CAREGIVING

There are two kinds of caregivers. An unskilled (non-medical) caregiver is someone who will do stuff like walk with you, run a few errands and tidy up the living room. A skilled (medical) caregiver can do all that, plus give you a shot.

Elder Abuse & Neglect....................................45 Home Health (Medical).................................45 Home Health (Non-Medical)......................45 Respite Care & Day Care (Short-Term) .45 Support Groups .................................................45

44 CAREGIVING | 2023

What to expect from a home health nurse

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. 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 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 from the hospital 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 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 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

HOME HEALTH (MEDICAL)

Abode Hospice and Home Health, See ad page 45 .................................................970-541-0381 CenterWell Home Health ................................ 970-257-1275

Skilled Nursing

Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy • Home Health Aides www.EliteCareAtHome.org 2829 North Ave. #102 (Solarus Sq.), Grand Jct....970-208-8359 HopeWest PACE, See ad page 59....................970-255-7223 SummitWest Care, See ad page 19.................970-263-0202

HOME HEALTH (NON-MEDICAL)

All About Home Care, LLC, See ad page 61..................................................970-773-1493

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 510 28 3/4 Rd., Ste. 207, Grand Junction . . . . . .970-208-3985 SummitWest Care, See ad page 19.................970-263-0202 Visiting Angels, See ad page 12...................... 970-254-8888

RESPITE CARE & DAY CARE (SHORT-TERM)

Cappella of Grand Junction, 628 26 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506, See ad page 2 .....970-822-7070 Hilltop Senior Daybreak, See ad page 50 .......970-241-7798 La Villa Grande Care Center, See ad page 6 ................................................... 970-245-1211 After Hours.................................................... 970-361-1630 Mantey Heights Rehab & Care Center, See ad page 51..................................................970-242-7356 Nightingales Home Care, See ad page 59 ..... 970-208-3985

SUPPORT GROUPS

• Skilled Nursing • Occupational Therapy • Physical Therapy • Speech Therapy • Home Health Aides

~ THE CARING CHOICE ~

FREE Home Care Services to those who qualify 970.208.8359

ELITECAREATHOME.ORG | director@elitecareathome.org

SOLARUS SQUARE 2829 NORTH AVE., STE. 102 GRAND JUNCTION, CO 81501

We treat others the waywe want to be treated.

Abode Hospice & Home Health is an established, full-service

Colorado home health and hospice agency that provides a superior quality of services in a caring manner.

Home Health Services Physical Therapy · Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy Registered Nurse · Transitional Care · Heart Health COPD Care · Orthopedics Sepsis Prevention 970-541-0381

744 Horizon Ct., #128 Grand Junction

Hospice Care Services 24/7 On-Call Hospice Support Pain & Symptom Management Medication Coordination RN, Nurse Aid & Volunteer Visits Spiritual Support · Resource Guidance Bereavement Services 970-658-8705

744 Horizon Ct., #110 Grand Junction

at Aspen Ridge

Meaningful Moments

The staff at Aspen Ridge provides a warm and meaningful assisted living environment that includes family and friends. Our Meaningful Moments® program incorporates past patterns and routines into the life of each resident to ensure the highest quality of life possible.

Meaningful Moments® 5 Cornerstones:

1. Purposeful Programming 2. Signature Dining 3. Training, Education & Retention 4. Family Partnership 5. Innovation & Wellness

Memory Care Services

• Pre-admission home visit and assessment • Specially trained staff to assist with all aspects of care while maximizing and encouraging independence • A fully supervised, success-oriented activities program • Regularly scheduled social events with family involvement welcomed • Comfortable, attractively decorated living rooms, activity rooms and private conversation areas • Beautifully landscaped secured courtyard with walking areas • Individualized service plans • Electronically monitored security system • Support groups, educational programs and referral services