Attitude of Gratitude

The Access Home Care and Hospice team would like to express our gratitude to the patients we care for, their families, our employees, and those we do business with in the many communities throughout Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. We are thankful for being a healthcare provider and consider it a privilege to provide home care and hospice services.

From all the Access team, THANK YOU and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Celebrating National Hospice and Palliative Care Month

A hospice nurse was recently asked, “How can you work in hospice – it must be so sad!”

She answered, “I love providing highly-skilled, compassionate care because I know I make a huge difference in the quality of a person’s life. Hospice isn’t about dying but is about living as fully as possible despite a life-limiting illness. I love that I can use my training as a nurse to bring comfort and dignity to my patients, and seeing the relief on their faces and on the faces of those who care for them. I love being a part of a professional hospice team that works together to offer individualized, holistic care to families when it is critically needed. I love that I can offer practical solutions to patients and families at one of life’s most challenging moments.”

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time to draw attention and raise awareness of this special kind of care.

What is Hospice Care

Hospice care provides pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their families when a cure is not possible.  The nation’s hospices serve more than 1.5 million people every year – and their family caregivers, too.

Hospice care if fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans and HMOs. 

Many people only consider hospice care in the final days of life but hospice is ideally suited to care for patients and family caregivers for the final months of life.

What is Palliative Care

Palliative care brings the same interdisciplinary team care as hospice to people earlier in the course of a serious illness and can be provided along with other treatments they may still be receiving from their doctor.

Hospices are the largest providers of palliative care services and can help answer questions about what might be most appropriate for a person.  Many hospitals also have palliative care teams available to provide services.

Hospice and palliative care are available to people of all ages with any serious or life-limiting illness.

Hospice and palliative care combine the highest level of quality medical care with the emotional and spiritual support for patients and family caregivers.  Hospice and palliative care can may a profound difference and help maximize the quality of life for all those they care for.

To learn more and for a free in-home consultation, contact your local Access Hospice Office .   You can also visit Caring Connections, a website dedicated to helping those wanting to learn more about hospice and palliative care - www.caringinfo.org.

                                                                                         

Access Corn Belly’s Party, Salt Lake City, Utah Office

Access SLC celebrated their annual staff party at Corn Belly’s this festive fall season. As you can tell, they had a fun time and the staff turnout was great. It was a special treat for everyone to get to know each other and their families outside of work. Hope everyone enjoys the pictures and is enjoying this special time of year. 

Bereavement a Big Part of Access Home Care and Hospice

In October 2013, the Access Logan office was able to share bereavement for all previous family members that had a loved one pass on. They met at Willow Park and enjoyed great food and companionship. When the time came to reflect, they wrote messages, remarks, and thoughts on balloons which allowed them to continue the loving memories. Then together, they released those memories.

Best penned by Thomas Moore…"Fond memories brings the light of other days around me."

A Liver for Luke

At Access, we are determined to be involved in our communities and help those in need. A Liver for Luke is an ongoing fundraiser. This is a young man that desperately needs a liver to improve his quality of life. The event below helped bring community members together and all had a great time for a VERY good cause. Donations are still being accepted and as mentioned in the following paragraph, you can get more info by going to their Facebook page here.

“A Liver for Luke’ fundraiser will be held Saturday Sept 28^th from 11a.m. to 4p.m. at 200 West Center in Hyde Park.  Featuring live music, face painting, rock climbing, cotton candy, food & drinks, 5k or 1 mile run at 10a.m., silent auction and games for kids. Luke Rigby is in liver failure and awaiting a transplant.  He hasn’t been able to work for months because of the pain, he has to get dialysis 2 times/ week and then he has to take a weekly trip to Salt Lake for tests to see whether or not he will be moved up on the transplant list.  Medical bills are piling up and family & friends have organized this event for Luke and his wife Tiffani.  All proceeds will go to the couple to help with medical costs.  (Also as part of the fundraiser: there are 2 tickets to the sold-out Luke Bryan concert that have been donated to the cause for $300 a piece).  For more information: see “A Liver for Luke” on Facebook”

Access Participates in Ensign Foundation Golf Tournament

Access Home Care and Hospice joined dozens of other participants in the annual Ensign Foundation Golf Tournament held at Red Ledges Golf Resort in Heber City, Utah.  The mission of the Ensign Foundation is to enhance the quality of life of the most vulnerable members of our society and encourage our local and global community to advocate on their behalf.  All proceeds from the tournament went to the foundation to help accomplish its mission.  Access Home Care and Hospice was a proud sponsor of the tournament and we look forward to continuing our support.

