Live Free Home Health Care, LLC. - Bristol, New Hampshire

All posts within: Live Free Home Health Care

Live Free Home Health Care of Central New Hampshire provides In-Home Health Care Service.

Friday, March 02, 2012

Experience a better kind of home care

A question I am asked quite frequently by prospective new clients is what sets Live Free Home Health Care apart from other agencies they are interviewing. What sets us apart is quite simply the fact that we are a true full service agency. What I mean by that is often times when a family first contacts us they are simply looking for a little bit of help for mom or dad with some basic things like light housekeeping, healthy meal preparation, or companionship. We can certainly do all that. But as a Registered Nurse with almost 15 years of experience working with the elderly, I understand that needs will change over time as your loved one continues to age. At some point they quite likely will need more hands on care in order to maintain their safety and independence at home. That is the peace of mind we are able to provide you, we are able to start off with basic care needs and also able to continue to provide care as time progresses. Most private duty home care agencies simply cannot offer the level of care and support that we can because they do not have nurses or nursing assistants on staff and they are not trained to recognize subtle changes that may occur.

It all starts with that first meeting. To ensure that the proper care plan is created, one of our Registered Nurses, usually myself, meet with all new families. Together we create a safe plan of care that is customized to fit the level of care needed at that particular time. If the care is currently basic like companionship or healthy meal preparation we can provide you with a companion caregiver and because we have professional nurses on staff and licensed nursing assistants we know how important diets are for people with diabetes and other health conditions. Agencies who only employ non-licensed staff simply cannot offer this level of expertise. If more hands on care is needed, help with transfers from bed to chair, assistance with personal grooming, medication reminders, wound care, things of this nature, then we can provide a licensed nursing assistant who has gone through an extensive course and passed a state licensing exam. In our experience we can actually provide this level of care at a lower cost than other agencies provide non licensed caregivers.

Once the care needs are established I work with our Care Manager Tammy and our scheduler Michelle, who herself is a licensed nursing assistant, to choose the right team to provide care. It doesn’t end there however. Often times what I hear from families who have come to our agency after being with other agencies or I hear from caregivers who have worked at other agencies is that they are amazed at the amount of ongoing training and supervision that we provide for each and every case. Our lead licensed nursing assistant, Stacy, ensures that our staff of caregivers is continually trained and that they are comfortable with all aspects of their job. I am not shy about saying that I know from experience that we invest more in ongoing training than any other agency. That is my nurse background in me. I take very seriously the trust that families place in us and I feel I owe it to them to ensure that I only place the care of their loved ones in the hands of very well trained caregivers.

This is the value Live Free Home Health Care brings that most competitors cannot. Because our caregivers are either licensed nursing assistants or care providers trained by one of our nurses, we can spot potential health problems and intervene before it worsens or causes a hospitalization.

Inviting an agency into your home or a loved one’s home for personal care or home medical needs is a big step. Wouldn’t it be more comforting to know that the agency you choose has professionally trained nurses overseeing the care that is provided? To see more on what sets us apart from the competition click here.

Tags:   better quality of life, Live Free Home Health Care

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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Tammy Niles Named Care Manager at Live Free Home Health Care

Jason Harvey, Co-Owner of Live Free Home Health Care LLC, headquartered in Bristol, announced recently the hiring of Tammy Niles, of New Hampton, as Care Manager for the agency. “We are very excited that Tammy is joining our team. She is going to be a tremendous asset to our agency and we are lucky to have her. Having Tammy in this position will allow us to continue to grow and fulfill our mission of being the premier provider of private duty home care services in New Hampshire.”

Niles comes to Live Free Home Health Care following a four plus year stint with Comfort Keepers, where she started as a caregiver and departed in the position of Client Care Coordinator. Most recently, Niles served as Manager of the J.Crew Outlet Store in Tilton. “There were many times during my day at J. Crew that I would find myself speaking with someone who was trying to work and care for a family member or friend at the same time,” said Niles. “My council was always to seek help. That they didn't have to tackle this alone.”

As Care Manager at Live Free Home Health Care, Niles will act as liaison between clients, their families and Live Free Home Health Care staff to ensure the highest quality of care is being delivered. According to Clinical Director Jennifer Harvey, RN, BSN, Niles will be a frontline support for Live Free Home Health Care caregivers in addition to drawing on input and teamwork of Live Free Home Health Care nurses. “She will assist with referral calls and establishing services for our clients, and assist the entire Live Free Home Health Care staff with ongoing training and continuing education, and will play an integral role in the seamless delivery of care,” stated Harvey.

