January 2024

Newsletter

A Word from Our CEO:

Krystin Albert; RN, BSN

As the new year is upon us, Franklin VNA and Hospice would like to thank those who have supported our mission over the past year. We have had many successes in 2023, including an increase in patients choosing us as their preferred provider. Through ongoing education and presence in our community, patients are asking for us by name. We are proud to be strengthening our relationships as well as building new ones. Patient surveys have provided positive feedback on their experience and praises to the staff that cared for them after a hospitalization.

We received monetary donations, held fundraisers and attended multiple Community Day events throughout 2023. Staff held a warm clothing drive as well as a food drive to help the local food pantries. Families in need around the holidays were provided items for their children, and our Private Duty clients were given items they couldn’t afford but needed. All of these were purchased by staff and delivered the week before Christmas. Grief groups were held throughout the year with our Spiritual Care team as well as our Social Workers providing support to children in the school who are coping with loss in their lives at such a young age. 

Our largest fundraiser of the year is our Annual Hospice Ball and this year we exceeded our goal and brought in three times more than in 2022. The outpouring of Sponsorships and Donations was enormous. All funds raised go directly to support our Hospice program and assists us in covering costs not covered by insurance. Thank you for all who helped make that night a huge success. This is an event not to be missed in 2024."

The staff of Franklin VNA & Hospice were able to “make a wish” come true for one of our Hospice patients. Not only did it bring peace and happiness to the patient and their family, but it was emotional and heartwarming to those that were present and went above and beyond to make it possible. We have compassionate staff who love what they do and work together as a team to do so.

As we look ahead to 2024, I encourage each of you to advocate for your preventative health care needs. Schedule your overdue Mammogram or call for that physical you’ve been putting off. Take a walk during the day and increase your physical activity. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Take time to do what you need for yourself. Franklin VNA and Hospice will be here for you along the journey. We continue our focus in 2024 on providing you excellent care and support when you need us most. You will notice an increase in our presence in the community’s events, sponsoring clinics, and providing education. We are introducing a new fundraiser in April, a 5K that our Director of Fundraising, Ryan Howe, is orchestrating. It looks to be very successful. Stay tuned for more information over the next few months.

Lastly, as a small non-profit we strive to remain small and independent. We need your continuous support to be successful in our mission. So, if you or a loved one or a friend are in need of services, choose Franklin VNA and Hospice as your preferred agency. 

Franklin VNA & Hospice is your choice for excellence in Homecare and Hospice. Choose local. Choose Excellence. Choose Franklin VNA & Hospice as YOUR agency.  

January is National Blood Donor Month

January is National Blood Donor Month. No one ever wants to be in the position of needing blood to maintain health, to battle disease, or to recover from injury; however, 1 in 4, at some point in their life, will require a blood transfusion. Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.

* A liver transplant recipient needs approx. 45 units of red blood cells, plasma and platelets.

* Heart surgery patients may need 7 units of red blood cells and platelets.

* A marrow transplant recipient needs up to 45 units of red blood cells and platelets.

* Trauma victims can need up to 50 units of red blood cells, and platelets and plasma.

* Sickle cell anemia patients need 2 – 10 units of red blood cells per treatment.

For more information, please click this link: Blood Donation Eligibility Requirements | Red Cross Blood Services

Play live at https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/6508476/blood-donor-word-search/

Franklin VNA & Hospice Wants You to Help Prevent Cancer

This year let's prevent some cancer. No really. January is Cervical Health Awareness Month and whether you have a cervix or not, there are some easy steps you can take to help prevent this life-ending cancer. 

Each year nearly 13,000 women and girls are diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than 4,000 die in the US alone; the numbers are far greater globally. Who doesn't want to impact that number and save the life of someone's mother, sister, daughter or friend? 

So what can we do? First, get vaccinated and encourage those around you to get vaccinated too. HPV causes nearly all cervical cancer. Gardasil is a vaccine that prevents multiple strains of HPV infection, including the "High risk" types associated with cervical cancers. It's recommended for anyone, regardless of gender, age 9 - 45 by the FDA. 

“High risk” HPV types also are associated with vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile, and many head and neck cancers, so even if you don't have a cervix, this vaccine can save your life, and save the lives of your loved ones too.

