Community Health Professionals
 

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Community Health Professionals Offers A Complete Range of Services ~ New Inpatient Hospice Facility in Van Wert

Community Health Professionals, Inc., based in Van Wert, is a unique, nonprofit organization that offers a comprehensive range of home health, hospice and related services for people in the surrounding communities.

Its service area covers 15 counties in northwest and west-central Ohio through branch locations in Ada, Archbold, Celina, Defiance, Delphos, Lima, Paulding, Van Wert, and Wapakoneta. They provide every aspect of home health care from traditional nursing care, therapy and in-home assistance to related services like adult day care (facilities in Archbold, Celina and Van Wert),  in-home and in-patient hospice (Defiance and Van Wert); even a wish program for terminally-ill adults.

For complete information about all its services, please visit www.comhealthpro.org.

Community Health Professionals are unique in that they offer a comprehensive range of home health, hospice and related services. They invite you to visit.

Inpatient Hospice Center in Van Wert

Newly opened in May of 2009, this 12-bed facility is being hailed by the community as one of the most progressive health care options available for hospice patients and their families. They offer care when a life-limiting illness is no longer manageable at home or when a caregiver is not available. The facility at 1155 West wood Drive in Van Wert, Ohio (click here to view it online: CHP's Inpatient Hospice Centers), meets the needs of the family in as they tend to their loved one.

The patient can receive three levels of care in their spacious, private patient suites: Acute care for uncontrolled symptoms and complications under Medicare guidelines; Residential care, for patients whose symptoms no longer meet the Acute care level; and Respite Care (up to 5 days as a respite for a caregiver).

Families have reported that the caring staff and atmosphere at the Inpatient hospice Center have provided their entire family with comfort and support through one of life’s most trying situations.  Patients are cared for with dignity and the staff makes every effort to provide the family with what they need. A kitchen, laundry facilities, dining room, recreation room,  in-room satellite TV, Internet access, a library for books and movies, a chapel, pet visitation, unrestricted visiting hours, sleeping accommodations for families.

Adult Day Care Centers

CHP's Adult Day Care Centers in Archbold, Celina and Van Wert offer a flexible and unique daytime alternative to nursing home and homecare services for aging and disabled loved ones who want to stay home.

The program offers stimulating activities that add variety and interest to every new day while providing nursing care and attention in an enjoyable, home-like atmosphere. As a medical model facility with nursing supervision and an integrated program designed to address physical, psychological, cognitive and functional needs.

At the same time, Adult Day Care Centers provide needed periods of respite for family caregivers, enabling them to continue or resume employment, and tend to the necessary activities of their lives.

CHP's Adult Day Care Centers offer specialized programs for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and many other conditions. Adult day care is NOT a nursing home or assisted living facility. Clients stay at the center for a few hours at a time, or for the entire day, before returning to their own home each evening.

Patients enjoy transportation to and from the center and meet a wide range of individuals to interact with including many caring volunteers who play games, engage in discussions and provide other stimulating activities.

The Angel Foundation

The only one in the state of Ohio, stated simply, the mission of the Angel Foundation is to facilitate the fulfillment of final wishes for adults throughout Ohio with terminal illness and a projected life span of one year or less.

Founded in 1995, they help people to fulfill a realistic dream that will make a significant impact in their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Terminally ill recipients, some unable to travel; have been helped through this service, for instance, by being reunited with family members who live far away. Some have been able to take a desired trip with their families to fulfill a dream.

Private Duty Services

Individuals who are in need of assistance in the home with daily tasks, especially those who are aging or have a disability are provided with personal care and assistance in the Private Duty Services. The goal is for a patient to live independently as long as possible

A full range of services include: Homemakers to assist with light housekeeping, laundry, errands, meals and companionship; Personal Care Aides to assist with daily personal care like dressing and hygiene;  Nursing Care provided by and RN or LPN under a doctor’s order scheduled on a routine or periodic basis; and Physical Therapy services by registered physical therapists and trained assistants.

Patients under this area of care can relax knowing that their needs will be met with experienced and friendly personnel who tend to their needs and provide daily in-home companionship.

