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By Karla Pomeroy
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Worland citizen wants home health, hospice care

WORLAND — Why does Washakie County not have a home health and hospice care program? That was a question posed by concerned citizen Lynnette Swing at Tuesday’s Worland City Council meeting.

 

April 7, 2018



WORLAND — Why does Washakie County not have a home health and hospice care program? That was a question posed by concerned citizen Lynnette Swing at Tuesday’s Worland City Council meeting.

“I’ve been involved with older people in the community and I want to know why we don’t have hospice or home health.”

Currently Washakie County’s home health needs are served by Community Home Health out of Thermopolis. They do not provide Medicare supported hospice care. Community Home Health also offers services into south Big Horn County

Park County’s Hands2Help out of Cody provides home health care in Park and Big Horn counties but does not offer hospice care. Hospice care is offered through West Park Hospital.

According to comfortfinders.com, Spirit Mountain Hospice House, affiliated with West Park Hospital, is the only inpatient hospice facility in the Big Horn Basin area. Open in 2011, the facility has eight private rooms, plus a large family room and kitchen.

The Johnson County Healthcare Center in Buffalo provides home health and hospice services.

Swing said she knows Washakie County had something similar years ago but doesn’t know why the programs did not survive.

She said she has attempted to contact Banner Health Washakie Medical Center CEO Jay Stallings and has been put on the agenda for the April meeting to discuss the need for home health and hospice.

Several council members said they believe the reason Washakie County no longer offers those services is due to funding.

“I don’t know where to start so this is where I’m starting,” Swing said.

Swing said that her understanding with Community Home Health is that they are extremely busy.

Council member Mike Neufer agreed that the Hot Springs County agency is “overloaded.”

Regardless, she said, “Why can’t we have our own.”

Council member Mandy Horath added that her understanding about home health and hospice is that “with the Medicare guidelines there’s a lot of cans and can’t dos.”

Swing said, “Why do Johnson and Fremont County have successful programs? I just feel this community needs these programs.”

Loresa Brinkerhoff said when she has inquired about home health and hospice in the past she has been told it was due to funding. She added, “I agree we do need hospice.”

Horath suggested Swing also talk to the senior center and Keith Gentzler suggested talking to the commissioners.

Mayor Jim Gill noted, “I think you’re going to light a fire.”

 
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