In 1975, an agreement between the State of NH and the newly formed Androscoggin Valley Home Care Services was made. With a "grant" from the state, the original 6 workers were trained by a nurse and dietician to deliver quality in-home support. As the years passed, the agency burgeoned, employing 150 women at the height of the Medicare boom in the 1990's. We are proud to still employ one of the original staff people, Linda Losier RN.

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Today, as always, the work of our Homemakers and Licensed Nurse Aides quite literally means the difference between life in the comfort and security of one's own home versus institutionalization for the many elderly and disabled who cannot function independently. There are some clients who do not remember to eat or do not have the stamina to do the simplest household tasks. Our visits give them a point of reference in their day, and in themselves. Health Aides bathe frail elderly men and women, help to dress and groom them and remind them to take their pills. Our work has enabled families to remain together, caregivers to stay strong under caregiver burdens, and clients to rest easy knowing their needs are managed with skill, compassion and respect by professionals.

AVHCS Nurses train and supervise our in-home staff, schedule client visits, and work with health care agencies to cover the many needs of our clients. They specialize in care management, that is, they make sure that every aspect of a client's needs are addressed. They make in-home visits to communicate with other health care workers as appropriate, while maintaining client confidentiality.

Licensed Nurse Aides (LNA's) are licensed with the state of NH. They are professionals trained to give comprehensive, or targeted personal care which can include assistance with:

• Bathing, Dressing, Grooming, Shaving
• Toileting
• Oral Hygiene
• Ambulation or transferring (Bed to chair, for example)
• Exercise programs as prescribed by a therapist
• Shampoos and Hair styling
• Medication reminders and assistance
• Respite Care for caregivers to get a break.

Homemakers are trained by our nurses to manage the household responsibilities of our clients, either comprehensively over time or for specific tasks as desired by the client. See What We Offer.

To ensure your security and peace of mind, all workers are carefully screened and selected. Our coverage includes:

• Criminal background checks
• Motor vehicle checks
• Pre-employment physicals
• TB testing yearly
• Nurse-Supervised visits
• On-going training and education
• Worker's compensation insurance
• Accountability to state and federal regulations/audits
• Liability Insurance

Management Staff:

Margo Sullivan, Executive Director msullivan@avhomecare.org Helen Gagne, RN, Client Services Coordinator hgagne@avhomecare.org Fran Cusson, Chief Financial Officer fcusson@avhomecare.org Pauline Tibbetts, Coordinator of Homemaker Services ptibbetts@avhomecare.org

Our Office Staff:

Linda Losier, RN Diane LaRoche, RN Susan Marino, Scheduler Annette Provencher, Human Resource Coordinator Lise Grondin-Danault, Payroll, Billing, Marketing

In Home Staff:

Licensed Nurses Aides Professionally Trained Homemakers Companions

For more information, contact Helen Gagne, Susan Marino or Pauline Tibbetts,