VNA of Ohio Blog

Could it be time to hire an at-home caregiver for yourself or a loved one? An at-home caregiver can significantly improve your physical, emotional and social health. With their help, you can live independently in your home and not have to move to assisted living. To get the most from a caregiver, it’s important to know when it’s the right time to hire someone.

Below are six signs that you are ready to welcome an at-home caregiver into your life.

Home health care encompasses various types of clinical care all from the comfort of your house. As you evaluate your options for senior home care in Ohio, it’s normal to have concerns about what the process is like and what level of care you can expect. Doing your research and asking the right questions will alleviate your concerns and help you feel more confident about utilizing this personalized care.

If you have concerns about at-home health care, here are some of the ways that you can cross these worries off your list.

A question I get a lot from patients, families and also case managers and social workers, is, “What does it mean to be a nonprofit home care agency?” or “What difference does it make to work with a nonprofit organization vs. a for-profit organization?” Here are some of the things to consider when choosing Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio or any nonprofit home health care organization.

Patients are typically referred to a physical therapist when they need help returning to their prior level of functioning. PT can also reduce pain, improve mobility, manage chronic health problems and avoid surgery.

Hospice care is a special kind of care given to patients who are in the final stages of a terminal disease or near the end of life. This type of care focuses on keeping the patient comfortable and providing relief from symptoms, rather than on active treatment. Providing care with compassionate, hospice care aims at maintaining the quality of life of patients as their disease progresses and they near the end.

"We can't help everyone but everyone can help someone." - Ronald Reagan We invite you to join us for VNA of Ohio's Day of Giving on Wednesday, July 17. Even a small amount goes a long way to help an individual in need. Help us spread the word: #VNAGives. 

“Caring is the essence of nursing”

Last year, Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio launched a pilot pediatrics home visiting program for at-risk infants coming home from MetroHealth’s NICU. A year later, we spoke to people leading the program about how the infants and families were impacted.

In October, 2018, Terri Noll was recognized by The Center for Community Solutions as one of the areas five "Most Treasured Volunteers" during their annual Celebration of Human Services ceremony. 

As the year draws to a close, many of us can be grateful for family, friends and good health as we celebrate the holidays. But, for so many others who are facing health challenges like a chronic illness, disability or a terminal condition, this is not the case. Fortunately, however, for many of them, Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio is providing hope and support during a difficult time. 

Our donors have chosen to invest in the health and safety of those living in our communities. Their gifts allow us to expand critical services, offer new programs and support the needs of patients and families aging or recovering at home. In a new series, we’re excited to introduce you to a few of these very generous and selfless donors. 

Occupational and physical therapists can treat patients in many different environments – in the hospital, in a facility, at schools or even at home. At Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio, our clinicians have been treating patients in their own homes with physical and occupational therapy for over 50 years.

This year, to celebrate Occupational Therapy Month, we talked to VNA of Ohio’s Terry Biggar, an occupational therapist for 41 years. Terry told us about the key differences between occupational and physical therapy. While there are differences between the two, both physical and occupational therapy share the same patient outcome goal: promoting patient independence and safe functioning in the home.

Linda was a VNA of Ohio hospice patient for most of 2017. In the presence of her family and loved ones and in the comfort of her own home, she died in January, 2018. We were honored to meet her in October, 2017, where she talked about “the girls” who took care of her and how they made her feel part of a team.

In 2017, we've told you about some of our amazing patients, clinicians and volunteers to bring stories about home health care to life. These are stories of real-life heroes who work every day to make our community better. As we close out the year, we wanted to share our top five stories. We hope they inspire you to read more, volunteer, inquire about Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio's home health care and hospice services or donate today. Enjoy!  

Most people don’t think about home healthcare until they or until a friend or relative needs it. Cynthia was no different, only that she had spent her entire professional career as a home health clinician, an occupational therapist. Still, she said she never thought she’d require the same services that she gave to others.

In July, we asked a few of our caregivers to talk about our emergency assistance program known as the Patient Emergency Fund. Caring for patients at home, our home healthcare caregivers are better able to address true patient needs. They told us incredible stories of how the Fund has made a real difference for patients in the past and continues to be an important safety net for patients that we serve. The goal of the emergency assistance is to help our patients focus on healing, recovery and regaining their independence.

