Health Department Surpasses 10,000th Home Health Patient

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

By Nick Snyder

Contact:  Julie Clark, PIO

618-288-1123

Cell:  815-383-6236

jclark@fiphd.org

www.fiphd.org

Ford-Iroquois counties, IL - Earlier this year, the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department’s (FIPHD) Home Health service surpassed its 10,000^th patient since they started care in 1983.  In honor of this momentous occasion, they decided to interview home health clients to discuss their experience.  Thankfully, Bernie and Maybelle LaReau agreed to discuss their time with the home health nurses before they leave the area at the end of the month.

Bernie and Maybelle currently reside in Beaverville.  Maybelle was born in Beaverville, briefly moved to San Antonio and returned to the area in 1980.  Bernie, her son, came back to Beaverville in 1999.

Maybelle’s first experience with FIPHD’s Home Health service was in the late 90’s when the V.A. referred her husband, Phil, to home health.  Since that time, both Bernie and Maybelle have utilized both the home health and senior care services of FIPHD.  While Bernie’s experience has been mostly home health-related, Maybelle has benefited from the homemaker and Lifeline services available to seniors. 

Bernie said that he was visited by the home health nurses anywhere from daily to once a week depending on his condition.  When asked what he liked best about them, he responded, “how they want to make you feel better and knowledge of your problems.  They really made me feel good when they came in to attend to me.  They’re always so friendly and helpful.”  Maybelle also replied, “They’re A-1.”

Bernie was then asked about his favorite benefit of home health: “You don’t have to go to the doctor.  My doctors were in Kankakee, so I’d always have to drive up there.” 

He also said that he recommends Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department to others because of their “efficiency and friendliness” and added, “They didn’t forget anything.”

Finally, as they prepare to move out of state, they were asked what memories of Iroquois County they would take with them.  Bernie responded, “The people here are very friendly.  I’ve traveled almost the entire United States (as an athletic trainer) and the people here are very friendly.  Despite the changing times, the people here (and their qualities) remained constant.” 

The health department currently has over seventy program services available for residents of Ford and Iroquois counties.  Some services are also available to eligible residents outside of the Ford-Iroquois jurisdiction.  To learn more about Home Health, Senior Services and other program services available to you and your family, visit the health department website at www.fiphd.org or call your local health department office (Paxton – (217)379-9281 or Watseka- (815)432-2483). 

Picture:  Front row – Bernie LaReau, Maybelle LaReau

Back row – FIPHD nurses – LuAnn Armantrout, Barb Hasbargen, Jeanne Snyder