Page 16 - SEPTEMBER

Page 16 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM September 2021 Wellness
New APRN, Jill Hunter, Joins Pemi-Baker Community Health
Educating the Public About Palliative and Hospice Care
Providing compassionate care in your home, at our facility and in your community.
In your time of need, we’re right where you need us.
Call Pemi-Baker Community Health at (603) 536-2232 or visit www.pbhha.org
We’re all
writteN By aNNa SwaNSoN
PLYMOUTH - The term Hospice Care is widely known, but people often shrug their shoulders when asked about Pal- liative Care. Jill Hunter, APRN, ACHPN, has recently joined Pemi-Baker Community Health (PBCH) as their Nurse Practi- tioner in Palliative and Hospice Care. PBCH is thrilled to have her join their mission to edu- cate Central and Northern NH about Palliative Care and how a Palliative team can help families facing serious illnesses.
Jill Hunter has been a nurse practitioner for 23 years, work- ing in primary care, both family practice and internal medicine for the Indian Health Service in New Mexico, Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic, and Concord Hospital. Most recently, she has focused on palliative care after becoming very involved with a particular patient in his late 40s, just diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). “I remained his PCP throughout his illness, managing his symp- toms, coordinating with his spe- cialists, and educating his family. I celebrated his triumphs and supported him through disap- pointments. I eventually helped him to transition to hospice care three years after his initial di- agnosis and remained involved in his care until he died. He taught me a lot about caring for seriously ill patients and their families. I feel that experience sparked a passion within me to become a palliative care pro- vider,” said Hunter.
One of the biggest misunder- standings people have is think- ing Palliative Care is the same as Hospice Care. Although it is a part of Hospice Care, Pallia- tive care is specialized medical care for anyone living with a se- rious illness. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage of the illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment. Pemi-Baker’s specially-trained team of doctors, nurses, and other specialists work with a patient’s other doctors to pro- vide an extra layer of support focusing on providing relief from pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, insomnia, anxiety, shortness of breath, and other stressors of the illness.
“Most of my experiences in palliative care have been in the hospital setting. Unfortunately, the patients I see are often far along in their journey with se- rious illness and could have benefited from symptom man- agement and goals of care dis- cussions much earlier. I think that there is a growing trend of trying to introduce palliative care earlier, and one of the best ways to do so is in the home— meeting patients where they are and most often where they want to remain. Working with Pemi-Baker Community Health is going to allow me to do just that,” said Hunter.
Providing compassionate care with experienced staff who are trained, certified profes- sionals in the business because of their hearts. In your time of need, we’re right where you need us.
Jill Hunter, APRN, ACHPN, visiting a patient in their home to discuss Palliative Care options
smiles
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24 Peabody Place, Franklin, NH
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