Employee Profile: Heather Bittinger, Medical Social Worker

Millcreek’s Medical Social Worker, Heather Bittinger, Licenced Clinical Social Worker, has more than 15 years of experience in the health care industry, in a variety of clinical settings. She directs Millcreek Home Health and Hospice’s social services and bereavement program and is a critical part of Millcreek’s patient outreach services. Ms. Bittinger holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah and is in the process of becoming a Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker.  In addition to all of her advanced training, Heather is a wonderfully compassionate person who has an uncanny ability to help families in crisis situations.

Medical Social Work is a vital element of senior patient care. Medical Social Workers provide psychosocial support to the elderly and families, helping them cope with acute, chronic and/or terminal illnesses.

 

Indications & Needs for MSW

Hospice Status Ÿ Crisis Intervention Ÿ Long Term Planning & Advance Directives

Unsafe Home Environment Ÿ Complex Family Dynamics Ÿ Brief Therapy

Veterans Benefits Ÿ Community Resource Referrals Ÿ Referrals Mental Health Services

Medication Assistance Ÿ Medicare Applications Ÿ Emergency Alert Buttons

For more information, go to http://www.millcreekhomehealth.com/.

Our Favorite Ways to Choose a Home Health Agency.

    At Millcreek, we firmly believe that seniors and their families should know about the resources available to them to help make decisions about their care. When patients and families have good information, they make better decisions and receive better care.

   Our favorite tool for researching home care options is Medicare's Medicare's Home Health Compare. Medicare requires that all Medicare-certified agencies report patient outcomes, which are tracked and compared against state and national averages. Patient outcomes help measure how successful a home health agency was in providing care. You can look at any Medicare-certified agency, in any state, and you can select multiple home health agencies and compare them side by side, to make sure that you get the best care possible.

   Your primary care physician's office can offer suggestions for home health agencies, too. We also encourage you to call the home health agencies that you are considering to get a feel for how they interact with patients and to clarify the services and benefits they can offer to you and your family.

Remember, you and your family have the right to choose who provides your care.

    Millcreek is proud of the high quality of care we've been able to provide to our patients. We know that when you put high quality care first, patients benefit.  Here are Millcreek Home Health and Hospice's outcomes from  Home Health Compare:

Quality Measure	Millcreek Home Health	Utah Average	National Average
Managing Activities of Daily Living
How often patients got better at walking or moving around.	61%	51%	47%
How often patients got better at getting in and out of bed.	68%	60%	54%
How often patients got bet at bathing.	82%	70%	65%
Managing Pain and Treating Symptoms
How often the home health team checked for pain.	100%	97%	96%
How often the home health team treated their patients' pain.	99%	91%	94%
How often patients had less pain when moving around.	72%	61%	64%
Treating Wounds and Preventing Pressure Sores
How often patient's wounds improved or healed after an operation.	83%	77%	80%
How often the home health team checked patients for the risk of developing pressure sores.	96%	95%	95%
How often the home health team included treatments to prevent pressure sores in the plan of care.	99%	88%	88%
How often the home health team took doctor-ordered action to prevent pressure sores.	99%	85%	86%
Preventing Harm
How often the home health team began their patients' care in a timely manner.	89%	90%	86%
How often the home health team taught patients (or their family caregivers) about their drugs.	91%	76%	83%
How often patients got better at taking drugs correctly by mouth.	48%	46%	43%
How often the home health team check patients' risk of falling.	100%	95%	94%
How often the home health team checked patients for depression.	100%	95%	91%
For patients with diabetes, how often the home health team got doctors orders, gave foot care and taught patients about foot care.	97%	70%	83%
Preventing Unplanned Hospital Care
How often home health patients had to be admitted to the hospital.	16%	22%	29%

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call us at 801.463.2478, or visit out website millcreekhomehealth.com. We are happy to listen to your concerns and offer suggestions.

A Letter to Millcreek

The best part of our business is knowing that we have a positive effect on the lives of seniors and their families. There isn't anything better than hearing from patients and their families that we have helped them recover, remain independent or be more comfortable in their homes.

So when we received a letter from the family of a patient who recently passed away, we were honored, touched and grateful to them for allowing us the opportunity to spend time a wonderful woman in her final days.

Dear Millcreek,

I would like to extend sincere gratitude for the services you provided for Mom during the end of her time with us, on behalf of her family. You showed great respect for her wishes, and treated the whole family with respect and understanding during an incredibly difficult time.

