waterville Valley Realty, Northway Bank, Mid-State Health Center, Bank of New Hampshire, Paquette Signs, Noyes Insurance, R.M. Piper Inc., Meredith Village Savings Bank, Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green, New England Employee Benefits Company, Roper Real Estate, Insurance24, Mainstay Technologies, Horne Electric, The Edge of Town Tavern, Mountain Fare Inn, Wild Heart Yoga & Wellness Studio, Boulder Suites Group, El Mariachi Restaurant, the Vascak Family, Van Sickle Family, Varin Family, Jagoda Family and the Curran-Konrad Family.

The funds raised from this auction will help support Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health’s mission to provide compassionate end-of-life care, grief & caregiver support, ‘Ask A Pemi-Baker Nurse’ days and home health services to those in need, regardless of their ability to pay.

We invite everyone to participate in this exciting event and bid on the wide range of items donated by local businesses. From gift cards to home goods, there is something for everyone at this auction.

To view and bid on the items, please visit our auction website at www.32auctions.com/Pemibaker23.

Thank you in advance for your support of Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health, and we look forward to your participation in this online auction.

Grief & Loss Support Group Offers Comfort and Connection for Those in Need

April 1, 2023

6 Week Series Offered by Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health

Beginning Tuesday, April 25th, 2023

Pemi-Baker Hospice and Home Health will begin a new Bereavement Support Group series on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Our Bereavement Support Groups include a brief educational component to stimulate sharing and discussion among participants who are seeking to process grief from any kind of loss. In an effort to be available to a wider sector of our communities, Pemi-Baker’s Bereavement Support Groups are offered in the morning in-person at the Plymouth Area Senior Center at 11:00am. The group will meet for six weeks.

Kubler-Ross: 5 Stages of Grief

This particular series offering is entitled “KUBLER-ROSS: BEFORE AND BEYOND”. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’ five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) have filtered down into our common awareness since they were first proposed in the 1960s.

There were other grief theorists prior to her work, including Sigmund Freud himself, “the father of modern psychology”, in the 1920s. In the 1940s, Erich Lindemann suggested moving toward an emotional detachment from the deceased, readjusting to one’s environment where the deceased is no longer present, and establishing new relationships as a plan toward dealing with loss. Coming after Kubler-Ross, in the 1970s, John Bowlby and Colin Murray Parkes developed their four-stage grief work model. In the 1980s, J. William Worden described four tasks of mourning and Therese Rando formulated her six R’s of Bereavement (recognize, react, recollect, relinquish, readjust, and reinvest).

Simon Rubin, in the 1990s, submitted for consideration his notion of two tracks of bereavement while Margaret Stroebe and Henk Schut proposed their dual process model wherein the bereaved person is challenged both by loss-related stress and the stress of moving toward restoration as life around the bereaved continues to go on. Alan D. Wolfelt devised a listing of six needs of mourning.

As grief studies continue to develop, we are learning that the process of mourning is unique and profoundly personal. Though there may be common elements in the process, no two persons will grieve in the same way at the same pace.

Pemi-Baker’s Bereavement Support Groups hope to provide a safe setting in which mourning persons can meet and speak their experience of working through their grief. Listening to others share their own discovery of what has been helpful, can provide group members with points of commonality and connection which may help in ongoing growth and healing.

Again, the groups are intended to assist in the processing of any loss, not just loss occurring following upon a death. There is no cost for attendance. Interested persons MUST pre-register prior to the first session on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Please contact the group facilitator, Guy Tillson, Pemi-Baker Hospice and Home Health Bereavement Services Coordinator by email at gtillson@pbhha.org or leave a phone message 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

~written by Guy Tillson

Prioritizing Nutrition in Older Adults: A Key to Optimal Health & Well-being

March 20, 2023

As we age, the importance of good nutrition becomes increasingly crucial. Eating a balanced diet with the right nutrients is essential for maintaining optimal health and preventing chronic diseases. Yet, older adults often face challenges that make it difficult to maintain a healthy diet.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition is a significant health concern for older adults. Poor nutrition can lead to a weakened immune system, muscle weakness, and an increased risk of falls and fractures. Additionally, it can contribute to cognitive decline, depression, and other mental health problems.

