When we think about growing old or having a serious illness, one thing remains important for most of us
We want to stay in our own homes as long as we can.
Let’s face it, that’s the place we are most comfortable. It’s where many of our memories took place.
Carrie Edwards, Director of MLH Home Care Services, said helping people do just that is her motivation.
Edwards has worked at MLH Home Care Services for 17 years, 11 as director. But she started there as an aide for private duty.
“I fell in love with home care when I was an aide and throughout internships while in nursing school,” she said. “I love the one-on-one time we spend with patients and families.”
“I like home care because you may see patients at their worst initially and help them improve/recover/heal in order to see them at their best when they get discharged from services,” Edwards said.
Edwards, who received her BSN in 2002, her RN in 2003 and her MHA in 2013, talked about the many types of care and the variety of services MLH provides.
Home Health is able to provide skilled care in patients homes in order to get them stronger, heal after a surgery or illness, and back to their prior level of functioning. The goal is to prevent re-hospitalization.
For example, MLH physical therapists worked with a hospitalized patient who was unable to walk. After the patient went home, Home Health continued to help and was able to get the patient back to walking independently and to driving again.
Another patient was able to return to her kitchen and cook for herself after receiving therapies from Home Health.
“Nursing has healed wounds of many patients throughout several years and improved patients’ overall quality of life,” Edwards said.
Hospice is able to provide end-of-life holistic care to patients while also supporting families and caregivers, improving quality of life for patients.
Palliative Care is an extra layer of support to assist patients with determining goals of care and/or managing pain and symptoms.
Healthy Beginnings helps parents be the best they can be while educating to keep children safe.
Lifeline enables customers to stay in their own residence with a sense of security at the push of a button when needing urgent assistance.
For Edwards, Home Care Services provides the support, help and peace of mind so that patients can stay at home more often and for longer time periods. And, home is truly where the heart is.
For more information on MLH Home Care Services, see www.marylanning.org/our-services/home-care/