Visiting Nurses

According to Community Health Professionals, home can and should be a special healing place...familiar and comfortable. Visiting Nurses provide a complete range of services for clients of all ages with a variety of needs.

Skilled nursing care includes services ranging from basic nursing care to more intricate procedures like infusion therapy, wound care, PICC lines, ventilator care, respiratory services and diabetes education. Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy, Medical Social Services, and Home Health Aide services are also available.

Hospice

The Hospice philosophy affirms life and maintains the dignity of each individual it serves. By keeping patients pain-free, alert and comfortable, hospice focuses on maintaining the quality of life rather than length of life. Hospice care can begin when curative treatment is no longer expected to be effective.

Hospice services are provided by a team of nurses, therapists, health aides, physicians, clergy, social workers and trained volunteers who work together to offer a wide range of services to benefit the terminally ill patient and family.

Hospice is provided in-home, at a hospice facility, or in many area nursing facilities.

When a patient can remain at home, the hospice staff works closely with the patient, family and physician to carry out an appropriate plan of care. A family member must be available as a primary caregiver to assist in the care of patient. In addition to regular nursing visits, a hospice nurse is on-call 24 hours a day to assist families when needed.

But if a patient is not able to remain at home, or an able caregiver is not available, inpatient hospice is the newest option for our area. Community Health Professionals operates the only inpatient hospice centers in our area. The nearest similar facilities are located in Fort Wayne, Ind. and Toledo.  CHP's Inpatient Hospice Centers provide 24-hour care and staffing.

Bereavement resources and groups are available to provide support and encouragement after a loved one's death. Tomorrow’s Angels is available in Celina and A New Morning is offered in Van Wert.

Visit www.comhealthpro.org for complete information on all Community Health Professionals services.

The Senior Center & Community Health Professionals of Van Wert Offering Booths for Flea Market
Get in on the excitement of Van Wert’s Crossroads Festival weekend August 5, 6 & 7^th at the Senior Center located on Fox Rd., Van Wert. The Senior Center & Community Health Professionals’,  in a joint effort, are offering 10 x 10 booths at the cost of $20 each in the East building for garage sale/flea market items and produce vendors & $5 fee per table, while they last.  The West building will allow booths for vendors & artists to come in and sell their merchandise. Food items & snacks will also be available. This is a prime location during the Lincoln Hwy & 127 Yard sale event so get in on the action!! All proceeds will be divided between the Senior Citizens Center & Community Health Professionals’.

If interested in renting a booth, please call Cindy Wood at 419-238-5011 or Robin Waters at 419-238-9223.

Sale Hours:       Thurs & Fri. 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

                        Sat. 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Set up – Wed. Aug 4^th after 4 pm or early Thurs.

 VAN WERT—Community Health Professionals, in conjunction with the Van Wert Senior Center, are offering 10-foot-by-10-foot booth spaces during the Crossroads Festival (Lincoln Highway/US 127 Yard Sale), Aug. 5-7.

Booth space is offered for $20 ea. and $5 table fee in the Senior Center’s out-buildings, 220 Fox Rd., for garage sale/flea market items, produce vendors and artists to sell their merchandise. Food and snacks will also be sold.

Proceeds from booth space and table rentals will be divided between the Senior Citizens Center and Community Health Professionals. Contact Cindy Wood at 419-238-5011 or Robin Waters at 419-238-9223 for more information.

Hospice Grief Camp Helps Youth Deal with Loss

VAN WERT—Community Health Professionals’ Hospice will conduct a day-camp for bereaved youths on July 20-22, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at Camp Clay, 9196 Liberty-Union Rd., Van Wert.

“Rays of Hope” camp is for children ages 6-17 who have experienced the death of a significant person in their lives and will help youths gain support, friendships and a better understanding of the grief process, according to Jeanie Saum, RN, Hospice Coordinator. Most importantly, Saum says, the grief camp provides an environment where kids can express openly their feelings of loss; sometimes for the first time.

A variety of activities including swimming, boating, ropes course, crafts games and more will be offered. The camp is open to youths from Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam and Van Wert Counties at a cost of $20 for one family member, $25 for two and $30 for three or more. No one is denied due to financial need, Saum said.

For more information about “Rays of Hope” Grief Camp, call (419) 238-9223 or go online at www.comhealthpro.org.