“Good nutrition is vital for older adults because their bodies require fewer calories, but they need more nutrients to maintain their health,” says Danielle Paquette-Horne, RN, Executive Director with Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health. “Unfortunately, many older adults struggle with eating a healthy diet due to a lack of appetite, difficulty chewing or swallowing, and other health issues.”

To help older adults stay healthy, it’s essential to prioritize good nutrition. Here are some tips for older adults:

Eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other fluids.
Avoid empty calories from processed foods, sugary drinks, and snacks.
Pay attention to portion sizes to avoid overeating.
Talk to a healthcare provider or registered dietitian to develop an individualized nutrition plan.
Consider taking dietary supplements if recommended by a healthcare provider.

“Older adults need to be mindful of their nutrition and take steps to maintain a healthy diet,” says Paquette-Horne, RN. “By making small changes to their diet and seeking guidance from healthcare professionals, they can live a healthy and fulfilling 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

Announcing Spring Auction Fundraiser and Seeking Business Sponsorships to Support Our Mission

March 7, 2023

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health, your local, non-profit, visiting nurse association, is excited to announce their upcoming auction fundraiser to be held on line the month of May. The event runs from May 1^st– 30^th and all proceeds raised are for friends and neighbors who are under-insured as well as Pemi-Baker’s FREE community programs: ‘Ask A Pemi-Baker Nurse’, Grief and Caregiver Support Groups and Advance Directive workshops.

All proceeds from the auction fundraiser will directly benefit our programs and help us achieve our mission of supporting families with advanced illness at home. However, we cannot achieve this alone, and we are seeking the support of local businesses to help us achieve our fundraising goals.

We are inviting businesses in the community to sponsor the event through a donation of goods, services, or funds. As a sponsor, your business will be recognized on our event signage, website, and social media accounts, and you will have the opportunity to connect with potential customers and demonstrate your commitment to supporting our community.

With the support of our community and local businesses, we can continue to make a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.

The following is an example of the Auction ’22 home page with business sponsorships:

If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please contact Anna Swanson, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health at 603-536-2232 or info@pbhha.org. We appreciate your consideration and support.

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 Grief Support Group Series

January 12, 2023

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

PBH&HH Score High in Hospice Satisfaction Survey Results

August 25, 2022

According to the most recent independent Strategic Healthcare Program (SHP) report comparing agencies of the Rural Health Care Network (RHCN), Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health (PBH&HH) shines bright in all categories and is at the top or tied for the top in over 20 categories of patient satisfaction for Hospice. We are touched and honored that our hospice families gave us such high scores with regard to the care their loved ones received.

The report measures many details about the agency’s interactions and care including communication with the family, getting timely help, treating patients with respect, emotional and spiritual support, help for pain and symptoms and training the family to care for the patient. Though PBH&HH scored high on all survey questions the following items scored a 100%-actual positive score:

“Communication with the family”-composed of separate questions, including-

Things were explained in a way that was easy to understand,
Hospice team listen carefully about any problems with care,
Family kept informed about patient’s condition

“Treating the patient with respect”-composed of 2 separate items including-

How often patient was treated with dignity and respect
You felt the hospice team really cared about the patient

“Percentage of families who would rate the Hospice care as a 9 or 10 on a 0-10 scale”
“Would you recommend this Hospice to family or friends?”

“Caring for the patient and their family is something our Hospice staff excels at. The feedback we receive from our Hospice families is a testament of the concern, compassion, and dedication our staff demonstrate every day,” said Lauren Bell, BSW, Hospice and Palliative Care Supervisor for Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health.

Are you wondering about Palliative and Hospice care for yourself or a loved one? Call us for a free in-home consultation with Lauren Bell, BSW or email your questions to info@pbhha.org.

With over 55 years serving clients from 29 towns in central and northern New Hampshire, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is committed to creating healthier communities. Expert services include at-home healthcare (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 in the business because of their hearts. Neighbors serving 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

Free Summer Support Groups Offered by Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health

June 21, 2022

Pemi-Baker Hospice and Home Health will be offering two new Grief and Loss Support Groups, beginning on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. The groups will deal with issues pertaining to loss and grief as these experiences impact the lives of individuals. The six sessions will draw on insights from the works of David Kessler, Kenneth Doka, and Alan Wolfelt, three leading voices in the area of grief studies.

