Honoring Our Veterans This Memorial Day

For this Memorial Day, Access Home Care and Hospice would like to memorialize the many veterans that have served our country. Over the years we have had the privilege and honor of caring for many men and women who have sacrificed for the cause of freedom around the world. Whether it was in Iraq for Desert Storm or on the war torn beaches in Normandy during World War II, the patients of Access Home Care and Hospice have experienced extraordinary courage and valor both at home and abroad. As a demonstration of gratitude to those who have done so much to protect and defend our freedoms and liberties, Access would like to highlight some of the men and women we have previously or are currently caring for. Please join us this Memorial Day in saying THANK YOU to our nation's veterans.

Ernest "Coop" Cooper
Ernest Cooper lives in Grace, Idaho and served in the Army during WWII under General Bradley, then later under General Patton. He was part of a heavy artillery gunning crew that stormed Utah Beach one day after D-Day (June 6th, 1944). His crew was credited with taking down 12 enemy bombers. Although enlisting at only 16 years old (his parents signed a waiver), he participated in four key campaigns - Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. His unit was also involved in the Battle of the Bulge and he also drew Military Police duties where he was assigned to guard German SS troops at a liberated concentration camp. He tells of an amazing story where he was caught alone in a field while a low flying German fighter plane came over the hill right in front of him. He made eye contact with the pilot and pulled up his rifle and shot into the cockpit. The plane kept flying until it eventually crashed and blew up a few miles away. He wasn't sure if it went down solely because of his shot, but he likes to think so! Ernest was honorably discharged in 1945 and later awarded various medals of honor, including the most prestigious accolade given to Native American soldiers.

Harry Klee

Harry Klee lives in Ogden, Utah and served as a Staff Sergeant in WWII. He was stationed in Northern Africa, Cicily, and participated in the battle of Anzio Beach in Italy. He ended the war in Berlin after being shot in the leg. While in France he tells of a story when his unit found and slaughtered a cow for fresh meat. What a soldier would do for fresh beef! He was later awarded the Purple Heart for being wounded in combat.

John and June Dudunake

John and June Dudunake of Inkom, Idaho both served in the Marine Core during WWII. June served as a Marine Corporal, stationed in New Jersey. She was parachute rigger and also rigged other safety equipment for pilots.


John served in the South Pacific, 1st Offensive Action, in the Solomon Islands. Charged with the duty of overtaking the"unmanned" island of Gavutu, John's battalion came under heavy Japanese fire as their boats approached the shore. His battalion received the nickname "The Battalion of the Damned," as they were outnumbered by the Japanese 4-1 (A book has been written on this battle, go here to see more). Over 80% of the entire battalion was killed and John was shot in the neck by an exploding Japanese bullet. He was counted as dead because of losing consciousness due to the loss of blood and was even put on a boat with other dead marines. He was later found to be alive and was sent to New Caledonia and New Zealand for treatment. Subsequently, John's mother was notified of his death and his family held a funeral service in his home town. John went back to the states and had more surgeries on his neck and surgeons eventually gave up on removing all the metal (he still has pieces in his neck today). He wanted to return to the South Pacific after his wounds healed but his Commanding Officer would not allow him and stationed John in New Jersey where he met his wife, June. John received many awards for valor and commitment to the US Marines - Purple Heart, Presidential Citation, Citation for 1st Offensive Action, 2 stars for oversea service, among many others.

To see great videos honoring our veterans, visit our last year blog by going here.

THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO STAND AND FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

- The Access Home Care and Hospice Team

Celebrating Volunteer Awareness Month

April is Volunteer awareness month and Access Home Care and Hospice would like to thank all of our volunteers for the many hours you have given to help our hospice patients and their families.

Access tries to constructively utilize the talents of our volunteers. For example, we have volunteers that play instruments like the harp and piano as music therapy. Some volunteers enjoy baking bread for patients and families. In our Pocatello, Idaho office, we have several volunteers who are currently going to the Social Work program at Idaho State University. These students have chosen to gain crucial end-of-life psychosocial experience by volunteering their internships as Social Work students for Home Care and Hospice. They find that not only do they grow tremendously in their chosen field of study, but the patients and families benefit tremendously from their services. These talents not only help the people we serve, but come as great opportunities for the volunteers themselves to grow.

