News and Events
News
Home Hope and Healing is proud to introduce our new non-medical, home support division which has been developed to eliminate some of the painful choices that our maturing population has been presented with in recent years.
The following list is a brief example of the many services that we are now offering throughout the state of Maine:
· Light Duty Housekeeping
· Escort Services to medical appointments, shopping adventures, religious gatherings and visit with family and friends.
· Meal Preparation
· Companionship
(For an more detailed list of available services please visit our non-medical link)
Our proven commitment to excellence, dedication and integrity has afforded us the opportunity to become an industry leader. Call for more details.
Home Hope and Healing has the staff and experience to help you with your needs
All it takes is a call (207) 362-5252 or 1-866-634-2023
Other News and Information:
Diabetes and Weight Gain
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Washington revealed Gaining weight, especially around the waist, after the age of 50 may lead to diabetes.
People who gain more than 20 pounds after the age of 50 were found to be three times more prone to suffering from type 2 diabetes compared to those whose weight remained stable after 50.
"People over the age of 65 are at the highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes and they have the highest rates of morbidity and mortality from heart disease, which can be related to diabetes. This is really a key clinic and public health issue," said study author Mary Biggs, a research scientist at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Results in the study affirm the importance of maintaining optimal weight during middle age for the prevention of diabetes.
A Cup of Health from the CDC
Dr. Charles Helmick and Dr. Robert Gaynes.
Nowadays, it seems like there’s a pill for everything, but for the 46 million U.S. adults affected by arthritis, the best medicine might be a couple of laps around the block.
People are surprised to hear that being physically active can help reduce the pain of arthritis, but there’s very good evidence that it’s true. Simple things like walking, bicycling, and swimming can help. For people that need more help, there are programs you can sign up for that will show you how to exercise safely.
We estimate that 46 million people have arthritis now and we project that by 2030, 67 million people will have arthritis. There’s no cure for arthritis. Most of what we do when dealing with arthritis is treat the pain and limitations. For more information visit the CDC website www.cdc.gov/arthritis
Smoking may increase the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS)
Health Care Overhaul
U S RANKED LAST IN HEALTHCARE STUDY
Americans spend twice as much compared to residents of other developed countries on healthcare. In return they get lower quality, less efficiency and have the least equitable system, according to a recent report published in Reuters.
The United States ranked last when compared to six other countries -- Britain, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. The report used data from nationally representative patient and physician surveys in seven countries in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
In 2007, health spending was $7,290 per person in the United States, more than double that of any other country in the survey.
Australians spent $3,357, Canadians $3,895, Germans $3,588, the Netherlands $3,837 and Britons spent $2,992 per capita on health in 2007. New Zealand spent the least at $2,454.
"We rank last on safety and do poorly on several dimensions of quality," Schoen told reporters. "We do particularly poorly on going without care because of cost. And we also do surprisingly poorly on access to primary care and after-hours care."
NETHERLANDS RANKED FIRST OVERALL
The report looks at five measures of healthcare -- quality, efficiency, access to care, equity and the ability to lead long, healthy, productive lives.
Britain, whose nationalized healthcare system was widely derided by opponents of U.S. healthcare reform, ranks first in quality while the Netherlands ranked first overall on all scores, the Commonwealth team found.
U.S. patients with chronic conditions were the most likely to say they gotten the wrong drug or had to wait to learn of abnormal test results.
Critics of reports that show Europeans or Australians are healthier than Americans point to the U.S. lifestyle as a bigger factor than healthcare. Americans have higher rates of obesity than other developed countries, for instance.
"The lower the performance scores for equity, the lower the performance on other measures. This suggests that, when a country fails to meet the needs of the most vulnerable, it also fails to meet the needs of the average citizen".
Every other system covers all its citizens, the report noted and said the U.S. system, which leaves 46 million Americans or 15 percent of the population without health insurance, is the most unfair.
Home Hope and Healing is always on the lookout for experienced caregivers. If you feel you have what it takes come join our team.
10 TIPS for NATURAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
For Families:
Make sure your family has a plan in case of an emergency. Before an emergency happens, sit down together and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go and what you will do in an emergency.
Determine a neighborhood meeting place, a regional meeting place and an evacuation location.
Identify an out-of-town emergency contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact is important to help communicate among separated family members. Be sure every member of your family knows the out-of-town phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. You may have trouble getting through, or the telephone system may be down altogether, but be patient.
You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time, such as a place of employment. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one.
Get an emergency supply kit. Be sure to consider additional items to accommodate family members’ special needs:
Prescription medications and glasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food, extra water for your pet, leash and collar
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together in the event of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite your family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead and communicate with others in advance.
For Parents:
If you are a parent, or guardian of an elderly or disabled individual, make sure schools and care providers have emergency response plans:
Ask how they will communicate with families during a crisis.
Ask if they store adequate food, water and other basic supplies.
Find out if they are prepared to "shelter-in-place" if need be, and where they plan to go if they must get away.
For Workplaces:
Take a critical look at your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to determine if it is secure or if it could feasibly be upgraded to better filter potential contaminants, and be sure you know how to turn it off if you need to.
Think about what to do if your employees can't go home.
Make sure you have appropriate supplies on-hand.
For Communities:
Find out what kinds of disasters, both natural and man-made, are most likely to occur in your area and how you will be notified. Methods of getting your attention vary from community to community. One common method is to broadcast via emergency radio and TV broadcasts. You might hear a special siren, or get a telephone call, or emergency workers may go door-to-door. Contact a nearby Citizen Corps Council for help with emergency planning, or work with your local government and emergency management office to help start a Council in your area. Visit citizencorps.gov to find local Councils in your community.
For additional tips and information, visit www.ready.gov
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Contact us with any opinions or ideas that would like to add to this page.
Events
In-services for all Active Employees of Home, Hope and Healing:
Currently there are no in-services scheduled
Our thanks go out to Costal Med Tech for their informative discussion of Respironics Ventilators
Home Hope and Healing in-services are open to all staff members. We encourage participation in these complimentary educational events. Sign-up is encouraged, please call the office and ask for Sheila Kenny extension 118 to register.
If you have any other questions regarding these events Contact Vicki MacFarlane Staff Development. Attendees are not compensated for their time.
For those who have not been to our Education Center please call the office for directions. (207) 362-5252
Please contact us with any questions or comments you may have by using our online contact form or by calling us directly on 1-866-634-2023.