During November, the National Association for Home Care (NAHC) encourages all communities to celebrate National Home Care and Hospice Month, honoring the millions of nurses, home care aides, therapists and social workers who make a difference for the patients and families they serve.
“For the aged, disabled or ill, staying in the homes they know and love can become increasingly difficult unless they can get services they need to support them,” says Blake Nelson, director of Hamilton Home Health and Hamilton Home Hospice.
Home health care is medical care that is appropriate for people suffering from chronic illness or recovering from acute injury or illness who need skilled care to remain at home. Services include medication management, wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other skilled services provided by licensed individuals. Some patients qualify for additional services such as home health aides and medical social workers when necessary to support skilled services.
Care requires a physician’s order and requires that the patient be under the care of a physician. Most insurers also require that the patient be homebound, meaning the patient only leaves home infrequently and it is very difficult to do so.
Home health care can be mistaken for personal or companion care (or non-medical care), which includes transportation, errands, light housekeeping, meal preparation and assistance with activities of daily living. Private sitters and some private and government agencies provide this type of care.
When a disease process has become terminal and patients and families are ready to shift the focus of care from curative treatment to comfort care and symptom control, hospice care allows patients to remain in familiar surroundings at the end of life. Hospice care provides support and education to the patient’s family during the patient’s time on hospice and for a specified time after the death of the patient.
Hospice provides four levels of care, including routine home care, respite care, general inpatient care and continuous home care. These levels are determined based on the patient’s needs and can be provided in the home, in a nursing home or assisted living facility or, in some cases, in the hospital.
“Choosing to receive hospice care does not mean you are giving up hope or that death is imminent. Hospice care allows the patient to live every day to the fullest,” says Nelson. “The earlier someone receives hospice care, the more opportunity there is to stabilize his or her medical condition and address other needs. Some patients actually improve and may be discharged from hospice care.”
Utilizing a hospice program allows the patient and their loved ones to voice their opinions and concerns while being a part of creating their own plan of care. Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity and emotional support.
Hospice is appropriate when patients with a life-limiting illness discover that continued aggressive disease treatment is no longer effective, beneficial or desired.
“This type of care not only ensures that symptoms are managed and medications and equipment are provided, but it also supports families and assists them in dealing with the emotional and physical strain that can accompany end-of-life situations,” Nelson says.
Hospice care is a benefit of Medicare and most private insurers as long as the patient continues to meet the necessary criteria. The benefit pays for all care, equipment (including hospital beds and oxygen) and medications associated with the patient’s terminal diagnosis. Hamilton Hospice is committed to caring for all patients, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay.
Patients may revoke their hospice benefit at any time if they feel the need to resume more aggressive care. Patients can also re-enroll in hospice as their condition worsens.
For more information, please visit hamiltonhealth.com/services or call Hamilton Home Health at 706-226-2848 or Hamilton Hospice at 706-278-2848.
Home health and hospice are part of the continuum of services that are provided by Hamilton Health Care System, which also includes hospital care, cardiovascular services, rehabilitation and wellness, ambulatory infusion, cancer care, behavioral health, long-term care, wound care and others.
During November, the National Association for Home Care (NAHC) encourages all communities to celebrate National Home Care and Hospice Month, honoring the millions of nurses, home care aides, therapists, and social workers who make a difference for the patients and families they serve.
Blake Nelson
“For the aged, disabled or ill, staying in the homes they know and love can become increasingly difficult unless they can get services they need to support them,” says Blake Nelson, director of Hamilton Home Health.
Home health care is medical care that is appropriate for people suffering from chronic illness or recovering from acute injury or illness who need skilled care to remain at home. Services include medication management, wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other skilled services provided by licensed individuals. Some patients qualify for additional services such as home health aides and medical social workers when necessary to support skilled services.
Care requires a physician’s order and requires that the patient be under the care of a physician. Most insurers also require that the patient be homebound, meaning the patient only leaves home infrequently and it is very difficult to do so.
Home health care can be mistaken for personal or companion care (or non-medical care), which includes transportation, errands, light housekeeping, meal preparation and assistance with activities of daily living. Private sitters and some private and government agencies provide this type of care.
When a disease process has become terminal and patients and families are ready to shift the focus of care from curative treatment to comfort care and symptom control, hospice care allows patients to remain in familiar surroundings at the end of life. Hospice care provides support and education to the patient’s family during the patient’s time on hospice and for a specified time after the death of the patient.
