Mesothelioma

Millcreek Home Health and Hospice is pleased to present our first in a series of guest authored articles on health issues that we treat every day. The following is contributed by Rachel Gilner of The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com

Cancer has become a household name in current times. More and more people are being affected by cancer, either on a personal level or by someone they know. There are now so many different forms of cancer, many of which go unrecognized due to their rarity. One of these rare forms of cancer is mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma can develop after asbestos fibers are inhaled and attach to the mesothelial lining of the lungs. It is considered a silent but deadly cancer because of how it presents itself. The latency period can take between 20 to 50 years for symptoms to develop. By the time symptoms are present and the diagnosis has been made, mesothelioma is often in an advanced stage. Currently, there is no proven cure for mesothelioma.

There are options that are available to help make those affected more comfortable in the process.
As there is no cure for mesothelioma, and it is extremely aggressive, hospice and palliative care have become important for these patients. There are therapies that can help improve the life quality of mesothelioma patients. A few of these therapies include:

Surgery

Chemotherapy

Radiation Therapy

Clinical Trials

Alternative Therapies like Massage, Accupuncture, Meditation, Yoga and Transcutaneous Electical Nerve Stimulation Therapy

Hospice and palliative care are there to help ease and improve patient comfort level. Mesothelioma is associated with abdominal pain, chest pain, and shortness of breath. As a result, keeping the patient comfortable is crucial. Hospice not only cares for the physical ailments patients have, they also tend to the emotional, social, and spiritual state of the person. Family and peer support is also offered through counseling, and group therapy. Hospice also is able to help with the final wishes of their patients, including last will and testaments, power of attorney, and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders. Hospice and other palliative care programs create a comfortable transition to end of life care for suffering patients.

For more information on mesothelioma and asbestos related disease, visit our website.

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Employee Spotlight: Patient Care Coordinator Vicki Tracy, RN

Vicki Tracy, Registered Nurse, (RN, BSN)

 

Ms. Tracy has the opportunity to work with nearly all of Millcreek's home health patients. She is charged with providing care coordination for all of Millcreek's new and returning patients. Vicki works to ensure that patients are admitted to home health in a timely manner and that they are matched with the right nurses and therapists for their individual needs. She is also one of Millcreek's bilingual nurses and provides high quality care to our Spanish speaking patients. Vicki earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing from The University of Utah and has worked as a hospital nurse and home health case manager.

Employee Spotlight: Peggy Riedesel, PT, CWS

Peggy Riedesel

Physical Therapist & Certified Wound Specialist

Ms. Riedesel is a practicing physical therapist with 25 years of experience. Since earning her certification as a Wound Specialist through the American Academy of Wound Management in 1999, Ms. Riedesel has worked in acute out-patient and private practice settings, working closely with physicians, vascular and plastic surgeons, and other specialists addressing complex wounds.

Ms. Riedesel is well respected and her services are in high demand throughout the local health care community. Her expert services allow Millcreek Home Health and Hospice’s patients to receive specialized wound management without the overly  taxing effort and fall risk associated with  leaving home.

Another Touching Note of Thanks

I'm afraid we are going to sound like we are bragging! Here's another note from a patent's family. Millcreek's Hospice team is always honored and pleased to care for someone in their final days, but this lovely woman was especially dear to our hearts.

To the angels at Millcreek Home Health and Hospice:

We wanted to thank you for the gentle, loving care that you gave out mother while she was under your care. We felt comforted knowing that she was being looked after by competent, understanding caregivers.

Christie was especially comforting when  she stayed with our family and talked us through Mother's last moments.

I wish words better expressed our feelings, as "thank you" doesn't seem good enough.

-The family of Mrs. H.

Thanks for letting us know we were helpful and made things easier for you! We loved caring for your Mother.

Another Great Thank You

This one comes from a home health patient's wife and caregiver. She has some really nice things to say about our wonderful nurse Monica, who among her many talents, is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist.

