At times, while taking care of an aging loved one, you may require the assistance of a skilled nurse. This can be because of a fall, an illness, or a chronic disease diagnosis.
Whatever the reason, this one-on-one personalized care in your loved one’s home can be a valuable tool in recovery and disease management.
Not sure what to expect from home health care? Here are some things your home health nurse may do during a visit:
Create a Plan of Action
After your relative has been discharged from the hospital and recommended for in-home nursing care, you will receive a visit to create a care plan.
The care worker will make an initial health evaluation using information from the discharge papers, as well as their own medical examination. This, combined with your loved one’s goals and preferences will help your nursing team come up with the best steps to take in order to bring them back to some level of independence.
They will also assess the home for any issues, such as furniture placement, that could hinder recovery.
Personalized Care
The job description of a home health nurse varies from patient to patient. Some of the care services your loved one could receive include:
Health Monitoring
Continued reading of vitals as well monitoring any progression or regression in health. By keeping track of day to day health, your nurse can catch any issues early, as well as make any necessary adjustments to the care plan.
Medication Management
Your home care nurse will make sure all medications are administered at the correct times, in the correct dosages. He or she will also watch for effectiveness and monitor for any negative side effects. They can also assist with pain management.
Communication with Doctors
A home health nurse can keep all your loved one’s doctors up to date on any health changes to keep the care process streamlined.
Caregiver Training
If you are the primary caregiver, the home health nurse may teach you how to handle the care of your relative. Especially if they will need extensive care for the long term.
Rehabilitation Therapy
Many therapies such as physical, speech, and pathology can be done at home to help speed up recovery after illness, injury, or surgery. Your loved one can work at returning to maximum function in the comfort and familiarity of their own space.
Care for Diseases and Conditions
When disease or condition causes a decline in function, such as a traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s or ALS, skilled nurses can help a patient regain independence by helping them learn to compensate and get the job done in a new way.
Managing Medical Equipment
Sometimes, the recovery of a loved one comes with some new “accessories.” A skilled nurse can help with:
- Administering injections
- Setting up an IV line
- Changing bandages
- Inserting catheters
- Tracheotomy management
- Ventilator management
Skilled In-Home Nurses in Central Maryland
For professional and compassionate in-home care from a skilled team of nurses, trust Advanced Nursing & Home Support!
It’s hard to admit you need help and, as one gets older, the desire to maintain independence increases. The team at Advanced Nursing & Home Support understands this. We want to help your loved one get back to their normal level of function as quickly as possible. Our care providers perform all of the tasks mentioned above, and many more. Call us today to learn more about how we can serve you!
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