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

Access Hospice of Ogden, Utah Hosts Memorial Service

On Friday, August 6^th at the South Ogden Senior Center, Access Home Care and Hospice held a memorial service designed to remember and reflect upon those that we have cared for on hospice. It was an opportunity for Access Hospice staff and patient's family and friends to remember those that died on hospice and to say a few words of remembrance or appreciation. Attendees also memorialized their loved ones by bringing pictures.

The message was clear that, although time has passed, memories still linger for the families and for us. It has been a privilege as caregivers to be a part of everyone's family during the last stages of life. Access is aware of everyone's continued grief process, and often times we find ourselves missing those we have cared for as well. Occasions such as these often stir thoughts and emotions that hold precious moments of love toward those that we will not forget.

We believe this memorial service was a big success and an important piece in the grief process for family, friends and us as caregivers. Access Hospice would like to thank everyone that came and we enjoyed the opportunity to remember, honor, and grieve together. Thank you for sharing your memories and always remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Pioneer Day Parade

There is no better way to enjoy summer, celebrate our pioneer heritage, or promote the education of home care and hospice than to join the parade and give back to the communities we love to serve. Access Home Care and Hospice participated in the Pocatello, Idaho Pioneer Day Parade and enjoyed a day in the sun, with many smiling faces that took advantage of the day's festivities. We were especially grateful for the donated 2010 Chevrolet Camaro from Dave at Cole Chevrolet in Pocatello, Idaho. It was a great time driving the car and giving out candy and magnets to the folks of our community. What a great way to educate the community on the services Access Home Care and Hospice offers and we look forward to making this a yearly tradition!

Access Participates in the American Cancer Society's Rely For Life

Access Home Care and Hospice joined hundreds of people in Southeast Idaho for the annual Relay For Life event in Pocatello. This year's theme was, "Give Cancer the Boot." With over 100 teams and 900 people in attendance, Access joined others in helping raise approximately $136,000 to assist those in fighting cancer and to help find a cure. As a home care and hospice agency, we have the opportunity to be a part of so many lives that are affected by cancer.

It was a privilege to participate as a team and join the American Cancer Society to help find a cure and commemorate those that have died from cancer. A big THANK YOU to all who participated and we look forward to raising more money and having a great turnout next year!

For more information on the Relay For Life event in Pocatello, Idaho, please go here. You can also read more about the American Cancer Society by going here.

Access Volunteers Make a Difference

Access Hospice volunteers are an essential part of the hospice philosophy of care which recognizes that dying is not just a medical event but a personal one as well. Our volunteers are important members of an interdisciplinary team working to “de-institutionalize” the dying experience and provide a more humane system of care for the dying and their families. In fact, federal law requires that at least 5% of patient care hours be provided by volunteers (if the hospice receives Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.)

Access Hospice volunteers find it personally gratifying, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally meaningful to assist those in need at a critical point in their lives. Many of our volunteers were introduced to hospice through the death of a family member and understand firsthand the value of hospice care, but nearly 20% of volunteers are new to hospice.* Volunteers consistently report that helping the terminally ill through hospice is not about dying but about living.

Wherever you live in Northern Utah, Eastern Idaho, or Western Wyoming, Access Hospice has opportunities for volunteers. Volunteers may range in age from teens (at least 18) to senior citizens. Access Hospice tries to constructively utilize the talents of our volunteers. For example, we have a volunteer that plays harp, one that bakes bread for patients and families, and others play the piano. These talents not only help the patients and the families 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 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.

There is a wide range of opportunities available for Access Hospice volunteers. Some of those items include, but are not limited to:

• Support for patients. This can include visiting, reading, taking, walks, writing letters, bringing in music, supervising visits with pets, helping with family history, scrapbooking, or even massage therapy for volunteers with the necessary skills.
• Respite and support for family members. Access Hospice volunteers can assist with shopping or household maintenance, or allow family caregivers the opportunity to take care of necessary errands and get some time away from the house. Access volunteers have also made invaluable contributions with family pet care. Sometimes family members just appreciate a visit from a compassionate friend who understands what they are going through.
• Bereavement support programs. Access Hospice volunteers can work closely with our bereavement staff in duties that range from assisting as a support group facilitator to serving refreshments and helping with mailings to clients and families.
• Administrative work. A volunteer with clerical skills can serve a hospice by helping in the office with simple administrative duties, e.g., filing, making copies, helping with computers, etc.

To ensure that all volunteers are equipped for the challenge of 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

*some information used for this post was taken from hospicefoundation.org

Celebrating Memorial Day

Access Home Care and Hospice has the opportunity to care for amazing individuals on a daily basis. We feel it is an honor to care for those whose physical circumstances allow us to be a part of their lives. As a hospice agency providing end of life care, we are granted the privilege of helping those who are terminally ill. Like birth, death is an intimate experience. Access Hospice is committed to giving the highest level of care necessary so that when the time comes, the person dies with comfort and dignity. As death comes to many of those we care for, we take time this Memorial Day to remember and reflect on their lives and their contribution to society.

Access also has the opportunity provide home care and hospice services to many veterans that have served in our nation's military. It is an honor and a privilege to be associated with such amazing people that have given so much of their lives! Because of their sacrifices and service, we are able to enjoy many freedoms and liberties in this country. In order to honor those veterans that have died, and to those we currently care for, we invite everyone to listen to the music video called "Some Gave All."

From all of us at Access Home Care and Hospice, HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

Access Prepared for Idaho Medicaid Crunch

On March 31st, 2010, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare issued a sobering letter to healthcare providers across the state of Idaho. The letter states that "because of budget holdbacks, the Idaho Medicaid Program will suspend payments to all Medicaid providers for the final three payment cycles of fiscal year 2010." Hospitals and nursing homes received a similar letter outlining the withholding of payments for eight to twelve weeks. Payments are scheduled to resume the first week of July, 2010.

Some may ask questions about how this will affect the care they are receiving or if this decision affects Access' relationship with nursing homes and/or assisted living facilities. Access Home Care and Hospice would like to express to all Medicaid patients, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, etc., that we will continue to provide quality care regardless of reimbursement difficulties. If you or a loved one are already on services, you will continue to be provided those services regardless of delayed payments from Medicaid. Access will also continue to evaluate each new Medicaid patient that requests Access as their home health provider.

This news may be a financial burden and actually cause closure to some privately owned Medicaid providers. However, Access Home Care and Hospice will continue to fulfill its mission of being fiscally responsible in order to provide quality services to under-served communities.

For any questions regarding Medicaid and how it affects you, a loved one, or any facility in which Access is contracted, please contact your local Access office.