Home Health’s goals in moving across town were to find more office space, have a building more accessible to the public and become more visible in the community. Allen County Hospice and Lifeline, also services of Allen County Hospital, joined in the move to 501 N. State from their location on South Second Street immediately to the south of the hospital.
“We are thrilled with our new office,” said Lucinda Witt, director of Home Health and Hospice. The former Radio Shack building offers “plenty of office space, a conference room and an actual break room that we don’t have to share with stored equipment.”
HOME HEALTH provides professional care that allows individuals to remain in their home instead of having to move to nursing homes or residential care facilities, Witt said.
Services include skilled nursing, occupational and physical therapy and personal care assistance with grooming, bathing and dressing. A registered nurse is on call 24 hours a day in case of emergencies.
Patients must be referred to Home Health by a physician. Services are paid for through private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.
ALLEN COUNTY Hospice provides end of life care so people may remain in their homes instead of a hospital or nursing facility.
“Our goal is to keep patients comfortable and help them to live each day to its fullest until the end,” Witt said. She recalled helping one hospice patient manage her pain so she could help prepare a holiday meal for her family, building a happy memory for the family.
Social workers counsel families and provide them with community resources to assist with financial concerns and legal affairs. For those seeking spiritual guidance, Hospice chaplains are available.
Allen County Hospice services are paid for through private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.
LIFELINE provides peace of mind to clients and family members, whether a person is ill or simply lives alone. The Lifeline button is typically worn around one’s neck or wrist and may be pushed when he needs help, such as in the case of a fall or other type of emergency, said Jaye Zirjacks, program manager.
To receive a Lifeline button, a person must fill out an agreement which includes personal information and lists at least one responder who will be called if the client pushes the Lifeline button. The cost of Lifeline is $25 for installation and a $36 per month fee, which is paid for by the client.
“I think Lifeline is a wonderful gift for a child to give to a parent,” Zirjacks said. “I often hear children say they call their parent the same time each day to check up on them, but what about the other 23 hours in the day. A person could fall and be unable to call for help and would lay on the floor until the appointed hour for the telephone call from his child.”
HOME HEALTH, Hospice and Lifeline reach to a 40-mile radius of Iola. For additional information about the programs call 365-2120.