[Make a donation to the Patient Emergency Fund]

In June, Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio, in partnership with the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County, launched a six-month pilot program to assist recovering opioid addicts manage their withdrawal symptoms following the initial week of detox. We talked to a few patients in the program and with Jackie, a detox nurse at the Stella Maris treatment facility. Thom Huggins, RN, is the psychiatric nurse leading the program and has been at VNA of Ohio for over 25 years.

Summer is filled with food, fun and sometimes traveling to visit family or friends. If your elderly loved one is visiting or traveling, you want to be certain they make it to their destination safe and sound. The following are useful tips for keeping your loved one safe and on schedule during this travel season.

Navigating the post-acute continuum of care can be frustrating, particularly for the patients and family members. But it can also be frustrating for the doctor, insurance company and the provider. A lot of frustration stems from a lack of basic communication and understanding on all sides. 

Open enrollment for Medicare will begin this October. If you are approaching 65 years or are older, do you know your options? 

New blog post courtesy of Carol A. Clark, Publisher/Editor of Los Alamos Daily Post and courtesy of the Center for Disease Control. 

Depression is a real but treatable mental illness and not a normal part of aging. However, older adults are at an increased risk for experiencing depression. If you are concerned about a loved one, offer to go with him or her to see a health care provider to be diagnosed and treated.

“Determined.” That’s how Ruth, an 83-year-old bilateral amputee describes herself and that is certainly how she has led her life. As a bilateral amputee who has lost both of her legs above the knee, she uses a wheelchair to get around most of the time. She also does exercises, “wheelchair push-ups,” throughout the week to strengthen her arms to be able to do small tasks. But, she still practices walking on two full-leg prosthetics at least three times a week. 

The mental health team at Visiting Nurse Association has been playing a key role in the training of police officers in Crisis Intervention Training for nearly 10 years.

There's no place like home for the holidays. When elderly relatives come to visit make sure your home is safe and inviting so everyone can enjoy the season in comfort.

Tom is a former CPA turned business executive at the paint company, Glidden. This past year has been a tough one for Tom and his wife, Barb. Last October, Tom learned that he had to have surgery and reacted badly to the treatment. So badly that he was diagnosed with lymphedema – chronic swelling in his legs and arms. By May, he wasn’t able to walk due to the swelling.

Knowing what to ask is key. Sometimes, family caregivers may not ask questions about particular services if they do not think they would apply to their loved one’s situation. The following list provides caregivers with basic questions when choosing someone to care for their loved one.

Lymphedema affects nearly one million Americans. It is the common cause of leg or arm swelling due to the collection of excess lymph fluid. This swelling may not be painful, but can cause discomfort, and decrease the mobility of the patient, among other risks and side effects. But what causes it -- and how is it treated?

If you’ve ever missed a child’s sports event to take a parent to the doctor or passed up a family vacation because you just couldn’t be away from an elderly relative for that long, you probably don’t need a definition for the term “Sandwich Generation”

And you aren’t alone.

Music therapy is healing. At the end of life, sometimes it’s one of the only things that brings relief to patients.

Studies suggest that individuals with a behavioral health diagnosis are less likely to comply with their primary plan of care, resulting in higher emergency department costs and negative health outcomes. On September 14, 2016, Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio and local experts will host a panel discussion to learn how integrating holistic care can transform healthcare and positively impact the community.

What patient or caregiver couldn’t use an extra pair of helping hands inside the home? Personal care assistance offers just that, supplementing home healthcare services as medical needs evolve -- and as life situations change.

Sometimes caregivers need a break -- for their own well-being and for that of the loved ones they care for. Respite care is a good option to give caregivers a hand and prevent burnout. Find out how it can help.

Growing up in Germany, Hubertine was eight years old during World War II. When she and her family moved to the United States in the 1950s, she began to forget the horrors that she saw during that time. After a while, she forgot almost everything. It wasn’t until a few years ago that the memories started to come back.

Did you know that adults 65 years of age and older are at a higher risk for developing flu-related complications? Additionally, living with various medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, and kidney disorders increases their risk.

