April is National Foot Health Awareness Month. Many people take their feet for granted until they have a problem. Once that happens, it is often hard to walk or get around. The most serious problems can become infections leading to permanent injury or even amputation. Interim Healthcare’s home caregivers help our senior citizens, cancer patients and diabetics in particular to be extra vigilant with their foot health. Limited blood circulation in the feet is common in these cases and can cause additional problems when not monitored regularly. Preventive care can also be worked in to the daily hygiene routine for long-term healthy feet.

Toenails
If you are not handy with nail scissors or toenail clippers, have someone else cut your toenails for you, such as your doctor or an Interim home healthcare professional who is trained in foot care.  If you have limited hand strength, the toenails may not be properly cut all the way through and may tear, causing an open wound on the toe. Scissors may slip and cut or puncture the skin, causing an open wound. Overgrowth may curl the toenails and dig in to the skin, causing cuts and breaks.

Neuropathy
If you have neuropathy, or numbness and tingling in your feet, it is important to always pay special attention to where you are walking. Avoid going barefoot whenever possible, even if you are just walking around the house. Be on the lookout for sharp or stray objects, such as children’s toys, thumbtacks or uneven flooring. When outside, bare feet are especially at risk from sharp dry grasses, thorny pinecones or plants, and stinging insects. Inspect your feet for things you may have stepped on and any skin irritations that cannot be felt due to numbness. Watch out for legs on furniture that may be close to the area where you are walking. Stubbing your toe is not a minor issue, especially when you cannot feel that it is broken.

Dryness
Dry skin is a hazard, especially for diabetics and seniors. Skin may crack and peel, causing irritations and possibly infections. After bathing, be sure to thoroughly dry the feet with a clean, dry towel. When they are completely dry, use unscented therapeutic skin lotion on the feet to keep them soft and healthy. Do not put lotion between the toes, as moisture can become trapped and cause skin fungus. If the feet are hard to reach, ask for assistance, especially if you have home care.

Shoes
Diabetics, seniors and cancer patients should make it a regular practice to always cover their feet to avoid hazards of injury and disease. Wear shoes that have closed toes and fit well. If you have bunions or plantar fasciitis, consider heel cups or orthotics to ease foot pain instead of going barefoot. Do not wear new shoes for several hours on end until they are broken in. Avoid any that cause blisters or skin irritations. If you have neuropathy, shoes can be uncomfortable or even painful. Find some that are lightweight and do not rub the skin.

National Health Care Decision Day is on April 16th. This is a time for people to consider the long-term health care choices that will affect them and their loved ones. At Interim HealthCare, we encourage our patients and their families to talk about the future and what types of healthcare decisions will be made. While a challenging topic, it is best to address these issues while you are coherent and able. This is not just for those receiving senior home health care, but anyone in the household or family.

We’ve all heard the saying “all you have to do is pay taxes and die.” So after you met the tax deadline, it’s time to consider what happens at death and talk about topics like living wills, guardianships, end of life issues and organ donation. Some things to do for National Health Care Decision Day include having a frank discussion with those closest to you about your wishes. Make advance directives, which are written instructions about your preferences that others can follow for you when you are unable to do so.

Living wills, for example, are legal documents that describe your treatment preferences in the event of a serious accident or illness where your cannot communicate. This includes situations like a coma or being unconscious. You can have a living will without having a do not resuscitate order. A living will says exactly which life-sustaining measures you do or do not want to be used, such as ventilators, feeding tubes and resuscitation.
Formulate a plan in case something happens to you. Think about who you want to make critical decisions for your healthcare when you are not able to, such as a organ donation. Let this person know. Let others know. Put it in writing. Tell your doctor.

Designate one person to be your healthcare agent/proxy, also called medical power of attorney. You should also consider completing a living will . This person should be aware of your medical preferences, conditions and wishes. They may or may not be a relative. Choose someone who is responsible and will abide by your wishes. Keep in mind, this person is not the same as a legal power of attorney that handles financial issues. While they can be the same person, the two roles are very different.

As National Health Care Decision Day draws near, this may be a good time to tell the people you live with or see on a daily basis about any important medical problems you may have. It may help them to know what to do in case of an emergency. For example, if you have a heart condition, does anyone know whether you are on aspirin therapy in case something happens?

Fill out a medical release form that includes insurance information, such as the policy name and number and whose name the plan is under. Include allergies, medications and an emergency contact person.

If you have already made healthcare decisions, it is helpful to tell people what they are so your wishes can be followed. Make sure someone knows who your doctors and other healthcare professionals are. Is your doctor’s name and telephone number included on a medical alert bracelet, tucked away in your wallet or posted on the refrigerator? If you receiving in home health care, make sure the name and phone number of the medical staffing agency, like Interim Healthcare, is easy to find in case of emergency.

This is also a good time to discuss medical options with your doctor. There may be advances or changes in your health since the last time you spoke. Find out what they are. He or she may have insight or suggestions for coping with the end stages of a disease or illnesses.

Even if you are healthy right now, use this time to plan ahead for the day you may not be. It will make things a little easier on your loved ones and ensure that they know what you want.

When people have a terminal illness, one of the more difficult topics of discussion is hospice care. This is the care that patients may receive during the end stage of a disease. It is a special type of care that includes both the patient and “caregiver or family.” At Interim HealthCare Hospice, our services focus on quality of life and making the patient comfortable. While most people are aware of hospice, they do not know much about it until they are faced with terminal illness.

Our team of hospice professionals is specially trained in this kind of palliative care where compassion sets the tone for meeting a patient’s needs. While hospice is not about giving up, it is a service for patients are no longer interested in seeking aggressive treatment toward a cure. Instead, they wish to receive basic home health care that relieves pain and suffering. Hospice may also be administered in a hospital or assisted living facility.

