On April 15th, Tina Andrade, Director of Philanthropy at Home, Health and Hospice Care for almost 20 years, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, Home, Health and Hospice. She opened with a video about HH&HC. It detailed the life services it provides for those ending their living journey. The support for the families continues for the following year.
Our own Jack Law was the capital campaign chairman that raised the initial funds to build the current facility. There are many volunteers that go vigil sitting with residents during their final days.
HH & HC myths were discussed and a handout was provided by Tina. She reviewed Nashua’s hospice history. It started in 1883 in the north end of Nashua to help provide care for some of the mill workers. It served as a type of visiting nurses. This morphed into a visiting center then to Memorial Hospital which is now Southern NH Hospital.
Hospice care sees the majority of their patients in Home Hospice care. On average about 500 patients per year receive care. About 1/3 of them are seen in the HH&HC at the facility. There are only 2 hospice care facilities in the state that are non-profits – the other is in Concord. There are other for-profit hospice facilities throughout the state.
Hospice is need when one lives alone or with another who is unable to provide care for the patient. Some will start at home and then transition to the Hospice house towards the end. The care and support for the families is very important as well as the care for the patient. The “Thank You” letters that are received by HH&HC are phenomenal and some were shared.
Q &A – There are 16 rooms at the facility and the shortage of beds towards the end now is less that before they added the last 6 rooms. Timing of when death becomes imminent and is recognized by the physicians and care providers is somewhat difficult. The goal is to provide comfort and dignity during the final days.
Mindy commented on the outstanding staff that are present to provide the care to families and the patients. Jack Law commented his experience with HH&HC when his father passed.
Jenny Hill has seen the toll that end-of-life care takes on the family. Is there support for the staff that helps them cope with the emotional strain that is carried with their job. Tina commented on the staff’s ability to cope and many have a true calling for this type of care.
Cindy Theroux-Jette asked about the medical criteria for being considered to be accepted to HH&HC. Must be within 6 months of the expected end. Very, very few have had recovery. Some patients come for respite care to give other care givers at home a break.