Tag: Palliative Care

The future of Home Health Care

Who does not like a service that provides care in this ageing world? Many health services focus only on care and timely services. Out of which home health care services are highly rated. Because many of the patients prefer to recover in their homes instead of a hospital bed. The atmosphere in one’s home is more preferred and is proven good for a patient’s speedy recovery. Patient care services give your loved ones a feel-good factor that stimulates a healthy mind resulting in aid in their recovery.

Hiring the future to your doorstep i.e., a professional from Elderly Care Services will help your loved ones enjoy a much better-quality life. As they will be in a familiar environment around their family and their home where they have lived for many years. This is extremely effective if your loved one is suffering from dementia or they are bedridden. For the elderly who are suffering from dementia, it is challenging to care for them which requires knowledge, patience and understanding. Families, generally, lack the experience and skills to understand the age-related conditions and fail to care for their beloved ones properly. Also, it is quite painful to view your beloved parents deteriorate mentally. Handling your work life and personal life can be tedious at times. Qualified nurse at home can provide a lot of support, as they understand their condition and have all skills and experience to deal with dementia patients rightly.

A sudden need of any urgency and you are relieved, your caregiver is there at that moment to ensure their needs are being met. Because they are available 24/7, making you and your loved ones at ease. Also, it is very natural for you to worry about your parents, as they grow older, you think about how they will get along from day to day. There are numerous advantages of having a trained, trusted, and responsible nurse at home. They can make the elderly recover from an ailment, injury, post-surgery hassle-free and easy. This caregiver will also help the elderly with physiotherapy sessions at home, making it the future of all health care services. An elderly who is bedridden or unable to move freely will find it difficult to use the washroom or maintain personal hygiene which is taken care of by a trained nursing caretaker. Having a trained caregiver will ensure any mishappenings like falls, and injury and ensure their safety. Home health care services are not only for the elderly. Anyone can benefit from it.

A medical survey has revealed that people who have a home nursing services facility at home live a longer and happier life. Receiving emotional, physical, medical, and specialized care in their comfort zones helps senior citizens live healthier and longer life. Because no comfort zone can replace one’s own home. Especially when your loved ones may be attached to a particular couch, favourite meal, a favourite chair, a favourite routine, or a favourite view from a specific corner of the house etc., home health care take their comfort to another level. The comfort of your loved ones is solely the responsibility of every professional home nursing services. Summarizing all the above points does prove that home health care services are indeed the future that is awaiting us!

How to care for a bedridden patient?

If you are a busy person who must run house and office errands then having a nurse at home who is available 24/7 to take care of your elderly, from looking after their personal hygiene to ensuring that they feel comfortable is a positive advantage to your pacing lifestyle.

Being a working guardian and juggling to balance your work and personal life becomes difficult and tedious at times. Taking care of your bedridden elderly is a huge responsibility and should be done with utmost care and patience. Having a nurse at home to take care of your elderly is the best way to help yourself and your bedridden elderly. It’s extremely painful and disheartening to see your elderly parents bedridden. But ensuring that they are stable and comfortable is solely our responsibility.

Looking after their grooming and hygiene is extremely important to avoid any fungal infections, allergies, or diseases. A trained nursing caretaker will look into their daily bathing, dental care, making them wear their fresh clothes, keeping a check on their trimming of fingernails and toenails, haircut, and grooming. Bedsores (also known as pressure ulcer) are extremely common in bedridden patients, but the good news is that it is preventable. If the elderly spends majority of his/her time on the bed, ensure that you reposition them every few hours. If they can move on their own, then encourage them to move and readjust themselves quite often. Also make sure you stay alert on the common parts where bedsores are likely to occur e.g., ankles, heels the hip area and the tailbone.

Ensure that their bed linens are regularly changed and laundered. The trained nursing caretaker will take care of the proper nutritional care. They will monitor and record the meals to ensure they are getting in proper nutritional value and having balanced meals. Make their environment lively, comfortable, and fresh. So, they feel good in that environment around them. It is also extremely important to deal with the bedridden with utmost patience and care. Having a male ward boy nurse at home will help your elderly feel comfortable while taking them to use the washroom if they can make movements. A man’s physical strength is undoubtedly strong which will make them comfortable while relying on their strength for movements.

Let your children often visit your parents, talk to them, which will lighten the mood and make in a happy atmosphere for the bedridden elderly. A happy and positive and cheerful atmosphere is extremely important for them. Take some time out of your daily schedule and talk to them bout your day. If possible, try having a meal next to them or with them. Even you can read out the newspaper to them or play on their favourite songs. Never zone them out completely, don’t let them feel lonely. Make sure the place is reasonably well lit as per the need, the necessities are right at their bedside, and the place is well ventilated at all times. Reduce noise levels as far as possible. Take extra precautions during this pandemic. Always ensure their and your safety.

Apart from the above-mentioned points, one should also take expert advice, medical opinion, or help from professional home nursing services in case any other challenges are faced in caring for the elderly parents or other family members at home.

Why Choose Nurse At Home Instead Of Old Age Home?

