Home Health Care

Maxine Pierce doesn’t have to call the fire department anymore if she falls. Or take a visit to the emergency room to make sure she’s okay. She simply pushes a pendant button on her walker and LSI’s on-site nursing staff (nurses and home health aides) goes right to her apartment at the Rose of Des Moines.

Before moving to the Rose in 2006, Maxine lived in an apartment without on-site nursing staff. After seven operations, Maxine’s legs can sometimes give out on her, and she appreciates having the LSI nursing staff assist and monitor her health.

It’s not the first time Maxine has worked with the LSI staff. Andi Bacon, LSI Rose nursing coordinator, met Maxine nearly a decade ago through home health services and values her renewed relationship with Maxine at the Rose.

“It means a lot that she’s a client I was able to keep,” said Andi.

Maxine stays busy at the Rose doing activities like needlepoint crafts and calling bingo on Saturday nights. She also enjoys her computer, television and listening to her police scanner.

And Maxine loves taking trips to the senior center and cheering for her youngest grandson at the bowling alley.

Many residents at the Rose are on the Elderly Waiver, a statewide Iowa waiver for senior citizens based on qualifications such as income level and assistance with activities of daily living and independent activities of daily living.

While Maxine lives independently in her apartment, her waiver entitles her to case management, meals, homemaker, senior companion, transportation and personal emergency response system.

For example, Maxine gets a daily visit from Barb, an LSI home health aid who helps Maxine with showering, grocery shopping and laundry. During a recent switch in apartments at the Rose, Barb even helped Maxine pack, unpack and decorate.

“I would recommend the Rose and LSI for anyone,” Maxine said. “I get wonderful services. The staff here is nice, kind, considerate and caring.”

Friendship, care and compassion – always in full bloom at the Rose.