Each November, Lancaster General Health and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) celebrates National Home Care Month, National Hospice Month, and Home Care Aide Week to honor health care administrators, nurses, clinicians, therapists, aides, homemakers, chore workers, and companions who make a remarkable difference in the lives of patients and their families.
"Helping frail, disabled and dying Americans to stay independent and happy in their homes is our goal," said Val J. Halamandaris, president of NAHC. "Home care professionals and volunteers, along with modern medicine and technology, make it possible for sick citizens to be cared for in their homes where they can be surrounded by loved ones and precious mementoes as they live their best quality of life."
The second full week in November (November 9 - 15th) is marked as an occasion to celebrate the important contribution that home care aides make in providing personal care services to home care patients. The role of the home care aide is integral to providing care to elderly or disabled clients who need more extensive personal and home care than family or friends can provide. NAHC joins the home care industry in applauding its home care aides and their commitment to providing quality and compassionate care.
There are many reasons to support the good work of home care and hospice providers during November. Home health care is regarded as the most viable solution for providing long-term care to this country’s growing elderly population. Hospice is one of the fastest growing segments of the health care industry because people acknowledge that the care and compassion that hospice professionals provide their patients is second to none.
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice and its affiliates join the home care industry in applauding its home care aides and their commitment to providing quality care to the patients and families they serve.
Home Care: Love in Action
With 77 million Baby Boomers only years from hitting retirement age and seniors numbering 35 million, a significant portion of the American population either is or will soon be evaluating their options when it comes to long term care.
Home care continues to be the only answer to caring for sick and disabled loved ones because of the increased demand on health care providers, personal preference, increased public awareness of the availability of home care services, new technology and added cost-effectiveness of home health care. It is for this reason that we celebrate National Home Care Month and embrace the theme, “Home Care: Love in Action. ” Here are some ways your agency can recognize this special month.
VNA has 130 staff who visit patients in their homes – they are supported by 50 office staff members. Last year we made 86,737 home visits to 7,757 patients. We saw 330 more patients this year than the previous year.