February Letter from the CEO

Krystin Albert; RN, BSN

 February is widely known as the month of love, but beyond Valentine’s Day cards and red roses, it also carries a deeper and more meaningful purpose: Heart Health Awareness Month. Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death, affecting people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes often develop silently over time, making awareness and prevention essential. February serves as a reminder that caring for our hearts is one of the most important acts of self-love.

While heart disease is often perceived as a men’s health issue, it is also the leading cause of death among women in many countries. Franklin VNA and Hospice emphasize the importance of recognizing symptoms, understanding risk factors, and advocating for early detection for everyone. Several factors can increase the risk of heart disease. Some, such as age and family history, cannot be changed. However, many others are within our control. Common modifiable risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and tobacco use, poor dietary choices, inactivity leading to obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and chronic stress.

Small consistent changes can make a big difference in your risk factors; you don’t need a complete lifestyle overhaul to start protecting your heart. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats such as those found in nuts, seeds, and fish. Reducing sodium, added sugars, and processed foods can help manage blood pressure and cholesterol. Increase your physical activity each week. Activities like brisk walking, cycling, dancing, or swimming support cardiovascular fitness and overall well-being.

Manage stress as chronic stress can strain the heart. Make time to go for a walk, meditate, read a good book, or simply making time for rest and hobbies can support emotional and heart health. Don’t put off routine medical appointments and preventative testing. Regular checkups to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and body weight help detect issues early and guide preventive care. Lastly, take steps to quit smoking. Stopping smoking is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect your heart and improve your overall health.

While February brings special attention to heart health, the goal is to carry these habits and awareness throughout the year. A healthy heart supports every aspect of life—from energy and mobility to mental clarity and longevity. This February, take a moment to reflect on what your heart does for you every day. Whether it’s scheduling a checkup, taking a daily walk, or choosing a healthier meal, each positive step is an investment in a longer, healthier life. After all, the truest form of love begins with caring for your own heart. ❤️

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.

Remember that you have a choice, choose

Franklin VNA and Hospice for your

Home Care and Hospice agency

What's Happening in February

CAPBM's Mobile Food Assistance Program delivers to those who cannot get to a pantry, including homebound elderly individuals in Merrimack and Belknap Counties. Please contact the Mobile Food Pantry at (603) 228-6202 or email MobileFood@capbm.org

February Education

Germ of the Month

Streptococcus

Kristel Mattice; RN, MSN

Streptococcal, commonly known as strep throat, is a bacterial infection that affects the tonsils and throat. Symptoms typically appear 2 to 5 days after exposure and may include fever, pain when swallowing, swollen and red tonsils, swollen lymph nodes at the front of the neck, and, in some cases, white patches on the tonsils. Strep throat is contagious and occurs most often in children, although people of any age can become infected.

To help prevent the spread of strep throat, it is important to cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands frequently with soap and warm water, and avoid sharing food, cups, or utensils with anyone who is sick. Diagnosis can be made at an urgent care center or a medical provider’s office by swabbing the throat to test for bacteria, either through a rapid test or a laboratory culture. Once diagnosed, healthcare providers typically prescribe antibiotics for treatment.

https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/about/strep-throat.html

Employee Recognition

Recipe of the Month

Fundraisers

Sign Up Now for 5k!

Save the Date!

Hospice Memorial 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

Employment Opportunities