Access Hospice Staff Featured on Idaho Hospice Coalition Website

Hannah Davidson, Registered Nurse, and Velana Roth, Licensed Social Worker, for Access Hospice of Pocatello, Idaho were featured on the Idaho Quality of Life Coalition's website. Their knowledge and expertise are highlighted in the following videos:



The Idaho Quality of Life Coalition is Idaho's hospice coalition and consists of professionals, private citizens, and businesses working together to provide education and information on hospice, palliative care, and advanced planning.  Their mission is to work collaboratively with their partners in providing education, tools, and resources to promote quality of life through advance planning, hospice, and palliative care.  Great job Hannah and Velana for sharing your knowledge and for all you do for your hospice patients!

Presidential Proclamation--National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, 2013

NATIONAL PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, 2013

 

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 

A PROCLAMATION

 

Among American men, prostate cancer is both the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths. Although prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates have declined over the past two decades, in 2013 alone, an estimated 239,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with the illness, and almost 30,000 men will die from this disease. During National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we remember those lost to prostate cancer, offer our support to patients and their families, and highlight our commitment to better prevention, detection, and treatment methods.

 

The exact causes remain unknown, but medical professionals have identified several risk factors that can increase a man's chances of developing prostate cancer. It is more common among older men and men with a family history of prostate cancer. African American men also have a significantly higher risk, both of developing and dying from prostate cancer. I encourage all men to learn about warning signs by visiting www.Cancer.gov.

 

My Administration continues to support important prostate cancer research -- research that will enhance our knowledge and improve prostate cancer prevention and treatment. The Affordable Care Act also offers new protections for all Americans. The health care law bans insurance companies from placing lifetime dollar limits on essential health benefits and from dropping coverage because of mistakes on insurance applications. Beginning in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will also eliminate annual dollar limits on vital benefits, and insurers will no longer be able to deny coverage or charge higher premiums to patients with prostate cancer -- or any other pre-existing medical condition.

 

This month, I encourage all Americans to lend their support to family, friends, and neighbors whose lives have been touched by prostate cancer. Let us celebrate the compassion and perseverance of health care providers, researchers, and dedicated advocates. Together, we can raise awareness, support research, improve care, and reduce the impact of this disease on our citizens and our Nation.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2013 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage all citizens, government agencies, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and other groups to join in activities that will increase awareness and prevention of prostate cancer.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

 

BARACK OBAMA

 

Get Ready to Walk - Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions.

To Participate:

Find a walk in your community.

Register as a team captain, team member, or individual.

Start fundraising and raising awareness in your community.

Our mission

To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Our vision

A world without Alzheimer’s disease.

Join one of our 4 Walks in Utah in 2013.

Select a Walk below to view more details and register.

Logan, UT            09/21/2013

Ogden-Clearfield, UT     09/14/2013

Provo-Orem, UT               09/28/2013

Salt Lake City, UT              09/07/2013

If you have any questions please visit www.alz.org

Happy Labor Day

Inspirational Quotes for Your Long Weekend

Here are some quotes to help remind us of the importance of work and the equal value of rest. Big thanks to Access Home Care and Hospice and all the employees that make it the wonderful company it is today. Have a relaxing weekend and enjoy reading these amazing quotes by amazing people who know the true meaning of hard work and labor.

My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition.
~ Indira Gandhi

I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.
~ Thomas Jefferson

Work isn't to make money; you work to justify life.
~Marc Chagall

Without labor nothing prospers.
~Sophocles

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.
~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
~ Confucius

The man who rolls up his shirt sleeves is rarely in danger of losing his shirt.
~ Anonymous

A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depend on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.
~ Albert Einstein

No business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country. By living wages I mean more than a bare subsistence level–I mean the wages of decent living.
~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Work is no disgrace; the disgrace is idleness.
~ Greek proverb

Each morning sees some task begin,
Each evening sees it close;
Something attempted, some done,
Has earned a night’s repose.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

No great achievement is possible without persistent work.
~ Bertrand Russell

Have a Great Labor Day Weekend, Everyone!

Access Home Care and Hospice a Proud Sponsor Idaho's Hometown Hero Medal Award Ceremony

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter

My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient.  But most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say, “You said the same thing a minute ago.” Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way. Remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day.  The day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember.  And if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad. Just be with me and understand me with love while I get to the end of my life. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you...my darling daughter. 

SENIORS: Do You Drink Enough Water?

