Home Health Foundation, a Lawrence-based nonprofit organization providing essential home health and hospice care in all the places patients call home, has opened a special unit for patients with COVID-19 at High Pointe House, an acute care hospice residence in Haverhill which provides a home-like alternative to hospitalization for those requiring specialized end-of-life care.
The first of its kind in the region, the unit is separate from other patient areas within High Pointe House. Healthcare professionals caring for end-of-life patients who are also COVID-19 positive are properly equipped with protective personal equipment, including an N95 mask, face shield, gloves and gown, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“To meet the needs of our patients and community, we conducted exhaustive planning not only to provide optimal care for individuals with COVID-19, but for all those who turn to us at end of life for unparalleled quality, compassionate care,” said Linda Miller, RN, clinical director of High Pointe House and hospice admissions. “I’m proud of our clinicians and support staff alike for applying their ingenuity, instincts and skills to develop new and innovative ways for our team to meet this health crisis head on, while keeping patients and their families at the center of everything we do.”
In addition to the enhancements in care offered at High Pointe House, both home health and hospice care community clinicians are effectively utilizing technological advances within patients’ homes. While telehealth has long been an important component of home health visits involving cardiac and respiratory patients, its use has been greatly expanded to closely support individuals healing at home and in hospice care during this pandemic. As a result, Home Health Foundation’s clinicians have distributed numerous tablets to supplement in-person care with video visits, as well as link patients with family members, music therapists, social workers, chaplains and others.
“Families tell us that telehealth gives them relief and peace of mind,” said Gina Serino, RN, a clinical manager with Home Health Foundation. “It requires a bit of a learning curve, so I applaud every one of our healthcare professionals who has learned this newly expanded technique to monitor patients and manage their symptoms.”
To learn more about Home Health Foundation services or to arrange for care, contact the referral team at 800.333.4799
