10,000 VIEWS!! Thank You! Have You Been to the Blog?

10,000!! 

We must be doing something right! 

   Our goals at Freedom Home Health and Hospice are to:

*Serve members of our community with the best Home Health and Hospice care available.

*Educate our community through CARE meetings, Senior Citizen Programs our Newsletter and Blog.

*Inspire our Community to serve, care and educate each other.

Thank you for being a support to us!

Pass it on!  There are so many who do not have the valuable information about caregiving, services and resources available to them. 

  

What Makes Freedom Home Health And Hospice Different From All The Other Agencies?

Gena Bertelsen, Community Liaison Specialist

Many times during interviews with potential clients I am asked, "What can you do that other agencies can't?" The truth of the matter is this; ALL Home Health and Hospice agencies are regulated by the Federal Government and can only offer what is allowed by the government.  In short, we ALL provide the EXACT same services.  So what makes us different from a company that is owned by someone on the East coast whose bottom line seems to be the most important thing?  A few things set us apart from the rest:

We are locally owned, kind of like the mom and pop gas station or grocery store that used to be on the corner but has been pushed out of business by big box stores and chains.  We have always been locally owned and plan to stay that way.  We believe it gives us a better outlook on the needs of the patient and their family because we live here too!

100% of our past clients would recommend us to others. I love the fact that our team has provided excellent care, educates the patient and family about the process they are going through and, in many instances, gone above and beyond the call of duty such as checking on family members at home when a loved one has a hospital stay, attending Doctor appointments with the patient to understand and communicate with the Doctor about the patients care and taking the time to get to know each patient individually.   

We serve,educate and support the community. Next to excellent patient care, our primary focus lies in serving, educating and supporting our community.  

We educate groups at every opportunity about services and resources that are available to them or their loved one whether it be Home Health, Hospice, Private Duty, Medicaid and Medicare or other topics important to caregiving.

I facilitate 3 different caregiver support groups throughout Utah County sharing information, resources and my own personal experiences to help rejuvenate and energize caregivers who may be suffering from caregiver burnout.  Click the CARE meetings tab at the top of the page for a list of meetings.  These are free and you may come to one or all.

I realize that there are many choices....and who serves you is YOUR choice...but I hope that you will consider Freedom Home Health and Hospice when you are in need of Home Health or Hospice Services. 

After all....it is the American thing to do;)

Give our office a call with any questions you may have concerning Home Health or Hospice services, 801-225-3377.

National Assisted Living Week Featuring Latter Days Assisted Living in Santaquin Utah

September 9-16, 2012 we celebrate National Assisted Living Week and in Utah there are many Assistive Communities for those who can still live and function on their own but need that security of having someone able to help at a moments notice.

This week I would like to feature as many Assisted Living Communities as I can and invite you to call them, take a tour, see what would appeal to you or your loved one. Many of these facilities invite you to come visit, enjoy lunch with the residents, participate in some of the activities they have planned. This is the best way to see if this is the place you are looking for.




















Latter Days Assisted Living, a Level II assisted living facility, was co-founded in April of 2000 by Carter & Teri Strebel of Santaquin and Paul & Cathy Brown of Orem. Latter Days prides itself on its unique style of delivering services with an atmosphere of love and respect. Fun and engaging recreational activities are a huge priority at Latter Days.

It’s not unusual to see their residents learning the hula for an upcoming luau or going for a horse ride with their good friend Andrew Goudy. The major holidays aren’t the only special days celebrated at Latter Days. Famous birthdays, historical events and even National Pig Day get their own unique recognition here.

Beautifully decorated for each holiday or event along with a recent renovation to the interior will make anyone feel at home. Maybe that is why they say, "It is more than just a place to hang your hat."

Give Teri a call at 801-369-0582 to schedule a tour.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

National Assisted Living Week Featuring Seasons of Santaquin in Santaquin, Utah

September 9-16, 2012 we celebrate National Assisted Living Week and in Utah there are many Assisted Living Communities for those who can still live and function on their own but need that security of having someone able to help at a moments notice.
This week I would like to feature as many Assisted Living Communities as I can and invite you to call them, take a tour, see what would appeal to you or your loved one.  Many of these facilities invite you to come visit, enjoy lunch with the residents and participate in some of the activities they have planned.  This is the best way to see if this is the place you are looking for.

Seasons of Santaquin is the newest addition to the many Assisted Living communities in Utah County. They offer Level 1 and Level 2 care as well as a Secure Memory Care Unit for those with memory challenges such as Alzheimer's or Dementia.














The facility is beautiful and inviting with a large gathering and dining area, meditation gardens, private suites with kitchenettes as well as a library and private dining room that can be scheduled for special occasions.