Dear Millcreek,
     I don't always say the right things but I do want to let you know how wonderful Monica has been to our family. She has been coming to our home 3 days a week for the last two months. To do lymphedema wraps and massaging for my husband. She has always been professional and caring with us. She never talked down to either one of us. Including our children. If she was ever late (which was RARELY) she called. And if we ever needed to call her she always returned our calls promptly.
Monica  is a great nurse and  a friend. We both felt very comfortable with her. She is funny and honest and helped us a great deal. She is more like a friend than a professional care giver. We can't say enough  about her.

 My husband went back to work last week and so far so good. If we EVER need home health care again Millcreek will be the first one we call and Monica will be the one we request. It's really different on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays without her. We always looked forward to seeing her. She is more like a friend than a nurse. She took pictures and always explained things to us as she was doing them. She taught me and our son how to do the wraps for him. She  went above and beyond the nurse part we felt. She looked things up for us , especially with the diabetes care. She is gentle and never  made us feel intimidated by what she was doing. We will miss her for sure.  Thank you!

 Sincerely,
S. P.

Big thanks to this lovely family, especially our patient, who worked so hard to meet his goals and get back to work.

Millcreek's favorite thing: a good end of life experience.

Today Millcreek Home Health and Hospice received a beautiful thank you letter from the family of one of our dear hospice patients. Nothing gives our team more pleasure than knowing that we've made the end of life transition easier, more comfortable and more peaceful!

To our support group at Millcreek Hospice-Paige, Heather, John Esther and Angel,

My sisters and I would like to thank you for all your compassionate care and support. We first contacted Millcreek on a Sunday to arrange care for our mother, who was leaving the hospital and returning to her home. It was our good fortune that Angel was on call that weekend and calmly dealt with frantic calls coming in from out of state and from the hospital. As astute professionals do, she came up with the best solution which was to go to the hospital, evaluate the situation, and assist from there. Angel, you are indeed an angel; thank you for putting the phone down and stepping in.

And there was Paige, whose shocked look, when asked by someone nearing 60 if we could stay in touch by texting, will always make me chuckle. Our contact began with a visit every other day and texts. Soon a bed and table appeared along with a wheelchair and piles of supplies. She introduced us to other Millcreek staff and services that were available to the family. Mother’s condition soon changed and Paige came every day, then multiple times a day. When my sisters and I were feeling overwhelmed, we'd say "let's contact Paige. She'll know what to do." And, she did. She always came to evaluate Mother and touched her with such tenderness and compassion.

A thank you to Esther, who knew that what we really needed was a break. We quickly learned that when Esther arrived she filled the room with her skill and expertise. It was best to step out and let her make Maxine comfortable with her gentle touch and caring attention.

We won't forget the first day we met Heather. He questions got us thinking about a funeral service and how to balance the wishes of four sisters while honoring our Mother. Thank you for asking, then listening to what was said and that which wasn’t. To state the obvious, we only had one chance to get it right. It is because of your gentle probing during a difficult time that we find great comfort in knowing we made the right decision about her service.

Chaplain John was a perfect fit for our family. He encouraged us to seek a comforting combination of honoring our mother's beliefs and ours. We are so grateful to him for conducting the funeral and for his memorable graveside prayer, which was a tribute to spiritual diversity and harmony.

It seems nearly impossible to thank you all for the service and comfort you gave Mother, and for clearly putting into practice the idea that it is as important to help and support the family as it is the patient.

Take care, all. We greatly admire you choice of work and level of skills in hospice care.

-Mother's girls

Big thanks to this lovely family for letting us care for their mother and support them during a difficult time. It was our pleasure!

When Should a Senior Quit Driving?

After reading this article in the New York Times today, I thought I’d talk about taking away what most seniors see as the thing that keeps them independent: the car keys.

There are a lot of seniors who can safely and competently drive, but we’ve all seen seniors who really should NOT be driving. While many seniors see not driving as the nail in the coffin of their independence, the many drivers, cyclists and children on the road see it as extremely important.