Hospice provides four levels of care, including routine home care, respite care, general inpatient care and continuous home care. These levels are determined based on the patient’s needs and can be provided in the home, in a nursing home or assisted living facility or, in some cases, in the hospital.
Lauren Jones
“Choosing to receive hospice care does not mean you are giving up hope or that death is imminent. Hospice care allows the patient to live every day to the fullest,” says Lauren Jones, administrator and clinical manager for Hamilton Hospice. “The earlier someone receives hospice care, the more opportunity there is to stabilize his or her medical condition and address other needs. Some patients actually improve and may be discharged from hospice care.
Jones says one of the biggest fears of terminally ill patients is losing control of making their own decisions. “Utilizing a hospice program allows the patient and their loved ones to voice their opinions and concerns while being a part of creating their own plan of care with our interdisciplinary team as a whole,” she says.
Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity and emotional support.
“The quality of life for the patient, but also family members and others, who are caregivers, is the highest priority,” says Jones.
Hospice is appropriate when patients with a life-limiting illness discover that continued aggressive disease treatment is no longer effective, beneficial or desired.
“This type of care not only ensures that symptoms are managed and medications and equipment are provided, but it also supports families and assists them in dealing with the emotional and physical strain that can accompany end-of-life situations,” Jones says.
Hospice care is a benefit of Medicare and most private insurers as long as the patient continues to meet the necessary criteria. The benefit pays for all care, equipment (including hospital beds and oxygen) and medications associated with the patient’s terminal diagnosis. Hamilton Hospice is committed to caring for all patients, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay.
Patients may revoke their hospice benefit at any time if they feel the need to resume more aggressive care. Patients can also re-enroll in hospice as their condition worsens.
For more information, please visit hamiltonhealth.com/services or call Hamilton Home Health at 706-226-2848 or Hamilton Hospice at 706-278-2848.
Home health and hospice are part of the continuum of services that are provided by Hamilton Health Care System, which also includes hospital care, cardiovascular services, rehabilitation and wellness, ambulatory infusion, cancer care, behavioral health, long-term care, wound care and others.
Hamilton Hospice recently recognized Winfred Bryant with a Veteran’s Recognition Award. This photo was taken during his military service.
Hamilton Hospice recently recognized Winfred Bryant with a Veteran’s Recognition Award.
Bryant served in the United States Army during WWII. Two years before entering the military, he supported the war effort by working in the shipbuilding industry in Baltimore. He said he returned from Europe on one of the ships that were built in that shipyard.
He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where he and his infantry recaptured enemy territory. During the battle, he was pulled into a German foxhole by a fellow soldier and friend after receiving a gunshot to the head. Because it was during the winter, his wound was packed with snow, which, according to medical personnel at the time was likely why Bryant survived the gunshot wound. He later received the Purple Heart Award.
Bryant recalled that during the war, the U.S. government gave soldiers packs of cigarettes as part of their rations. Since he did not smoke, he gave his pack to a German P.O.W., who out of gratitude, painted a landscape of the countryside for Bryant. He has kept the painting until this day.
“It is incredible stories like these that attest to the sacrifice and commitment of our men and women in uniform,” said Ann Larkin-Huff, Hamilton Hospice social worker. “It is always a privilege to recognize and honor their service.”
Hamilton Hospice regularly recognizes its patients who are veterans for their sacrifice and dedication to our country.
Hamilton Home Health and Hamilton Hospice team members are pictured.
During November, the National Association for Home Care (NAHC) encourages all communities to celebrate National Home Care and Hospice Month, honoring the millions of nurses, home care aides, therapists and social workers who make a difference for the patients and families they serve.
“For the aged, disabled or ill, staying in the homes they know and love can become increasingly difficult unless they can get services they need to support them,” says Derek Crum, RN, interim director of Hamilton Home Health.
Home health care is medical care that is appropriate for people suffering from chronic illness or recovering from acute injury or illness who need skilled care to remain at home. Services include medication management, wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other skilled services provided by licensed individuals. Some patients qualify for additional services such as home health aides and medical social workers when necessary to support skilled services.
Care requires a physician’s order, and requires that the patient be under the care of a physician. Most insurers also require that the patient be homebound, meaning the patient only leaves home infrequently and it is very difficult to do so.
Home health care can be mistaken for personal or companion care (or non-medical care), which includes transportation, errands, light housekeeping, meal preparation and assistance with activities of daily living. Private sitters and some private and government agencies provide this type of care.