After a loved one experiences a serious health crisis that resulted in hospitalization, determining where to turn after discharge is vital to their recovery. Many patients and families are unaware of the choices that lay ahead and the questions that need to be asked before going home.

Since 1917, Occupational Therapists have provided customized interventions designed to meet the specific goals of every individual. April is Occupational Therapy Month in the U.S. when we celebrate the importance of services for those regaining their ability to maintain safe and independent living.

Every year, millions of Americans are discharged from the hospital following a procedure, illness or injury. Many require intensive rehabilitation therapies to regain their strength and ultimately, their independence. As individuals are recovering after surgery, their hope is to return back to everyday life as soon as possible. Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio can help.

When an aging or unwell family member's safety at home is a cause for concern -- no matter what the reason -- Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio can help.

Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio wants to change the way patients and their families think about hospice care.

For patients recovering from orthopedic surgery, a period of physical therapy must begin almost immediately and continue almost daily without interruption. This can require as much as two weeks of in-patient rehab, often in a residential care facility.

Did you know that 62% of family caregivers pay for a loved one’s Alzheimer’s care out of their own savings? In the United States, Alzheimer’s disease affects more than five million individuals and families. Although the disease is not a normal part of the aging process, it continues to grow in line with the aging population. As families face the emotional and financial stresses associated with Alzheimer’s, it has become imperative that caregivers begin to plan for the future.

As we age, it seems more and more difficult to stay well, especially during cold and flu season. From common colds and stomach viruses to urinary tract infections and shingles, older adults are more prone to infection.

Dysphasia, or the inability to swallow normally, can affect people who are recovering from surgery, a brain injury or a stroke, or who deal with progressive degenerative neurological diseases like Parkinson’s or ALS.

When a loved one has suffered a heart attack or undergone a heart bypass, concern is understandably high. Will he have another heart attack? Was her surgery successful?

In Cuyahoga County, 50% of the clients admitted into the state psychiatric hospital are readmissions. Many of these individuals were unable to access care to achieve optimal health and independence. Rather, they were forced to turn to the hospital systems to receive treatment, continuing what is known as the “Revolving Door Syndrome.” To prevent the reoccurring cycle, community agencies joined forces in hopes of closing the gap for care and created the Bridge Program.

People who live with diabetes know the importance of taking care of themselves through diet, exercise and, sometimes, insulin therapy. But many may not realize that good diabetes care starts from the ground up.

Caring for a loved one who is recovering from surgery can be scary. An open surgical wound must be kept protected and carefully monitored for signs of infection. It is a daunting responsibility to manage at home.

Northeast Ohio summers can be tough for people who struggle to breath.

Caring for a seriously ill person can be all-consuming. Often, one person bears the majority – if not all – of the load. But being the primary caregiver doesn’t mean being the only caregiver.

Throughout the United States, there are more than 40 million individuals aged 65 years or older, and numbers will only continue to increase. As the older population wishes to remain independent and age in place, seniors are recognizing the need to stay active and healthy, critical to making that happen.

Most caregivers spend a lot of time thinking about good nutrition. “Did Dad eat all of his veggies?” “How can we get Mom to take in more calories?”

When loved ones are hurt or ill, all we really want to do is make them well again. Powerless to do that, we may overcompensate and take on every task and responsibility of care.

What began more than 100 years ago as a group of 13 Cleveland women dedicated to home health care now includes more than 700 professionals providing comprehensive home healthcare, hospice and rehabilitation services throughout Northeast and Central Ohio.

There aren’t many one-stop shops when it comes to healthcare. With millions of Americans seeing a physician, having surgery or being discharged from the hospital every day, most patients must use numerous providers to meet their various medical needs.

In healthcare, there is only one goal: keep the patient healthy, safe, and out of the hospital. Unfortunately, for patients living with a chronic condition, hospitalizations are often too frequent. The goal of home healthcare is to help patients manage their chronic condition in the comfort of their home.

When a loved one is discharged from the hospital, it can be overwhelming and confusing navigating their continuum of care home. If plan of care orders are not understood and followed correctly, the patient is at a greater risk of returning to the hospital due to complications.