Garage Sale Planned for Van Wert’s Crossroads Festival in August ~ Act Now to Reserve a Booth

Get in on the excitement of Van Wert’s Crossroads Festival weekend August 5, 6 & 7^th at the Senior Center located on Fox Rd., Van Wert.

The Senior Center & Community Health Professionals’,  in a joint effort, are offering 10 x 10 booths at the cost of $20 each in the East building for garage sale/flea market items and produce vendors & $5 fee per table, while they last.  The West building will allow booths for vendors & artists to come in and sell their merchandise. Food items & snacks will also be available. This is a prime location during the Lincoln Hwy & 127 Yard sale event so get in on the action!! All proceeds will be divided between the Senior Citizens Center & Community Health Professionals’.

If interested in renting a booth, please call Cindy Wood at 419-238-5011 or Robin Waters at 419-238-9223.

Sale Hours:    Thurs & Fri. 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

                        Sat. 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
 

Set up – Wed. Aug 4^th after 4 pm or early Thursday.

Notice of Annual Meeting

VAN WERT— Community Health Professionals, Inc. a nonprofit 501c3 organization, will conduct its annual meeting on May 17, 7 p.m. at its offices located at 1159 Westwood Dr. in Van Wert.

The boards of Community Health Professionals, Inc. – which operates visiting nurses, hospice and inpatient hospice programs – Private Duty Services, Inc. and VNA Comprehensive Services, Inc. – which operates private duty, adult day care and other programs – will be in session.

The public is hereby notified of this opportunity to meet with the board of any or all corporations. For more information, call 419-238-9223.

CHP Recognizes National Volunteer Week

VAN WERT— Community Health Professionals’ Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center was recently praised as “An Exemplar of Excellence in End-of-Life Care” by Grif Alspach, editor of Critical Care Nurse, a bi-monthly journal published by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Grif Alspach is the brother-in-law of the late John Alspach of Van Wert. The following are excerpts from the article, “An Exemplar of Excellence in End-Of-Life Care,” Critical Care Nurse 2010; 30(1):10-12, available online at: www.ccnonline.org.

“Although my husband and I have been health care professionals throughout our careers, neither of us had first-hand experience with hospice care until my brother-in-law’s rapidly deteriorating cardiac status precipitated his transfer to the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

“Our experience with care at this inpatient hospice center surpassed every expectation for our loved one, his closest friends, and ourselves. The most poignant aspects of the hospice care we experienced included the following:

• Primacy of the patient’s wishes and needs. All aspects of care were dictated first by the patient’s expressed preferences. When he could no longer provide that information, staff then inquired from the immediate family; if we were not present, they asked his closest friends.

• Openness. Throughout my brother-in-law’s hospice stay, each time we entered his nursing unit, we received an accurate and timely portrayal of his condition to help determine whether changes in the plan of care were warranted. This embracing approach to patient assessments reflected a partnership in care we had never previously participated in.

• Sensitivity. At our initial meeting with the hospice nurses and intermittently thereafter, we were asked how much we were interested in knowing about our family member’s condition; how much detail we wished to hear about his physical, emotional, and spiritual needs; how active a role we wished to take in his care; how much time we would like to be with him; any special cultural or spiritual practices we would like to be observed; and many other inquiries that represented exquisite sensitivity to a myriad of small and large issues.

• Nonjudgmental attitude. Although a member of the clergy was one of my brother-in-law’s close friends, our family member’s and our dissimilar religious backgrounds, preferences, and spiritual beliefs were solicited for clarification, but not assumed and never acted upon without first verifying concurrence with the patient’s or our wishes.

• Continual striving for best practices. These hospice nurses never seemed to be wholly satisfied with their care for my brother-in-law, as they frequently sought reaffirmation that improvement was achieved. Except for the devotion to continually improving and verifying the effectiveness of care, no aspect of nursing interventions remained static.

• Far-reaching support for the patient, family and close friends.  In addition to the anticipated admonitions to family and friends to take time for themselves and to get adequate rest, the hospice staff extended an open-ended offer to secure “anything the patient wants or needs at any time of the day or night.”