When a disease process has become terminal and patients and families are ready to shift the focus of care from curative treatment to comfort care and symptom control, in-home hospice care allows patients to remain in familiar surroundings at the end of life.
“Choosing to receive hospice care does not mean you are giving up hope or that death is imminent,” says Robbie Wheat, director of Hamilton Hospice. “The earlier someone receives hospice care, the more opportunity there is to stabilize his or her medical condition and address other needs. Some patients actually improve and may be discharged from hospice care.”
Hospice care is a type of home care and is appropriate when patients with life-limiting illness discover that continued aggressive disease treatment is no longer effective, beneficial or desired. Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity and emotional support. The quality of life for the patient, but also family members and others who are caregivers, is the highest priority.
“This type of care not only ensures that symptoms are controlled and medications and equipment are provided so that patients are comfortable, it also supports families and assists them in dealing with the emotional and physical strain that can accompany end-of-life situations,” says Cynthia Washington, RN, Hamilton Hospice administrator and clinical manager.
Hospice care is a benefit of Medicare and most private insurers as long as the patient continues to meet the necessary criteria. The benefit pays for all care, equipment and medications associated with the patient’s terminal diagnosis. Hamilton Hospice is committed to caring for all patients, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay.
Patients may revoke their hospice benefit at any time if they feel the need to resume more aggressive care. Patients can also re-enroll in hospice as their condition worsens.
Home health and hospice are part of the continuum of services that are provided by Hamilton Health Care System, which also includes hospital care, cardiovascular services, rehabilitation and wellness, ambulatory infusion, cancer care, behavioral health, long-term care, wound care and others.
Cyndi Washington, RN, Hospice clinical manager and administrator; Frances Lawrence, CAN; Jason Gonzales, CAN; Heather White, CAN; Mary Greene, RN, nurse supervisor; and Michelle Bruton, RN, nurse supervisor.
As part of the celebration of November as National Home Care and Hospice month, the National Association for Home Care (NAHC) recognized the second full week of November as Home Care Aide Week. These individuals are recognized for bringing personal warmth to the daily work of giving personal care.
Nurses and therapists can assist with medication administration, teaching and disease management. But many times, patients and caregivers do not know how to manipulate equipment, safely transfer a patient into a shower, give a bed bath, change a bed with a person in it, or turn and position a patient.
“These tasks can be overwhelming,” said Cyndi Washington, RN, Hamilton Hospice administrator a clinical manager. “A home health aide can be an invaluable ally to support families as they provide care to their loved ones.”
A home health aide is so much more than the person who gives a bath or straightens a room, according to Frances Lawrence, home health aide. “We are the eyes and ears for the nurses and therapists as well,” she said. “We can pick up on changes going on with a patient and report those changes to the patient’s nurse.”
Personal care is therapeutic, especially when it is provided with love and compassion. “A bath is not only a task listed on my assignment sheet, it is something I can do that can help a patient relax and feel so much better,” said Dee Underwood, hospice aide. “Washing someone’s hair, providing foot care or a back rub sometimes opens the door for that person to talk or express things they want or need to say. I enjoy getting to know each one of my patients.”
Hamilton Home Health and Hamilton Hospice employs a total of five home health and hospice aides.
“We have been blessed at this agency to have such caring people working as home health and hospice aides,” said Mary Greene, Home Health supervisor. “They not only care for the patient. They work with families and caregivers to teach them techniques to help patients be safer and feel more comfortable as they provide personal care.”
Recognizing military service is very important to those at Hamilton Hospice and Hamilton Home Health.
Throughout the year, Hamilton Hospice recognizes veterans. The Veteran’s Recognition Certificate is presented at family gatherings. The gatherings include the reading of poems, singing and reminiscing with family and friends.
Additionally, throughout the year, social workers coordinate with Veterans Affairs in getting benefits for patients who are veterans. On Veterans Day, thank-you cards and flags are given out. And at Hamilton Hospice celebration of life services, held each spring, veterans are recognized through the display of a veterans wreath and candle, and through the reading of their veteran status during a special bell ringing ceremony.
Mark Elam, MD
Hamilton Hospice began recognizing Veterans formally in 2010 when Mark Elam, MD, hospice medical director, made the recommendation to present a Veteran’s Recognition Certificate to veteran patients.
“I think it is the most important thing we’ve added to the program,” said Elam. “For veterans to receive recognition, it means everything, especially for Vietnam veterans.” Elam served as a physician with the U.S. Army, completing his service as a major. He practiced medicine at multiple military hospitals including the 97th General Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany (serving during the fall of the Berlin Wall). Also, he comes from a family of veterans, with his father and uncles serving in WWII.
