We began our morning at the Hunt Community and greeted by Kristin Mattheson who provide a bit of history of the Hunt. Ms. Mattheson said that continuum of care is the new model of living and not just, assisted living. The Hunt has a number of living options to include; independent living, assisted living and full nursing care.
Our first presenter was Barbara Lafrance, RN, from Home, Health and Hospice. Ms. Lafrance reminded us that hospice doesn’t need to be about giving up rather living life to the fullest. They offer a variety of in-home services and are 100% funded by the community. Some examples of their in-home care are; wound care, IV therapy, fall prevention and behavioral health.
The morning panel discussion included; Kerry Ann Hayon, VP of Clinical and Support Services, St. Joseph Hospital, Colin McHugh, President & CEO, Southern NH Health Systems and Dr. Jonathan Thyng, Medical Director, Dartmouth Health Clinics, Nashua. A series of questions were asked of the panel to include how each hospital was handling recruitment and retention of staff, mental health issues, insurance barriers and collaboration efforts between agencies.
What we learned was that staffing can be an issue however; most have taken on the strategy of cross training their employees and provide flexible schedules, as well as, creating new programs to onboard staff quickly. Mental health issues are on the rise and sometimes it is the primary care physician to first recognize the issue and discuss treatment. It was reported that lots of private practices don’t take Medicaid, leaving many of the most vulnerable without affordable services.
The cost of health care continues to rise and all three hospitals reporting having special departments with a number of employees focused on working directly with the insurance companies to negotiate costs and reimbursement for services. Collaboration is key and it seems that all three hospitals in fact, work together, when possible.
After the panel discussion we were given a tour of the beautiful facility. My tour guide was Bret Pomeroy, LGN ’24 and Executive Director, Hunt Community. We were able to explore many areas of the Hunt, to include; the billiard room, library, gym, and woodworking and of course, apartment style homes. Mr. Pomeroy talked about cost as well as the continuum of care the Hunt provides, providing seamless services from independent living to nursing care.
Once the tour concluded, we had a presentation on Public Health, from Kim Bernard, Chief Public Health Nurse, City of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services and Robert Ortiz, Medical Assistant. Ms. Bernard asked, “What is Public Health?” the answer, the protecting and improving the health of our community. The Nashua Division of Public Health has four departments; Community Health, Welfare Department, Environmental Health Department and Community Services and between all these departments, members of the community can get services ranging from immunizations, food and rental assistance.
Our final morning speaker was Stacey Carroll, RN, Director of Emergency Management and EMS Coordinator, Southern NH Health Systems. Ms. Carroll spoke about workplace violence prevention in NH Healthcare and provided a number of statistics and scenarios related to workplace violence.
Written By: Lea Reilly, MS
Nashua Children’s Home
After lunch, which was graciously provided by the Hunt we traveled to the YMCA Westwood Park. Sheila Considine Sweeney, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, Greater Nashua Mental Health spoke with us about mental health awareness. She provided recent statistics, reviewed the resources available within the state such as the New Hampshire Rapid Response Program which includes the 24-hour hotline, NH mobile crisis team and online resources and online chat for those in a mental health crisis and more especially what Greater Nashua Mental Health can provide to community members.
Sheila provided the group with education on stress. We discussed how we as a group reduce stress and what the reactivity of stress looks like. There was a focus on how to refrain your brain to avoid your brain from going into reactivity.
The following presentation was done by Katie Parker, Executive Director of Membership Experience, YMCA and LGN class of ’23 along with Erica Hunt Director of healthy living at the YMCA. Katie and Erica reviewed the chronic disease prevention and healthy living programs at the YMCA. The group learned about the different clinics that are offered at the YMCA from blood pressure clinics to pre-diabetes education. They also have programs for improvement of balance and moving, a live strong program for cancer survivors and a program dedicated to children and their families called prescribe the Y.
The group then went on a tour of the YMCA and had time to attempt the Ninja obstacle course (which none of us were able to complete) and play pickle ball.
We rounded out the day with some chair yoga and meditation lead by Jay Gupta.
It was a great day of health education and moving.
Written By: Christina Cardwell
St Joseph Hospital
