Non-Medical Home Care
Jeremy's father Murray lives alone. Murray has been showing some signs of dementia but he can still physically take care of himself. Jeremy is his only child and is married with children and lives over 100 miles away. Jeremy knows his father needs someone to provide companionship so his father doesn't sit alone all day staring at the television. A Home Care Company will provide someone to help Murray with shopping and errands, caring for his pet, reminders to take medication and even help in preparing meals. A caregiver will also assist with light housework and even some bathing and dressing if Murray ever finds a need for more services.
Home Health Care
After spending a week in the hospital, Eileen was ready to go home. After working with the Physical Therapist at the hospital, she was a lot more sore from her hip surgery that she had anticipated. After some thought and discussions with the discharge planner, Eileen decided that it would be in her best interest to have the social worker contact a home health agency. This would allow Eileen to go home and also have a CNA help with her to get in and out of the shower. In addition, the company would send both a Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist to her home to help continue her progress and evaluate any kind of equipment she may need to have the company order. A nurse was scheduled to visit once a week to check on her incision as well as her bloodwork. Within two weeks Eileen was back on her feet and able to function independently. She was very grateful for all the help she received from the Home Health Agency that allowed her to recouperate at home.
Hospice Services
After working at the mill for 32 years, Mitch had so much back pain and was always short winded. He decided to go see his doctor. Mitch had been healthy for the majority of his life but was stunned to find out that he had asbestosis and lung cancer. His health began quickly deteriorating soon after his diagnosis. His wife Kelly and daughter Brooke worked in shifts to care for him. As his strength became worse, Mitch's wife needed more help. Her family doctor expected that Mitch might not make it through the next 6 months and suggested that she call a company that provided hospice services. Mitch was evaluated by the Hospice Social Worker and a plan to manage his pain was started by the Hospice Nurse. The company also provided a nursing assistant to help with Mitch's personal care. Kelly and Brooke were relieved by both the physical and emotional assistance and especially the support provided to them by the Chaplan. After Mitch passed away, the members of their hospice family continued to offer them suport through greif counseling.
Palliative Care
Dean has been a diabetic all of his life. He is always very diligent about checking his blood sugar and being very careful about how he cares for his feet as his diabetes puts him at risk for foot problems. Through the past several months, he has been suffering from intense leg pain that the doctor called 'diabetic neuropathy' and he has noticed some sores starting on his feet. The pain in his feet has kept him from walkng any further than the bathroom and it is hard for him to dress the wounds. Dean's neighbor Tony stopped in to check on him. Tony is a nurse with the local Hospice & Palliative care agency and suggested that Dean contact his company about palliative care. Tony explained the palliative care isn't necessarily meant for someone who is dying but is meant to alleviate the pain and treat the chronic symptoms Dean is now suffering from. After contacting Tony's agency, Dean was lucky to have Tony assigned as his nurse. Tony stopped by to check and change the bandages on Deans feet and to make sure that the pain he was experiencing was getting better.
A CNA visited theree times a week to help Dean with his bath and ensure he had his medications. On the most recent Wednesday, his CNA was surprised when she found Tony sitting outside enjoying the nice weather. His feet were healing slowly and his pain had gotten better to the point that Dean was able to walk outside to enjoy the fresh air.