Over the course of an average day, most people brush their teeth once or twice, visit the bathroom several times and eat a few meals without much thought. But studies show that many of us forget one important thing: to drink a few glasses of water.

The human body depends on water to help fuel its organs, aide digestion, avoid constipation, regulate body temperature and assist with tissue development. You lose a portion of this water every day, through your skin, breath, urine and feces. When you fail to replenish the necessary supply, you not only experience discomfort, but you also miss out on several health benefits that ample water intake can provide.

Seniors are more likely to fall victim to dehydration because thirst declines with age. It’s important, especially during this time of year when the temperature and humidity rise causing fluid loss through perspiration, that older adults drink plenty of water whether they feel thirsty or not. Older adults also run a higher risk for dehydration due to medications which may dry out the body, or simply because they may avoid drinking “too much” to reduce trips to the restroom.

Access Home Care and Hospice offers the following tips to seniors to avoid dehydration during the summer months. Please note, Barnabas Health urges individuals to discuss fluid intake with his/her primary care physician before changing daily habits. 

• Eight is great. Each day set a goal to drink, at least, eight glasses of fluid.
  
• Don’t limit yourself. Water can come from any beverage – juice, coffee, tea, milk, soft drinks and even soup. However, it is important to be cautious. Caffeine in coffee, soft drinks and tea actually boosts your body’s water output, offsetting some of the benefits of taking in the fluid. Also, the sugar in regular soft drinks may pose a danger to diabetics or to those who are watching their weight.
  
• Get creative. For those who want to try something a little different, fruit juice mixed with club soda or seltzer water makes a refreshing carbonated drink. And, a twist of lemon or lime will make plain water more appealing.

What if I drink too much water? 
With the exception of those who suffer from hyperthyroidism, renal failure, or congestive heart failure, no one has to worry about consuming too much water. However, we do have to worry if we don’t take in enough. Heat exhaustion or heat stroke, asthma, dental disease and several gastrointestinal problems may result from insufficient hydration. Every person runs these risks, but older people must be particularly mindful. Please note, that individuals who suffer from heart disease or renal failure should consult their physician regarding recommended fluid intake.

How do I know if my body is lacking fluids?
Your body provides some built-in safety measures to alert you when your water level has dipped too low. When water loss hits 1 percent of your body weight, you may experience symptoms of mild dehydration, such as headache, lightheadedness and dulled thinking. Thirst kicks in after a 2 percent loss. At 4 percent or more, severe dehydration sends your blood volume and blood pressure plunging and may even lead to muscle spasms, dimmed vision, delirium, fainting or a heart attack. If you experience any of these symptoms it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

Access Home Care and Hospice Salutes our Seniors

THE FRANKLIN COUNTY SENIOR CENTER IN PRESTON, IDAHO PROVIDES AN INCREDIBLE SERVICE TO OUR LOCAL SENIORS. MEALS ARE PROVIDED TO THOSE WHO CAN MAKE IT INTO THE CENTER AND MEALS ARE ALSO DELIVERED TO THOSE WHO ARE HOME BOUND.  ACCESS HOME CARE AND HOSPICE IS PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED TO OUR SENIORS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY. WE ARE AVAILABLE EVERY FRIDAY AFTERNOON TO CHECK BLOOD PRESSURES FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED. 

RECENTLY, ACCESS WANTED TO THANK THEM FOR ALL THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY WHAT IT IS TODAY. WE DECIDED TO PLANT A “THANK YOU” FLOWERBED IN FRONT OF THE SENIOR CENTER. IT BEAUTIFIES THE CENTER AND IS A CONSTANT REMINDER TO OUR SENIORS THAT WE APPRECIATE ALL THEY HAVE DONE AND CONTINUE TO DO FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY AND BEYOND. ACCESS HOME CARE AND HOSPICE IS SO GRATEFUL FOR OUR SENIORS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY AND TO ALL THE SENIORS WE SERVE. 

Sun Safety

As we head into summer we all need to be aware of the risks that the summer sun can pose. There are more than 3.5 million new cases of skin cancer diagnosed and 2.2 million people treated in the U. S. each year. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation is very important. UV rays from the sun can reach you on cloudy and hazy days, as well as bright and sunny days. The hours between 10 a.m. And 4 p.m. Are the most hazardous for UV exposure outdoors in the continental United States.

CDC recommends easy options for protection from UV radiation:

• Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
• Wear UV protective clothing to protect exposed skin.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Use sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher and both UVA and UVB protection.
• Avoid indoor tanning.

Lets all be aware of the dangers of UV radiation and take these appropriate steps to keep our skin healthy as we enjoy the summer fun.