Niles lists a two-year period as a caregiver for her grandmother that focused her attention on home health care. “My grandmother had suffered a fall and I realized immediately that, although a local nursing home was making every effort to get her to sign a contract to live with them, her best avenue for herself and all of us was to recuperate in her own home,” explained Niles. “We spent two years together and became very close friends. I also had a local agency helping and was very impressed. I found myself in the position of many initially, in that I had no idea where to turn or what services were available.”

Jennifer Harvey  shared her thoughts on Niles beginning her career with Live Free Home Health Care. “Tammy shares our vision of being the number one provider of private duty home care. She also shares common values of honesty, integrity, and doing things the right way. I am thrilled she has chosen to join our team.”

“Jason, Jennifer and I had partnered to provide care for a couple of mutual clients. They both always took my calls and Jennifer offered her support as a nurse when I felt I was facing an obstacle in providing care that could best be resolved by someone with a medical background and knowledge. Her only motivation to offer her support was to provide the absolute best care to the client,” explained Niles. “I know firsthand that quality of care comes before anything else at Live Free Home Health Care. That, and their wanting their caregivers to find satisfaction and fulfillment in their work, is why I am so happy to join their team.”

In her spare time, Niles enjoys reading, baking, and the outdoors, especially hiking and kayaking. Niles may be reached at 603-217-0147, or by stopping by the agency offices at 365 Lake Street in Bristol.

Tags:   family caregivers, Jason Harvey, Jennifer Harvey, Live Free Home Health Care

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Monday, December 27, 2010

Live Free Home Care donates to NH Veterans Home Christmas Fund

TILTON, NH: Live Free Home Health Care LLC, a family-owned and

operated home health care agency that provides services in the Lakes

Region and Central New Hampshire, recently made a $500.00 donation

to the New Hampshire Veterans Home (NHVH) Resident Benefit

Christmas Fund. Jason M. Harvey is the Owner and Co-Administrator

of Live Free Home Health Care in Bristol, NH and comes from a family

which understands and honors military service. “Both my parents

served in the US Air Force,” he explains. “My Dad, Roland, served for

27 years and my mom, Allene, served for sixteen. My grandparents and

my mom’s nephews also served in the military. We really appreciate the

sacrifices of military service and this is just our small way of saying

‘Thank you’ to the residents of the Veterans Home.”

PHOTO: Jason M. Harvey (left), Owner and Co-Administrator of Live Free Home

Health Care, LLC, in Bristol, NH, and his mother (far right), Allene Harvey, a 16-year

veteran of the US Air Force, present NH Veterans Home (NHVH) volunteer Ida Harris

(center) with a $500.00 donation to the NHVH Resident Benefit Christmas Fund. Jason

Harvey’s father, Roland Harvey, who was not present for the photo, served for twentyseven years in the US Air Force. Jason said, “Our family has a great commitment to

veterans.”

When NHVH residents make their Christmas Wish Lists, donations

from the New Hampshire Veterans Home Resident Benefit Fund help

staff make those wishes come true. Lisa Punderson, Volunteer

Coordinator, explains, “The residents don’t ask for much—and they are

so grateful when they receive something they had hoped for. It’s really

rewarding to see donations like this do so much good.”

Barry E. Conway, NHVH Commandant, is also grateful for the

donation. “It’s great to have community support for special projects like

this,” he said. “And we applaud home health care agencies for the work

they do in supporting families as part of the continuum of care.”

Live Free Home Health Care provides services needed to enable

individuals to remain in their own homes safely and independently.

The agency offers a wide range of services, from companion care and

assistance with activities of daily living to skilled nursing. All care is

supervised and updated by a registered nurse, who is specially trained

to watch for new or changing health issues. For further information on

Live Free Home Health Care, you may contact (603) 217-0149 or visit

www.LiveFreeHomeHealthCare.com.

Established in Tilton in 1890 as the Soldier’s Home for Civil War

Veterans, the New Hampshire Veterans Home was one of just four New

Hampshire nursing homes to win the first Quality of Life Award from

the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS)

in 2007. NHVH was recognized again in 2009 by DHHS for its

continuing commitment to nursing home culture change and quality of

life. The NHVH campus is home to 200 men and women who have

served their country and fellow New Hampshire citizens. The only

long-term care facility in the Granite State that is dedicated exclusively

to veterans, NHVH’s mission is to provide high quality, professional

long-term care services to the Granite State’s elderly and disabled

veterans.