If you answer yes to the following questions, think about talking with your loved one about not driving.

·         Can they pass a vision test? (Cataracts, Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration can all impact vision quality).

·         Are there any unexplained dents in the paint of the car or on the garage

·         Does the senior allow others to ride in the car with them when they are driving?

·         Does the senior seem nervous or extra anxious when driving?

·         Does the senior take alternate routes to avoid major highways?

·         Does the senior fail to stop at red lights or stop signs?

·         Are speed limits obeyed (Not driving too slow or too fast)?

·         Have neighbors or others who see the senior driving (anyone who also attends a regular event they may drive to) observed anything unsafe?

If you do determine that your favorite senior shouldn’t be driving remember the following points when approaching them about it.

• Be respectful: Remember that they’ve been driving a long time and asking them to stop is a big change.
• Give specific examples of instances that they’ve put themselves or others in danger while driving.
• Find strength in numbers: remember that if a senior isn’t driving, they will need your support to get where they need to go. A commitment from the whole family can mean a lot to them!
• Help find alternatives: offer solutions to their objections. Have a plan to get them where they need to go.
• Support them during the transition: spend enough time with them to really understand their transportation needs and make the change as smooth as possible by being available to help when needed.

When all else fails, it may be helpful to get your loved one’s physician or home health social worker involved.

Employee Spotlight: Maren McCauley, CHPN

Maren McCauley

Registered Nurse (RN, BSN), Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN), Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Millcreek Home Health and Hospice Director of Nursing Services

 

 

 

Ms. McCauley is a earned her degree in Nursing from the University of Utah, and holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse. Maren oversees nursing services for Millcreek Home Health and Hospice patients and provides exceptional direct patient care.



What Could Home Health do for the Queen?

I'll admit it. I woke up early and watched the royal wedding. After her graceful exit from her motorcoahc, I couldn't help but notice that Queen Elizabeth II has a shuffling gait! Here's our favorite monarch making her way to the wedding.

At the 1:30 mark, watch how she doesn't pick up here feet the way a younger, healthy person does. That is a perfect example of a shuffling gait.  This is a common symptom for Parkinson's Disease or Musculoskeletal disorders, but changes in gait can also be a normal part of ageing.

A shuffling gait puts seniors at high risk for a fall because they are more likely to trip on thresholds, rugs and natural varients on surfaces. When they have gait irregulariites, they are likely to have poor trunk support and muscle weakness, which means that if they do fall, they will have a hard time getting back up.

 A physical therapist will evaluate gait irregularities by

• Discussing the patient's complaints, fears, and goals related to mobility
• Observing gait with and without an assistive device (if safe)
• Assessing all components of gait
• Observing gait again with a knowledge of the patient's gait components

Physical Therapy for a shuffling gait will include strength training, which is modified to suit each individual's specific ability level, balance training and assistive device training.

A fall can pose a huge setback for seniors. Remember that falls are preventable with early intervention!

Resource Corner: Ask Medicare

    Medicare.gov offers numerous resources for seniors. Today I want to point you towards it's "Ask Medicare" feature. This gem is not the first thing you see when you visit Medicare.gov, but it is one of the most helpful parts of the sites. This area offers resources targeted to caregivers and breaks information down into four catagories:

Billing

This section deals with the medical care that Medicare covers, how to decipher the bills and statements you will receive from Medicare and how to appeal a claim or file a grievance. If you, or your loved one, is currently on service with a home health or hospice company, there should be a billing specialist who can help you navigate this process. If Millcreek Home Health and Hospice is your agency, call our office and ask for Bianca with any questions.

Navigating Medicare

This section offers information on all the basics of Medicare, including how to enroll, a comparison of health plans and advice on how to manage health care. This is a great resource, but if you live in Salt Lake County, Millcreek Home Health and Hospice recommends contacting Salt Lake County Ageing Services to schedule a one on one review of your unique situation. They can help you determine if Medicare alone will provide enough insurance, connect you to community resources and answer questions about ageing. Ageing Services can be reached at (801) 468-2459.