Next, encourage the women 21 and over in your life to get a pap. Lead by example if you can, you usually only need one every 3-5 years. I won't lie, pap smears aren't as fun as a wine and paint night, but they are quick and they can tell you, and your healthcare provider, if you have abnormal cells growing in your cervix. These abnormal cells need follow up. They can be an infection, or they can be HPV. Depending on the results, your healthcare provider will recommend the type of follow up you need. Early detection from pap tests is key to preventing those abnormal cells with high-risk HPV from progressing to cervical cancer by ensuring you, or your loved ones, get follow up or treatment if needed. 

Not all HPV progresses to cancer, there are over 140 million women and girls living with HPV in the US alone, and there's not a common screening for men and boys, so we don't have good numbers on how many of them are affected. 

The bottom line is this; we can't prevent all kinds of cancer. We can prevent this one. 

Staying Safe in Brutally Cold Weather

With winter upon us and the probability of brutally cold temperatures in the forecast this winter, here’s 14 tips you need to know to stay safe:

1. With forecasted wind chills as low as -50 degrees, frostbite can occur in as little as five minutes. Make sure you have as little exposed skin as possible.

2. Some of the signs of frostbite are numbness and your skin changing color. If you are experiencing these symptoms, run the affected area under room temperature water.

3. Be aware of the signs of hypothermia: confusion, excessive shivering, slurred speech, sleepiness, and stiff muscles.

4. To combat mild hypothermia, get inside as soon as possible and drink something warm.

5. If you stop shivering or suddenly feel warm, these are signs of severe hypothermia, and you should immediately seek medical help.

6. You should also seek immediate medical help if you have severe frostbite. You can tell you have severe frostbite if your skin turns bluish-gray and the affected area no longer feels cold.

7. Stay dry. Frostbite and hypothermia can happen more quickly if your clothes become wet.

8. Dress in layers. You should wear a base layer that wicks moisture away from your skin; a mid-layer for warmth; and an outer layer for wind protection.

9. Wear mittens. They are warmer than gloves because your fingers are kept together.

Cover your mouth and nose to protect your lungs from the cold air.

10. Avoid exerting yourself. Sweating in the cold is dangerous because it pulls heat away from your body.

11. Eat warm food often. Being out in the cold burns a lot of calories and warm food can help your body not need to work as hard to stay warm.

12. Your vehicle also needs some special care in cold temperatures. Give yourself extra time to warm up your vehicle after starting it.

13. Be careful near intersections, where vehicles can be in one place for an extended period of time. The exhaust can freeze onto the road in a very thin layer of ice, making it very difficult to see.

14. The best way to avoid the dangers of extreme cold is to not go outside unless it’s absolutely necessary. 

January is National Slow Cooking Month

Here is a classically delicious recipe for you to try during the chilly month of January:

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese:

INGREDIENTS

1 package elbow macaroni (16 ozs)

1/2 cup butter - melted

4 cups shredded cheddar cheese - divided

1 can (12 ozs) evaporated milk

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cheddar cheese soup - undiluted

1 cup 2% milk

2 large eggs - beaten

1/8 tsp paprika

DIRECTIONS

(1) Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Place in a 5-qt. slow cooker; add butter. In a large bowl, mix 3 cups cheese, evaporated milk, condensed soup, 2% milk and eggs. Pour over macaroni mixture; stir to combine. Cook, covered, on low for 3-1/2 to 4 hours or until a thermometer reads at least 160°.

(2) Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cook, covered, on low until cheese is melted, 15-20 minutes longer. Sprinkle with paprika.

NUTRITION FACTS

1 serving: 502 calories, 28g fat (18g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol, 638mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein.

Franklin NH Community Happenings

This year's Franklin First Day Celebration was an enormous success! Please join us in 2025 for more food, fun, and festivities!

January Calendar of Events

Join our Team!

*Occupational Therapist (per diem)

*RN Case Manager - $5000 Sign-On Bonus

*Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

*Speech Therapist (per diem)

*Hospice Chaplain (part time)

*Full-Time LNA - $1500 Sign-On Bonus

*Physical Therapist - $5000 Sign-On Bonus



 https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/6aebb69c-2770-4ff4-86d8-b1d874ebd931/Visiting-Nurse-Association-of-Franklin