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 Medicine can be a sea of opinions – different disciplines, unique perspectives, and a plethora of medications and technological advances to add to the mix. Yet one aspect of medical care is highly agreed upon – Americans want homecare and hospice care. According to the American Association for Homecare, more than four out of five Americans (82 percent) express a preference for homecare over institutional care, agreeing with the statement, "If I required medical services, I would prefer to receive it in my home if possible, rather than in a hospital or nursing home."
Celtic Healthcare, a world--class home healthcare, hospice, and rehabilitation services provider headquartered in Mars, PA knows this – and has dedicated its company mission to helping residents in Western and Central Pennsylvania and Northeast Ohio fulfill their wishes with this sacred form of medical care. Homecare and hospice care allows individuals to heal and rehabilitate – or fully live until the end of their lives – in the comfort and independence of their own homes.
Not only do homecare providers like Celtic Healthcare know that the demand is out there, but homecare topics are even prevalent in politics. According to the American Association for Homecare, three out of four Americans (74 percent) agree with the statement, "homecare is part of the solution to the problem of rapidly increasing Medicare spending for America's seniors." The result is consistent across political party lines and across liberal and conservative ranks. Americans age 55--plus are more likely to agree (81 percent).
Homecare also makes financial sense. The amount of Medicaid dollars that can pay for homecare for nearly three people on average can only pay for nursing home care for one, according to a recent AARP Public Policy Institute research paper.
Hospice enables pain management and comfort care benefits from the comfort of home. Pain is the most feared symptom at end of life, and it has major social, emotional, and spiritual implications. Individualized pain management is vital to reducing anxiety about discomfort – for both the patient and loved ones. The National Hospice Foundation (NHF) found that the services provided by hospice care are what Americans want; yet 83 percent of them don't know about hospice care. NHF research also showed that 80 percent of Americans said their wish is to die at home. Of the 2.4 million Americans who die each year, less than 25 percent actually die at home. Of the 700,000 patients who receive hospice care, over 75 percent die at home.
Celtic Healthcare is involved in homecare education in a number of ways. From hosting Pennsylvania Homecare Association events to offering educational teleconferences to other homecare providers and organizations, Celtic Healthcare is dedicated to spreading the word about the vital role that homecare and hospice plays in our community.
Sources:
American Association for Homecare: http://www.aahomecare.org/associations/3208/files/Americans--Favor--Stronger--Homecare--Policy--Harris%20Poll.pdf
AARP Public Policy Institute Research:http://www.aarp.org/research/longtermcare/programfunding/2008_10_ltc.html
The National Hospice Foundation: http://www.nationalhospicefoundation.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=141
 "I'm a late blooming adrenaline junkie… but after years of being a trauma nurse, it was time to be quiet and let hospice nursing teach me."
Kathy Kendrew, Hospice RN with Celtic Healthcare, is being honored as November's Customer Service Champion of the Month. This award, which is determined from nominations by coworkers and managers, is a monthly initiative to reward great customer service.
Of course, she was "just doing her job" as every humble caregiver professes, but we all know it was more than that. Joining Celtic Healthcare a little over a year ago as a homecare nurse, Kathy Kendrew recently was given the opportunity to become a Celtic Healthcare Hospice RN – and one weekend in mid--October, Kathy's actions showed that not only is she cut out for the job, but is a great asset to the hospice team.
Learning that a patient had taken a sudden turn for the worse on that Friday night, Kathy drove from Beaver to the South Hills of Pittsburgh and spent her entire Saturday comforting the patient and his family. Although the patient was no longer in distress, the family was very upset from the sudden change in condition, so Kathy stayed to help the family cope. Her actions came from the heart, and the next day she called to see if she could provide any additional support.
Kathy knew that she would end up in hospice nursing, but as a nurse for over 11 years, her career path surely didn't start out there. Working as a trauma nurse for most of her career, Kathy was used to working on speed and adrenaline, with the goal to fix rather than comfort. She then became a traveling nurse for three years, so that she could visit her loved ones in other parts of the country.
"I loved trauma nursing, but I got burnt out and was looking for a nursing career with a different mindset. With hospice nursing, every situation is different and I have learned to let the patient take me where they want to go, rather than where I want to go. I've learned to ask the right questions, listen, and comfort. It's a gift to help those at their last stage of life."
After settling back in Beaver, she knew she wanted to travel, but much more locally, so homecare seemed to be the best transition.
"I love getting in and out of my car, feeling the sun on my face throughout the day and having the chance to get outside."
As for her experience with Celtic Healthcare, Kathy feels blessed to be part of the organization and its hospice team.
"Celtic's hospice team is simply the biggest group of extraordinary people I have ever met. Everyone, without exception, is caring and sweet. Celtic Healthcare in general is this way, too – we are a family--like community, and I have the best bosses here that I've ever had in my life, hands down."
"When you are younger, sometimes you have to compromise your happiness for a job – you need to put food on the table to feed your children, pay bills or whatnot. I'm old enough now that I will not compromise my happiness. And I'm at Celtic Healthcare."
 Celtic Charities, a non--profit organization, is hosting Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 6th from 9 AM – 1 PM at Celtic Healthcare's Headquarters. This children--centered morning features breakfast compliments of Bob Evans of Cranberry Township, pictures with Santa, and a stocking full of goodies… to name just a few of the activities!
Most importantly, Celtic Charities' Breakfast with Santa benefits Toys for Tots!
Please RSVP by December 3rd by calling Darlene Janidas at 1.800.355.8894 ext. 1216 or emailing charities@celtichealthcare.com with your child's name and age. The cost is $7.00 per child and $10.00 per adult. Celtic Healthcare is located at 150 Scharberry Lane, Mars, PA 16046 (across from Springfield Grille on Rt. 228).
Fun Fact & Quirky Question: Hospice in the United States started as a "movement" in the 1970s. When was the Medicare Hospice Benefit Law established, which designated hospice care as a formal part of the overall healthcare service delivery system? |
