December 1998

Home Care philosophy catches national attention
PMHH employees present keynote address

On October 3, 1998, PMHH administrator Chuck Hofius, and Home Care Director, Dan Peterson, presented the keynote address to an audience of health care executives at the National Association for Home Care's 17th Annual Meeting and HOMECARExpo in Atlanta, Georgia.

Hofius and Peterson addressed an audience of approximately 350, regarding the key factors related to PMHH's recommendation and decision to create Perham Memorial Home Care.

Director Peterson explains the invitation from the national association to make the presentation came after it had reviewed Perham Memorial Home Care's philosophy about deciding whether to create its own agency. “The national association was impressed with our philosophy for establishing the agency,” stated the director. “They were impressed with the key factors relating to our recommendation, and ultimately, our final decision in starting-up our home care agency, including our philosophies and attitudes for success.” He adds that being a traditional-sized hospital with a community mind-set also impacted the invitation to be keynote speakers.

The presentation took the audience through the process that PMHH conducted while forming the new agency. “Do we or don't we? Our answer was ‘yes,'” Peterson told his audience. “By doing so, we have more effective and efficient management of patient care, and have the ability to shape program structure and philosophy to meet the needs of our communities.” The presentation also addressed the issue of what factors hospitals must consider to successfully partner with home care in the future. The two speakers demonstrated first hand how important team work is in making informed decisions about partnering and the contributions that home care make to a health care system.

Perham Memorial Home Care has only been operating since May of this year, and within four months was sought as an example of how other health care facilities can model their home care agencies.

Prior to May, home care in the area was managed by Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls.

Bringing the generations together
Fostergrandparents program creates intergenerational bridge

Perham Memorial Nursing Home realizes the importance of intergenerational programs that expose young people to the older population. For over a decade, first and second grade classes from St. Paul's Lutheran School in Perham have been participating in the nursing home's fostergrandparent program, where students are paired with residents or “fostergrandparents” from the nursing home.

“When students are involved in intergenerational programs, they tend to develop a more positive perspective about their future as individuals who will grow old,” emphasizes PMHH activities director, Karen Laughlin. “Through this program, kids gain positive role models and older friends.”
This school year, 14 students from St. Paul's have been matched with a fostergrandparent. Typically, the twosomes spend their monthly get-together working on a craft, eating a snack, and doing a lot of good old-fashioned visiting.

Even though class size determines the number of student/fostergrandparent matches, it in no way sets limitations as to the number of nursing home residents that can participate in the program. All residents are encouraged to participate - even if that means just sitting back and watching. Some residents even act as “fill-ins” when a fostergrandparent is ill or unable to participate.

"The fostergrandparent program helps kids learn that nursing homes are not scary places. Maybe more importantly, it helps residents realize that their lifestyles can remain active upon entering a nursing home," adds the activities director.

---

Briarwood holds Open House

Even though Mother Nature was uncooperative, the grand opening celebration of Briarwood was a great success. The cold rain slightly hampered activities, as PMHH personnel scampered to move the dedication ceremony indoors.

Nearly 700 people attended the October 11 event, which included self-guided tours of the 28-unit senior congregate housing building. “We were thrilled at the interest and excitement shown by the community during the grand opening,” said Julie Donley, Briarwood manager. “The enthusiasm for Briarwood has exceeded all expectations.”

The highlight of the celebration was the dedication ceremony that included the official ribbon cutting by the first residents of Briarwood. “It seemed only appropriate that the first people to call Briarwood home, should be the ones to welcome the community into Briarwood,” commented PMHH administrator, Chuck Hofius.

Donley would like to thank the PMHH staff and board of directors who assisted with the celebration. She extends a special thank you to Jo Meyer of Minnesota Meadows who generously donated the wall hangings throughout Briarwood. Residents and guests will continue enjoying her designs, as Meyer will change decorations with the seasons.

The manager welcomes anyone who didn't have the opportunity to attend the grand opening to arrange a tour of the building by calling her at 346-1260. Anyone interested in renting an apartment or getting on the priority waiting list for Briarwood should also contact Donley at that number.

---

PMHH works to expand health care coverage

Good health isn't just good luck. Making the right choices about eating, exercise, and lifestyle are important to good health. Having the right kind of health insurance is also an important part of keeping healthy.

With approximately 5,730 uninsured living in Otter Tail County, PMHH has joined the state- and nationwide Campaign for Coverage effort to reduce the number of uninsured and increase access to health care.

