Specialty Programs

Back to Life Basics after COVID-19

Back to Life Basics after COVID-19

This guidance supports Pure Home Health Care Services to meet the immediate and long-term needs of patients after an acute episode of COVID-19. There is a clear pathway for treatment required to assist the patient’s healing and COVID-19’s lasting impact on potential patient’s health. Patients have been found to have several lingering effects from having contracted COVID-19 and are finding recovery challenging. The patient, family, and friends will need to be prepared to assist their loved ones to regain their previous physical function and mental faculties. There are several concerns regarding post COVID-19 recovery.  Pure Home Health Care is here to help with our Back to Life Basics after COVID-19.

Confusion, neuromuscular, dysphagia due to intubation, and aspiration risk:

In the extremely ill of the infected population there is a higher risk of increased confusion and reduced awareness with the inability to hold conversations or communicate appropriately. This confusion, weakness, and muscle fatigue can last weeks and even months making the patient feel depressed and anxious. It is unknown if it is the virus that specifically causes this confusion or the sedatives the patients are given to keep them ventilated. Pure Home Health Care’s speech language pathologist can assist with assessing and planning of care with your physician to enhance and regain the patient’s communication skills and object recognition.

Respiratory/Pulmonary:

Many patients in high acuity situations also suffer from pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. There is not enough scientific information to report on lung damage and the lasting effects of COVID-19 on lung health. Pure Home Health Care’s licensed nurses can assess lung sounds and assist with training on building lung capacity while working with the incentive spirometer. The Pure Home Health Care nurse will work with your physician to implement a plan of care to increase lung health and ease of breathing while keeping your specific diagnosis in mind. Our physical therapists can instruct in the use of inspiratory muscle trainers (IMT) and PEP/Acapella and develop an appropriate exercise program for your lungs to improve your pulmonary function.  Education on performing diaphragmatic breathing and energy conservation techniques during your daily activities will also and help improve your overall function in the home setting.

Vascular Issues:

Blood Clots are reported to rise in patients with COVID-19 by 25%. Blood Clots can cause long term complications and can migrate to the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism or to the brain causing a stroke. Pure Home Health Care nurses can assess for blood clots, monitor anti-coagulant medications and assist patients in following the physician’s plan of care.  Pure Home Health Care nurses will also monitor extremities for redness, warmth, and swelling which might indicate a DVT and report any findings to their physician. Our licensed nursing staff will educate patients on medication side effects related to blood thinners, including precautions such as using a soft bristle toothbrush or using an electric razor to reduce the risk of bleeding.

Heart Complications/Cardiology:

Heart muscle can become inflamed, this is called myocarditis. Arrhythmias which are irregular heartbeats have also been reported in COVID-19 patients, it is unknown if this is directly from COVID-19 or the stress caused by the inflammation response caused by this infection. Pure Home Health Care’s highly trained nurses can assist in assessing and implementing your physician’s plan of care to ensure all medications are taken at the correct time and under the correct parameters. Pure Home Health Care’s skilled nurses are on-call 24 hours a day 7 days a week to ensure consistent care while working to keep the patient from being re-hospitalized.

Hospital acquired muscle weakness and mental health interventions:

Many people who have contracted COVID-19 may have prolonged fatigue and this may decrease the patient’s mood and enhance feelings of powerlessness. It is important to make mental health interventions a priority. Pure Home Health Care’s physical therapists can work with improving your overall strength, endurance, gait, and balance. They can also assist in making the home a safer environment to maneuver and assist in improving your overall function to get back to community activities. We take for granted how easy it is to go up and down stairs until you are too weak to do it. Our Physical therapists excel at assisting in improving your abilities both in your home and in your community. Pure Home Health Care’s occupational therapist can assist with daily life activities such as adapting utensils to make cooking easier and ensuring that a patient can regain skills to return to their previously active life.
Pure Home Health Care nurses can also assist with medication management to ensure medications are taken properly and ensure there is not duplication of medications after being discharged from a hospital or long-term care facility.
Pure Home Health Care staff will also set up a symptom tracker following temperature, weight, hydration, and any signs or symptoms that maybe abnormal and to be addressed by the physician.

To participate in Our Back to Life Basics after COVID-19, please speak to your physician regarding a referral to Pure Home Health Care or you can call us at 1-877-234-6188.
We would love to assist you in regaining your life

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