Nurse for Access Home Care and Hospice Considered a Hero for Saving a Life

While going about her regular duties as a Nurse Case Manager for Access Home Care and Hospice, the last thing Valerie Pascoe, RN expected was to see smoke and flames billowing from a building. While driving through the small town of American Falls, Idaho, Valerie noticed smoke and flames pouring out of the windows and roof of a building. Her instincts kicked in and she decided to risk her own wellbeing to find out if someone was inside. Sure enough, a lady was in her living room. As smoke and flames continued to consume the house, Valerie was surprised to see that the lady living there was adamant on staying in her home. "She first got extremely upset when I entered the door. I just put my hands out to her and grabbed her hands and I told her that I wasn't there to hurt her but that her house was on fire and I just need her to come on out." She then helped her out of the building as fire fighters arrived. It was later noted that the lady suffered from a mental illness and had fear of leaving her home. People that know the lady said that if Valerie would not have shown such bravery, the lady could have easily been consumed in the fire. To read more and see the video from the local news channel, please go HERE.

Valerie represents what we all strive to be - caring, compassionate, and someone who puts others first in their life. Access Home Care and Hospice would like to recognize Valerie as a true hero, and someone we are proud to call a friend and coworker!

Access Hospice Celebrates Season of Caring During National Hospice Month

Hospice care helps patients and families focus on living. This is the message that Access Home Care and Hospice is sharing with the community during National Hospice/Palliative Care Month. However, this important message lasts beyond the month of November and is important all year round.

“November is a valuable time to raise awareness throughout our community about care at the end of life,” said Rob Phelps RN, Clinical Administrator and owner of Access Hospice. “But the time a family might need us doesn’t follow a calendar or occur only during this season, so our message must make an impression that stays with people all year long.”

Every November hospices across the country reach out to raise awareness of the compassionate care that hospice and palliative care provide patients and families coping with serious and life-limiting illness.

The Seasons of Caring theme reminds people that life’s final seasons can be some of the most fulfilling, especially when patients and families look to hospice care for help.

The hospice team provides expert medical care to keep patients comfortable and able to enjoy time with loved ones. The hospice team answers questions, offers advice on what to expect, and helps families with the duties of being a caregiver. The team also provides emotional and spiritual support for the entire family.

“With the help of hospice, patients and families alike can focus on what’s most important – enjoying life together and living the final seasons to their fullest,” said Rob Phelps RN. “It’s about the quality of life.”

“There’s an inaccurate perception among the American public that hospice means you’ve given up,” said J. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. “Those of us who have worked in the field have seen firsthand how hospice and palliative care can improve the quality of life. And there’s a growing body of research showing that hospice and palliative care may prolong the lives of some people who receive care.”

More than 1.45 million patients receive care from the nation’s hospices every year, reports the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

For more information about hospice and/or palliative care, and how they can help your family, contact Access Home Care and Hospice at www.accesshomecareandhospice.com.

Additional information on hospice and palliative care as well as advance care planning is available at www.caringinfo.org.