Tag: Health Care Services

Intensive Care at Home: A win-win for patients and healthcare industry

A home is a place where people can be themselves. Nothing compares to the comfort of one’s own home. Patient care services assure you of this comfort. Trained professionals at your doorstep in your own comfort zones. Research shows that patients tend to recover better and faster when they are in familiar surroundings, especially their own homes rather than being constrained to a four-wall space.

Hospitals are severely overburdened especially in personalized and critical care. A survey says that 8.3% of total health spending in developed countries such as the US, in India constitutes a mere 3.6% depicting massive headroom for growth. Home healthcare will solve problems by allowing hospitals to focus on critical care needs while also establishing patient care services for both pre-and post-recovery at home. Doctors are also turning up to home healthcare and growing more supportive of home health care services. Receiving one-to-one attention and having a tailored care plan according to the patient’s special needs makes the treatment more effective and builds trust among the nurse at home, the patient, and their family. 

As per research, home healthcare or elderly care services can replace up to 65 % of unwanted hospital visits, cost up to 40% less than hospitals, and lower hospital operational costs by 20%. A hospital ICU patient pays around Rs. 35–50K per day, while a similar setup at home costs around Rs. 7.5 –10K per day. Studies have shown that recuperation time reduces by 15% when the patient is at home rather than at a hospital. Home nursing services are also growing in popularity for chronic disorders that require ongoing care like (neuro, stroke, paralysis, ortho, cardiac, diabetes, infertility, and so on), as well as for specific segments (senior citizens, special needs children, patients recovering from surgery etc.) A few years from now patients might get complex tests and diagnostics done at home itself. This will take the real care onto the next level benefiting both: the patients as well as the emerging home health care services in our country.

Home nursing services is a win-win combination for both patients and for various stakeholders, as it is emerging out in the Indian markets. For patients, it offers complete personalized professional care at their own homes offering lower convenience with low pricing as compared to hospitals. And for hospitals, it frees up beds faster allowing them to focus on patients with more severe health conditions. If you are a busy person who needs to conduct house and workplace chores, having a nurse at home who is available 24/7 to take care of your elderly, from personal cleanliness to ensure that they feel comfortable, is a benefit to your fast-paced existence. For patients who are bedridden, home nursing services are the best-personalized services that one can get. As we always want to give only the best for our loved ones.

Even you are relieved that your loved ones are comfortable in an atmosphere that they want to be in. Keeping you rest assured that they are under constant monitoring and under the experienced professional’s guidance, care, and support.

Basic Duties And Responsibilities Of Home Nurse

When we think of a home nurse, the first thought that probably comes to mind is elderly care or caring for senior citizens. While this is the most common requirement, a home nurse can be helpful in many other cases too. Think about a high-risk pregnancy where the mother is completely bed-bound for several months. Maybe a young person has suffered a severe injury or accident and needs care and rehabilitation. Post-surgery care is quite common too, whether young or old. A home nurse can be helpful wherever there is a medical condition that needs special care, right from newborns to senior citizens.

So what does a home nurse really do? Think about all the things a patient needs in the hospital. Administration of injections and medication, charting of various parameters, reporting to the attending doctor, assistance with toileting and so much more. 

A home nurse is qualified to do all that and more in the comfort of one’s home, but let’s take a closer look.

Care plan

With healthcare at home, your home nurse can create an individualized plan of care based on his or her evaluation of the patient’s health, advice from the attending physician and the patient’s lifestyle. This care plan will be tailor-made to suit the patient and help them live up to their best potential.

Medication

Having a nurse at home means you will have assistance with monitoring and giving out medications, administration of injections or IVs, assistance with pain management and changing or draining of catheter or urine bag where necessary.

Wound management

With healthcare at home, the patient’s wounds (where applicable) can be cleaned and dressed at home itself.

Symptom watch

With certain conditions, family members may not be aware of certain symptoms, but a certified nurse at home will be alert and monitor all existing and new symptoms and vital signs. They will maintain a chart to see the patient’s progress.