Tommy Deal
Hospice chaplain Tommy Deal agreed. “It is such an honor to recognize our veteran patients in this way,” he said. “To say ‘thank you’ to them is important in recognizing the whole person God has created, and [He] has allowed us to serve [during] this time.”
Ann Larkin-Huff
Neal Brannen, RN, hospice case manager, served in the U.S. Navy as a 1st class petty officer/sonar technician. Often Brannen presents the certificate to hospice patients. “It is a very emotional moment to watch a veteran from one generation paying tribute to a veteran from another,” said Ann Larkin-Huff, hospice social worker. Larkin-Huff fondly remembers stories of her father’s time in service, which sparked her aspiration to honor veterans through her work today.
Several other team members at Hamilton Hospice and Hamilton Home Health are veterans or have strong ties to service members. They include:
Daryl Silver – served as an infantry medic
Kristie Ferguson-Johnson – father served in the U.S. Marine Corps and nephew is a U.S. Marine in active service
Deb Barnes – father served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea, son serving in U.S. Army
Tiffany Coker – father served in U.S. Army
Derek Crum – father served in U.S. Army, stationed in Korea
Mary Green – father served in U.S. Army, brother served in U.S. Marine Corps
Megan Little – grandfather served in U.S. Air Force (WWII), cousin is serving in U.S. Navy
Mandy Preston – son is serving in U.S. Navy
Candi Sanders – husband served in U.S. Army
Evelyn Wall – father served in U.S. Army (Korea)
Heather White – husband served in U.S. Marine Corps.
Hamilton Hospice is inviting anyone who has lost a loved one to attend its spring Celebration of Life service at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 2. The event will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Dalton, 101 South Selvidge St. The service is held in honor of the loved ones cared for by Hamilton Hospice throughout the past several months, but is open to all those grieving a loss.
“This service is an opportunity to celebrate the lives of those we’ve lost and provide a place where family members and friends can share memories and find comfort,” said Megan Little, bereavement coordinator for Hamilton Hospice.
The service is designed to comfort and encourage family members and friends in attendance with words of encouragement, special music and a butterfly tribute. At the conclusion of the service, each family is given a live butterfly and asked to join the hospice team for a butterfly release ceremony.
Families are encouraged to bring a framed photo of their loved one to display during the service.
Serving Whitfield, Murray, Gordon, Catoosa, Walker and Dade counties, Hamilton Hospice is an accredited, not-for-profit program providing holistic care encompassing the individual’s physical, psychosocial and spiritual well-being. For more information, call Hamilton Hospice at 706-278-2848.
: Hamilton Home Health and Hamilton Home Hospice celebrated Home Care Aide Week Nov. 14-20. From left are Frances Lawrence, home health aide; Mary Greene, home health clinical supervisor; Heather White, supply and home health aide coordinator; Rachelle Cherry, Home Health clinical manager; Dee Underwood, hospice aide; and Susie Compton, director of Hamilton Home Health and Hamilton Hospice.
As part of the celebration of November as National Home Care and Hospice month, the National Association for Home Care (NAHC) recognized the second full week of November as Home Care Aide Week. These individuals are recognized for bringing personal warmth to the daily work of giving personal care. They play an invaluable role for their patients as caregivers, companions and friends.
Nurses and therapists can assist with medication administration, teaching and disease management. But many times, patients and caregivers do not know how to manipulate equipment, safely transfer a patient into a shower, give a bed bath, change a bed with a person in it, or turn and position a patient. “These tasks can be overwhelming,” says Susie Compton, RN, director of Hamilton Home Health and Hamilton Hospice. “A home health aide can be an invaluable ally to support families as they provide care to their loved ones.”
A home health aide is so much more than the person who gives a bath or straightens a room, according to Frances Lawrence, home health aide. “We are the eyes and ears for the nurses and therapists as well,” she says. “We can pick up on changes going on with a patient and report those changes to the patient’s nurse.”
Personal care is therapeutic, especially when it is provided with love and compassion. “A bath is not only a task listed on my assignment sheet, it is something I can do that can help a patient relax and feel so much better,” says Dee Underwood, hospice aide. “Washing someone’s hair, providing foot care or a back rub sometimes opens the door for that person to talk or express things they want or need to say. I enjoy getting to know each one of my patients.”
