Pure Home Care Services

Overmedication of the elderly is an all too common problem, a public health crisis that compromises the well-being of growing numbers of older adults. Many take fistfuls of prescription and over-the-counter medications on a regular basis, risking serious and sometimes fatal side effects and drug interactions.

Older adults like my aunt are the largest consumers of medications. More than 40 percent of people over age 65 take five or more medications, and each year about one-third of them experience a serious adverse effect, like a bone-breaking fall, disorientation, inability to urinate, even heart failure.

Too often, people with multiple health problems have one doctor who does not know what another has prescribed. A new prescription can lead to a toxic drug interaction, or simply be ineffective, because it is counteracted by something else being taken.

There is nothing to be gained, and potentially much to lose, by failing to disclose to health care professionals the use of prescribed, over-the-counter or recreational drugs, including alcohol. Nor should any chronic medical condition or prior adverse drug reaction be kept from your doctor.

Whenever a medication is prescribed, patients should ask about side effects to watch for. If a bad or unexpected reaction occurs or the drug does not seem to be working, the prescribing doctor should be told without delay. But patients should never stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting a health care professional.

Nor should they add any drug or supplement to a prescribed regimen without first consulting a doctor. Even something as seemingly innocent as ibuprofen, acetaminophen,St. John’swort or an antihistamine purchased over the counter can sometimes lead to dangerous adverse reactions when combined with certain prescribed medications or pre-existing health problems.

Source: The New York Times, Health and Science

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Sterling Heights or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

Desperate though caregivers may be for a temporary respite from their care
responsibilites, many care recipients are resistant to strangers coming into
their home to help. The help may be perceived as an invasion of privacy, a loss
of independence or a waste of money. Yet in-home assistance is often critical in
offering caregivers a break and time to relax and rejuvenate.

There are ways to make this transition easier. Here are some tips for making
your loved one feel more comfortable with in-home help:

1. Start gradually. Begin by
having the aide come only a couple of hours each week, then add hours as your
loved one builds a relationship with the helper. If you feel comfortable with
the attendant running errands or preparing meals that can be brought to the
house, you can start with those services, which can be done outside the
home.

2. Listen to your loved one’s fears and
reasons for not wanting in-home care. Express your understanding
of those feelings. If possible, get your loved one involved in choosing the
aide. He or she will feel more invested and comfortable with the decision.

3. “This is for me. I know you don’t need
help.” Expressing the need as yours, rather than the your loved
one’s, helps maintain her sense of dignity and independence. You can also add
that having someone stay at home allows you not to worry while you are gone.
Make it clear that you will be coming back.

4. “This is prescribed by the
doctor.” Doctors are often seen as authority figures and your
loved one may be more willing to accept help if she feels that she is required
to do so.

5. “I need someone to help clean.”
Even if this is not the real reason, often people will allow someone in to clean
when they “don’t need” care for themselves.

6. “This is a free service.” This
strategy may work if other family members are paying for the home care or if it
is, in fact, provided without charge. Your loved one may be more open to using
the service since she does not feel that she is spending money for it.

7. “This is my friend.” By
pretending that the attendant is a friend of yours you are relating the home
care worker to the family. This can help with establishing trust and rapport.
You can also say that your “friend” is the one who needs company and that by
having him or her over your loved one is helping him out.

8. “This is only temporary.” This
strategy depends on the condition of your loved one’s memory. If she often
forgets what you say then she may also forget that you said this. By presenting
the situation as short-term you will give some time for your loved one to form a
relationship or become comfortable with home care as part of her daily routine,
and give you a chance for a well-deserved break.

Source: Family Caregiver Alliance

If you would like more information about in-home care for your loved one in Grosse Pointe, MI and surrounding areas, contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!

WASHINGTON D.C. –The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) today commented on the positive changes proposed by CMS in the “Medicare Program: Hospice Wage Index for Fiscal Year 2012” report:

“The proposals set forth by CMS for 2012 hospice care are an encouraging first step toward improving access to the valuable care that millions of Americans depend on,” said Val J. Halamandaris, NAHC’s president. “By modifying the current calculation of the hospice cap, caregivers will have more flexibility to account for the various patient needs they meet every day. In addition, by allowing for some flexibility and clarification within the face-to-face encounter rule for hospice care, caregivers and patients can better work together to meet the requirement with as little disruption to care as possible.

“While these changes begin to move us in the right direction, we need to build on this momentum and continue to find ways to advance and improve care, not stifle it. We therefore look to Congress to ensure that hospices receive a full market basket inflation update (as reflected in CMS’ proposal) so that they can continue to provide vital services to individuals at the end of life. We look forward working with CMS to strike the appropriate balance of ensuring responsible oversight, while preserving appropriate access to these important services.”

Source: nahc.org

If you would like more information about home care services in Grosse Pointe, MI and surrounding areas, call Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!

Homecare after hip surgery in seniors increases survival rate Seniors who received home care after discharge from hospital for partial hip surgery (hemiarthroplasty) were 43% less likely to die in the three months following the procedure, found a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)

However, less than 16% of elderly patients discharged home after partial hip surgery in the study group received home care.

The study looked at 11 326 men and women aged 65 and older in Quebec who had partial hip surgery between 1997 and 2004. Those who were discharged with home care support were younger, more likely to have been treated in a teaching hospital and lower volume hospitals, and to have stayed more than 7 days in hospital. They were also more likely to have a trial fibrillation and acute renal failure. Men were at higher risk of death compared to women and those who stayed longer in hospital had increased survival rates.

“Comorbidity, with the exception of a trial fibrillation and acute renal failure, did not seem to influence the likelihood of receiving home care after discharge,” writes Dr. Elham Rahme, researcher in epidemiology at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre with coauthors. “This indicates perhaps that receiving this care may depend on availability, rather than need of the service.”

A report published by the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows that Quebec is the Canadian province that spends the least on home services but has the highest number of home care requests.

The authors conclude that their findings that homecare affects survival rates “has significant public health implications and requires further investigation.”

Source:
CMAJ

If you have any questions about home care services in Grosse Pointe, MI and surrounding areas, call Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today! 

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published the interim final rule for implementing the Family Caregiver Program of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act 2010. This new rule will provide additional support to eligible post-9/11 Veterans who elect to receive their care in a home setting from a primary Family Caregiver.

“I know many Veterans and their Family Caregivers have been waiting anxiously for this day and I urge them to get their applications in as soon as possible so they can receive the additional support they have earned.”

“We at VA know that every day is a challenge for our most seriously injured Veterans and their Family Caregivers,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “I know many Veterans and their Family Caregivers have been waiting anxiously for this day and I urge them to get their applications in as soon as possible so they can receive the additional support they have earned.”

On May 9, staff in VA’s Office of Care Management and Social Work will open the application process for eligible post-9/11 Veterans and Servicemembers to designate their Family Caregivers.

Additional services for primary Family Caregivers of eligible post-9/11 Veterans and Servicemembers include a stipend, mental health services, and access to health care insurance, if they are not already entitled to care or services under a health care plan. Comprehensive Caregiver training and medical support are other key components of this program. The program builds on the foundation of Caregiver support now provided at VA and reflects what families and clinicians have long known; that Family Caregivers in a home environment can enhance the health and well-being of Veterans under VA care.

“Providing support to Family Caregivers who sacrifice so much to allow Veterans to remain at home surrounded by their loved ones, is very important to us at VA. We offer a range of Caregiver support services including training, counseling and respite care to ensure that our caregivers have the tools and support they need to continue in their care giving role,” said Deborah Amdur, VA’s Chief Consultant for Care Management and Social Work. “We appreciate the patience, support and assistance we have received from Veterans, Veterans Service Organizations, and the greater Caregiver community in shaping this program and bringing this new VA program to our wounded warriors and their dedicated Family Caregivers.”

Caregivers for Veterans of all eras are eligible for respite care, education and training on what it means to be a caregiver, how to best meet the Veteran’s care needs, and the importance of self-care when in a care giving role. The full range of VA services already provided to Caregivers will continue, and local Caregiver Support Coordinators at each VA medical center are available to assist Family Caregivers in identifying benefits and services they may be eligible for. The Caregiver Support Coordinators are well versed in VA programs and also have information about other local public, private and non-profit agency support services that are available to support Veterans and their Family Caregivers at home.

VA programs for Veterans and their Family Caregivers include:

- In-Home and Community Based Care: This includes skilled home health care, homemaker home health aide services, community adult day health care and Home Based Primary Care.

- Respite Care: Designed to relieve the Family Caregiver from the constant challenge of caring for a chronically ill or disabled Veteran at home, respite services can include in-home care, a short stay in one of VA’s community living centers or an environment designed for adult day health care.

- Caregiver education and training programs: VA currently provides multiple training opportunities which include pre-discharge care instruction and specialized caregiver programs in multiple severe traumas such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders, and Blind Rehabilitation. VA has a Family Caregiver assistance healthy living center on My HealtheVet, as well as caregiver information on the VA’s main Web page health site; both Websites include information on VA and community resources and Caregiver health and wellness.

- Caregiver support groups and other services: Family Caregiver support groups, offered in a face to face setting or on the telephone, provide emotional and peer support, and information. Family Caregiver services include family counseling, spiritual and pastoral care, family leisure and recreational activities and temporary lodging in Fisher Houses.

- Other services: VA provides durable medical equipment and prosthetic and sensory aides to improve function, financial assistance with home modification to improve access and mobility, and transportation assistance for some Veterans to and from medical appointments.

Source:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

If you have any questions about home care services in Grosse Pointe, MI and surrounding areas, please contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!