Monitoring

Patient health will be closely monitored and the care plan will be updated accordingly.

Guidance

Your home nurse will be able to instruct both the patient and the family on proper home care guidelines. This will help you be aware of dos, don’ts and not to worry’s!

Safety

Due to their extensive training, they may be able to provide suggestions to improve safety at home as well as facilities to enhance their mobility such as handlebars and anti-skid mats in the bathrooms, organization of furniture to accommodate a walker or wheelchair and so on.

Coordination

A nurse at home will constantly be in communication with the patient’s physicians, dietician or other health advisors.

Support

Lastly, your nurse will be able to extend encouragement and support to the patient themselves as they grapple with their condition. This is important for the overall mental wellness of the patient.

The great thing about one on one care is that a patient is able to benefit from the same quality of qualification and experience as institutionalised care, but with a personal touch and individual attention. It’s no wonder home healthcare is growing today.

How Winters Affect the Elderly

Winter is just around the corner. In many places, temperatures have already begun to drop, warm jackets are coming out and, the days get longer and darker. While winter may be an enjoyable and exciting time for some, there is a category of people who may struggle more than others with the cold. 

Surprisingly, winters can have a negative impact on the overall health of the elderly or senior citizens. It is important to keep a watchful eye on them, have the contact number of the best physiotherapist around and even sign up for home healthcare in some cases to ensure their safety.

So how does the winter impact their health:

Increases risk of hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the body becomes so cold it starts to shut down. In cases where there is extremely cold weather, the risk of hypothermia goes up exponentially. This happens because their bodies cannot withstand the cold as long as younger people. Elderly people naturally create less body heat, which means they are often colder than younger individuals to start with. Watch out for slowed reactions and movements, sleepiness, slurred or slow speech and confusion.

Cardiac troubles

Patients with existing underlying heart conditions are at greater risk for cardiovascular troubles during winters. The cooler temperatures lower the overall body heat. This can cause the blood vessels to contract, reducing oxygen supply to the body, increasing the risk of a stroke. The extra work that the body has to put in to stay warm can also lead to higher blood pressure and heart attacks. If you have a senior citizen at home who has pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, having a nurse at home may be a good idea. 

Respiratory illness

The drop in temperature commonly leads to respiratory infections in older people. The main reason for this is that excessive cold lowers their immunity and weakens lung function. Asthma patients and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) need to maintain special care during winters.

Increased pain

Another side effect of the cold is that muscle and existing pains tend to worsen in the cold weather. This can be especially difficult for those suffering from arthritis and other conditions as it may hinder their mobility significantly. Look out for the best physiotherapist to help you out through this as it can impact their movement significantly. 

These realities may sound scary and a little bit daunting, but a few simple steps will help keep your loved ones safe and cosy. 

Here’s what you can do:

  • Ensure they wear lots of layers.
  • Use heaters indoors.
  • Get regular check-ups.
  • Keep a very close eye on them and pay attention to anything that may seem a little off.
  • Hire help – Look around for a nurse at home from the SSSPS home healthcare provider to lend a hand.

Having a helping hand can put your mind at ease and your beloved ones safe and cared for at all times!

Reasons Why We Need Caretakers for Elderly at Home

As our parents get older, we may notice that their age begins to catch up with them. Suddenly, the videos they watch seem louder, they take longer to process what you’re saying to them and moving around doesn’t seem as breezy as it once did. At first, things may begin subtly, but over time, you may see that things are becoming quite challenging for them. 

Parents and grandparents are important to us, and we know that we need to care for them, but sometimes, it may not be so easy. They are physically, mentally and emotionally dependent which can often take a toll on the family who undertakes to look after them. In such cases, home healthcare may be a wonderful option for you and here’s why:

  • Caretakers for elderly can monitor their health.