Today, the average senior is prescribed 5-6 medications for various health issues, increasing their odds of misusing prescriptions and potentially leading to extreme health risks or accidental overdoses. As the Baby Boomer population ages, the number of seniors continues to grow. Therefore, it is important to recognize if your loved one is at risk and identify tips to prevent misuse.

An aging parent is in the emergency room after forgetting to take their medication, an elderly relative has difficulty with simple tasks of daily living, or a significant other is showing early signs of Alzheimer’s. Caregivers everywhere are forced to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, while searching for information and resources that will allow their loved one to remain in their own home. 

Caring for an elderly loved one is difficult, especially when they live across the country. More than 7 million Americans have taken on the role of being a long distance caregiver and face the challenge of finding information and resources needed to keep their family safe and healthy from afar.

For some women, the first several days home following the birth of a new baby are filled with some of the most profound moments in life. They are also some of the most overwhelming.

As patients, we need to maximize our time with the doctor as it is essential for our health. Doctor’s appointments can cause stress and anxiety for patients. In stressful situations, comprehension of information decreases. Add that to not feeling well or being nervous, it can seriously compromise our capacity to retain information.

When loved ones have a serious medical condition or are living with chronic disease, their family caregivers tend to focus only on what can impact physical health, keeping an eye on healing wounds, monitoring vital signs and assisting with mobility. But as patients age, it’s important to consider their mental health as well.

For someone recovering from surgery, illness or an accident, the threat of falling can be as much of a concern as complications from the medical condition itself.

In the United States, arthritis affects over 46 million individuals, costing the economy more than $124 billion per year in medical care. The indirect expenses, including lost productivity in the workplace contributing to that staggering number. As the population ages, the numbers and cost will continue to rise in the years ahead. Learn today if you or your loved one may be at risk.

The family physician may have said that your grandmother is showing signs of dementia. Does that mean she has Alzheimer’s? Not necessarily.

More than 25 million Americans living with asthma know the fear of struggling to breathe. Asthma attacks, often the result of allergic reactions, result in more than two million emergency room visits every year and can be fatal if untreated.

For people with mental illness, Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio’s mental health home care team is a vital component to overall wellness.

For many of us, managing the health of an aging loved one can be a difficult and demanding task. It is a daily reminder to take control of our own health before an emergency situation occurs.

Nearly 10% of the United States population has diabetes, including 25% of seniors. If present trends continue, as many as 1 in 3 adults will have diabetes by the year 2050. Those who are affected by diabetes are required to make lifestyle changes and are at greater risk for serious health complications. In order to understand the risk factors, it is important to understand what causes the disease and if you are at risk.

The bond between patient and healthcare provider is built on a foundation of compassion and trust. The importance of that bond is even greater when the care setting is the patient’s home.

Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio develops customized home healthcare plans for each of its patients. But whether the goal is to provide wound care, monitor vital signs or administer treatment, care plans have one thing in common. They all focus on keeping the patient safe from harm.

Throughout the healthcare industry, in both acute and post-acute care settings, top priorities for healthcare professionals are ensuring patient safety and providing quality care. For home health professionals, a safe home environment allows patients to regain optimal health and independence.

Managing chronic disease has never been easy for physicians – not only because of the complexities of the disease process, but also because of the noncompliance of patients to prescribed treatment. Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio can help.

Caring for an ailing loved one at home is a challenge under any circumstances. But those who care for individuals with mental illness often bear a particularly heavy burden.

Caring for a loved one at home can be emotionally and physically exhausting. With all focus going to the patient, the caregiver’s own needs often slip to the bottom of the list of priorities. What results is compassion fatigue and, if left unaddressed, complete caregiver burnout.

Keeping patients safe at home is the primary objective of every home care plan. But for patients with vision loss, that objective can be as challenging as it is critical.

February is American Heart Health month. Here are five tips from Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio to promote optimal heart health among homebound patients.

A stroke occurs when the blood flow in a patient’s brain is disrupted because of a blood clot or broken blood vessel. Depending on the location of the clot or bleed in the brain, the effects can range from slight vision loss to total paralysis.

Determining when your loved one is ready to transition into hospice care is challenging. Family members often turn to their physicians to help them work through this decision and determine the next steps in the care plan. Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio sat down with MD News’ Jan Raabe to discuss the important information about choosing hospice care.