There will be TWO groups:

A morning group will meet at the Plymouth Regional Senior Center from 11:00am through 12:30pm. We can accommodate TEN IN-PERSON participants. Group members will sit socially-distanced from one another. Masks are NOT required, but are recommended for those who wish to be cautious. We can also accommodate persons virtually via ZOOM.

There will also be a late afternoon group from 5:30pm through 7:00pm. The late afternoon group is ZOOM-accessible ONLY.

There is no cost for participating in these groups, though participants MUST pre-register by contacting Guy Tillson, Bereavement Coordinator, at gtillson@pbhha.org or by calling 603 536-2232. Each group will go for six sessions. The size of each group and the energy generated by discussion and sharing determines the length of each session. Though we allow for an hour and a half, we normally go for about an hour.

Pemi-Baker also offers a monthly support group for at-home caregivers. This group meets on the FIRST WEDNESDAY of each month at 10:00am. We can accommodate FIVE IN-PERSON participants in the Conference Room at Pemi-Baker Hospice and Home Health, 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, in Plymouth. In-person participants are required to wear masks. Virtual participation is also available via ZOOM. As with the grief and loss groups, please contact Guy Tillson at gtillson@pbhha.org or by calling 603 536-2232.

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

‘Lifting Life’

May 20, 2022

Pemi-Baker Kicking-Off Spring Auction!

April 30, 2022

May first is the kick-off date for Pemi-Baker Hospice and Home Health’s month long, online auction and they are inviting you to be a part of their largest fundraiser of the year!

The auction has something for everyone with gift certificates and specialty services from local businesses, breweries, restaurants, yoga studios, gift baskets with toys for the kids, champagne and chocolate picnics, Father’s Day baskets, camping supplies, spa day and golf packages, pontoon boat rentals, jewelry, local art ….the items are endless and with bidding options all month you can walk away with a steal!

The auction is online for the month of May at www.32auctions.com/PBHHH22.

All of the items have been donated by local businesses and friends of PBH&HH allowing all money raised to go to their uninsured patients as well as toward their free community programs (Coffee w/ Caregivers, Loss & Grief Support, Fill Out Your Forms) and free patient services: Therapeutic Comfort Cubs, Hospice Comfort Kits, Therapeutic Massage and Music Therapy.

“It is important for us to continue to support the members of our community who need medical aid at home and we are so appreciative of the businesses who helped us by being sponsors or by donating items to make this auction possible,” said Danielle Paquette-Horn, Executive Director.

PBH&HH would like to thank Dumont Construction, Rockywold-Deephaven Camps, The Vansickle Family, Mid-State Health Center, Waterville Valley Realty, Speare Memorial Hospital, Northway Bank, Bank of New Hampshire, Noyes Insurance, R.M. Piper General Contractors, Meredith Village Savings Bank, NE Employee Benefits Company, Insurance 24, Mainstay Technologies, Horne Electric, Wild Heart Yoga & Wellness Studio, Tartaglia’s Pizza, Badger Peabody & Smith Realty and Tom & Donna Wall for their sponsorships.

Spring Grief & Loss Support Groups Starting April 26th!

April 15, 2022

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health (PBH&HH) would like to welcome you to their FREE grief support groups being held on Tuesday mornings, 11-12:30pm, at the Plymouth Regional Senior Center. There is also a Zoom only group that meets later in the day from 5:30-7pm. Anyone who has lost a loved one is welcome. Topics include the stress of grief, tips for coping during the holidays and what helps when grief hurts.

Pre-registration is required for this 6 week session and the in-person, Tuesday morning meetings require a mask. Please call Guy Tillson, Hospice Chaplain at 603-536-2232 or email him at info@pbhha.org to register or learn more. We hope you will join us and find strength with others walking a similar path.

Tuesdays, April 26^th-May 31^st: 11am-12:30pm or 5:30pm-7pm

In your time of need, we’re right where you need us.