• Blend of traditional and alternative health interventions. My brother-in-law was a traditional, Midwestern man, who needed a few weeks, a steadily declining health status, and nurses especially skilled in building patient rapport before he slowly became comfortable with nurses taking care of his needs. Despite his lifelong aversion to securing even minimal traditional primary health care, the hospice nursing staff astounded both family and friends by gently yet frequently enlisting this man to try massage therapy and hydrotherapy.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with the future health care system in the United States as politicians “fix” our current system’s weakest links, but I do pray that one little corner of northwestern Ohio is protected from any fixes that would detract from the care currently available at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

Our first experience with end-of-life care was truly exemplary." 

VAN WERT--Community Health Professionals’ “Beacon of Hope” dinner/auction event brings the community together for a time of remembrance, celebration and fun; while raising funds for hospice.

The 10th annual event will be held Apr. 8, 6 p.m. at Willow Bend Country Club. Each year, a local family is chosen to present a decorative lighthouse to honor all who have been served by Community Health Professionals. The lighthouse symbolizes the comfort and support that hospice provides families when a loved one is facing the end-of-life.

The family of Glen C. Rager of Van Wert will present the 2010 lighthouse. Rager was a patient at CHP’s Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center, where the lighthouse will be displayed along with lighthouses from the previous nine years.

Rager was owner of the former Rager Country Butcher Shop and also farmed for 58 years. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Van Wert, where he served in many offices.

He was a member of Gideons International, a past president and member of the American Association of Meat Processors, past president and member of the Ohio Association of Meat Processors, a member of the Van Wert Lions Club, a life member of American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert, a life member of DAR, a former member of Starr Commonwealth’s advisory board for many years ad a former member of the school boards of Hoaglin-Jackson School and later the Lincolnview Local School District.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in the European Theater during World War II and was the recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal and several oak leaf clusters.

Lighthouses have been presented in previous years by the Clifton family in 2001; Koch family in 2002; Brazen family in 2003; Goedde family in 2004; and the Hertel and Knodel families in 2005; Ray Black family in 2006; the families of Harold “Hal” Jewett and Billie “BJ” Smith in 2007; Pauline Hurless of Willshire in 2008; and Kathy Brickner and Kathy Ann Taylor last year.

Items in the auction this year include: luxury guest room at MGM Grand, Detroit, four passes to Kings Island, Kennedy toolbox, garden arbor bench, cordless internet telephone kit, car detailing and oil change package, Ohio State gift package, vacation timeshares, dining and services gift certificates, hotel stays, getaway packages, gift baskets, and more.

The event will be emceed once again by Rick Small of Mix 98.1 FM in Defiance, and the auction will be conducted by Bob Gamble. The evening concludes with a cash raffle drawing for $1,000; $500 and $250 prizes. Tickets for the dinner/auction are $20 each and raffle tickets are $1 ea., six for $5, or 15 for $10; available at Community Health Professionals, 1159 Westwood Dr., Van Wert. Deadline for dinner reservations is Fri. Apr. 2.

CHP Recognizes Volunteer Service

VAN WERT—Volunteers were honored for their service at the annual Community Health Professionals volunteer Christmas party on Dec. 2.

Michaella Johnson, second runner-up in the 2009 Ohio Has Talent! show, provided the evening’s entertainment singing Christmas music. National Honor Society students from Crestview and Van Wert high schools helped serve the meal. Alice Gasiday was recognized for 10 years of service at the CHP Adult Day Care Center.

CHP utilizes local volunteers to assist with its various programs and projects. Volunteers play a vital role in the operation of the nonprofit organization, performing duties ranging from assisting with clients to office paperwork and continue to be the “backbone of the agency,” according to Robin Waters, volunteer coordinator.