As non-medical professionals, we may not always be alert and attentive to certain symptoms. Confusion for example, in some cases, maybe a medical symptom, but to us, we may not know when to sound the alarm. However, by having a nurse at home, they will be well aware of your parent’s conditions and monitor them closely. 

  • Bathroom & hygiene.

For a patient who struggles with mobility, assistance with going to the washroom and maintaining basic hygiene can be a relief. When a person struggles with their motor skills, oftentimes, hygiene is not fully maintained as they may not be able to clean themselves well. Caregivers for elderly help in changing adult diapers, if required. This is a big support to the family members as they might not be able to drop everything to attend to them each time and as a result, the patient may end up waiting too long to go to the washroom or having a delayed diaper change. 

  • Personalised homecare.

By remaining at home, they have their attendant all to themselves along with all the elements of their comfort like their blanket, their clothes, shower, washroom and all that’s familiar. They are able to set their own routine and they remain in charge of how they live their life, giving them a sense of independence and individuality. 

  • Peace of mind for the family.

For the family, knowing that their parents are in their own home, with their own devices and accessible at all times. There is less to worry about in terms of safety, comfort and knowing that they are always in good hands.

  • Ability to customise the environment.

An important factor is that when the senior citizen is at home, you can customise the environment to fit their needs. Whether it is installing handlebars in the shower, moving around furniture to accommodate a walker, lower shelves and cabinets or carpeting the floor to prevent slipping. Whatever your parent needs, you can arrange for in their home environment giving them the ability to be independent even if they do have home healthcare. 

  • It may be more affordable.

In cases where the patient needs round the clock care, it can be more economical to have a nurse at home administering the care they need rather than institutionalised care. 

Most importantly, you get to keep your loved one near and dear. These memories of their final years are memories that you and your family can really cherish, especially when you have the necessary help to make things easy. 

Benefits Of Home Health Care And Recovery

Does home care really benefit recovery?

As humankind, we are designed to function a certain way. We are made for perfection – to function as best as possible. Sometimes however, our bodies suffer from trauma whether it is as a result of injury or health. When this happens, we have got to teach ourselves to reach that level of perfection once again and that’s where home health care services come in!

The recovery process after the body has been subjected to trauma can be long and tough, but highly essential. The use of nursing services at this time is crucial as our bodies learn to adapt and quickly form a new normal. What this means is, improper care allows our body to believe that it cannot do what it should. This can lead to a lifetime of pain, immobility, or dependency on medication. So how do home care services really benefit a patient in recovery?

The power of the mind – There is a saying that says, ‘home is where the heart is.’ No matter where in the world a person is, be it a 5-star hotel with splendid meals, or a luxury suite, there’s no attachment or comfort like one’s home. The simple act of being at home does absolute wonders to the mindset of a patient. They are in their home – a place their heart is, a  place that they love, a place familiar, comfortable, and safe. The positive effect that this has on the mind, does wonders for a patient’s physical recovery. That is why they say, “half the battle is in the mind.”

Rest – It is no secret that doctors, and nurses are responsible for helping patients get better. However, a hospital setting is not the most restful one, and rest is crucial for recovery. Using nursing services in the comfort of one’s home, a patient can recover with a dedicated nurse, qualified and able to care for them while still getting the rest they need.

Personalized Care – There is no such thing as ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to recovery. Each case is different, just as we are all unique. Home care allows personalized care specific to the needs that arise.

Faster Recovery – A study done in 2018 found that patients receiving hospital care at home had a 70% less chance of being readmitted to hospital. Additionally, when in a hospital, patients are confined to their hospital beds and many experience negative health impacts from this physical inactivity – the body’s new normal. Opposingly, being at home, possibly in the company of loved ones acts a motivation to get moving and that in turn leads to faster recovery.

Proper Rehabilitation – By using qualified home health care services, a patient can receive the correct rehabilitation which aids them in recovering the right way. These benefits are seen for the rest of their lives.

So, to answer the question ‘Does home care really benefit recovery?’ Well, our years of experience tells us so!