Home Care Stories
Home Care is Independence Every Day
Hollis, N.H. - "It's great to have (home care) service, otherwise I'd be in a nursing home at age thirty-six."
Independence has taken on new meanings for Thomas Oliver, diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1997. His concepts of independence and freedom are no longer primarily defined as the patriotic, national notions that he defended during his service in Desert Storm. Given the limitations of his illness, he does not define independence as self-reliance and autonomy. Instead, for Thomas, independence is more about having and making even the smallest of choices on a daily basis. It is the ability to exercise free will to the greatest extent possible.
ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, more commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's disease," attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. As the disease progresses, it causes increasing muscle weakness, especially involving the arms and legs, speech, swallowing and breathing. The nature of this disease, for which there is no known cure, requires that individuals like Thomas receive significant amounts of assistance and medical care to accomplish what used to be normal everyday actions like getting out of bed, eating, bathing and dressing. As a former Airforce Crew Chief during Desert Storm, Thomas' medical care is covered by the Veteran's Administration (VA). At the time of his diagnosis, the VA felt that it was in Thomas' best interest to be cared for in a nursing home. Thomas and his family disagreed. After much insistence, and with gratitude for the availability of home health care, Thomas was able to chose where he wanted to live. To this day, Thomas lives with as much independence as possible in the comfort and familiar surroundings of his parents' home.
The availability of home health care services made it possible for Thomas and his family to make this choice. Home care services enable Thomas to be in charge of his own life, to think and speak for himself. According to his mom, Mary Oliver, "Home care allows Thomas to carry on as normal of a life as possible, doing as much as he possibly can." For instance, at home, Thomas can make choices about what and when to eat or whether or not he wants to shave on a particular day. With the aid of special adaptive equipment, he can choose to watch TV or spend time on his computer corresponding with friends, playing games or music or doing research. Thomas can ask for what he wants, and request to go places and do things. With the help of friends and family Thomas has gone to weddings, concerts and sports events. In the comfort of his home, Thomas enjoys frequent visits with his sister Abby and her children and his best friend. Other family members who live nearby are also regular visitors. The Olivers feel that their home is a more comfortable place for people to visit Thomas, a place less intimidating than visiting him in an institution.
Choices about food and eating are an important part of Thomas' daily independence. According to Thomas, homemade, "comfort" foods are a key benefit of living at home. Not only can Thomas request his favorite foods, he also has the simple pleasure of smelling the food as it cooks. Saturday nights are his favorite. This is the night his mother, Mary Oliver, prepares her famous baked beans and homemade mustard, long-time family favorites. Says Thomas about why he prefers to live at home, "For one thing, what I really enjoy is homemade food. Sounds funny but it's depressing not to have home cooked food."
Home health care has not only been a blessing for Thomas, but for his family as well. According to Mrs. Oliver "their care encompasses the whole family." Interim HealthCare provides daily nursing visits and a home health aide visits three times per week to help with Thomas' shower. These visits in particular, free up his parents for a couple of hours so they can take a break. During this time his mother is able to go for a walk, take care of errands or have tea with friends. "I want it that way," says Thomas, "I don't want my mother to get burned out, that would be hard on me, I'd feel responsible."
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver are grateful for dedicated, skilled, and compassionate care that the home care staff provides. "It's obvious that they don't just come here to get the job done or for the money they get paid. They make it appear like they enjoy their time here, that the work isn't tedious." Often it's the little things that make a difference, like the home health aide who warms a towel in the dryer for when Thomas finishes his shower. Says Mrs. Oliver, "I respect them and they are like friends." The family also admires the dependability of the home care staff, who according to Mr. Oliver, "you can set your clocks by." Most importantly, Mrs. Oliver feels that "they see Thomas not only as a patient but as an individual."
This perception is confirmed by Christine Frost, one of Thomas' home care nurses. "Helping clients maintain their independence is very rewarding, she says." Staff value the attention they can give to each client and the opportunity to care for people one at a time. For Christine, "you feel like you can give more and that you get more back when working with a family like the Olivers."
Home care is independence every day. For clients like Thomas, "home care gives me quality of life." For families, home care not only lends them support as the full-time caregivers, but also provides them with peace of mind. In the words of Mrs. Oliver, "I don't know how long we could have lasted without home care." And most home care workers wouldn't work anywhere else.
The Home Care Association of New Hampshire is a membership organization that enhances the ability of agencies providing home health care to deliver quality services to New Hampshire residents. The Association carries out this mission through education, networking, research, leadership and public policy information.
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