The challenge, locally coordinated by Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership, statewide is to help 25,000 uninsured Minnesotans find health care coverage before the year 2000. Fifty-three hospitals and health systems have joined the campaign. Minnesota's grassroots effort is part of the American Hospital Associations nationwide effort to increase awareness of this very important issue.

As a community health care provider, PMHH is on the front lines and witnesses daily how the lack of adequate health care coverage and other barriers in the health care system negatively impact the health of its patients. It is because of this unique perspective and the potential to help those in need that PMHH has joined the effort.

Although area families have many insurance options, too many don't know where to begin. “We want to make sure people know they have affordable health care options through state-subsidized programs and private industry,” said Chuck Hofius, PMHH administrator. “For example, 30 percent of families eligible for the state's subsidized health care coverage, MinnesotaCare, don't know the program exists, and another 30 percent have heard about it but don't know they're eligible. That's where we can help.”

PMHH has made a commitment as a health care provider, employer, business leader, and community partner, to reach out to the uninsured. By partnering with the local public and private schools, offering community outreach programs regarding health insurance coverage, and being available to help assist in completing the MinnesotaCare application form, PMHH is striving to expand health care coverage.

MinnesotaCare is a state-subsidized health care program for people who live in Minnesota and don't have health insurance. Like other health insurance plans, MinnesotaCare provides coverage for many medical expenses including visits to a doctor or health clinic, hospital stays, medications, eye checkups and eyeglasses, mental health therapy, chemical dependency treatment, and dental care. The monthly premium is based on income and the number of family members being covered.
In Minnesota alone, it is estimated there are 400,000 people that do not have health care coverage, including 275,000 adult workers and 80,000 children. It is estimated that 80 percent of continuously uninsured families with children are eligible for MinnesotaCare.

Anyone interested in learning more about MinnesotaCare, or obtaining an application, should contact Paula Kitzmann at 346-1187.

Tell your family your wishes A new ruling from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS) went into effect on August 21, 1998, requiring all hospitals to report every death to the Organ Procurement Organization for assessment for potential organ, tissue, and eye donation. HHS recognized the large number of people on waiting lists for transplants. By having hospitals call on every death, HHS hopes that the number of families approached about donation will increase, and therefore, the number of families consenting to donation will also increase. Although the general public knows about organ donation, most do not know as much about tissue donation. Only 4-6% of the population will be able to be an organ donor when they die because they need to be declared brain dead and be on artificial support. A person can be a tissue or eye donor without having to be on artificial support. This greatly increases the number of people who would qualify for tissue donation. "To have something so good come out of such a tragedy provided us great comfort when our son died. We are so glad he could help others." donor family Tissues that can be donated include bone, skin, connective tissue, heart valves, and eyes. These tissues save the lives or increase the quality of life for tissue recipients. As a result of this new ruling, it is estimated that 66 people were helped from two tissue donors that were referred from PMHH in October. Bone was given to people suffering bone deficiencies due to cancer, accidents, degenerative bone diseases, or congenital birth defects. The connective tissue was used in different types of tendon and ligament - often sport injury - repairs. Donor families have related that having their loved one be a donor greatly helped during their grief process. “To have something so good come out of such a tragedy provided us great comfort when our son died. We are so glad he could help others,” says a donor family. Individuals are encouraged to tell their family members their wishes regarding donation. Death is difficult to talk about, but when the time comes, the decision is much easier for the family to make if their wishes have already be discussed.

Perham graduate to join medical staff Dr. Illene Porath to start practice in 2000 Perham Memorial Hospital and Home and MeritCare Clinic-Perham, are pleased to announce the addition of Illene Porath, M.D. to the staff. Dr. Porath will begin practicing at MeritCare Clinic-Perham in September of 2000 and will offer a full range of family practice services. She will admit patients to Perham Memorial Hospital. Dr. Porath is currently fulfilling her family practice residency in Fargo, North Dakota. She earned her medical degree from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis and her undergraduate degree from Moorhead State University. She is also a graduate of Perham High School. “Initially, I debated about practicing medicine where I grew up,” said Porath when wondering if people she's known since childhood would feel comfortable with her as their physician. “Then I thought they'll have choices because of the other doctors so this shouldn't stop me from coming back to Perham. I'm excited to be getting back to my home town.” Dr. Porath is a member of the North Dakota Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians.