More Sequim questions...now in the correct forum :-) (Seattle: 2013, hotel)

[Jumpindogs]

Originally Posted by TrueTimbers

Do not want to derail the thread with but... on Religion: It appears Sequim has some of the lowest religious adherence in the nation:


According to the statistics only 27.6% affiliate to a religion.?

http://www.city-data.com/city/Sequim-Washington.html


Compared to Jumpingdogs town, which is at 66.9% affiliated to a religion.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Oconomowoc-Wisconsin.html

Yes, this Oconomowoc resident has already been checking out gently loving, non-pushy, Jesus-oriented, Bible-based churches in Sequim where folks actively spread the Gospel by helping others of all faiths (or no faith) and all circumstances with no strings attached as opposed to by their words. :-) I don't have much use for religion but I sure need Jesus!

[Jumpindogs]

Originally Posted by rantiquity

The biggest draw back in medical care on the Peninsula is if something like a serious auto wreak or bad heart attack etc. happens you will be transported to usually Harbor View in Seattle usually by helecopter. Can't image the cost of that. That applies to all of Clallam and Jefferson counties. Neither the hospitals in PT or PA can handle serious health issues. Although PA has an excellent ER. In the PT hospital if you are interested in Yoga classes or getting a band aide that the place for you.

Gotcha Rantiquity. The same applies where we live now...serious traumas are flighted to the hospital I work for. If we ended up that critical in an accident where we live now we'd by flighted too. Personally, I don't see that as a deterrence. Thanks for the objective assessment...much appreciated.

Wondered about that PT hospital. <G>

[Jumpindogs]

Originally Posted by rantiquity

Jamestown clinic will accept both new medicare and medicaid patients. Its a large clinic, that is run and supported by the Jamestown Indians, that provides to all almost all medical doctors, x-rays etc. Also the Sequim Medical Center which specializes in Heart problems and cancers is a partner to OMC in PA.

As far as specialty doctors, it true not many have a full time practice in the area but most come here a day or so to attend to the area needs.
Remember this area is not Seattle with about million people, and our 20-30 thousand or so can't support full time specialty doctors. Its a trade off that works for most of the people here.

Cool.

[Jumpindogs]

Originally Posted by freepelican

I'm sure the Port Angeles hospital is okay, not great, for things like breaking a bone. However, if you had a serious injury like a head injury, a life threatening heart attack, or kidney failure, I've never heard it described as above average or great. There seems to be a consensus opinion that there is a lot of room for improvement.

Many of the medical issues older adults face are not supported all that well on the Olympic Peninsula and many, if not most, have to go elsewhere for medical services. That is a indisputable fact. However, there are general doctors, dentists, etc. I think most people have trouble getting established.

20 minutes is a bit optimistic by the way... probably more like 30 or even 40, depending on exactly where you are coming from and traffic and road work.

Also, keep in mind that hospitals ratings are based on things like how well they comply with certain regulations, "efficiency," etc... not on patient perceptions/experience. I found this out while reading nursing home reviews for a relative... they were WAY WAY off. Some of the very worst got high ratings.

My sense is that you are determined to build a house on the Olympic Peninsula no matter what so I do wish you well. There are obvious positives to the area but the area also has serious practical issues that are unavoidable no matter how you rationalize it or turn a blind eye toward it. I believe this is especially true for the those retiring on the peninsula. I've had too many heart to heart conversations with people who had to move away not to know this.

Not determined. Haven't even visited Sequim yet! Just like to research, analyze and see things from all sides. Perhaps what you see as my rationalization and/or a blind eye is my tolerance of things that we, along with many older than we are including family and friends, already live with here in SE Wisconsin and as such do not see as overly challenging. Our local community hospitals are also not equipped to handle the cases you mention, we live in a rural area and our winter roads are often nasty...it is not unusual to see lots of cars in the ditch along the freeway when driving to work in the early morning on snow days. I can't help but wonder if a majority of the folks that find Sequim's healthcare options so limiting that they'd rather live elsewhere are folks for whom such access has been much better. And who have not had to deal with crappy road conditions. So they see those issues as a step down from where they were. Perception can be such an individual thing.

