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Education Series: Reference Guide for Home Health Care
- 1. Educational Seminar Home Health Quick Reference Guide Presented by SURFMED & CARING HOME CARE Experts in LTC Services
- 2. DISEASE PROCESS & HOME HEALTH TIPS
- 3. Diabetes Assure Regularly Scheduled Meals (to avoid peaks and valleys in blood sugar). Small prepared snacks. Diabetics should eat ever 3 hours so snacks i.e. raisins and peanut butter crackers, are beneficial Properly fitted shoes – lack of blood flow can cause foot aliments. Well fitted shoes are essential to maintain strong feet. Check for proper working glucose monitor and adequate supplies Monitor Needle disposal • Used needles can be stored in jars with sealable lids • Fire departments receive used needles for free
- 4. Cardiac Diseases Encompasses many different diagnoses: PVD - Peripheral Vascular Disease CHF -Congestive Heart Failure HTN - Hypertension MI - History of Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) Cardiomegaly Aortic/Ventricular (Valve Insufficiency)
- 5. Symptoms and Observations Look for Swelling in lower extremities (pitting or non-pitting) Shortness of breath Visual changes – blurring, oblong images, peripheral visuals changes. Excessive Sweating Medication Compliance Pill Box / Diary Lifestyle Low fat, cholesterol, sugar and sodium (salt) diet, recommended under the direction of an MD Examples white meat and fruit and vegetables – (financial challenges make it difficult – try dried fruit) Frozen and fresh is the best. Stay away from Salt. Exercise under the direction of MD Routine testing and participation in a support group to increase self knowledge to avoid re-hospitalization.
- 6. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - COPD Look For Smoking – encourage cessation Extremities – pale, dusky skin and/or bluish nail beds - poor oxygen intake - may need MD order for oxygen saturation levels Shortness of Breath - pursed lip and postural breathing - energy conservation Nutrition/hydration Medication compliance Avoid infections of others (colds, flu) Adequate rest - signs and symptoms fatigue - wedge to improve sleep and oxygen intake One help is Effectuating Posture - sit up very erect and them lean over a pillow and it aids in breathing.
- 7. Oxygen and DME Make sure your patient is O2 safe. Oxygen tubes are clear and not a tripping hazard. No smoking – oxygen can and will explode. If they will smoke, make sure they know to turn OFF the O2. Post Oxygen signs on the front of their house – given them by the supplier so others know. MAKE SURE THEIR DME PROVIDER DOES ITS JOB. They must assures that masks fit well and filters are changed. Offer portable tanks and or Helios systems. With nebulizer devices make sure the tubing and filters are changed, and assure extension cords are not roped all over the house. Provider back up tanks
- 8. Facts About Falls 1 of 3 adults age 65 and older falls each year. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of death. Falls are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. Falls cause over 90% of broken hips In 2010, the direct medical costs of falls, adjusted for inflation, was $30.0 billion.
- 9. Basics of Home Safety Remove home hazards and clutter from high traffic areas: magazine racks, newspapers, plant stands, boxes, electrical cords. Secure loose rugs with double faced tape or slip resistant backing. Remove scatter rugs from the home environment Store clothing, dishes, and food items within easy reach Place nightlights in bedroom, bathroom and hallways to help avoid nighttime falls Place heaters and other electric devices in well ventilated areas, away from loose fabrics
- 10. Medication Management Consult the Primary Care Physician: review all medications including over the counter for side effects that may increase the risk of falling Review their Herbs and Supplements and know their side effects. Health conditions may contribute to fall risk; Discuss comfort level with ambulation: • • • • Dizziness Joint pain Numbness Shortness of breath
- 11. Fall Log REVIEW FALL HISTORY: List all FALLS AND ALMOST FALLS Where and how you fell? Were you caught by someone? Grab hold of something just in time?
- 12. Keep Senses Sharp Eyes • • Fail substantially after age 65 Yearly Eye Exams are needed Make sure Homes are well lit Hearing • • • Fails with Age and Disease Hearing exams are needed Make sure clients check hearing batteries Some inner ear problem symptoms resemble other disease states
- 13. Safe Transfers Uneven floors may cause slips and falls Using color strips as a reminder Entering & Exiting Vehicles Wait for a care giver Use a stabilizing device Position Wheelchairs close with locked wheels
- 14. Out & About - Think Abouts Are the door ways, ledges and walkways safe for those using walkers? Are Are areas slippery? wheelchair ramps wide enough to permit easy access?
- 15. Phone Concerns Running to the Phone The elderly often run to the phone because they get few calls. Set up a recording device, so they do not have to run. Make sure there is a pad and pen so they can call people right back Portable phone Keep emergency numbers in large print near each phone.
- 16. PERs Personal Emergency Response Seniors do not want to wear their devices, so they leave them on bed posts. MAKE SURE THEY ARE WORN Around Neck Tied to the Waist In Pockets
- 17. Bedroom Safety Assure The path from the bed to the bathroom needs to be lit by a night light (Light and motion sensitive lights save money) Make sure shoes are not left on the floor and magazines are not stored on the floor A lamp is close to the bed where it’s easy to reach. If oxygen is in the room, assure tubing is long enough to reach the bathroom
- 18. Stair Wells Look For Ripped carpet Broken or poorly installed hand rails Broken steps Stair storage (nothing should be stored on stairs) Lighting One switch on one landing is not enough, two will assure the stairs will never be dark Stairs should be lit with the brightest bulbs, (florescent blubs save energy and money)
- 19. BATHROOM SAFETY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Hand rails in bathrooms Non-stick appliques in the tub Rugs with rubber backing to grip floor Raised toilet seat Shower chair Replace bulbs (keep it bright) Towels and briefs within reach Make sure patients use a Bathroom Organizer to keeps all essential in one area within arms reach.
- 20. KITCHEN SAFETY Make sure everything is within reach Foster ‘Ease of Use’ Remove items from high shelves - NO STEP STOOLS Verify a working fire alarm Make sure they have a working fire extinguisher Be cognizant of the level of dementia Symptoms -leave burner on leave micro wave on to long, burn toast
- 21. Nurse Registry Services Adult Companion Care Home Maker Services Personal Respite Escort Care Care Service
- 22. In-Take is Key Taking the time up front to answer question regarding all aspect of care is vital to providing the right aid and level of care.
- 23. Our Home Health We use only Certified Nursing Assistants Home Health Aides We train all aides in a clinical manner It is vital to assure that aide credentials are real and not fabricated. Caring Meets All Home Health Needs Caring’s services are rooted in clinical care, generating an even greater benefit to Patients and MCOs. Due to current regulations there is a substantial cost saving with the use of a Registry over an Agency.
- 24. Main Line (regions 10-11) 954 734 1500 Region 9 561 424 2477 Region 7 407 499 4320 Region 6 813 769 3550 Region 5 727 408 5279 Lisa Rittenberg Director of Nursing 305-908-1367 Lisar@caringhomecare.com CONTACTS