National Career Nursing Assistant Week

According to CNA-Network, the first day of Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers Week–June 13, 2013 is designated as National Career Nursing Assistants’ Day to recognize nursing assistants who have dedicated their lives to the well-being of others for 5 to as many as 58 years.

Now more than ever, attention is being directed to care of our elder and disabled citizens and greater attention also is directed to the workers who provide hands-on-care and caring.

The 36th annual National Nursing Assistants’ Week provides a timely opportunity to foster and showcase the wonderful things that can happen for residents and workers when we join together in planning your special Week, “Nursing Assistants @ the Heart of Care.”

In order to make a difference, we need to seek out and involve our role models, peers, supervisors, clients, families, community, legislators, public policy officials, media and others.  Nursing Assistants Week provides a venue to bring folks together to create projects and programs that will continue throughout the year for the benefit of all.


At Access let’s thank our nursing assistants for all they do, and the great quality of care they provide to our patients!

HAPPY SUMMER!

On behalf of Access Home Care and Hospice, we would like to help give awareness to the month of June’s Health Observance: Safety.  How can National Safety Month make a difference?  We can all use this month to raise awareness about important safety issues like:

•  Slips and falls
•  Workplace and employee safety
•   Emergency preparedness

Injuries are a leading cause of disability for people of all ages, and the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44. When people practice safe behaviors, they can help prevent injuries – and even death.

Make a difference: This month, spread the word about strategies for staying safe. Encourage communities, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved.

Is your family ready for an emergency? Planning ahead can help keep you safe if a flood, fire, flu pandemic, terrorist attack, or other emergency strikes. During National Safety Month, please work with community members to make sure families are safe.

Get prepared. Start by gathering an emergency kit and making a family emergency plan. Find out about the emergency resources that are available in your community.

Plan ahead. Here are a few simple items you can gather today to prepare for an emergency:

• At least 3 gallons of water for each member of your family
•  Food for at least 3 days – choose foods that don’t need a refrigerator, like canned fruit, energy bars, peanut butter, and crackers
• Prescription medicines that you take every day, like heart or diabetes medicine
•  A first aid kit to treat cuts, burns, and other injuries.

And remember to have fun this summer and be SAFE!

Happy Memorial Day

Access Home Care and Hospice would like to say thank you to those who have given so much so that we can enjoy our freedoms in this great country.  Along with our Nation's military heroes, this Memorial Day we honor those we have been privileged to care for in their last days of life.  To see a past post honoring some of the veterans we have been blessed to serve, go here.  Please enjoy the pictures below.  God bless you and God bless America! 

Does Your Loved One Need Homecare?

We all have a loved one that is getting a little bit older and we may be worried about their health and safety.  Homecare and hospice are wonderful options to look into when you notice your loved one declining in health.  Some declines in health are more obvious and may require homecare, i.e., surgery.  However, there are other less obvious signs.  Below is a list of those less than obvious signs that may indicate your loved one needs home healthcare.

• Spoiled food that doesn’t get thrown away
• Missing important appointments
• Unexplained bruising
• Trouble getting up from a seated position
• Difficulty walking
• Balance and mobility
• Uncertainty and confusion when performing once-familiar task
• Forgetfulness
• Unpleasant body odor
• Infrequent showering and bathing
• Strong smell of urine in the home
• Noticeable decline in grooming habits and personal care
• Dirty house
• Extreme clutter and dirty laundry pilling up
• Stacks of unopened mail or an overflowing mailbox
• Late payment notices
• Poor diet or weight loss
• Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
• Change in mood or extreme mood swings
• Forgetting to take medications
• Taking more than prescribed dosage

If you are worried about your loved one, please talk to your primary care doctor or call your local Access office.  

ACCESS IS A BIG PART OF URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES ALIKE

At Access, it is important to us that we provide our broad range of services to those living in large cities and towns, as well as those who reside in more rural and secluded areas.  Our core values are accountability, customer service, and teamwork. As we serve all areas, we are determined to provide the same quality of care to a patient regardless of where they call home. We have local staff in all of our areas and this enables us to meet the expectations we hold for ourselves as an agency in serving anyone who needs our assistance.

As summer approaches, we have been attending many of the local health fairs in the communities we serve. We realize the importance of getting information and education out to as many people as possible so that patients and their families can make an informed decision when home care, hospice, private duty, or home medical equipment is needed. Please call us with any questions or needs you may have in regards to your medical needs in the home.  For a complete listing of our office locations and phone numbers, please see the right hand column of this blog.