Overwhelmed? Get Help

This section deals with the many resources out there for caregivers. Millcreek Home Health and Hospice recommends checking them out before you get overwhelmed. Our number one piece of advice for caregivers is to plan early! We know that it is difficult and sometimes painful to think about the eventual decline in health of a loved one, but you will save hours of heartache and hardship if you have the difficult conversations and plan for the worst when you and your loved one are not in crisis. Have a plan for both finances and be sure that you or your loved ones has completed advanced directives that make their medical wishes clear. If you do get overwhelmed, don't wait to ask for help. Contact a home health company. Chances are if your parent requires the kind of care that overwhelms you, they qualify for home health and can benefit from skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and home health aides. You can call Millcreek Home Health and Hospice with questions, too at (801)463-2478.

Care Options

This section is where the rubber meets the road and you can get some solid data and evidence about who does a good job providing medial care to seniors. You can compare hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and home health companies (our favorite!). Millcreek Home Health and Hospice encourages you to choose at least three companies to compare so that you can be sure that you will receive the best care possible. Home health companies should welcome the opportunity to meet with you and answer questions. It is very important that you not only approve of the quality of care that they provide, but also that you like them and trust that they will be respectful when visiting you or your loved one at home. Remember, home health is 100% covered by Medicare.

  

Check out Medicare's Ask Medicare feature by clicking on this link: http://www.medicare.gov/caregivers/index.asp

Have fun exploring this great resource!

Employee Spotlight: Angel Sullivan, Director of Clinical Services

Angel Sullivan, Registered Nurse (RN, BSN), Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN), Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT).

Angel Sullivan serves as the leader of Millcreek's Hospice Team & works closely with all of Millcreek's internal departments to ensure that patients receive the highest level of quality care available. Angel holds certifications in both Lymphedema and Hospice and Palliative Care and holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration with an emphasis in Gerontology. She has worked exclusively in the Home Health and Hospice since 2004. Angel's significant knowledge about end of life issues guides our hospice team in all aspects of the care they provide.  Her clinical expertise is critical in her role as a leader, educator and supervisor for nurses and aides at Millcreek Home Health and Hospice. In addition to being part of Millcreek’s management team, she continues to provide exemplary direct patient care in the areas of hospice, home health and lymphedema therapy.

Ten Reasons to Get a Home Health Evaluation For Your Loved One

In our marketing efforts and personal lives, Millcreek's staff is asked over and over again why we are so deeply connected to the work we do. The short answer is because we know that the work we do has a tremendous effect on the health and well being of seniors. Somehow that doesn't answer the question. So here are ten good reasons to ask your loved one's doctor for a home health evalutation.

10. Constant trips to the Doctor’s office wear seniors out. Home Health means that nurses can assess and report on changes in condition from the comfort of their home, minimizing unnecessary trips to the doctor.  After one initial visit to the doctor, home health nurses can perform physician ordered lab draws, treat wounds, administer certain medications and offer many more services that decrease visits to the doctor’s office. 

9. They do a great job showing their doctor how they are at their best. For many seniors a doctor’s visit is a lot like a job interview: they put their best foot forward and don’t show any of their weaknesses.  Many times, a home health nurse is able to observe things in the home that are relevant to a senior’s medical condition. An unsafe bathroom is something a doctor would never know about, but a home health nurse can not only identify hazards, but offer solutions to minimize danger.

8. Home Health helps seniors maintain their independence. Seniors tell us over and over again that they don’t want to be treated like children.  But their children and caregivers know that independence and safety need to go hand in hand. Along with the medical care they provide, home health clinicians routinely do home safety evaluations to ensure that any preventable harm does not come to pass. Occupational Therapists help install adaptive equipment, teach techniques to compensate for weaknesses and offer solutions for safety in the home. A senior who is able to maintain their health is a senior who can remain independent.

7. Home Health is covered 100% by Medicare. There is no out of pocket cost to seniors. All services provided in home health and covered with no co-pay, which means that seniors with limited income can use more of their money for activities that improve their quality of life, not just their health.

