When a family member becomes ill it often falls on members of the family to provide care and assistance. Family members can benefit from community resources as well as skilled nursing and therapy services to manage and maintain their family members well- being. 

Services provided by a skilled Home Health Care

Skilled Nursing- Skilled nurses can be Registered nurses and License practical nurses who are both skilled in ensuring and coordinating care in the home while working with your doctor to follow their plans of care. Nurses can assist in medication management and education regarding your family members new diagnosis and medication changes. Pure Home Health care has a certified wound care nurse to proactively assess and treat your family members wounds and pressure ulcers to ensure proper application and education of wounds. Our wound care nurse works hand in hand with the wound care.

Skilled Therapy- skilled therapy consists of Physical therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech therapy. 

Physical therapists work with balance and gait training, they can also evaluate and record the patients progress while helping improve movement and manage pain. This treatment may consist of two separate but equally important clinicians: the Physical therapist (PT) and the Physical therapy Assistant. The PT evaluates the patient and comes up with the plan of care for the patient to follow and the PTA works one on one with the patient to ensure the patient understands the plan of care and follows it correctly. The PTA will also report to the PT and the physician of any changes or concerns that arise during their therapy sessions.

Occupational therapists work with patients using everyday activities to develop lost skills, recover mobility as well as maintain the skills for daily living. Occupational therapist work with bathing, dressing, cooking and manual dexterity that is needed to perform daily skills. Occupational therapist (OT) work with a Certified Occupational therapy assistant (COTA). The OT evaluates the patient and comes up with the plan of care for the patient to follow and the COTA works one on one with the patient to ensure the patient understands the plan of care and follows it correctly. The COTA will also report to the OT and the physician of any changes or concerns that arise during their therapy sessions.

Speech Therapist or Speech language pathologists work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. Speech language pathologist can assist with patients who are struggling to chew and swallow foods and work with techniques to drink fluids without choking.

Private duty- Private duty homecare is a service provided to elderly individuals who need assistance with day to day activities. A private duty home caregiver visits your home or the home of your loved one and helps with activities such as meal preparation, housekeeping, and personal grooming and hygiene. These services are primarily private pay and can be costly but helpful for families who need this assistance.

Family Assistance- Being your parent or family members caregiver can be incredible rewarding endeavor it can also be fraught with stressful situations. Family care giving should involves all members of the family to ensure the best possible care and coordination and to reduce the chances of caregiver burnout and feelings of guilt.

Care Giver Burn out- according to the Cleveland Clinic caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. It may be accompanied by a change in attitude, from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned. Burnout can occur when caregivers do not get the help they need, or if they are trying to do more than they are able, physically, or financially. Caregivers can suffer from intense guilty if they spend time apart from the ill or elderly loved one and do not recognize that they are stressed, anxious and depressed. Before the caregiver gets to this point remember there are all kinds of community resources to assist with being a caregiver.

Community Resources- Many counties have a commission on aging or a senior center who assists with support groups and provides low cost cleaning and bath aid services. The meals on Wheels program also provides low cost nutritional meals for seniors who are unable to cook for them selves or struggle with nutritional issues. Check with your local Area of Aging agencies for more resources and support. The Veterans association is also another organization that can assist veterans in finding resources.

Assisted Living's are long term care services that provide a combination of housing, personal care services, and health care designed to respond to individuals who need assistance with normal daily activities in a way that promotes self- direction and independence. Many assisted livings are private pay so you may need to search for the one that meets your family members needs and financial situation.

Adult Foster Cares are residential settings that provide 24 hour personal care, protection, and supervision for individuals who are developmentally disabled, mentally ill, physically handicapped or aged who can not live alone but who do not need continuous nursing care.

Skilled Nursing facilities are in-patient rehabilitation and medical treatment centers staffed with trained medical professionals. Such facilities provide medically necessary services of nurses, physical and occupational therapist, and speech therapists. A patient stay in skilled nursing facilities or, in-patient rehabilitation centers care range from a couple of weeks to long term care.