Here are some examples of the types of services that can be provided by the healthcare professionals visiting you. If any of these services are related to your specific needs, you would likely benefit from having our professionals visit you at home. These are only examples, and the lists do not represent all possibilities.

Skilled Nursing can provide…

• Skilled assessment of all physiologic systems (heart, lungs, skin, urinary, bowel, endocrine, etc.)
• Assessment and treatment of wounds, decubitus ulcers, diabetic ulcers, or burns
• Tracheostomy care
• Teaching of self-administration of gastrostomy feedings
• IM/SQ injections (i.e., Vitamin B-12, Lovenox, Calcimar, pain medication)
• Drawing and monitoring of lab values
• IV Therapy
• Dressing changes/wound care
• Observation for circulatory impairment of patient in a cast
• Education on…
  • New or exacerbated diagnoses
  • Teaching on new or changed medication
  • Safety measures
  • Prescribed diets
  • Care of any indwelling catheter
  • Self catheterization
  • Bowel/bladder training
  • New procedures such as mobilization treatments, oxygen therapy, tracheostomy care, colostomy care, bladder irrigations, enteral feedings, etc

Many new diagnoses or changes in a previous diagnosis, treatments or medication require the care and education provided by a skilled nurse.

Physical Therapy can provide:

• Gait training
• Therapeutic exercises
• Range of motion
• Strengthening
• Balance Coordination
• Endurance or functional ability training
• Safe and effective maintenance program
• Hot packs
• Ultrasound treatments
• Establish a home exercise program
• Prosthetic training
• Fabrication of temporary devices
• Muscle reeducation
• ADL training
• Spasticity reduction

Some diagnoses that often benefit from Physical Therapy intervention include:
Post hip/knee-replacement, rotator cuff repairs, gait disturbance, general weakness of the upper extremities, arthritis, stroke, cardiac diagnosis, closed head injury, burns, COPD (emphysema), new prosthesis, brace, sling, or cast or a decline in function after an illness or hospitalization.

Occupational Therapy can provide…

• Techniques for sensory integration, energy conservation, work simplification, and joint protection.
• Design, fabricate, and fit orthotic and self-help devices.
• Teach compensatory techniques to improve the level of independence in ADL’s.
• Teach therapeutic activities designed to restore physical function.

An Occupational Therapist might construct a device that will allow a patient to hold a utensil so that they can feed themselves. Occupational Therapists can often assist a patient in regaining independence in the activities of daily living (ADL) such as dressing, bathing, and meal preparation. By doing so, the patient can be maintained in the home rather than in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility.

Speech Language Pathology (Speech Therapy) can provide treatments for:

• Speech voice production
• Voice disorders
• Difficulty with speech (aphasia)
• Difficulty with swallowing (dysphagia)
• Special communication techniques

Types of patients that may benefit from Speech Therapy are those with a diagnosis of head and neck cancers, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, vocal cord nodules, multiple sclerosis, or any debilitating neuro-muscular disorder. Patients with new tracheostomies or post laryngectomies also often require the skills of a Speech Pathologist.

Home Health Aide

You may be eligible for home health aide services if you need assistance with personal care while being treated at home by a nurse, physical therapist, and/or speech language pathologist. Home health aide services are provided on an intermittent basis. The services the home health aide provides will be determined by the nurse in accordance with your physician and based on your specific needs.

The primary function of the home health aide is to provide assistance with personal care and limited household functions. Such assistance may include:

• Helping patient bathe and dress
• Assisting the patient in and out of bed
• Assisting with mouth and hair care
• Helping with exercise
• Changing the patient’s linens
• Assisting with training in self-care techniques
• Preparing a light lunch or breakfast
• Laundering or drying essential items as time permits
• Light cleaning and straightening of the patient care area

Medical Social Work

Social services can provide the patient and family with assistance in many areas, including but not limited to:

• Assistance with the rental or purchase of medical equipment.
• Counseling for long-range planning and decision making such as nursing home placement or life care communities.
• Community resource planning and referrals such as locating private hourly care funded through state or county programs, prescription assistance, or initiating meals-on-wheels.
• Assistance with understanding medical bills or other financial account management.