May Letter from the CEO

Krystin Albert; RN, BSN

I was recently asked the question “why should someone choose Franklin VNA & Hospice” and “What makes Franklin VNA & Hospice stand out from the other agencies”?

As a local non-profit, Franklin VNA & Hospice is invested in the well-being of our communities. Serving a concentrated service area allows us to be highly responsive to the needs of our patients and families in Belknap and Merrimack counties. This localized focus can translate into more individualized and reactive care. Our desire to maintain our small, independent stature is due in part to our mission of serving our community and providing compassionate, individualized care. 

Like other agencies we provide round-the-clock call support, but when you call the Franklin VNA & Hospice during the off hours our answering service will connect you to one of our Registered Nurses who is familiar with your care because all of our nurses are familiar with all of our patients care. We feel this is vital for providing patients and caregivers with quality care, so they feel valued and supported. Knowing they will get a familiar voice decreases anxiety. We do not outsource call coverage. Being a small agency makes this possible. 

Comprehensive and integrated services is something we take pride in. Franklin VNA & Hospice offers a wide range of services including skilled nursing, rehabilitation therapies (physical, occupational, and speech), home health aides, medical social work, spiritual care, and homemaker services. Being small improves continuity of care and provides patients with consistency and improved outcomes at discharge. Our clinicians build trusting relationships with patients in every program we offer. This allows for a smoother transition as your needs evolve. We only accept referrals for patients that we can see within 24-48 hours. Our internal goal is 24hrs to help reduce the risk of rehospitalization and provide support, especially for those who live alone or have no caregiver in the home.

Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care, including pain management, emotional and spiritual support, and bereavement services for families. Hospice also provides necessary medical equipment and medications related to the terminal illness at no extra cost. Clinicians are cross trained for Homecare and Hospice which enables them to transition and provide support for a patient who may choose to receive Hospice care. Everyone involved in our Hospice program is dedicated to quality and comfort for end-of-life care.

Commitment to Community Health and Education

Franklin VNA & Hospice actively engages with our communities by offering free educational programs at local Senior Centers and throughout community buildings. We provide education to local healthcare facilities and coordinate education tailored to their facility needs. Health screenings like blood pressure checks are available monthly- see our blood pressure clinic schedule for dates and times. We also provide access to affordable health services such as our foot care clinics that are held every Wednesday at our office and flu vaccination clinics throughout the year. Education is knowledge and we strive to ensure you have as much knowledge as possible.

Franklin VNA and Hospice is here to support you and the community’s needs. Thank you for choosing Franklin VNA and Hospice as your Home Health and Hospice agency and for sharing your experience with our services with others. It is because of you that we are able to continue to remain a small independent hometown agency.

Franklin VNA and Hospice is always here to help you and your loved ones with any of your healthcare needs. Remember that you have a choice, choose

Franklin VNA and Hospice for your

Home Care and Hospice agency

Germ of the Month

Giardia

Kristel Mattice; RN, MSN

Giardia duodenalis or Giardia is a parasitic illness that impacts the gastrointestinal tract of people and animals. It’s estimated that 1 million people are infected with this parasite annually. Those at risk include children, people limited to safe drinking water, immunocompromised people, anyone who could come in contact with infected animals or water sources such as pools, lakes, or ponds.

Symptoms include diarrhea characterized by greasy stools, abdominal bloating, stomach cramps, and nausea which in most cases leads to dehydration. Those infected note symptoms starting 1 to 2 weeks after being infected, and symptoms last 2 to 6 weeks typically. Prevention of this bacteria include avoiding swallowing water while swimming, drinking clean water, and frequent hand washing.



https://www.cdc.gov/giardia/about/index.html

What's Happening in May

May Education

Employee Recognition

Recipe of the Month

Current Fundraisers

Save The Date!!!

Thank you to our 5k Sponsors!

Looking for a way to remember your loved one?

How about in our Hospice Garden?

With a donation of $50 you receive a custom brick in the memory of a lost loved one. The brick will be honored in the Teuscher-Wilson Hospice Garden, which is pictured at the top left. Bricks are on sale all year round and dedicated in a ceremony once a year.

 Other opportunities are open for larger donations as Diamond, Opal, and Amethyst sponsors. Please click on the link below for more information.

Clinics and Free Support Groups

Drop-In Grief Support Group

no registration needed

High blood pressure is abnormally elevated pressure especially of the arteries. Also called hypertension.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.

Many Americans have high blood pressure, and are unaware. Checking your blood pressure when you can is never a bad idea. If you know you have high blood pressure, discuss it with your healthcare provider to help you prevent any serious complications.

Making lifestyle changes can help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.

• Eat Healthy Foods- A diet lower in sodium and saturated fat
• Get more physical activity each week
• Aim for a healthy weight
• Manage Stress- Stress can contribute to high blood pressure and heart risks
• Avoid Smoking

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/high-blood-pressure/high-blood-pressure-education-month

Employment Opportunities