SERVING in tender times

CHI HEALTH AT HOME OFFERS home health and hospice services

Most of her 26 years working for CHI Health at Home have been spent in administration. But recently, Sue Heitkamp, president, served as a hospice nurse for a dear friend who lived in an area without the services.

“One thing I came away with was being reminded that the patient isn’t the only person we care for and work with; it’s the family, too,” Heitkamp says.

She also was reminded of something else: “The absolute blessing of being able to serve.” It’s what’s kept Heitkamp in the field and fuels her passion for the work.

Indeed, when a loved one becomes terminally ill, those surrounding them also need support. “We can bring people together and help them resolve issues so there are no regrets.”

They can also help the client give or receive what many need at this point: to forgive or be forgiven; say or hear, “I love you;” and say or hear, “Thank you.”

Covering a broad area of 32 counties throughout North Dakota and 23 counties in Minnesota, CHI Health at Home exists to help carry families’ burdens in tender times.

Heitkamp says that in all her years working for the company, no one has said they wish they hadn’t done hospice, but many have remarked they wish they’d contacted them sooner.

While the physician generally determines timing for hospice, usually within six months of death, she says, the duration of care can change during hospice care.

But some families don’t understand the process or that they have choices in hospice care, she says. “Often, hospitalized patients are not given a choice at time of discharge, but simply informed, ‘this agency will be admitting you at home.’”

When being discharged following a hospital stay, Heitkamp encourages you take charge of decisions for your at-home care. “Persistence is needed at times to ensure the referral is to the agency of your choice.”

Like choices in primary care physicians, she explains, patients have the right and now the choice of home health or hospice providers. “We like to say, ‘It’s your health, your home, your choice,’” she remarks.

As a non-profit, faith-based program, CHI Health at Home stands out in its ability to be able to tend not only to the skilled needs of the clients and their families but also their spiritual needs. It also offers consistency in care; the ability to transition patients from home health to hospice, a time that is often a whirlwind for the patient and family, Heitkamp says.

“A patient can be receiving home health services and then, when the patient’s journey changes and the hospice needs arise, retain that same nurse they’ve come to trust,” Heitkamp says. “Sometimes, people know they need help, but they’re just not ready to say the words.”

A patient might be admitted into home health and assisted with their skilled nursing and therapy needs under the direction of a physician, and later, transition into hospice care by a simple adjustment to their plan for care.

“At that point, we bring in social services, and per patient request, spiritual support, to help them on that next phase of their journey,” Heitkamp says. “Just like living, dying is a journey. There is a lot of life between the decision of stopping aggressive treatment and dying.”

Heitkamp says she’s grateful there are options for hospice services in the Fargo-Moorhead area, to help increase the awareness and the value of hospice care.

All who desire and qualify for hospice services, regardless of financial situation, should be able to receive them, Heitkamp stresses.

She encourages anyone with any questions to call 888-538-0069 or to set up an informational visit.