August 29^th, 2002

Contact:   Jennifer Kurczek
                Community Relations Director

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

 Partnering with clients and families, CHN Home Care
strives to help seniors stay in their homes

By offering a diverse range of in-home services, including skilled nursing, Senior Care personal assistance, and Lifeline emergency response alert systems, Community Health Network’s (CHN) Home Care division creates partnerships with its clients to help them live independently in their homes for as long as possible.

"Working together…that's what has enabled me to stay in my own home," said Green Lake county resident Ruth Lehner, a vibrant 90-year-old. "With the help of my family, and CHN Home Care and Senior Care, I can safely live each day in my own home in Princeton." 

Ruth, who has a passion for playing bridge and Scrabble, suffers from osteoarthritis, which has limited her mobility. To help her deal with the restrictions of the disease, her family built an addition to her home so that all of her needs can be met on one level. A large bedroom, handicapped-accessible bathroom and laundry facilities are now just steps away from Ruth’s kitchen and dining room. 

"The home set-up is so convenient," she said. "And I don't have to climb any stairs!" 

When it comes to her personal health, Ruth turns to the friendly staff of CHN Home Care’s Personal Assistance Program. When she and her family inquired about the services available, a home health nurse came to Ruth's home and conducted a needs assessment to determine her ability to remain at home independently.  After the assessment was complete, an individualized care plan was developed – incorporating both Ruth’s and her family's input. The final plan calls for a home health aide to provide Ruth with bathing assistance and a CHN Senior Care Home Care Attendant to offer daily assistance with her cooking, cleaning, laundry and shopping. 

With a diverse team of providers, CHN Home Care also offers skilled nursing and physical, occupational and speech therapy services when ordered by a physician's plan of care. CHN Senior Care provides in-home supportive services including meal preparation, menu planning, shopping, errands, cleaning and companionship.

"All of the girls are wonderful.  I'm able to go with them to do my own shopping and handle my own errands,” Ruth said. "It also gives my family peace of mind to know that someone is with me. I also have a Lifeline telephone.  If something were to happen to me, I would just push the Lifeline button and help would be on the way. I know it works because I once leaned on the button by accident!"

The Lifeline program features the latest technology for emergency response by outfitting clients with alert units that also function as speakerphones and reminder systems.

A member of Community Health Network, CHN Home Care is a Medicare and Medicaid certified program, and is recognized by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization for its excellence of care.

The home health agency serves clients in the Green Lake, Waushara, Fond du Lac, Marquette and Winnebago counties. With offices located in Berlin and Wautoma, CHN Home Care staff is available by calling (920)361-5555 or 1-800-236-1283 ext 5555.