I would especially like to thank those of you who went above and beyond to get Mom home urgently when we knew she had very little time left, so that she could be in familiar surroundings as she said her goodbye. She would have expressed appreciation for the extra effort shown to anyone in such need, and would be honored if you posted this letter as a testament to your services.

With utmost sincerity and gratitude,

The Family of B. Banks.

It was an honor to care for Mrs. Banks and we are moved to read such thoughtful praise from her family.

Hospice Care in Utah

     There is a great article today in the Salt Lake Tribune about Cancer & Hospice care in Utah. Most notably, the article highlights the high rates of hospice use in Utah. According to Medicare, only 19.3% of Salt Lake City patients died in a hospital, compared to 29% nationally! Why is that important? Because most seniors say they want to remain at home, with their families in their final days.

Check out the article here: Utah Cancer Patients Less Likely to Die in Hospitals.

And learn about the services Millcreek Home Health and Hospice provide to help seniors and their families when they are ready to go on hospice at millcreekhomehealth.com 

Volunteers Wanted!

Millcreek Home Health and Hospice prides itself on being an agency that provides services to its client population that exceed expectations. We are dedicated to delivering the highest standard of excellence in heartfelt, compassionate clinical care. To better support our patients and their families. Millcreek Home Health and Hospice offers the following volunteer services, amongst others:

• Guided Epistolary Letter Writing Workshops
• Guided Creative Writing Workshops
• Reading Groups
• Discussion Forums
• One-On-One Volunteer Meetings

Our greatest need is in the area of one-on-one volunteer meetings. Many of our patients simply want company and will great satisfaction out of having the paper read to them or watching the news together.  You don't have to have any experience or medical training. Our Volunteer Coordinator, John Creapeau, will provide training and help match you with the perfect senior to volunteer with.

For more information, visit the volunteer section at millcreekhomehealth.com

Living With Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects approximately 70 million people in the United States. If you or a loved one have osteoarthritis, here are some life style recommendations and tips to help you manage symptoms and lead a full, active life.

Diet and Exercise
With diet and appropriate exercise it is possible to decrease stress on the arthritic joints. Exercise is an important part of any therapy prescribed for those with osteoarthritis. Strengthening exercises and range of motion exercises can help to maintain and improve joint mobility.

When patients work to strengthen the muscles around joints, they experience less stress on those joints and less pain. Walking or riding a stationary bike are great options for improving range of motion and muscle strength. They also help to improve cardiovascular health, decrease fatigue and increate your overall sense of well being. Water programs, such as aqua aerobics or swimming, can be especially helpful for osteoarthritis pain in the hips, knees and feet. Millcreek’s experienced team of Physical Therapists will develop an exercise plan to improve your comfort and well being.

Rest
Resting is very important in managing osteoarthritis. Understand that when you rest, your body heals, so get adequate amounts of sleep every night and supplement with daytime naps. During periods of increased osteoarthritis symptoms, realize that you will require more rest than during periods when pain is under control.

Find Easier Ways to Do Day-to-Day Tasks
There are more adaptive equipment options than ever for those with osteoarthritis. Jar openers, modified writing and kitchen utensils, and special shoehorns are examples of devices that can be helpful to patients with osteoarthritis. There are special shoes, braces and walking aids such as canes, crutches or walkers that can help increase your comfort as you do daily activities.

Simplifying your daily routine can also help manage your osteoarthritis symptoms. When doing your day-to-day tasks, pace yourself and understand your limits. People living with osteoarthritis often find it helpful to strategically store the items needed for activities. While you may store a tool you use every day in your basement, it may provide a lot of relief to store it in a living room closet. When cleaning your house or living area, try to clean just one room a day and consider keeping a set of cleaning solutions and tools on each floor – including separate lightweight vacuum cleaners.

If you have questions about other aspects of osteoarthritis home health care in the Salt Lake City area, please feel free to contact a Millcreek Home Health and Hospice staff member at 801-463-2478 for answers.

What Does a Medical Social Worker Do and How Can They Help Your Family?

As you, your loved one and your family begin hospice care, we know that you’ll have questions. At Millcreek Home Health and Hospice, we know that the transition to hospice care requires a professional hand and a gentle heart. Working with a Medical Social Worker as you prepare for and begin hospice care can make this a more natural transition for your family.

A Medical Social Worker has professional knowledge of social services, principles and practices that relate to hospice care. Medical Social Workers help patients cope with social and emotional needs throughout their medical treatment. Medical Social Workers interact with family members, patients and hospice team members during hospice care and help coordinate communications between all groups so that the goals for patient are met.