6. Experts provide professional coordination of care. Home Health Case Managers coordinate care from numerous resources including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and home health aides and report all changes and observations to their family members & doctor.

5. It prevents seniors from falling. Nearly all falls are preventable, yet the damage that falls cause is one of the leading causes of death among seniors.  Things that contribute to falls, like gait abnormalities, poor balance and muscle weakness, can all be addressed though in home physical therapy. More often than not, seniors gain strength & improved balance that prevents them from falling.

4. It is an unlimited Medicare benefit.  Home Health can provide care and support as long as they are Medicare eligible. That means that a senior may use home health services for anywhere from a few weeks to an infinite amount of time.  A senior is discharged when they meet their full rehabilitative potential and health related goals, but they will never “run out” of this Medicare benefit. 

3. Home health provides social support services in addition to medical care. Professionals support family members too, by answering questions, teaching about the progression of diseases and connecting them to valuable community resources. 

2. Home health prevents small problems from becoming big disasters. Preventative maintenance and dealing with problems early on is extremely important with seniors.  A problem like a urinary tract infection is a mere discomfort for a younger adult, but can wreak havoc on the system of a senior. Home Health Nurses and therapists recognize symptoms of small issues early on, provide proactive treatment and prevent small problems progressing to big problems.

1. It is the best way to keep your loved one safe and healthy at home.  The thing we want most for all of our patients, is the same thing you want for your loved ones: for them to be as comfortable as possible and to avoid any preventable trauma or illness. Home Health is proven to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations. In fact, it is Medicare’s largest cost saving measure because it addresses seniors health concerns early on and keeps them safe and healthy at home.  

Spring has Sprung!

Springtime means warmer days, blooming flowers and some serious cases of cabin fever. No one wants to be stuck indoors on the pleasant first days of spring. Remember that homebound seniors crave the sunshine too! Here are a couple of hints to ensure that your springtime activities with seniors are safe and beneficial.

Make sure that your senior is safe to participate in the outdoor activity. Remember that most seniors don't function at the same high level that their children and grandchildren do.

If you are going on a walk, encourage them to use their walker, cane or assistive device. If they have any balance problems, gait irregularities or lack the strength to safely get around their home, they are likely candidates for Home Health Physical Therapy.

If you are taking a drive, be sure to bring enough oxygen, medication, etc to get through the drive and remember to wear your seat belt! A drive to a remote location may be picturesque, but it may also pose problems for seniors. Plan a drive that will have ample places to stop and use the restroom as needed.

Spring is great time to investigate the offerings of neighborhood senior centers. Salt Lake County has 18 Senior Centers that offer classes, provide social activities and a place to meet like minded people. Each center provides transportation and a full lunch for a $2.50 donation. For more information, contact Salt Lake County Ageing Services at 801.468.2764.


Remember, even short periods of activity can have a profound effect on health and happiness! If your loved one is too uncomfortable or unsafe to participate in activities outside of the home, they may be a great candidate for Home Health Services. If you have any questions, please visit Millcreekhomehealth.com and use our "Ask an Expert" feature.

What is Congestive Heart Failure?

Elizabeth Taylor, one of my favorite classic movie stars passed away last week due to Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). You probably hear about CHF all the time, but do you know what it is and what can be done to treat it? Here's the deal on CHF:

CHF isn't curable, but it is treatable and there is a lot that can be done to promote comfort and increase life expectancy.

CHF means that the heart can no longer pump enough blood to supply the body's needs, typically due to heart attack, congenital defect or heart disease. Because the heart cannot pump as it normally would, blood can build up in areas where it typically doesn't. This fluid build up on the lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and the arms and legs translates to a lack of oxygen and nutrition to organs, which damages them and reduces their ability to work properly. It also can be quite uncomfortable, causing shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and fluid overload in the arms and legs. 

