Partners In Home Care, a respected nonprofit organization, has deepened its commitment to western Montana by opening a new satellite office in Hamilton. Serving the community since 1987, Partners in Home Care has consistently prioritized local ownership and patient-centered care. With a reach spanning over six counties and currently serving over 1,400 patients daily, the organization has long recognized the need for a more accessible location within Ravalli County, where they already support approximately 500 residents in the Bitterroot Valley. The decision to establish a physical presence in Hamilton underscores their dedication to bringing vital home care services closer to those who need them most.
The grand opening of the Hamilton office, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 13th, introduces a conveniently located resource at 1986 N. 1st Street, Suite D. CEO Corin Schneider, a driving force behind this expansion, highlighted the strategic location’s significance. Hamilton’s central position within the valley ensures Partners in Home Care can efficiently extend its services to communities as far-reaching as Darby and Sula. Crucially, the new office eliminates the burdensome trek to Missoula for patients in these areas seeking on-site assistance, particularly for sleep aid and Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy needs. This local access point represents a significant improvement in patient convenience and timely care.
Corin Schneider’s leadership, grounded in 37 years of experience in nursing and hospice care, reinforces Partners in Home Care’s mission. Having joined the organization a year and a half prior, Schneider emphasizes the strong alignment between her personal values and the nonprofit’s commitment to healthcare. She cites the organization’s esteemed reputation, longevity, and patient-focused culture as key factors in her decision to join Partners in Home Care. Schneider’s dedication to nonprofit values is evident in her statement, “We don’t turn patients away,” highlighting the organization’s inclusive approach to care.
Partners in Home Care’s nonprofit status enables financial flexibility, allowing them to serve a broad spectrum of patients. While most patients utilize insurance or personal funds for services, the organization’s nonprofit structure opens avenues for external funding through donations and grants. These resources are strategically allocated to support individuals who require financial assistance with their home care coverage, reinforcing the organization’s core principle of accessibility. This commitment ensures that financial constraints do not become barriers to receiving necessary care within their service area of western Montana. In many rural communities throughout this region, Partners in Home Care stands as the sole provider of these essential home health and hospice services, emphasizing their critical role in the healthcare landscape.
The Hamilton satellite office is intentionally designed to specialize in Positive Airway Pressure Therapy (PAP) services. According to Schneider, “the goal is to make it easier for PAP patients to receive their care.” This focused approach addresses the specific needs of individuals requiring sleep aid and respiratory support. Dustin McIntyre, Director of Home Medical Equipment, shares this patient-centric vision. With four years at Partners in Home Care, McIntyre is motivated by “getting to see patients’ care improve and knowing the positive impact that is going to have on their life.” He expresses enthusiasm for bringing “high quality sleep services to the residents of the Bitterroot,” emphasizing the direct benefits to the community. For McIntyre, the most rewarding aspect of his role is the patient interaction and the opportunity to make a “positive impact on their healthcare journey.”
McIntyre clarifies the strategic decision to center the Hamilton office around sleep services, stating, “these services are really best done with an office.” He explains that effective PAP therapy often requires hands-on patient education regarding equipment usage and maintenance. Contrasting Partners in Home Care’s approach with direct-to-customer shipping models that rely on written instructions, McIntyre emphasizes the challenges, especially for elderly patients, in understanding complex equipment independently. The Hamilton office provides essential in-person fitting and training, directly addressing potential issues arising from equipment misunderstanding or improper use, ultimately improving patient adherence and therapy effectiveness.
Rose Larson, a Registered Nurse cross-trained in PAP therapy, will be based full-time at the Hamilton location, further enhancing the office’s expertise and patient support capabilities. With nearly three years of experience at Partners in Home Care, Larson is enthusiastic about the improved accessibility for patients. She notes, “People come from so far away, logistically it is so hard,” highlighting the previous difficulties patients faced coordinating appointments and traveling to Missoula. The Hamilton office significantly reduces travel burdens, streamlining access to care for patients across the Bitterroot Valley.
Larson’s passion lies in patient education. She finds fulfillment in simplifying complex equipment instructions, ensuring patients grasp only the essential information for effective sleep assistance. Recognizing that overwhelming information can hinder patient success, Larson focuses on clear, concise guidance. Drawing from her personal experience with sleep issues, she advocates for sleep disorder testing, emphasizing the transformative impact of diagnosis and treatment. “I wish I had known sooner,” Larson shares, underscoring the importance of accessible sleep health services.
Partners in Home Care’s Hamilton office welcomes individuals aged 18 and above with sleep trouble diagnoses. Beyond PAP therapy services, the location serves as a central base for Partners in Home Care staff operating within the Bitterroot Valley, equipped with a dedicated staff office. The Hamilton office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and by appointment on Fridays. Located at 1986 North 1st Street, Suite D, Hamilton, MT, Partners in Home Care can be reached at (406) 327-3751, offering a vital resource for home care and sleep services within the community.