Volunteers in attendance included: (L-R) 4^th Row – Pat Lahmon, Barry Coil, Jean Brown, Helen Elzey, Nancy Potter, LaDonna Allenbaugh, Brandy Leiber, Jen Martin, Georgianna Adkins, Joan Sterrett, Deb Lewis, Stacie Ford, John Richardshon, Ken Cripe, Sharon Gehres, Alice Gasiday, Imogene Hughes, Sara Davis 3^rd Row –  Sharon Adkins, Del Free, Juanita Ringwald, Rowena Huffman, Susan Ringwald, Rita Brown, Ruth Osting, Shirley Stemen, Grace Burley, Nancy Temple 2^nd Row – Barb Wagner, Tara Fox, June Brown, Marcia Shaw, Jan Waters, Ilo Marvin, Lloyd Marvin, Louise Watson, Gloris Ford 1^st Row – Sue Lichtle, Beth Gordon, Evelyn Miller, Nichole McCoy, Ted Waters, Robin Waters, Heather Nofer, Sue Price.

To become a volunteer, call Robin Waters at 419-238-9223.

VAN WERT—Sales of coupon books benefiting Community Health Professionals’ Hospice program will end Mar. 31. Produced by Cash Bonanza Marketing Company, the book offers up to $3,000 worth of coupons redeemable throughout the year for food, merchandise, and services at local merchants.

Coupon books are available for $54.95 at Community Health Professionals, 1159 Westwood Dr., Van Wert with 50% of proceeds benefiting the local hospice program.

CHP to Host Webcast

VAN WERT--The 17th annual Living with Grief national bereavement webcast will be presented Mar. 24, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Community Health Professionals’ Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center, 1155 Westwood Dr.

The topic this year is “Cancer and End-of-Life Care” and will examine care options related to cancer diagnosis as well as grief reactions for patients, families and professional caregivers. It will also examine the psychosocial aspects of cancer, pain management, and ethical issues related to the disease.

Moderated by Frank Sesno, Professor of Public Policy and Communication at George Mason University and Special Correspondent with CNN, the teleconference is targeted to reach individuals who offer education on loss, grief, dying or death.

Continuing education contact hours will be available for $25 online or $35 by mail through the Hospice Foundation of America for nurses, social workers, case managers, funeral directors, clergy and more.

There is no cost to attend the webcast and it is open to the public. To register, or to learn more, call 419-623-7125 or visit www.comhealthpro.org.

Bates, who danced and sang to “I Can’t Do It Alone” from the Broadway musical, Chicago, wowed the judges and the hundreds of people who braved nasty weather conditions to come out and watch 20 local acts compete for cash prizes.

Perhaps the only person who didn’t think she would be the top winner was Bates herself. “I was shocked,” she said after the competition. “They kept going up (the list of award winners) and I hadn’t gotten anything yet and I thought ‘it couldn’t be me’ (as the top winner) and then they said my name.”

Bates, who plans to attend Bowling Green State University next year and major in exercise science, with a possible minor in dance, said she also may try out for some college drama productions.

A trio of dancers ages 9, 10 and 13 from Van Wert took second place, while Travis Custer, 33, formerly of Convoy, placed third.

Amy Roth of Rockford, a sophomore at Parkway High School, also competed in the competition and performed an original piano composition titled, “In Memoriam of 911.”

Other competitors included Emily Werling from Fort Recovery, Megan Kobetitsch of Columbus, Dayton Pracht of Paulding, Janel Vogel of Fort Recovery, Desiree Delgado of Antwerp, Adam Daniels of Grover Hill, Kelsea Eblen of Celina, Jeff Hammons of Van Wert, Ann Brake of Ohio City, Maria Fricano of Ada, Heather Davis of Lima, Jennifer Kahlig of Coldwater, and Mariah Clawson of Kenton.

In addition to the very talented competitors, those attending the event also had the chance to listen to performances by last year’s winner, Dustin Long of Delphos, and runner-up, Michaela Johnson of Van Wert, as well as the All Starr Choir, whose members come from all of the various Starr Commonwealth sites in Michigan and Ohio.

Proceeds from the show went to Community Health Professionals’ Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center. Community Health Professionals is a nonprofit, 501c3 organization that provides home health and hospice services throughout northwest and west central Ohio and operates a location in Wapakoneta at 803 Brewfield Drive.

Hospice Volunteer Training Scheduled

VAN WERT—Hospice volunteer training sessions will begin Saturday, February 6 at Community Health Professionals’ Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center, 1155 Westwood Dr., Van Wert.
           
Sessions will be held for five consecutive Saturdays, meeting at 9 a.m. to noon each week to comply with new regulations requiring 15 hours of volunteer instruction. Please note, if attendance falls below two participants, these sessions will be rescheduled.