Millcreek Home Health and Hospice cares for many, many seniors with CHF for both home health and hospice. For details on how we provide stellar care for CHF patients on Home Health check out our past post here.  If CHF progresses untreated, it can be a terminal disease and patients may require hospice care. Because hospice focuses on making people as comfortable as possible, Millcreek offers the following care protocol:

·        Frequent Nursing visits to monitor for increased pain, discomfort & any change in condition.

·    All medications related to heart failure and all medical equipment are provided free of charge.

·        Management of fluid overload to promote maximum comfort

·        Massage Therapy

·        Volunteer Services to provide companionship & respite for caregivers

If you have concerns about a family member with CHF or have any questions, feel free to call Millcreek Home Health and Hospice and a Nurse will help you.

Millcreek's Newest Quality Care Innitiative

Nurse Practitioner House Calls

Millcreek Home Health and Hospice offers hospice patients the services of our nurse practitioner, Laura Chamberlain, APRN. Under Utah’s Nursing Advanced Practice Act, a Nurse Practitioner may provide the following services:

• Maintenance and promotion of health and prevention of disease.
• Diagnosis, treatment, consultation, and referral for common health problems
• Prescription or administration of prescription drugs or devices.

In concert with the patient’s Physician, Nurse Chamberlain, APRN, can provide timely evaluation of any pain or condition change and can make on the spot medication adjustments to promote patient comfort.

What are the Benefits of a Nurse Practitioner in Hospice?

Quick response to patient needs Ÿ High Availability Ÿ Trained to deal with complicated family situations Ÿ Able to adjust medications on the spot Ÿ Able to change the hospice diagnosis Ÿ May attend death if needed

Introducing Laura Chamberlain, APRN

Millcreek Home Health and Hospice is pleased to welcome Nurse Practitioner Laura Chamberlain to our Hospice Leadership Team. In partnership with each patient’s hospice physician, Laura provides the highest quality end of life care with a focus on maintaining patient comfort and dignity.  With over 10 years experience in the health care field, her experience includes serving as the charge nurse in Intensive Care Units and working as a Nurse Case manager in hospice. These experiences offered unique and valuable perspectives on patient family dynamics, the issues inherent to hospice care settings and the ability to provide high quality medical care.

Laura graduated Cum Laude from the University of Utah, earning a Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree in 2005. She went on to earn a Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2010, where she graduated at the top of her class with a 4.0 grade point average.

Laura seeks to improve care to seniors by:

·         Providing attentive, timely, high quality medical care.

·         Involving patients and their family members in the plan of care and attending to their physical, mental and spiritual needs.

·         Using therapeutic communication skills throughout the management of care to build trusting relationships with patients and their families.

·         Empowering patients, caregivers and family members through simple and clear education, through demonstrations, visual handouts, and written instructions.

Laura Chamberlain’s exceptional clinical skills and finely tuned understanding of patient’s needs make her a rich resource for Millcreek’s hospice leadership team. We look forward to working with her now and in the future to achieve excellence in hospice care.



What is Palliative Care and When is it Appropriate?

Patients who have an advanced progressive disease, but are not appropriate for hospice care may choose to receive palliative care while on home health. Patients undergoing palliative care may still pursue aggressive treatment, but receive care that focuses on pain and symptom management.

The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine produced this video to introduce people to what palliative care is and what a Palliative Care Physician can do.

Any Physician can provide palliative care & Millcreek Home Health and Hospice works with numerous physicians to provide palliative care in the home.

Continuum of Care

Millcreek maintains an integrated home health and hospice team, which means that if at any point a patient decides to elect hospice care, they keep the same care nurse, aide and social worker. If a hospice patient recovers, they can easily transition from hospice and begin a home health episode with the same care team.

Common Diagnoses for Palliative Care

Cancer Ÿ Congestive Heart Failure ŸChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Kidney Failure Ÿ Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Ÿ Any Eligible Hospice Diagnosis

If you have any questions about palliative care, please contact Millcreek at 801.463.2478

The goal of palliative care is to support comfort and quality of life.