An elderly family member or neighbor seems different lately. Is she just having a bad day, or is it something more? Amy Silbaugh, Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio’s manager of clinical development, said there are several warning signs that a senior might be at risk and in need of help.

For many patients and their families, the first question when arranging for home healthcare is, “Will insurance coverage help pay for it?”

Nearly 1 in 4 Americans are both the primary caregiver for a family member and maintain employment. An estimated 61% of those caring for an adult 50 years and older are currently employed either full or part-time. The demanding role of being a caregiver spreads across all racial, gender, age and ethnic boundaries.

More than 50 million Americans support themselves, their children and are becoming the primary caregiver for an aging parent. This growing group, known as the “Sandwich Generation”, faces the financial and emotional burdens of caring for multiple generations. As parents age and require more assistance and care, it may be time to investigate options.

When patients are discharged from the hospital with orders for home healthcare, they are presented with a list of services and agencies and told to choose one.

Accepting a loved one’s illness is overwhelming and often times devastating for families and friends. For those given a limited life expectancy, loved ones must begin to look at options to keep the patient comfortable during their end of life. In-home Hospice care allows patients to spend their remaining time in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by the people and things they know and love. Learn what hospice is and when it is the right time and option for your loved one.

With advances in medical technology, many major surgeries have become routine procedures done on an outpatient basis. But just because a patient returns home the day of surgery doesn’t mean his need for help is any less significant.

Medicare and Medicaid patients dealing with illness or recovering from surgery or injury may be eligible to receive Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio’s home-based skilled nursing care. Under certain circumstances, Medicare pays for seniors and other qualifying beneficiaries to receive home healthcare services.

Nearly 500,000 Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), meaning 10% to 20% of the country experiences the ‘winter blues’. The change of seasons brings cold and flu season, but as well an onset for depression. While individuals living in particular geographical regions are more prone to SAD, this type of depression can affect almost anyone.

You know when a loved one needs help to stay safe at home -- that nagging worry can’t be ignored. But what kind of help is needed and who can provide it? A call to Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio can help answer the question, “Do I need a home health aide or a home healthcare nurse?”

The most difficult conversation a physician may have with her patient is one that includes the word “hospice.” But it also may be the most compassionate one, said Dr. Christine Marsick, Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio Hospice.

Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio has been providing home healthcare in the community for more than a century. In that time, it has become the organization that physicians trust when they are looking for providers to manage their patients’ care at home.

After a stay in the hospital, the trip home is welcome. But for patients healing from an injury, recovering from surgery or dealing with a chronic illness, it’s important that the move from hospital to home be managed carefully, often with the help of a home healthcare nurse.

Hospitals are a vital part of the healthcare infrastructure for patients who need treatment and stabilization for acute conditions. But frequent hospitalizations are difficult for the patient, inefficient, expensive and, often, avoidable. So how do you prevent needless hospital stays?

The period following a hospital stay can be nerve-wracking for patients and their families. Surgery, treatments or the medical condition itself can leave patients weaker than before they were admitted.

The word “hospice” evokes fear, hopelessness and grief. But Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio offers a different meaning: control, comfort and peace.

Fall is here and winter is around the corner. Weather changes present challenges for seniors to overcome to stay healthy, active and independent. It is important for seniors and their caregivers to prepare for the change of seasons using the following health and safety tips.

When you think of Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio, you may think of home healthcare following surgery or hospitalization for a major medical issue. You may not know about how VNA of Ohio can help people with mental illness.

One-third of seniors who fall in their homes suffer from injuries including lacerations, fractured bones, or head trauma. Injuries can send individuals into a long-term care facility for months at a time. To prevent your loved one from falling, take the following precautions to keep them safe and independent at home.

When a life-limiting condition strikes, familiar surroundings become so much more important. When you don’t feel well and are worrying about the future, there is no substitute for sleeping in your own bed, the comfort of a favorite chair or the familiar view from your own window. A private duty nurse may be the solution to staying where you feel most secure.

Every 15 seconds an older adult is seen for a falls related injury in an Emergency Department nationwide. Every 29 minutes an older adult dies following a fall. Find out today if your loved one is at risk.