November 10, 2003

Contact:   Jennifer Kurczek
                Community Relations Director

                (920)361-5481 or jkurczek@partnershealth.org

 

 

Where Healing Begins

CHN Home Care celebrates November as National Home Care Month

 

(BERLIN) — More than 4 million Americans receive home-delivered health care daily from nearly 1 million caregivers.  In their honor,  Community Health Network (CHN) Home Care joins the National Association for Home Care & Hospice in celebrating November as National Home Care Month. This year’s theme for Home Care Month is "Home Care: Where the Healing Begins."

 

"Caring for the sick and elderly in their homes truly is a privilege for us," said Donna Fuller, BSN, Administrator for CHN Home Care. "Home care professionals, family, volunteers and modern medicine make it possible for people to stay in their homes, regardless of their condition, where they are comfortable in their familiar surroundings." 

 

Joseph Lombardino of Coloma can attest to the important role home health providers can play when recovering from surgery. The normally active senior underwent triple bypass and pacemaker implementation procedures late last fall. An infection to the leg where an artery was removed extended his hospital stay at St. Joseph’s in Marshfield to more than two months.

 

When finally gaining the strength to return home and continue his recovery there, Lombardino found the transition was not as easy as he anticipated. “For two months, I had a team of nurses caring for me round the clock – attending to my bandaging and managing my medications. When I came home, I was on my own and just couldn’t keep up with my care,” he said.

 

That’s when Lombardino contacted CHN Home Care to inquire about nursing and personal care services to help him at home. His care team included a nurse, physical therapy assistant and home health aide who assisted with wound care, therapy and personal hygiene tasks three to four times each week.

 

“Everyone was so helpful. the nurses went out of their way to make sure I was feeling well and understanding my care. They were very concerned about me as a person,” he said. “I couldn’t have recovered as quickly as I did without their help. In one respect, I was glad to see them leave, but I also miss their comfort and care.”

 

In celebration of National Home Health Month, CHN Home Care is hosting an informational display at Berlin Memorial Hospital and is planning recognition events honoring its staff.

 

A member of Community Health Network, CHN Home Care provides skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapies, personal care, homemaker and companion and Lifeline services in the Green Lake, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Waushara and Winnebago county region. CHN Home Care has office locations in Berlin and Wautoma; more information can be obtained by calling (920) 361-5555 or toll-free 1-800-236-1283 ext 5555.

 

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