Duty and compassion from a Home Based Primary Care team

This is just one story about the benefits of Home Based Primary Care (HBPC).

In a society often considered preoccupied with individual pursuits, Sue Corrigan and her fellow Edward Hines Jr. VA field nursing teammates provide medical care to Veterans in the sanctuary of their own homes, including John J. McCartney Jr., Marine Veteran, 92.

“Sue and the HBPC Interdisciplinary team offer us continual guidance on how to create a safe home environment for our father,” said Maura McCartney, one of John’s daughters. “They’ve been a blessing to our family. Their care is invaluable to our father and us.”

“It’s about ensuring they remain safe in their homes.”

This sense of duty and compassion goes beyond clinical responsibilities for Corrigan and the HBPC Interdisciplinary team. They serve as a lifeline for families like the McCartneys, navigating the emotional and physical complexities that come with aging.

“The mission of our program is to serve Veterans who find it challenging to reach the primary clinic,” Corrigan  said. “It’s about ensuring they remain safe in their homes, minimizing the traumas of unnecessary hospital visits.”

Since her first steps in intensive care in 1979, Corrigan’s  journey has been illuminated by a singular inspiration: Bringing patients home safely. “For me, every day is an adventure. I respect that I am a guest in their lives. Over time, this respect nurtures a therapeutic relationship,” she said.

The service of Corrigan and the HBPC Interdisciplinary team is more comprehensive than simply attending to physical ailments. They embrace a holistic approach to caregiving that focuses on both emotional well-being and the sense of independence that can wane in later years.

“Because of the in-home care our father receives, he can maintain a sense of safety, purpose and independence,” said Carla McCartney, another of John’s daughters. “We can’t imagine what life would be like without their support.”

“Respecting his past while securing his present.”

“Collaboration is the key,” Corrigan emphasized. “From LaSalle to Joliet, we all connect, discuss and strategize, holding our bond of over 500 patients.” For John, she sees an incredible life journey but also the undeniable signs of time’s passage. “His story is inspiring, but we need to adapt, ensuring his safety and well-being, respecting his past while securing his present.”

The necessity of in-home care today cannot be overstated. For aging Veterans like John who have their own unique sets of challenges tied to years of service, this form of care is not a luxury but a crucial aspect of their overall well-being. Corrigan and her team fulfill this need, allowing their patients to remain in the comfort of their own homes surrounded by the family and memories that make those spaces sacred.

The impact of Hines VA Home Based Primary Care program transcends the individual homes they visit. They’re a lifeline to hundreds of northern Illinois families.