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Celebration of Life
Posted on May 14, 2012 by vdavis@lutheranhomecare.org

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Lutheran Home Care & Hospice’s Adams County office held our 27th Annual Celebration of Life Service at the First Baptist Church in Gettysburg on April 29th.  This service is held to recognize the lives of our hospice clients and family members as well as community members who were served by our agency from September 2011 to February 2012.  Seventy-five bereaved family members attended the service.  The following community members provided their musical talents: Emily Sheahan, Patrice Smith, Kim Eckard, Kate Sweigart, Kay MacDowell, Wayne Rodgers, Martha Lobaugh, Joyce Trostly and Matt Peregoy.  The guest speaker was Dr. Charles “Buz” Myers from Gettysburg College whose message was entitled “The Presence of an Absence”.  We are so grateful for their participation in this special service.  The next Celebration of Life Service will be held in early 2013.

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Celebrating our Mothers
Posted on May 7, 2012 by sbucher@lutheranhomecare.org

May is here and that means nice weather, flowers in bloom and Mother’s Day! Mother’s Day is celebrated world wide but in the United States it’s on the second Sunday in May. We celebrate the women in our lives with meals, cards, gifts and flowers.

The history of Mother’s Day starts with women peace groups during the Civil War. The first American Mother’s Day was formed by Julia Ward Howe, who was distraught at the death of so many sons and husbands during the Civil War. She brought women together to protest against sons of mother’s killing the sons of other mothers. Unifying women allowed for healing and support. The holiday was officially accepted by the government in 1908 when President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May Mother’s Day.

It’s important to celebrate our mothers on this special day but also throughout the entire year. Mothers have loved, supported and taken care of us and now it’s our turn to return the favor.   As our mothers age, they may not be as healthy and able to get around and do things for themselves as we remember and that reality can be difficult to adjust to since we are so used to them doing so much for us and our families.  Now the tables have turned and they may need us to care for them.  This can sometimes be difficult with raising our own families, working a job or life in general. We often worry about them but also feel a little guilty that we don’t have as much time for them as we’d like.  Lutheran Home Care & Hospice can help.

If you’re worried about your mom, perhaps Lutheran Home Care & Hospice can help by providing support for your mother with the daily tasks of living such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, personal care, or maybe just companionship.  We can give you peace of mind knowing that she is in good hands and safe in her home.  Visit our website for more information or contact us to see how we can help.  Have a Happy Mother’s Day!

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Posted in celebration, health, healthy living at home, Help at Home, History, Life Transitions, Mother's Day, Mothers, nursing home, safety | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment
Happy Older Americans Month!!!
Posted on April 30, 2012 by jplitman@lutheranhomecare.org

 

 

 

 

 

May is Older Americans Month!  In 1963, May was designated as Senior Citizens Month by John F. Kennedy.  It was renamed by Jimmy Carter in 1980 as Older Americans Month, which is what we celebrate now.  Two years after Senior Citizens Month was established, Congress passed the Older Americans Act, which allowed for the federal government to “make grants to the states for community planning and social services, research and development projects, and personnel training in the field of aging” (About Older Americans Month).

The theme for Older Americans Month 2012 is “Never Too Old To Play!” (Older Americans Month).  This theme “encourages older adults to stay engaged, active and involved in their own lives and in their communities.”.  Some suggestions for celebrating Older Americans Month include hosting a “Day of Play”, which can include Wii Sports, crossword puzzles, trivia, scavenger hunts, or any other activities you can think of.  Additional planning resources are available at www.olderamericansmonth.org.

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God Bless You!
Posted on April 24, 2012 by vdavis@lutheranhomecare.org

If you have seasonal allergies, you may be hearing this phrase a lot lately.  The area we live in has one of the worst air qualities for allergy sufferers.  And right now everything is blooming and budding which triggers those allergens in the form of pollens and molds.  If you are one of the 36 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever, spring and summer may be a time of the year you dread.  There is help for you!  Medications that contain antihistamines can help with the symptoms of itchy, runny eyes and noses but can sometimes make you drowsy or dizzy.  If that becomes a problem for you, consider some of the following.  Instead of walking outside, try walking in the local shopping mall.  Keep windows closed at night to prevent pollens from drifting into your home.  Keep your car windows closed while traveling.  If you rake or mow your lawn, avoid outdoor activity on days when the pollen count is high or wear a paper respiratory mask.  Avoid “line-dried” linens as they can collect pollen which can bother you when you sleep.  If all else fails, you can see your physician or an allergist to help you with your symptoms.

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National Volunteer Appreciation Week
Posted on April 13, 2012 by bwenger@lutheranhomecare.org

 

April 15th – 21st is National Volunteer Appreciation Week.  National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering.  Every President since has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week.  U.S. Government statistics show that in 2011, an estimated 64.3 million people in theUnited States volunteered with various organizations.  

Lutheran Home Care & Hospice, Inc. is fortunate to have a dedicated volunteer team of over 100 individuals.  These volunteers come to us with a variety of experience and range in age from teens to retired persons.  Volunteers help our programs in many ways.  Community members give their time and expertise to serve on the Board of Directors and other committees.  Office Volunteers perform a variety of tasks including copying, filing, data entry, assembling admission packets, helping with activities and more.  Hospice volunteers visit clients in private homes and nursing homes.  They provide companionship, prepare meals, give haircuts, make pet therapy visits, sew memory bears and assist with our annual Hospice Golf Tournament.  Bereavement volunteers assist with mailings, phone calls, support groups and Celebration of Life services.  Volunteers in the community make and donate bereavement bread, comfort shawls and lap robes.  All of our volunteers demonstrate passion and commitment to our agency mission.  They share their gifts of time and talent, and give of themselves freely, asking nothing in return.

