Archive for the ‘Home Healthcare’ Category

Conditions associated with disabilities are common in seniors, and more of our mature population can be predicted to be homebound in the future. Home healthcare medical services preserve function for homebound clients with disabilities. Medical care provided in the home with doctor involvement can increase patient satisfaction as well as reduce the number of office visits, emergency room treatments, and hospital admissions. Technology has made medical home healthcare more plausible. Electronic medical records can be accessed via laptop computers. Diagnostic tools have been streamlined, and portable digital X-ray machines and EKG machines are now available. Seek a reputable and licensed home care service that is capable of dealing with the specific health issues of your at-home senior.

P.S. Most seniors receiving long-term medical care prefer a home environment.

Medicare may be the answer for those who need help to cover home healthcare. To be eligible, you must meet certain conditions. A doctor must decide that you need skilled care in your home and prescribe it. You must need part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, or speech-language services. Also, you must be homebound. This means that you are normally unable to leave home without considerable and taxing effort, and when you do leave home, you require the assistance of another person or “assistive” device. Services must be provided from a home health agency that is “certified” or approved by Medicare. Medicare may cover therapy, medical social services, and certain medical supplies and durable medical equipment.

P.S. The number to call for more information about Medicare enrollment is 1-800-MEDICARE.

When selecting a home healthcare provider, it is important to consider a number of factors. Is the agency accredited and licensed by the state? Your state’s Department of Health can provide you with a list of licensed agencies. Consider how established the agency is and what services it offers, as well as the number of clients it serves. It is also important to find out what procedures the provider has established to handle emergencies. Another key issue would be whether the agency sends the same individual each time, or if it varies. Also, learn what hours and days services are available. Finally, get references, including some of the agency’s current clients, and call them.

P.S. The AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired People) provides a brochure on selecting a caregiver.

Two-thirds of the aging population suffers from two or more chronic conditions that require medication. For a senior receiving home health services, assistance with medication management may be necessary. Many seniors can require assistance with their prescribed medications for issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis. Without the appropriate support system, it can be difficult for an elderly client to manage his or her medication regimen. An experienced home care aide can accompany the senior to the doctors, inform you about the findings, and assist in getting new prescriptions filled. A home healthcare nurse can assist the senior with medication adherence by repackaging the patient’s medications into medication organizers (pill boxes).

P.S. Home healthcare has become the fastest growing segment of healthcare.

The number of individuals in North America who have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia issues is anticipated to approach 20 million in the next 50 years. The best place for a person with memory loss to be is in familiar surroundings. Home healthcare providers offer one-on-one care for those who are faced with such challenges. Knowledgeable and compassionate staff members perform numerous necessary tasks, such as maintaining a safe environment, providing mind-stimulating activities and nutritious meals, creating social interaction, and helping their senior clients maintain a regular routine. Many home healthcare providers are specifically trained in the best techniques and approaches for assisting those with Alzheimer’s and dementia issues and helping their families.
P.S. People with Alzheimer’s need to be active and do things they enjoy.

For seniors who remain at home, do not drive, or have trouble walking, home healthcare assistants can provide valuable food shopping services. Before going to the store, they will sit with their clients and plan meals and snacks for the next few days or for a week. They can check to see what foods are on hand and make note of staples, like milk and bread, that need to be replenished. They will put emphasis on selecting low-fat, nutritious items like fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish, and eggs. Home healthcare assistants’ purchases can provide their senior clients with sufficient ingredients to prepare more than one meal and freeze the balance in meal-sized portions.
P.S. The home healthcare worker can limit canned and frozen product purchases to those that are low in sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol.

Speech/language pathologists help stroke survivors who need to relearn to speak or develop alternative means of communication. Many home healthcare services provide their clients with this option. Such pathologists also assist homebound clients to improve their ability to swallow and to develop the problem-solving and social skills required to cope with the aftereffects of a stroke. These trained professionals work one-on-one with their clients in the home, providing short- and long-term therapy. After identifying the source of the impairment, the speech/language pathologist designs an individualized treatment program for the homebound patient. The program is devised to overcome or minimize the deficiency and improve the client’s ability to function and his or her quality of life.
P.S. Speech/language pathologists can help stroke survivors develop strategies for overcoming language disabilities.

Home care that provides live-in help is best suited to situations in which primary caregivers can’t be there in person, and the homebound senior requires round-the-clock support. Room, board, and a salary are usually provided in exchange for meal preparation, light housekeeping, and other non-medical services. When a loved one can no longer live safely at home without assistance, but prefers to remain at home, utilizing the services of a live-in companion is an excellent option. The safety and security of the client is ensured by virtue of having someone there to monitor their condition and assist them with everyday tasks. Back-up caregivers may also be trained to take over when the primary caregiver is ill or on vacation.
P.S. Part-time live-in service options, from 1 to 6 days a week, are also available.

Seniors who are homebound and spend much of their time in bed can experience bedsores. These sores are caused by continuous pressure on particular parts of the body from staying in one position for a prolonged period of time. If getting up from the bed is not an option, the home healthcare provider can reposition and turn the client on a scheduled basis. He or she can clean and moisturize the affected area as advised to avoid infection. Padding may be used to position the senior off the bedsore. Home healthcare providers can be helpful in monitoring these pressure injuries and reporting any issues of concern to the nurse, physician, or other professional providing medical care to the senior.
P.S. Bedsores are often referred to as “pressure sores” and “pressure ulcers.”

It is not unusual for families and friends to be separated geographically. Adult children move for various reasons such as job opportunities. Parents may retire to other, warmer communities. If the day comes when those loved ones who are at a distance require caregiving, there are home health service providers who offer a network that provides national assistance. Should the senior move seasonally, a seamless caregiving program is planned to meet his or her special needs and requirements. Many options for services include assistance with bathing and showering, preparation of meals, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and assistance in going to appointments and attending outside events. Distance from family need not eliminate the option of a loved one remaining at home.
P.S. The companionship of a home healthcare worker can reduce loneliness issues among homebound seniors.