5 minute read
CAREGIVING
There are two kinds of caregivers: unskilled and skilled. An unskilled (nonmedical assistance) caregiver is someone who will do stuff like walk with you, run a few errands and tidy up the living room. A skilled (medical assistance) caregiver can do everything an unskilled caregiver can do, plus give you a shot.
Elder Abuse & Neglect....................................45 Medical Assistance (Skilled)........................45 Non-Medical Assistance (Unskilled)........45 Respite Care & Day Care (Short-term)..45 Support Groups .................................................45
Advertisement
44 CAREGIVING | 2022
What to expect when the nurse comes to your house
By Frances Hansen
The scene is becoming increasingly familiar: a knock on the door, which the patient opens to see a strange person with a couple of bags hanging off his or her shoulders.
“Hello. I’m your home care nurse.”
The population is aging. Baby boomers are retiring. From total knee replacements to infected wounds, and from pneumonia to post-operative status, the need for home care is on the rise. Insurances have created lines of limitations in the amount of days people can stay in the hospital. Wound vacs and IVs must be tended to properly in order to prevent complications. In essence, home care has become like a mini-hospital on wheels.
Your first visit from a home health care nurse usually comes on the day of discharge or the next day. Home visits can take up to two hours—you may be exhausted, but it’s important to visit with the nurse and let them get to know you and your needs.
Nurses will usually conduct a head-to-toe assessment and note any medications you’re on. They should make sure you understand proper medication, dosage, side effects and changes to report to your physician and document follow-up visits to the doctor.
The nurse works with you to complete your care plan, which typically includes how many visits are anticipated in the 60-day certification period and may include such things as making sure blood glucose and vital signs are within physician-given parameters. It’s their job to educate patients on medications and wound care, changes to report to the medical staff, signs of infection and other diagnosis-specific functions.
If you need care beyond the certification period, the nurse must obtain orders from your physician in compliance with Medicare and Medicaid guidelines. Most private insurances must provide authorization for additional visits. Physical therapy, occupational therapy or social work may follow to help guide you to independence.
Openness and honesty are important. Hopefully you and your nurse establish trust with one another, and you are confident in asking questions—no questions are off limits. If you don’t know the purpose of a medication, ask. If there’s still a question, the nurse should investigate and follow up with your doctor.
Know that health providers are there to serve you. If you find that the nurse is rude, in a rush and seemingly has no “bedside manner,” speak up about it. Family members are reluctant to speak up for fear of retaliation toward their loved one.
Time is another factor. The nurse is a professional, and should demonstrate responsibility when it comes to arranging the visit time. Keep in mind that the nurse has other patients to see, usually in a wide geographical area, but it’s rude and unprofessional for a nurse to show up late without letting you know, or to not show up to a scheduled appointment at all.
Open communication and mutual trust with your nurse results in less anxiety and helps the healing process. Hopefully, you can look back on your recovery with accomplishment and satisfaction, knowing that you participated in the plan of care to help yourself get better. ■
Colorado Home Health Complaint Line ................800-842-8826 Elder Abuse/Adult Protection, Mesa County.........970-248-2888 Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Colorado Legal Services .................................................970-243-7940
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (SKILLED)
Abode of Colorado Hospice and Home Health ....................................................970-541-0381
Skilled Nursing
Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy • Home Health Aides www.EliteCareAtHome.org 2829 North Ave. #102 (Solarus Sq.), Grand Jct....970-208-8359 SummitWest Care, See ad page 45.................970-263-0202
NON-MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (UNSKILLED)
Bringing Health Care Home to You
BrightStar Care
Discover a higher standard of home care www.brightstarcare.com 715 Horizon Dr., Unit 300, Grand Junction . . .970-628-1241 Caregiver Task Force........................................................ 970-248-2717 Personal Care • Housekeeping • Respite Care www.nightingales-care.com 2352 N. 7th St. Suite C, Grand Junction.........970-208-3985 Visiting Angels .................................................................... 970-254-8888
Serving Nursing and Therapy ServicesMesa, Garfield, Pitkin, Eagle and Personal Care, Homemaking, IHSS
Gunnison Counties Personal Safety Devices
Medicaid/Medicare Certified Local Not-For-Profit Since 2002 Now offering Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring . Serving Mesa, Garfield, Pitkin, Eagle and Gunnison Counties
RESPITE CARE & DAY CARE (SHORT-TERM)
Cappella of Grand Junction, 628 26 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506, See ad page 3 .................................................. 970-610-0040 Eagle Ridge of Grand Valley, See ad page 52 .................................................970-243-3381 Hilltop Senior Daybreak, See ad page 60 .......970-241-7798 La Villa Grande Care Center, See ad page 51.................................................. 970-245-1211 After Hours.................................................... 970-361-1630 Larchwood Inns, The PARC & Skilled Nursing Center, See ad page 2 .................................................. 970-245-0022 Mantey Heights Rehab & Care Center, See ad page 46 .................................................970-242-7356 Nightingales Home Care, See ad page 61...... 970-208-3985
Nursing and Therapy Services Formerly known as Home Care of the Grand Valley Personal Care, Homemaking, IHSS www.summitwestcare.comPersonal Safety Devices
www.summitwestcare.com
Service,STELLAR it’s what we do!
Skilled Care and Rehabilitation-to-Home On-Site Transportation To and From Medical Appointments
including:
Respite Care, Long-Term Care, and Hospice Care Couples Rooms Available Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy VA Contracted Proudly Serving Our Veterans
The STELLAR Difference Is Our Values!
SERVICE
We pledge to diligently serve our residents, their families and each other with care, compassion and love.
INSPIRATION
We pledge to empower our residents and each other: to seek fulfillment from life by inspiring hopes and dreams.
INTEGRITY
We pledge to act responsibly, be trustworthy and to take responsibility for our actions.
JOY
We pledge to help others, every day, to smile, be happy and enjoy.
Call Us Today To Schedule A Tour