 Lutheran Home Care & Hospice is grateful for and values each and every volunteer.  We honor and appreciate our volunteers, not just one week in April but every day of the year.

Lutheran Home Care & Hospice, Inc. conducts free volunteer training sessions throughout the year. If you are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer, please contact our office at

1-800-840-9081 or email volunteers@lutheranhomecare.org

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Posted in assist, Bereavement volunteers, celebration, give time & talents, help, Hospice, Hospice volunteers, National Volunteer Appreciation Week, office volunteers, volunteer | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment
Local Residents Complete Hospice Volunteer Training
Posted on April 9, 2012 by bwenger@lutheranhomecare.org

New Volunteers (l to r): Brian Mount, Rose Reed, Duane Bidlack, Mary O'Handly

Local residents complete Hospice Volunteer Training for Lutheran Home Care & Hospice, Inc.
The following individuals completed Hospice Volunteer Training with Lutheran Home Care & Hospice, Inc. on March 21, 2012.   The new Hospice Volunteers will be visiting clients, providing bereavement support to clients and helping with administrative tasks in the office.   Lutheran Home Care & Hospice, Inc. conducts free volunteer training through out the year.  If you are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer, please contact the volunteer office at 1-800-840-9081 or email at volunteers@lutheranhomecare.org

 

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Posted in bereavement, Bereavement volunteers, encouragement, help, Hospice, Hospice volunteers, National Volunteer Appreciation Week, office volunteers, volunteer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment
New York Times Article “Managed Care Keeping the Frail out of Nursing Homes”
Posted on March 27, 2012 by bwenger@lutheranhomecare.org

On February 24, 2012 the New York Times published an article about LIFE (Living Independence For the Elderly) programs (nationally called PACE) in its Local News Section entitled, “Managed Care Keeping the Frail out of Nursing Homes.”  The article discusses the trend away from relying on nursing homes as a foundation of the long term care delivery system, and highlights LIFE/PACE as an example of the type of community-based options that provide elders with greater independence with less cost to taxpayers.  Click here to read.  For more information about our LIFE program, LIFE Lutheran Service, click here.

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Posted in Caregiving, elderly, health, healthy living at home, Help at Home, home care, Independence, LIFE, Long-term care, Medicare cuts, nursing home, PACE, Senior Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
How to Handle Long-Distance Caregiving
Posted on March 19, 2012 by sbucher@lutheranhomecare.org


Being a caregiver can be a difficult task, especially if you’re doing it long-distance. How do you know if help is needed? How can you help from far away? How can you tell if your loved on is being taken care of properly? These are all serious concerns that can weigh heavy on you when your loved one lives far away.

The National Institute on Aging has written a booklet that touches on all of these subjects and much more. Written in a question and answer format, it is easy to find answers to your questions and topics that concern you. Information is given on financial assistance, choosing the right healthcare, geriatric care managers, signs of neglect and elder abuse and taking care of the caregiver.

Although being a caregiver to someone far away can seem like a daunting task, take heart knowing that you are not alone and that there are resources at your disposal. Caregiver.com is full of information to help you in your journey including financial aid contact information and support group information.

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Posted in Caregiving, communication, elder abuse, elderly, encouragement, Healthcare Decisions, home care, Life Transitions, Long-Distance Caregiving, senior in-home health care | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment
New Local Office in Washington County, MD
Posted on March 13, 2012 by mfurlong@lutheranhomecare.org

Due to growth in Washington County, Maryland, we have opened a local office there to enhance client services.  We have been providing home health care to residents of Washington County since 1983 and in 2011 made more than 6,000 home health visits. 

The new office is located at 222 East Oak Ridge Drive, Suite 2500, Hagerstown, MD.
Kathy Johnson, director, home health said, “We have been serving residents here for a long time.  As we’ve grown significantly over the years we felt that it was time to have an office here to enable us to better serve our clients.  We are very pleased to be part of the community and have really been made to feel welcome.”

The move allows us more visibility in Washington County, including a new local phone number. “We wanted a physical presence in the community,” said Kathy Dixon, community relations coordinator.  “We’re now a local service, rather than a service based in PA.”

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Celebrating the Green
Posted on March 7, 2012 by vdavis@lutheranhomecare.org

It’s March and that can only mean two things – March Madness for all of you who are college basketball fans and St. Patrick’s Day.  I always wondered why Americans celebrate this holiday.  After doing some research into this special day, I found out some very interesting things.

Did you know that St. Patrick’s Day started as a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century?  The first parade for the holiday occurred in New York City on March 17, 1762.  The main dishes served to celebrate this holiday are corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew and Irish soda bread.  Green beer is served at local bars to recognize the luck of the Irish.  Of course, shamrocks and leprechauns are good luck signs associated with St. Patrick’s Day.  Some cities such as Chicago dye their rivers green for this special day.  Green is affiliated with the holiday because it is the color of spring.  A long standing tradition is if you are caught not wearing green on March 17th, you may end up getting pinched!

Local parades you can attend to get in the spirit of the Irish are the one in York on March 17th at 1:00pm and Harrisburg on March 24th at 2:00pm.  For more information on either of these parades you can contact parade organizers at 717-889-8317 or visit yorksaintpatricksdayparade.org. 

May the luck of the Irish be with you all!

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