Elder Abuse and Adult Protective Services

There was an awful story in the Salt Lake Tribune last week about financial abuse of elders. According to the article, Utah seniors lose an average of $1 million to thieves. Sadder still, is the conclusion that these thieves are most often family members.

There are resources for seniors who experience abuse, financial and otherwise. Millcreek Home Health and Hospice is bound by law to report abuse to Adult Protective Services, which exists to protect seniors from abuse. Their purpose, as listed on their website is:

To assist vulnerable and elder adults in need of protection to prevent or discontinue abuse, neglect, or exploitation until that condition no longer requires intervention.

Millcreek Home Health and Hospice's team of Nurses, Physical Therapists, Aides and Medical Social Worker are trained to recognize situations that may escalate to be, or already are abusive. We work with families to remedy difficult situations and when needed, provide referrals to Adult Protective Services. If you have questions about a senior who may need help with medical care in their home, contact Millcreek Home Health and Hospice at (801) 463-2478.

A Very Special Thank You Note

Millcreek recently received the following thank you note from a very special patient. Millcreek usually cares for seniors, but we are also able to care for anyone on Medicare, which means that on occasion we get to work with younger patients with disabilities. This letter came from the father of one such patient. Nothing makes us happier than knowing we made someone's life better!

Millcreek Home Health and Hospice,

This note of appreciation is long past due; however, out appreciation for the outstanding services rendered to my daughter Jane* has not been diminished by time. In all honesty you folks were a life saver at what could have been a very troubling time. Each person made an appointment, came to see what could be done to to ease any problems and the just did their job. But that's the point-they did it so well, it was obvious they liked what they were doing, knew what they were doing and if there were difficult situations they would point them out and make recommendations. They took an honest interest. Besides, they could get Jane up in the morning and I couldn't. We loved them and they loved us. We looked forward to their coming and enjoyed their conversations. They are people persons, the kind that make a company successful. 

Specifically we would like to acknowledge: Paige, Rebecca, Adrienne and Sarah for the outstanding services that were given to us.

-The S. Family.

All of Millcreeks clinicians and staff aspire to deliver this same high level of care to all of our patients. If you have questions about how Millcreek Home Health and Hospice can be a benefit to someone in your life, go to http://www.millcreekhomehealth.com/ and submit your question using the "Ask an Expert" feature.

*Names were changed to protect patient privacy.

Love is a Healthy Heart

Heart failure is the leading cause of death among seniors, contributing to more than 300,000 deaths per year. Patients diagnosed with Heart Failure require specialized home care that takes into account the many risk factors that complicate and exacerbate their condition and co-morbidities. 

25% of Heart Failure Patients are re-admitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge.

Thankfully, many of these hospitalizations are preventable with appropriate home health care. 55% of re-hospitalizations occur due to fluid overload. Angina, Heart Attack and Arrhythmia account for an additional 40%—compounding the need for close, on-going care and monitoring in the home after patients are discharged.

In response to a growing need among seniors, Millcreek uses a home care plan that anticipates risk factors and implements proactive care to prevent re-hospitalizations for heart failure patients. 

Millcreek's heart failure program is designed for patient success.

Each patient receives custom-tailored care, but until the patient stabilizes, Millcreek implements the following protocol to ensure patient success from the moment they are discharged from the hospital.

• All hospital discharge paperwork is sent to the patient’s Primary Care Physician and/or Cardiologist upon discharge.
• A Millcreek Case Manager facilitates a visit to a cardiologist or primary care physician within 2 weeks of discharge.
• Nursing orders are front loaded & include PRN visits, so that patients are seen frequently until they stabilize in the home environment.
• Daily vitals & weights are taken and reported if they are outside of Physician ordered parameters. If the patient does not have an accessible scale, Millcreek provides one at no cost.
• Physical & Occupational Therapy evaluations are ordered for home safety, energy conservation and home exercise plans.
• Standing orders for Medical Social Work are written when the patient lives alone or with an elderly caregiver.
• Patients receive a phone call on off visit days to check on them.
• Ongoing patient teaching about symptoms, emergency protocol, diet and exercise.