Training will include information on caring for patients and families who are dealing with terminal illness and issues involved with end-of-life care. Please bring your current drivers license and proof of car insurance.

Volunteers give emotional support and care to hospice patients and families in their homes, at extended care facilities and at the inpatient hospice center. They may spend time reading with patients, visiting and or listening. No lifting or direct patient care is involved.
           
To become one of these special people, all you need is a loving heart and willingness to help people. To learn more about the rewarding experience of being a hospice volunteer, contact Robin Waters, volunteer coordinator at 419-238-9223 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Ohio Has Talent!

Returns Feb. 6

VAN WERT—Performers from throughout northwest and west central Ohio are set to compete in Community Health Professionals’ third Ohio Has Talent! variety show on Feb. 6 at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

Based on the popular television program America’s Got Talent!, the 2010 show will again feature 20 competing acts from throughout the area, including several from Van Wert County. They were chosen from among 50 musical, dance and various other acts that auditioned in November.

Van Wert area performers include:

Ann Brake, an eighth-grade student at Lincolnview Middle School; she is the daughter of George and Kathy Brake of Ohio City. She has been studying dance for six years and piano for seven years. She will be dancing in the show.

Travis Custer, originally from Convoy, now resides in Independence, Ky. and is an airline pilot pursing a career as an air traffic controller. Custer has recently sung with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Choral, performed in the musical “Once Upon a Mattress” at the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati, and was a runner-up in the first Ohio Has Talent! show.

Dance Trio from Kim Hohman’s Danceworks consisting of Kelsea Allenbaugh, 13, of Ohio City, Kylie Hohman, 9, and Larissa Laudick, 10, of Van Wert.

Jeff Hammons, originally from Fort Wayne, has lived in Van Wert for 21 years and is a sergeant with the Van Wert Police Department. He has played guitar since age 14.

Ben and Kim Laudick of Van Wert  have been married seven years and have three children. Kim has been dancing for 26 years and is currently a dance instructor. Ben will graduate with a degree in Middle School Education this spring.

Amy Roth from Rockford, is a sophomore at Parkway High School and plays piano, drums, flute, French horn and the organ at her church. She hopes to pursue a degree in music education and performance.

Three other local acts will also be performing, but not competing, while the audience’s votes are being counted: Dustin Long of Delphos, 2009 Ohio Has Talent! winner, Michaella Johnson of Van Wert, 2009 Ohio Has Talent! second runner-up, and the Starr Commonwealth All-Starr Choir.

Winners will be chosen by the audience and awarded cash prizes: $500-first place, $250-second place, $100-third place. Proceeds from the show benefit Community Health Professionals’ Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

Tickets are available through the Niswonger Performing Arts Center ticket office for $25-orchestra sides, $20-mezzanine and $15 for balcony seating; contact the NPAC ticket office: 419-238-6722 or www.npacvw.org. 

VAN WERT—State Representative Lynn Wachtmann recently visited Community Health Professionals’ Inpatient Hospice Center in Van Wert. The 75th House District Representative toured the facility and spoke with staff members including (L-R) Melissa Mulholland, Tia Hittle, Angie Krall and Deb Schmidt.

November is National Home Care and Hospice Month, which pays homage to the millions of workers in the home care and hospice industry. The public is welcome to tour the inpatient hospice facility at 1155 Westwood Dr., or view a virtual tour at www.comhealthpro.org.

November has been designated National Home Care and Hospice Month. The intent of this campaign is to raise public awareness concerning both hospice and home health care.

Hospice aspires to help people live fully until the end of their days. Home care is the provision of physician-ordered skilled nursing or therapy services plus attendant personal care, which assists the aged or disabled person in getting out of bed, dressing, and other personal maintenance.

In addition to raising public awareness of home care and hospice service, National Home Care Month and National Hospice pays homage to the millions of workers in the home care and hospice industry. While paid home care service totaled about $100 billion last year, the value of services provided by friends and family to frail or disabled persons tops $300 billion a year.

“We as home health providers serve the aged and disabled, empowering them to be active and as productive as possible living in their own homes,” said Julie Rupert, RN, supervisor of Community Health Professionals of Van Wert.

