Education Series: Reference Guide for Home Health Care

Educational

Seminar

Home Health

Quick Reference

Guide

Presented by

SURFMED &

CARING HOME CARE

Experts in LTC Services

DISEASE PROCESS &

HOME HEALTH TIPS

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

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)

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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?

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

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

Out & About - Think Abouts

Are the door ways, ledges and walkways

safe for those using walkers?

Are areas slippery?

Are wheelchair ramps wide enough to

permit easy access?

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.

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

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

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)

BATHROOM SAFETY 1. Hand rails in bathrooms

2. Non-stick appliques in the tub

3. Rugs with rubber backing to

grip floor

4. Raised toilet seat

5. Shower chair

6. Replace bulbs (keep it bright)

7. Towels and briefs within reach

Make sure patients use a Bathroom

Organizer to keeps all essential in one

area within arms reach.

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

Nurse Registry Services

Adult Companion Care

Home Maker Services

Personal Care

Respite Care

Escort Service

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.

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.

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