Home Health Services eNewsletter September 2015

e m o H 1 Volume 1, Issue 3 Citizens Memorial Hospital (CMH) patients can feel a little more secure thanks to a device that will help home health patients feel safer in their homes. All CMH Home Health patients, upon admission, will now be given an opportunity to have a CareLink medical alert device professionally installed inside their homes for a free 60-day trial. duce complications associated with a After 60 days, patients may continue the fall or other health related emergencies service at a special rate or have the de- by ensuring prompt and around-the- vice removed. clock assistance. “Our hope is that by providing The device offers hands-free and Carelink, we will be giving our patients two-way voice capability throughout and their family’s peace of mind know- the patient’s home. With a press of the ing help is at the touch of a button,” pendant or emergency button, the pa- says Valerie Noblitt, director of CMH tient will be connected with the Home Care Services. “Carelink helps in CareLink Support Center at any time reducing hospital admissions -- 73 per- an event may occur. The call center cent of medical alerts users were able to operates 24/7 and has Carelink staff be assisted in their home and avoid a ready to respond at all times. If hospital admission.” Carelink is activated due to an event, According to the Centers for Medi- CMH Home Care Services will be noti- care and Medicaid Services, one in three fied in addition to up to two other in- seniors fall each year, 82 percent of dividuals of the patient’s choosing. those falls happen when the individual is For more information about CMH home alone. When a fall occurs, re- Home Care Services or the CareLink sponse time is crucial. CareLink is a per- system, call 417-326-3585 or 1-800-955 sonal response system designed to re- -3493.