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Caring Home Care and SurfMed present an education series aimed at understanding the disease process and home health tips. This presentation includes topics related to diabetes, cardiac diseases, COPD, basic home safety, medication management, personal emergency response and more!
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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
CONTACTS