They are located at 785 East 150 South in Santaquin, Utah. Please call 801-754-1108 to schedule a tour or just stop by and meet the wonderful staff and residents.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Namaste Care in Hospice

Namaste Care Philosophy

We believe that the spirit in each person lives regardless of their physical and cognitive status.   It is our  honor to  nurture each individual  through loving touch, meaningful activities and the presence of others.    We will do   everything in our power to make the passing on as gentle as possible.

Namaste Care Mission Statement

Namaste Care is provided by an interdisciplinary team of compassionate and knowledgeable health care professionals as well as families and friends.  A holistic approach to care assures that the burdens and benefits of each medical intervention or nursing treatment are weighed so that they support quality of life.    Comfort and pleasure are goals of Namaste Care.   Every effort is  made so  that  the dying  process  is a  pain-free, easy  passing  surrounded by people who care.

Please call our office to see how we  could make a difference for your loved one 801-225-3377.

Assisted Living Becoming an Attractive Alternative for Elderly

Teri Strebel, Owner, Latter Days Assisted Living

  Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) are becoming more and more popular in the delivery of care to the elderly population.  Often mistaken for a nursing home, assisted living facilities, offer a less-expensive, residential approach to delivering many of the same services provided in skilled nursing homes.

   The level of assistance provided can be minimal to comprehensive while respecting the right to privacy, dignity and personal choice. Services may vary but typically include: assistance with bathing, dressing and grooming, mealtime accommodations for special diets and assistance with meals, laundry, housekeeping and assistance with ambulation and incontinence care.  Nursing assessments are routine, along with the supervision and dispensing of medications and 24 hour monitoring and emergency care.

   ALF’s generally offer two levels of care, Level 1 is for residents that are still quite independent but may require assistance with a few of their activities of daily living (ADL’s) such as bathing and grooming.  Level 2 residents require more time and attention with their ADL’s but do not require skilled nursing on a 24 hour basis. Not all ALF’s offer Level 2 care.

   Because ALF’s are considered a resident’s home, Medicare guidelines allow Home Health and Hospice Agencies to provided services, usually at no cost, to those who qualify, adding that extra amount of care while still having the comfort of an assistant available to help the resident 24 hours a day.

Teri Strebel, Owner, Latter Days Assisted Living

 

Latter Days Assisted Living, a Level II assisted living facility, was co-founded in April of 2000 by Carter & Teri Strebel of Santaquin and Paul & Cathy Brown of Orem.  Latter Days prides itself on its unique style of delivering services with an atmosphere of love and respect. Fun and engaging recreational activities are a huge priority at Latter Days. It’s not unusual to see their residents learning the hula for an upcoming luau or going for a horse ride with their good friend Andrew Goudy.  The major holidays aren’t the only special days celebrated at Latter Days.  Famous birthdays, historical events and even National Pig Day get their own unique recognition here.  Beautifully decorated for each holiday or event along with a recent renovation to the interior, helps keep Latter Days Assisted Living fresh and inviting.  It is the home-like atmosphere created by the made-from-scratch nutritious meals, the kind loving care and the family oriented activities that make assisted living an attractive alternative for the elderly. Latter Days Assisted Living truly goes the extra mile to be “More Than Just A Place To Hang Your Hat”. Stop by or call for a tour, 801-369-0582.

Are You A Caregiver?

If I had a nickle for every time I have found myself visiting with someone who is at the point of burnout when they didn't even consider themselves a caregiver, I would be able to buy a new pair of shoes.  Cute shoes!! So, in the interest of education, and my ever growing shoe collection, here are some hints for those of you who may be in denial about the part they play in their loved ones lives...

Do you do any of the following for your loved one:

Clean their home.

Prepare meals for loved one.

Take loved one grocery shopping.

Assist with grooming, showering, dressing, etc..

Pay their bills and/or manage finances for them.

Manage their medications.

Take to appointments such as medical or social.

 If you found yourself answering YES to more than one of the above, you are quite possibly a caregiver.  Give yourself a hug while repeating the phrase, "It's alright. I'm going to be alright." 

In all seriousness, you need to keep in mind that you are not alone.  In fact, there are more than 69 MILLION caregivers in the United States.  That's approximately one third of the US population serving 20 hours per week providing cares for an aging loved one. With the Baby Boomer generation, that number is set to increase by leaps and bounds.

More than ever, we need to educate ourselves about the role of caregivers so we will be prepared when our turn comes around....and it will! 
I invite you to explore our blog, find articles and resources that can help and PASS IT ON!  

If you have an article or idea that you think would be valuable for others, please contact me, Gena,  at 801-623-9595.