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.
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.
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.
When a family member or friend has mental illness, life can be filled with anxiety and a feeling of helplessness. Is he taking his medication? Is she being honest about her condition? Is his behavior putting him at risk?
A new diagnosis of a chronic illness can be traumatic. It usually comes with many new prescriptions and a list of confusing rules to help keep your symptoms at bay. Find out how home healthcare can help you manage your chronic disease.
Feeling sad after losing someone is a normal response. Each person is unique and there is no single way to grieve. However, if your symptoms persist and disrupt your ability to have a normal life, you may benefit from bereavement support. Grief counseling in Ohio is available through numerous treatment facilities, support groups and counseling.
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.
Meet Leonor, who has been volunteering for Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio for over 12 years. As a VNA volunteer, she’s been sewing gowns for VNA hospice patients in her home and recently hit a milestone of 1,500 gowns!
I get calls at all hours of the day asking for my advice or opinion on a medical-related issue. It’s not only because I’ve been a registered nurse for over 40 years, but my friends and relatives want reassurance.
Community health nursing was a relatively new concept in 1902 when 13 pioneering women set out to provide in-home care for those in the Cleveland area. The concept grew into the Visiting Nurse Association of Cleveland and eventually into Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio. Currently, VNA of Ohio serves over 7,000 patients a year in 17 Ohio counties, providing comprehensive home healthcare services to those who need it most.
How did VNA of Ohio become what it is today? Volunteers.
Yarn, yarn, yarn. For the group that call themselves “Chicks with Sticks,” it’s all about the yarn. “It’s an addiction,” one member told us. This group of energetic and extremely talented women meets about once a week to knit and crochet. A few members of the group also sew. The group has been around for over 10 years. They started as a yarn-trading group of three women who met at the library and expanded into this group that has about 10-15 members who come regularly to their meetings in Sheffield Lake.
Maria is the Senior Partner at The Shinn Law Firm, LLC in Lakewood. She’s been providing pro-bono legal services to VNA of Ohio Hospice for almost 20 years.
At the Westlake Center Community Services, a group of dedicated volunteers sit together inside on a wintery day chatting quietly, sipping coffee and tea, listening to music and making gorgeous greeting cards and bookmarks with dried flowers.
The caregiver-patient relationship is what really makes home healthcare work. There needs to be a mutual trust, respect and understanding between both parties. Not to mention, the home healthcare professional needs to have a solid relationship with the patient’s families and other caregivers.
At Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio, no one models this better than Laura Camp-Smith, a hospice social worker.
Music therapy is healing. At the end of life, sometimes it’s one of the only things that brings relief to patients.
As you or a loved one receive medical attention, it is important that your family, friends, caregivers and healthcare providers are aware of your wishes. In the event that you are unable to communicate these wishes yourself, Advance Directives are used to guide medical decisions.
Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio wants to change the way patients and their families think about hospice care.
Patients, and families of those, living with a terminal illness are often faced with the difficult decision of choosing care as they near end of life. Many choose hospice to improve their quality of life during their remaining days, while the term may carry a negative connotation for others. The following facts and common misconceptions help diffuse the negative association and highlight the positive benefits of choosing hospice care.
Caring for a loved one at the end of life is a formidable and rewarding task. Sometimes, family members and friends trade caregiving shifts, but often, the majority of the responsibility falls to one individual.
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.
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.
Coping with the loss of a loved one or understanding and accepting a relative’s illness is extremely difficult. The holiday season, usually a time meant for celebration, can trigger feelings of absence and sorrow. For many families, traditions are no longer the same thus forcing the realization of how our lives are now different. These 5 tips can provide grief support to family members during the holidays.
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.
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.
The word “hospice” evokes fear, hopelessness and grief. But Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio offers a different meaning: control, comfort and peace.
The transition to hospice care weighs heavily on the minds and hearts of families. It's important that caregivers are cared for -- and take care of themselves -- during this time. These tips can help.
Patients who are living with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness need a specialized blueprint of care. Special Care services, including palliative care, can relieve suffering and improve patients' quality of life while undergoing treatment.
From making the call to choosing a hospice provider to maintaining strength and dignity throughout the care, this overview is designed help make each moment count for patients, caregivers and their families.
From making the call to choosing a hospice provider to maintaining strength and dignity throughout the care, this overview is designed help make each moment count for patients, caregivers and their families.
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.
Feeling sad after losing someone is a normal response. Each person is unique and there is no single way to grieve. However, if your symptoms persist and disrupt your ability to have a normal life, you may benefit from bereavement support. Grief counseling in Ohio is available through numerous treatment facilities, support groups and counseling.
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.
In June, 2019, Great Place to Work Institute recognized Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio, under the umbrella of VNA Health Group, as a Great Place to Work. The certification process considered more than 1,000 employee surveys from across the organization. More than 60 elements were considered, including, the organization’s community impact, belief that their work makes a difference, and feeling their work has special meaning. Rankings are based on employees’ experiences, no matter who they are or what they do. Meet a few staff members and learn about what brought them to VNA.