Although music and cooking talents are greatly appreciated, help in our local offices, or even reading to someone in their home, are ways volunteers can really make an impact. In fact, some of the most meaningful volunteer time comes from those willing to help their friends and neighbors and serve the community.

Wherever you live in Northern Utah, Eastern Idaho, or Western Wyoming, Access Hospice has opportunities for volunteers. To ensure that all volunteers feel comfortable working with the dying, Access Hospice requires all volunteers to complete an orientation and training session, as well as submit to a routine background check.

To all those who currently volunteer for Access Hospice, THANK YOU! And for those interested in volunteering, please contact your local office found on the sidebar of this blog.

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."

- Albert Einstein

'Tis the Season

As we reflect on the past year, we realize that we have been the benefactors of many great relationships with patients, families, doctors, facilities and their staffs, our own employees, and the community as a whole. We dedicate ourselves to continuing this same commitment of trust and friendship into the new year.

From all of us at Access Home Care and Hospice, THANK YOU for a great 2010.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

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.

ACCESS OBSERVES 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

October 2010 marks the 25^th year since the first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) was declared in 1985. Access Home Care and Hospice is celebrating this anniversary in a special way – by wearing pink exam gloves.

“These pink gloves that our caregivers are wearing are a visible reminder that early detection and prevention is key,” states Camie Tripp RN, Director of Access Home Care and Hospice, Pocatello office.

Experts say that mammography screening remains the single-most effective method of detecting breast cancer in an early, treatable stage. If all women received regular screenings and mammograms after turning 40, the death rate would fall by another 20 to 30 percent.

In addition to raising awareness, these pink gloves are helping provide free mammograms to women who cannot afford them. The manufacturer, Medline, contributes $1 for every 1,000 Generation Pink gloves purchased to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization that has provided over 130,000 free screenings since 2004.

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women and takes the lives of approximately 40,000 women annually. Breast cancer has many risk factors, including age, genetics, obesity, and family history. Women who exercise regularly, maintain healthy diets, and have regular visits with their doctors may be less likely to get breast cancer.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is committed to spreading knowledge and fostering hope in the fight against breast cancer. By funding free mammograms for women who could otherwise not afford them and supporting research programs in leading facilities across the country, NBCF helps inspire the courage needed to win this monumental battle.

Medline is also the sponsor of the Pink Glove Dance video that went viral on You Tube last year. In an effort to continue building awareness, Medline is releasing multiple sequels on pinkglovedance.com — this time featuring both healthcare workers and breast cancer survivors. For more information on the Pink Glove Dance sequel, visit pinkglovedance.com.

About Access Home Care and Hospice

Access Home Care and Hospice is a locally owned and operated agency that provides home health and hospice services to Northern Utah, Eastern Idaho, and Western Wyoming. Access provides nursing and CNA services in the home, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapies. In terms of hospice, the Access staff is comprised of Medical Directors, social workers, nurses that specialize in end-of-life care, volunteers, and nursing aides.

Access Joins Emeritus to Help Raise Alzheimer's Awareness

Access Home Care and Hospice joined Emeritus Estates Senior Living in North Ogden, Utah to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer's disease. Emeritus set up a car show and Access jumped on the opportunity to participate with a car of our own - a 1969 Ford Mustang. About 30 cars entered the show and it was considered a big success by all who attended.

While diseases like stroke, prostate cancer, breast cancer, HIV and heart disease have declined between 2000-2006 in the United States, Alzheimer's has actually increased by 46%* in that same time frame. Access was honored to partner with Emeritus and assist in raising funds and awareness for the disease. For more information on Emeritus Estates Senior Living, go here. For more information on the Utah Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, go here.

A big thank you to Nikki (Hospice Director) and Ashley (Area Account Manager) in the Ogden office for putting this together. It's always fun to endorse a worthy cause while cruising in a classic Mustang!

Alzheimer's Disease Key Facts*

5.3 million people have Alzheimer's

172 billion dollars in annual costs

7th leading cause of death

10.9 million unpaid caregivers

*Source: Go Here