Our goal:

Reduce re-hospitalizations by providing quality care,

that allows patients recover safely in their homes.

For more information on Millcreek's Heart Failure program, contact us through our website www.millcreekhomehealth.com .

A Look at Salt Lake County Seniors' Future

At first glance, Salt Lake County is young and vibrant. But it is important to remember those children’s grandparents and be aware of their unique and important needs. Here are a few facts about Salt Lake County’s future seniors. By 2033: *

• The 60+ population will surpass the school-age population
• Those 85 or older will multiply twelve-fold to over 103,000 by 2050. 46.3 percent of them will live in Salt Lake County.
• The retirement age dependency ratio (the number of persons 65 or older per 100 working age persons) County is projected to reach 39.9%.

Why is this important? Because if you are reading this you are likely younger and in great health, but in 15 years, your parents, or possibly even you, will need to know about resources available to seniors. You've heard it a million times, but now is the time to plan for your future. Be aware of the issues that seniors face and work to understand the challenges of caring for an elderly parent. Think and prepare for it now.

Home Health and Hospice services offer solutions like direct, in-home care, but they also help coordinate the more complicated parts of growing old or caring for a loved one. Millcreek Home Health and Hospice routinely helps families connect to community resources, find senior living communities that provide higher levels of care, help with long term planning and advanced directives, and generally provide support during what can be a trying and difficult time. If you have any questions about how Home Health or Hospice can be beneficial to your loved one, go to www.millcreekhomehealth.com and try out our “Ask an Expert” feature.

*The stats above are from a study available on the Salt Lake County Aging Services website, which offers some great resources for caring for seniors.

Employee Profile: Nan Green, Executive Director

Nan Green, Physical Therapist

Nan Green founded Millcreek Home Health and Hospice six years ago, after working as a physical therapist in home health for over 25 years. Her dedication to the health and wellbeing of seniors in our community are evident in her active role as Millcreek’s Executive Director.  Nan oversees operations, quality assurance, and compliance to standards of care in all disciplines. She participates in care management through hands-on involvement from admission to discharge, including post-service patient contact. Her commitment to excellence is apparent in the extensive quality assurance processes with a strong focus on agency-wide education at Millcreek Home Health and Hospice. Nan’s many years of clinical experience ranging from orthopedic out-patient to in-home rehabilitation of neurological, orthopedic and cognitively impaired patients, mean that Millcreek’s patients receive the highest quality care available in Salt Lake County.

Why Do Seniors Fall?

One third of elderly people living in the community fall each year, making falls the most common cause of non-fatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma in this population. Falls are the leading cause of accidental death and the 7^th leading cause of death in people over 65 in the United States.

Falls are predictable and can be preventable

The greatest predictors of falls are:

·                     Muscle weakness

·                     Unsteady gait & balance deficits

·                     Environmental hazards in the home

The following chart details the most common reasons that seniors fall & what home health can do to help. 

Functional Impairment	Home Health Solution
Blood Pressure Abnormalities	·         Skilled Nursing to monitor medication changes, vital signs and response to medications.
Executive Failure	·         Skilled Nursing to assess patient’s ability to adhere to plan of care.
Gait Irregularities	·         Physical Therapy for assessment, gait training, muscle strengthening, balance activities and home exercise instruction. ·         Occupational Therapy for home safety evaluation and teaching compensatory techniques for effective participation in ADLs.
Neuromotor Deficits	·         Skilled Nursing for neuro assessment and treatment. ·         Physical Therapy for strengthening and balance activities, and proprioception training. ·         Occupational Therapy for home safety evaluation and teaching compensatory techniques for effective participation in ADLs.
Postural Deviations	·         Physical Therapy for postural awareness activities.
Vestibular Dysfunction	·         Physical Therapy for balance training.
Vision	·         In conjunction with Skilled Nursing or Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy visits for home safety evaluation and low vision training.