While many of Interim’s patients have cancer, others suffer from Alzheimer’s, respiratory and heart disease. Whether or not to participate in hospice care is the patient’s choice. This decision is a difficult one that may be made with help from family members and doctors. In some cases, hospice care may be mentioned by the physician when a diagnosis is made. In other cases, the patient may be the one to bring it up with their doctor or may approach Interim HealthCare Hospice when they feel the time is right.

Our home hospice care team is made up of doctors, nurses and aides, therapists, social workers, volunteers, counselors and chaplains. Each has a special role in caring for the patient and family. It is not just about receiving treatment, but non medical home care as well. The wishes of the patient are taken into account with all aspects of care. Support for the patient and their family members is an integral part of hospice. As the illness progresses, there comes a time when the patient is never left alone. Many people have a fear of dying alone. One of the purposes of hospice is to make sure that does not happen.

Covering expenses for hospice is usually provided by Medicare or the patient’s insurance plan. Hospice coverage is provided by Medicaid in some states. Interim HealthCare Hospice does not charge the optional co-pay that some insurance companies allow. We do provide a free evaluation for anyone seeking information on hospice care.

Part of our home health care service to patients involves having nurses, nursing assistants and companions come to the home to help with medical care and other necessities of daily living.  All of our nurses and nursing assistants are specially trained and certified according to state and national requirements. They all work together to provide total patient care.

Here is a look at some of the types of nurses you may see from Interim Healthcare in your home.

Certified Nursing Assistants
CNAs are an important part of Interim Healthcare’s patient care. They provide assistance to nurses as needed and also give special one-on-one care to the patient on their own.

Licensed Practical Nurses
LPNs are often called vocational nurses, or LVNs. They handle the most essential patient care for Interim Healthcare patients while giving support to our other nurses in their duties. Most nursing schools require about one year of training for LPNs.

Registered Nurses
RNS play a vital role in our home nursing services. RN programs are a minimum of two years. These  nursing professionals specialize in a patient care field of their choice, such as trauma, psychiatry, or home health. Their certification can include an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.


Home Health
Our nurses provide important medical care to help the patient heal and progress from illnesses, operations and accidents. The most common tasks of our home nursing staff is diverse. They teach clients and families about diseases and treatment, nutrition, medication and the importance of patient compliance. Wound care includes changing dressings and providing treatment for skin infections and sores. They take care of our patients’ IVs and catheters. Nurses administer shots and draw blood for tests. Some of our patients are on ventilators. This equipment is carefully monitored and adjusted as needed.

CNAs provide bathing and hygiene, blood sugar and blood pressure checks, as well as patient safety. They can also help with care of newborn babies.

Some needs of our patients are not covered by nurses. Instead, we have special staff to help with daily living issues. Our home care companions provide non-medical care. They assist with meal preparation, transportation, watering plants and feeding pets. They also provide basic safety supervision and play games, help the patient watch television or a movie and improve the quality of life at home.
 

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Week is Feb. 14th-20th. Many of our patients and their family members are affected by these conditions every day. This might be a good time to reflect on the way they affect both patients and their caregivers. For those fortunate enough not to be familiar with it, this is an opportunity to learn some of the signs and symptoms associated with both conditions.

While many people consider dementia and Alzheimer’s the exact same thing, they really are not. Dementia is a set of symptoms that people have. There are different types of diseases involving dementia, including frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer’s, Lewy Bodies, Parkinson’s and vascular dementia. Some of the symptoms are different in early stages, but many are similar in the later stages.

Alzheimer’s
People with Alzheimer’s are affected in two different ways. Cognitive symptoms, like memory disruption, language and thinking are one facet of the disease. Social abilities that impact daily living are the other. Those with Alzheimer’s tend to become forgetful and less engaged in normal activities. They may forget appointments and social activities. They may repeat themselves frequently in conversations or forget the discussion altogether. They may behave very differently, with no significant life-changing event to explain the change.

Dementia
One of the most common and notable symptoms of dementia Includes loss of short-term memory. It may be difficult for other people to pick up on if they are not paying attention. Those affected by it may pretend there isn’t a problem, cover it up or not reveal to anyone that it is happening. Some signs include difficulty finding the right words, forgetting names and appointments, where things were put or not remembering whether something has already been done.

Personality changes are another symptom. Mood swings and fits of anger are common. Those who are not normally quiet and withdrawn may be more so. Someone who is usually somber may be a little bit more silly. Paranoia and suspicion of people around them when there is little or no reason should raise a red flag. Those with dementia may also become confused or disoriented when they are in unfamiliar territory. This may result in wandering or looking to find a familiar place.

Care
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Week is an ideal time to reflect on whether those with memory loss and confusion need extra home care. For those already receiving it, this might be a good time to consider the provider. Many times relatives take care of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. It takes a lot of patience and understanding. At times it can be physically and emotionally exhausting. It is not for everyone. For those trying to raise a family or tend to their own health care issues, it may be too much. Rather than using assisted living facilities, home health care is a likely alternative. For some, 24-hour care is unnecessary. Family members may work during the day and come home at night, or vice-versa. For seniors with dementia that are still living in their own homes, it may be time for some help.

At Interim HealthCare, our homecare services focus on eldercare. Many of our patients/client have dementia-related diseases. Our in home senior care professionals are specially trained to assist them. Patience and understanding are our two biggest allies in working with these patients. Our nursing staff, for example, will make sure that they have not forgotten to take their medication. While someone from our non-medical services may provide help with gentle reminders that the plants need to be watered or it’s their turn during a game of checkers.

Take a few moments during Alzheimer’s and Dementia Week and learn a little bit more about the diseases and whether it’s time you or your loved one turn to Interim HealthCare for additional assistance so everyone can live a happy, healthy, enriched life at home.