Tags:   Jason Harvey, Live Free Home Health Care

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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Do Not Forget To Take Time For Yourself

Doctor appointments that have to be scheduled; the constant physical and emotional care that mom or dad or your loved one needs; the endless errands to the grocery store, drug store, physical therapy sessions and, most of all, the need to know you are doing the “right thing” for that loved one you are providing care for are all taxing issues. Here at Live Free Home Health Care we understand the daily challenges you face as a family caregiver and that you most likely have little time for yourself.

But you do need time. Time to reflect, relax and recharge your batteries for at least a few hours each week. This “you time” is important to give you the strength to carry on. It is important to take that time. You deserve it and you should not feel guilty about it.

If you have questions regarding if the care you are providing for your loved one is appropriate, perhaps you should consider hiring a Nurse Care Manager. Live Free Home Health Care has Registered Nurses on staff that are available to meet with you in your home and discuss a care plan. If it is time to yourself you need, Live Free Home Health Care can provide Licensed Home Health Aides, who work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, for as little as two hours a day to as much as round the clock care, all in the comfort of your or your loved ones home.

If you would like to discuss how we can possibly help give us a call at 603-346-4214.

In the meantime, here are three tips from CareGiver.Com:

1. Accept the help others offer. Suggest specific things they can do for you and your loved one. No one is a Super Hero. Do not feel like you’re the only one that can take dad to the doctor or your wife to her physical therapist. REACH OUT and ask another family member – or close family friend – to assist you occasionally so you have time yourself. Trust in their willingness to help. Many times, they do not know how to reach out and help unless you are able to communicate your needs. If you do not have anyone you can turn to for help, Live Free Home Health Care in Central New Hampshire in the heart of the Lakes Region can assist you with getting your loved one to appointments.
2. Ask for and accept favors such as, a friend staying with your loved one while you are able to get out of the house for a while, a dinner being cooked for you and your loved one once a week, an offer to go to the supermarket or drugstore in your place. Respite can be achieved on a daily basis with the smallest of kindnesses. Again, if you do not have anyone to provide you with Respite time Live Free Home Health Care has Licensed Nursing Assistants who can provide you with a much-deserved break.
3. Know your limits! If you wear yourself out caring for your loved one, who will step in to care for the both of you? Remember, caring for yourself is not selfish; it is the greatest gift you can give for your loved one.

Tags:   family caregivers, Live Free Home Health Care

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Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Should You Use a Licensed Home Health Care Agency?

New Hampshire Home Health Care

The case for using an agency as opposed to hiring someone directly

As anyone who has had to look for home care for a parent, child, or loved one may have discovered, home care rates can be less if you hire help (sometimes referred to as a “private duty nurse”) on your own rather than using an agency like Live Free Home Health Care. This is could be one of the most important decisions you make in regards to looking for in-home care, and if you are contemplating hiring on your own to save a few dollars, it’s important to know what your responsibilities will be. Here are some things you should ask yourself:

1. Are you prepared to place ads, screen responses, conduct interviews, check references, do criminal background checks, and drug screening? Also will you know whether a potential candidate has the right training and skills?

2. Have you calculated the cost of required taxes? You will be responsible for paying social security taxes, unemployment taxes, and workers’ compensation.

3. Do you want the responsibility of supervising workers and resolving misunderstandings when they (and they will) happen?

4. What are you going to do when your caregiver calls in sick? Are you always going to be available to provide back-up? If so, doesn’t that mean you will be on-call around the clock?

5. What about insurance? Does the person you are considering hiring have professional liability insurance?

A quality agency that directly employs its home care associates will assume each of these responsibilities for you. That’s what we do at Live Free Home Health Care. We have carefully screened our caregivers, done criminal background checks and drug screening. We have made sure they have the right training and licenses. We are responsible for paying our caregivers and making sure the appropriate payroll taxes are paid. If one of our caregivers has to miss work at the last minute, we are responsible for finding a replacement. Live Free Home Health Care has the appropriate insurance and we are licensed by the State of New Hampshire as a Home Health Care Provider.

You will have the comfort of knowing we have a Registered Nurse on-call 24 hours a day and are here to handle the unexpected for you. We will anticipate your needs and respond to changes before a potential problem may arise. Let us take the job of employer and care case manager from your shoulders so you can concentrate on relating with your parent, child, or loved one how it matters most: as family.

Jason M. Harvey

Owner, Business and Finance Manager

Live Free Home Health Care, LLC

603.346.4214

Tags:   caregiver, in-home care providers, insurance, Jason Harvey, Live Free Home Health Care

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