Family is that one bond that lasts forever. No matter how old you become, no matter what your achievements are, no matter how far you are from them, your parents will always love you for who you are. When you cannot always be available for your old parents that is the time when you trust someone. And that someone will take your place when you are not available for your parents. That’s where caregivers/ caretakers come into the picture.
A sudden need of any urgency and you are relieved, your caregiver is there at that moment to ensure their needs are being met which will be lacking at an old age home. Because your caregiver is available 24/7, making you and them at ease. Also, it is very natural for you to worry about your parents, as they grow older, you think about how they will get along from day to day.

There are numerous advantages of having a trained, trusted, and responsible caregiver at home. They can make the elderly recover from an ailment, injury, post-surgery hassle-free and easy. This caregiver will also help the elderly with physiotherapy sessions at home. An elderly who is bedridden or unable to move freely will find it difficult to use the washroom or maintain personal hygiene which is taken care of by a trained nursing caretaker. Having a trained caregiver will ensure any mishappenings like falls, injury and ensure their safety in that feeble age of theirs. In addition, the elderly who stay at home tend to be physically and mentally healthier compared to old age homes.

For the elderly who are suffering from dementia, it is challenging to take care of them which requires knowledge, patience and understanding. Families, generally, lack the experience and skills to understand the age-related conditions and fail to care for their beloved ones properly. Also, it is quite painful to view your beloved parents deteriorate mentally. A Qualified nurse at home can provide a lot of support, as they understand the condition and have all skills and experience to deal with dementia patients rightly.

A medical survey has revealed that people who have a home nursing services facility at home live a longer life. Receiving emotional, physical, medical, and specialized care in their comfort zones helps senior citizens live healthier and longer life. Because no comfort zone can replace one’s own home. Especially your parents may be attached to a particular couch, a favourite chair, a favourite routine, or a favourite view from a specific corner in the house. Besides, relocating can be very stressful. Also, they are left with all the memories of us in that place, when remembered would make them feel nostalgic and happy which will lack at an old age home.
Because ‘IT FEELS LIKE HOME’, with a responsible and trusted nurse at home. You will definitely want to give your parents the best just like they did when you were young! So, consider these points before making a decision.

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.

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. 

Essential factors why you need a palliative care

What is palliative care and why is it so important? The World Health Organization (WHO) states that Palliative care improves the quality of life of patients and that of their families who are facing challenges associated with life-threatening illness, whether physical, psychological, social or spiritual. This means that a patient who is fighting for their life, sometimes even for prolonged periods of time, can receives healthcare at home to improve their quality of life.

WHO estimates that each year, an estimated 40 million people are in need of palliative , but only 14% receive it. It is noted that among those that do receive palliative care, the patient as well as the family of the patient experience a better quality life. Palliative care can include a range of services from nursing care to physiotherapy, physicians and volunteers -essentially anyone who is dedicated to ensuring the comfort and care of patients fighting life threatening illnesses. The primary and most frequent person however, are nurses as they are able to identify and act on the patient’s needs with medical understanding. Some of the illness that may require palliative care include:

  • Cancer
  • Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease
  • Advanced lung, heart, kidney or liver disease
  • Stroke and other neurological diseases, including motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • HIV/AIDs

And other degenerative or deteriorating conditions

These illness can be extremely difficult on the patient as well as their family. So why is it so important to have palliative care?

  1. Quality of life – In it’s definition, palliative care is designed to ensure that a patient is ensured the best quality of life in their situation. This may mean managing pain or other medical symptoms, making them comfortable or simply allowing them to experience joy in spite of their condition. While they still must face their illness, the support of palliative care in controlling pain and other symptoms can make each day a more positive experience that allows the patient to make the most of the time they have with their families.
  2. Improved mental health – It is no secret that receiving healthcare at home has great benefits over institutionalised care. However, being at home, surrounded by loved ones and familiar surroundings allows the patient to have an improved state of mind. This means that in spite of their suffering, they are able to experience joy and peace in the midst of their battle for life.
  3. Elongated lifespan – By opting to have nursing care round the clock, the nurse may be attentive to unusual medical symptoms and raise the alarm if needed as well as take quick and appropriate action. This may prevent a patient from early loss of life due to treatable conditions. The improved mental state of mind also contributes to longer lifespan as the mind plays a vital role in the body’s overall well being. A happy, determined patient is more likely to thrive than a patient who may have given up.
  4. A higher chance of recovery – Not all life threatening illnesses are terminal. Some may be treatable with time and the right course of action. With the exception of terminal patients, those with a chance of recovery have greater odds of fighting the illness when trained professionals are made available to them 24/7. While this is no guarantee and completely dependent on the patient’s medical case, there are cases that show that palliative care can lead to a full recovery.
  5. A positive experience – On the opposite end of the spectrum, some patients may in fact be terminal and may have a limited amount of time. In such cases, receiving nursing care or palliative care ensures that not only are the pain and symptoms controlled, but also that the patient has the most positive experience overall in their last few days. By staying by their side, ensuring appropriate care, offering companionship and allowing them to be with family, the patient is able to have a more positive and loving experience in their final days.

Palliative care is essential for patients with life threatening illnesses. In fact, it’s one of the best things they can receive if the care is delivered by a trained professional. That’s why we are so passionate about these services!