When you begin to work with Millcreek Home Health and Hospice, your Medical Social Worker can assist you, your loved one and your family by:

- Providing services as relate to patient/family education, counseling, crisis intervention, financial resource identification, patient/family advocacy and bereavement.

- Help with end of life planning, like creating advance directives.

- Answering questions, offering emotional support, and following through on identified problems for patient and family members.

- Explaining hospice care resources and policies to patients, family and staff.

Understanding the social, cultural and religious variables that contribute to patients' responses to illness and their use of health-care resources. Medical Social Workers are flexible, organized and are trained to help relieve stressful situations. Your Millcreek Home Health and Hospice Medical Social Worker is trained to treat you and your loved one with respect and dignity. If you have any questions about arranging to meet with a Medical Social Worker in the Salt Lake City, Utah area, please contact Millcreek Home Health and Hospice at 801-463-2478.

How to Provide Daily Care for Someone with Dementia

Daily Care Tips for Helping Those With Dementia

Dementia is a health condition that affects mainly people in their latter years. It involves the gradual loss of mental ability, which results in the loss of memory, changes in personality and ultimately a loss of social ability.

There are many conditions that predispose people to dementia especially conditions that bring about a level of damage to thinking, memory, reasoning and language, these include diseases like Alzheimer's or meningitis; things like brain tumors which cause pressure to the brain, or a lack of blood and oxygen supply to the brain caused by conditions like stroke, sustained head injuries, and heavy consumption of alcohol could also lead to dementia latter in life.

When detected early dementia can be slowed down, allowing the patient to slowly adjust and with the help of family and friends the stress and frustration that accompany it would be lighter. Dementia in the elderly can produce difficulty tending to basic self-care needs such as hygiene, bathing, dressing, etc. Dementia also changes in personality and thinking.

Here are some tips that may be helpful for individuals, families and caregivers:

-   Organize medications in a daily pill organizer.

-   Daily phone calls from a familiar person.

-   Millcreek can refer patients to a private caregiver agency can provide a caregiver to stay with the person each day and help out with daily chores.

-   If the person is becoming incontinent, develop a toileting schedule every two to three hours during the day.

-   Provide plenty of physical activities, such as daily walks.

-   Have the person participate in mentally stimulating activities daily, such as board games, card games, and other tasks that require interaction and a bit of problem solving.

-   Allow the person to do as much of their own self-care as possible.

-   Consider joining the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.They are a great resource for the client and family/caregiver.

For more information about providing daily care for someone with dementia in the Salt Lake City area, please contact Millcreek Home Health and Hospice at 801-463-2478.

Salt Lake City Area Residents Can Get Help In Controlling the Effects of Lymphedema

Lymphedema is an abnormal buildup of fluid that causes swelling, most often in the arms or legs. The condition develops when lymph nodes are missing, impaired, damaged, or removed. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Lymphedema, there are many ways to help control the effects of
Lymphedema such as:

Maintaining Good Nutrition
Include at least two to four servings of fruits and three to five servings of vegetables in your daily meal plan.

Reducing Foods High in Salt and Fat
Use food package labels to help you to make the best selections for a healthy lifestyle.

Exercising Regularly
Always check with your physician first before starting a new exercise program.

Avoiding Infections
Immediately report any signs of infection to your home health nurse or physician.

Planning a treatment program depends on the cause of the lymphedema as well as the stage and the cause of the illness. Your physician may recommend treatments such as bandaging, compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage and a gentle form of stretching or massage.

Your physician may also refer you to a therapist who specializes in managing lymphedema. Lymphedema therapists come to this field from a variety of backgrounds, including nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and massage therapy, among others.

A Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) has a deep understanding of the lymphatic system, plus knowledge and experience in the hands-on skills required to perform the treatments. “The Standards for the Required Training of a Lymphedema Therapist” are published on the National Lymphedema Network website. The lymphedema therapist will assess your condition and develop an individual treatment plan to manage your lymphedema.

If you or a loved one would like to find a qualified lymphedema therapist, you might wish to use the following resources:

-           Millcreek Home Health and Hospice offers three lymphedema therapists to provide therapy.

-           The physician who diagnosed your lymphedema should be able to recommend to you a qualified lymphedema therapist.

-           Insurance companies know where lymphedema is treated. Ask your insurance company for suggestions as to where you can find “in network” treatment.

Lymphedema cannot be cured. However, with proper care and treatment, the affected limb can be restored to a normal size and shape. In addition, lymphedema can be treated and controlled so that it does not progress further. 

If you would like to talk to one of our experts about Lymphedema, contact Millcreek Home Health and Hospice, please feel free to call us at 801-463-2478.