Rachelle Cherry, Home Health clinical manager, says working with aides allows the agency to detect and treat changes in vital signs, pain and functional ability.
“We have been blessed at this agency to have such caring people working as home health and hospice aides,” says Mary Greene, Home Health supervisor. “They not only care for the patient, they work with families and caregivers to teach them techniques to help patients be safer and feel more comfortable as they provide personal care.”
During November, the National Association for Home Care (NAHC) encourages all communities to celebrate National Home Care and Hospice Month, honoring the millions of nurses, home care aides, therapists and social workers who make a difference for the patients and families they serve.
“For the aged, disabled or ill, staying in the homes they know and love can become increasingly difficult unless they can get services they need to support them,” says Susie Compton, RN, director of Hamilton Home Health and Hamilton Hospice.
Home health care is medical care that is appropriate for people suffering from chronic illness, recovering from acute injury or illness and needing skilled care to remain at home. Services include medication management, wound care, physical therapy, speech therapy and other skilled services provided by licensed individuals. Some patients qualify for additional services such as home health aides and medical social workers when necessary to support skilled services.
Care requires a physician’s order, and requires that the patient be under the care of a physician. Most insurers also require that the patient be homebound, meaning the patient only leaves home infrequently, and it is very difficult to do so.
Home health care can be mistaken for personal or companion care (or non-medical care), which includes transportation, errands, light housekeeping, meal preparation and assistance with activities of daily living. Private sitters and some private and government agencies provide this type of care.
When a disease process has become terminal and patients and families are ready to shift the focus of care from curative treatment to comfort care and symptom control, in-home hospice care allows patients to remain in familiar surroundings at the end of life.
Hospice care is a type of home care and is appropriate when patients with life-limiting illness discover that continued aggressive disease treatment is no longer effective, beneficial or desired. Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity and emotional support. The quality of life for the patient, but also family members and others who are caregivers, is the highest priority.
“This type of care not only ensures that symptoms are controlled and medications and equipment are provided so that patients are comfortable, it also supports families and assists them in dealing with the emotional and physical strain that can accompany end-of-life situations,” says Cynthia Washington, RN, Hamilton Hospice clinical manager.
Hospice care is a benefit of Medicare and most private insurers as long as the patient continues to meet the necessary criteria. The benefit pays for all care, equipment and medications associated with the patient’s terminal diagnosis. Hamilton Hospice is committed to caring for all patients, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay.
“Choosing to receive hospice care does not mean you are giving up hope or that death is imminent,” says Compton. “The earlier someone receives hospice care, the more opportunity there is to stabilize his or her medical condition and address other needs. Some patients actually improve and may be discharged from hospice care.”
Patients may revoke their hospice benefit at any time if they feel the need to resume more aggressive care. Patients can also re-enroll in hospice as their condition and needs warrant.
For more information, please visit hamiltonhealth.com/services or call Hamilton Home Health at 706-226-2848 or Hamilton Hospice at 706-278-2848.
Home health and hospice are part of the continuum of services that are provided by Hamilton Health Care System, which also includes hospital care, women’s services, rehabilitation and wellness, ambulatory infusion, cancer care, behavioral health, long-term care, wound care and others.
Pictured are some of the Ramp Team members from First Baptist Church of Dalton who recently helped build an access ramp for a Hamilton Hospice patient. From left are Bill Cosby, Bob “The Builder” Harrell and Don Mincey
A Hamilton Hospice patient was recently in need of an access ramp for his residence. Ann Larkin-Huff, social worker, contacted several community organizations known to have expertise in ramp building.
The Ramp Team of First Baptist Church of Dalton agreed to assist and got busy. Led by Bob “The Builder” Harrell, the team met with the spouse of the patient, assessed the need and set a plan. Once the patient and wife agreed to the plan, the lumber and supplies were ordered.
The team began pre-building the ramp in a warehouse in Dalton and then delivered the sections to the residence. The next morning, the team met at the residence, and by noon the ramp was completed.
“Hospice care is a collaboration of all community resources assisting patients and their families navigate a difficult season of life,” said Susie Compton, director of Hamilton Home Health and Hospice. “Patients and their families deserve the best that can be offered. Hospice cannot provide everything they need. Community resources like the Ramp Team of First Baptist Church of Dalton are so important in providing quality end-of-life care.”
Compton said Hamilton Hospice is grateful for community partnerships and volunteers who offer their time and expertise. For more information on how you can assist, call Megan Little, Hamilton Hospice volunteer coordinator, at 706-278-2848.