According to a 2015 report by the Ohio Department of Health, Ohioans have a higher rate of chronic diseases compared to the rest of the country. And, over 20% of Ohioans are living with more than one chronic illness, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, COPD, CHF, arthritis or asthma.
We talked to three stand-out caregivers at VNA of Ohio to celebrate "Caregiver Appreciation Week." These compassionate staff members share how they got into their fields and what makes them so passionate about care-giving.
We’re celebrating National Nurses Week by highlighting a few great deals and discounts for nurses during Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2018. Some of the deals also extend for the entire month of May. Let us know if we missed any!
What began as a six-month pilot program, the Ambulatory Withdrawal Management Program is now in its ninth month. We talked to one client, Carl, who has been at the rehabilitation facility Stella Maris for a month. At Stella Maris treatment center, clients are initially admitted to the detox center to receive skilled nursing care as the drugs completely leave their system.
After the detox period, participants may be admitted to the Stella Maris dorms where they begin their residential treatment program through group therapy and other activities. At that point, so soon after the initial detox, many patients are still suffering from the effects of withdrawal such as severe anxiety and depression.
That’s where the Ambulatory Withdrawal Management Program comes in.
I get calls at all hours of the day asking for my advice or opinion on a medical-related issue. It’s not only because I’ve been a registered nurse for over 40 years, but my friends and relatives want reassurance.
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.
Recent studies show that one out of every five American adults will have a mental illness in his or her lifetime. Yet, more than half do not receive help. Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio is working to address this problem by providing care for patients in the comfort of their own home, wherever they call home.
Every year, VNA of Ohio recognizes National Nurses Week in May. We call it "Caregiver Appreciation Week." To celebrate, we interviewed five rockstar VNA employees who care for patients and staff every day.
In 2016, the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office estimated that the opioid epidemic has claimed the lives of over 600 people just in Cuyahoga County. That’s more than double the 2015 death toll due to opioid overdose.
Homecare professionals – nurses, home aides, social workers, counselors and other home health professionals – are in a very unique position to help curb this staggering statistic. Early intervention may be possible for many patients who suffer from opioid addition with the help of homecare professionals.
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.
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.
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.
Whenever she talks about self-care for caregivers, Amy Silbaugh likes to use what she calls “the airplane analogy:” In the event of an emergency during a flight, oxygen masks fall from the aircraft’s ceiling.
Every day, caregivers’ minds are occupied with everything from medication schedules to symptom management. And, of course, they must remember to take care of themselves.
Northeast Ohio summers can be tough for people who struggle to breath.
Most caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia share this near-constant fear: In a moment of confusion, their loved ones might walk away from home and family and never find their way back.
Having a loved one with a serious illness is a frightening, confusing time for everyone. But children with elderly family members approaching the end of life often have questions or concerns they may be unable to express.
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.
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 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.
When a parent is ailing and in need of help, siblings are a ready-made caregiving team, sharing responsibilities and supporting one another through emotionally tough times. Unfortunately, it isn’t always that simple.
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.
People who provide care at home for loved ones with debilitating injuries or medical conditions are at high risk for exhaustion, burnout and even stress-induced illness. But, for caregivers who care for patients requiring rehabilitation, the risks include physical injury.
In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, smart choices in the grocery store and kitchen are vital in achieving a balanced and nutritious diet. It is never too late to adopt healthier habits, and making simple changes to your shopping and cooking routines will help you achieve your goal.
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.
Caring for a loved one at the end of life is a formidable and rewarding task. Sometimes, family members and friends trade caregiving shifts, but often, the majority of the responsibility falls to one individual.
Every year, Americans endure high summer temperatures and many are at risk for serious health complications due to the heat. In order to maintain optimal health throughout the summer months, it is necessary to utilize education and prevention techniques to keep you and your loved ones safe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Coping with the loss of a loved one or understanding and accepting a relative’s illness is extremely difficult. The holiday season, usually a time meant for celebration, can trigger feelings of absence and sorrow. For many families, traditions are no longer the same thus forcing the realization of how our lives are now different. These 5 tips can provide grief support to family members during the holidays.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When a family member or friend has mental illness, life can be filled with anxiety and a feeling of helplessness. Is he taking his medication? Is she being honest about her condition? Is his behavior putting him at risk?
A parent is getting more forgetful. An older relative has fallen several times in the last few months. A family member is recovering from surgery. When is it time to explore home healthcare options? The simplest answer may be this: When you are worried about that person’s ability to stay safe and well at home.
Caring for a loved one? Then you know it’s not always easy. In fact, the physical, emotional and financial challenges in providing care can be difficult to juggle along with work and other obligations. Check out these tips for preventing burnout, which can lead to exhaustion, depression and more serious medical issues. After all, caregivers need care, too.
The transition to hospice care weighs heavily on the minds and hearts of families. It's important that caregivers are cared for -- and take care of themselves -- during this time. These tips can help.
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