Not all hospital ratings are based solely on the criteria you mention although certainly some are. We have to know what we are looking at, for sure, and we have to dig deep into the rating to find the breakdowns. I work for a hospital so I know a little bit about that. :-)

Thanks for the advice on the travel distance to PA. I have been considering that as I look at lots in the Sequim area...one reason why Carlsborg might be attractive.

I very much appreciate your posts, Freepelican, along with the well wishes. I love hearing from everyone!

[Jumpindogs]

Originally Posted by thisplacesucks

Have you counted the number of churches in Sequim? Compared to the population, it is huge.

Anyway, I came to this thread to share information, and my experiences seeking medical care here, not to be lectured.

To freepelican, this area is fairly remote, and no remote area in the USA has a plethora of topnotch medical care at your fingertips. You make choices. Go rural and take your chances or stay in an urban area. I have done both. When I lived in an urban area (San Diego) there were many great docs and facilities but the docs were overbooked and there was always terrible traffic to get anywhere. I have had my share of health issues since I moved here and it turned out OK. If you really want to live here, you will work it out.

Yup. My folks live in SD...Solana Beach actually...and the traffic is nearly always an issue. And one of the reasons I never wanted to live in SD although the opportunities were there for me.

Thanks, Thisplacesucks. We are not afraid of a little hard work to get what we want. After all, we are Midwesterners!

[Jumpindogs]

Originally Posted by TrueTimbers

Freepelican,
Indeed ratings for hospitals are only one aspect of quality health care.... I spent many years back and forth across the country in just about every state and every hospital large and small...

As far as emergencies, I do not underestimate the life saving ability of dedicated, passionate staff at many small rural community/county hospitals to get you stabilized and transported to the most appropriate facility for your specific trauma.

Matter of fact, it is some of the midsize chain hospitals, that sometimes have heavy politics internally, with professionals that are not always that happy, and tend to resist transferring patients out of their "network".

I grew up in the region where the OP comes from... Their are a couple of hospitals, I would always joke saying... "If I got enough blood in me just keep driving... Don't stop at that hospital!"... (Matter of fact, I have pains 40+ years later from getting "doctored up" at one of them just west of her. Oh I could rant about bad hospitals....)


-----
Ranquility.. Port Townsend hospital is growing, and moving the right direction... Yes, rural county hospitals have their challenges, but Jefferson is moving in the right direction with the $15M emergency/specialty service expansion.

I hear good things about Jamestown clinic.. (We used a native health facility in N. Wisconsin, top of the line technology, and really good staff! Casino money put to good use..)

Oh yeah on that casino money! Glad to hear your positives about the Jamestown clinic.

I hope this thread has been helpful for all the lurkers. It's been extremely helpful for me and I am so grateful to all the posters who have taken the time to respond. Thanks so much!

[rantiquity]

Originally Posted by thisplacesucks

Have you counted the number of churches in Sequim? Compared to the population, it is huge.

Anyway, I came to this thread to share information, and my experiences seeking medical care here, not to be lectured.

With a handle like 'thisplacesucks' you may need a little lecturing? No wonder you are having trouble finding friends.

[rantiquity]

Originally Posted by Jumpindogs

Thisplacesucks...have you tried volunteering in an area which is dear to your heart? Maybe assisted living/memory care/hospice or at risk kids or prison or neonatal intensive care as a baby cuddler...the list goes on and on. That is a great way to meet kind folks with whom we share an interest no matter where we live. :-)

'Thisplacesucks' doesn't like to be lectured, trust me. Advise is not her/his thing.

[rantiquity]

Originally Posted by Jumpindogs

Gotcha Rantiquity. The same applies where we live now...serious traumas are flighted to the hospital I work for. If we ended up that critical in an accident where we live now we'd by flighted too. Personally, I don't see that as a deterrence. Thanks for the objective assessment...much appreciated.

Just so you are aware of what is in store for you and your family.

Wondered about that PT hospital. <G>

PT hospital is just a glorified health clinic.

[Jumpindogs]

Originally Posted by rantiquity

'Thisplacesucks' doesn't like to be lectured, trust me. Advise is not her/his thing.

I sure hope I didn't sound as if I was lecturing...trying to be helpful and encouraging. :-)