“Home care is freedom,” Rupert says. “It is the right to continue to stay at home in independence, where you prefer to be, even in the face of major health problems.”

Hospice agencies nationwide are encouraging physicians and families to consider hospice care earlier whenever a family member is diagnosed with a terminal condition. In 2008, 35 percent of patients served by hospices died or were discharged in seven days or less according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Patients and families receiving care for seven days or less are often unable to take full advantage of the range of benefits that hospice provides, according to Rupert. These benefits include psychosocial support and spiritual care for patients and their families as well as pain management and symptom control.

“Our home health programs help patients to have a high quality of life; and when the end comes, hospice helps people to cross the bar with dignity and grace while supporting their families –the survivors who mourn their loss,” Rupert says.

Community Health Professionals provides a complete range of home health, hospice and related services including adult day care and inpatient hospice. For complete information about available services, visit www.comhealthpro.org.

Community Health Professionals Suspends Walk-in Flu Shots

Community Health Professionals of Van Wert and Celina are suspending daily, in-office flu shot clinics due to a shortage of vaccine.

VAN WERT— Auditions are being sought for the third annual Ohio has Talent! scheduled for Feb. 6, 2010 at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.

Auditions will be held Nov. 6 and 7 at Trinity Friends Church, Van Wert and are limited to the first 50 applicants with the final 20 judged acts selected to perform. Deadline for audition applications is Oct. 26. There is no cost to audition or perform.

The winners of Ohio Has Talent will be chosen by the audience and awarded cash prizes of: $500-first place, $250-second place, $100-third place. Audition applications are available online at www.comhealthpro.org or call 419-238-6200 for more information.

National Massage Therapy Awareness Week 

VAN WERT – October 25 to 31, 2009 is National Massage Therapy Awareness Week, now in its 13th year. This week is designed to raise public awareness of the benefits of therapeutic massage, encourage Americans to seek massage therapy for stress relief, pain management and general health, and for massage therapists to spotlight their profession.

Recent national consumer research released said 81 percent of American adults feel as stressed (45 percent) or more stressed (36 percent) now than they did a year ago and are using a variety of strategies to cope.

Despite the sour economy, the overall use of massage therapy remains consistent: 14 percent of adult Americans had a professional massage in 2008 compared to 12 percent in 2004 and 16 percent in 2006. Those who did not receive a massage in 2008 were more likely to cite their pocketbooks as the reason than has been the case in previous surveys.

Among those who had a professional massage in 2008, 58 percent said they did so for “relaxation, restoration or stress relief,” and 85 percent of 2008 massage users were satisfied with the experience, predicting they would seek massage again in 2009.

Massage therapy can play a role in helping consumers deal with trying economic times.

“When many people are curtailing spending on vacations and other big-ticket items, massage is an ideal and lower-cost option for reducing stress,” said local certified massage therapist Sharon Bruskotter.

“Massage therapy has been shown to reduce stress hormones, relieve anxiety and depression, strengthen the immune system and improve attentiveness, so it’s an excellent strategy for challenging times.”

The nation’s leading mental health association, Mental Health America, recommends massage therapy as a way to diffuse stress.

“Massage can be useful in helping stave off routine doctor visits, co-pays and missed work time because of the immunity-boosting power of massage,” Bruskotter said.

The proportion of adults who made at least one visit to a massage therapist (14 percent) again exceeded the proportions visiting a chiropractor (12 percent) or a physical therapist (9 percent). Forty-two percent of American adults have received at least one massage in their lifetime.

The cost of massage has remained stable in recent years—the national average for a one-hour massage is $65; locally the rate is around $40. High approval ratings for massage therapy among those who have tried it continue to hold – more than eight out of 10 rated the experience of receiving a massage a positive one.

Nearly a third of adults – 27 percent – who got a massage last year did so because they received it as a gift.

Bruskotter provides massage to the public at her practice located in the WIC/Help Me Grow building at 1119 Westwood Dr. For more information, call 419-238-5886.

Photo: Sharon Bruskotter, certified massage therapist, operates a massage therapy practice at 1119 Westwood Dr. in Van Wert and provides massage for Community Health Professionals’ patients.