Last updated 2 days 5 hours ago
If you have a loved one who suffers from a chronic respiratory condition, respiratory therapy may become a part of his or her daily care. Watch this brief video to learn about the different forms of respiratory therapy that may be administered at home by a skilled private duty nurse.
Whether a patient requires a ventilator to breathe, has undergone a tracheotomy, or has been prescribed oxygen therapy, a home care clinician can provide the requisite respiratory care. A skilled private duty nurse may also test arterial blood gas levels, arterial pressure, and lung capacity and function.
Independence Plus offers a variety of home care services, including respiratory therapy administered by a licensed respiratory care practitioner. We also provide respiratory HME delivery, assembly, and maintenance. Call (708) 689-4336 today to learn how we can help your family.
Last updated 4 days ago
When a patient is soon to be discharged from the hospital with an ongoing respiratory condition, he or she may be placed on a home ventilator. Such devices tend to be portable to allow for mobility, and they are user-friendly to enable family and caregivers to understand and operate the equipment. In one eight-hour session at the Independence Plus office, you can learn the skills necessary to help your loved one remain comfortable at home.
Operate Respiratory HME Properly
During the home ventilator training class offered by Independence Plus, you will learn how to use various types of respiratory home medical equipment (HME), including the Carefusion LTV 950, Carefusion LTV 1150, and Philips Respironics Trilogy100 ventilators. You will also review the technique involved in changing out the patient circuits in Carefusion LTV respirators.
Ensure Patient Safety
Since ventilators are life-critical systems, it is vital for family caregivers to know how to operate them proficiently. Attending a home ventilator training class can help potential caregivers deal with any unexpected situations that should arise.
Relieve Private Duty Nurses
While a skilled private duty nurse can effectively monitor patient ventilator use, circumstances such as insurance coverage, funding may not enable 24 hour monitoring of the patient. Therefore, it is important for family members to undergo ventilator training and learn how to adjust the machine’s settings themselves.
The licensed respiratory care practitioners at Independence Plus can help your family adjust to caring for a loved one who is on a ventilator. Our skilled clinicians offer comprehensive home ventilator care, including pre-discharge assessments, respiratory HME setup, and on-call clinical support. We also provide regular follow-up visits and renewal of medical supplies for your family’s convenience. Call us today at (708) 689-4336 to schedule a respiratory HME consultation.
Last updated 8 days ago
Several members of the Independence Plus team participated in the National Ovarian Cancer Walk at Diversey Harbor on May 5th.
Last updated 8 days ago
Families anticipating the discharge of a loved one from the hospital may be wondering how best to continue health care at home. Fortunately, agencies such as Independence Plus offer skilled home health care services to address a variety of conditions. Depending on the individualized plan created during a patient’s evaluation, home health care visits may include any of the following:
Respiratory Care
If your loved one is on a ventilator, has a tracheostomy, or is being monitored for a respiratory condition, a licensed respiratory care practitioner can provide clinical oversight and support. In addition, he or she may administer therapy and tests such as chest wall oscillation, mechanical insufflation-exsufflation, and sputum analysis.
Skilled Nursing Services
When patients have intensive medical needs that require skilled nursing care, a professional clinician can visit the home to provide the necessary services. Pain management, wound care, catheter monitoring, and peritoneal dialysis are just some of the methods by which a home health clinician can help a patient stay comfortable and in optimal health.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
After evaluating the physical safety of the home for the patient and explaining how to use medical equipment and prosthetic or orthotic devices, the physical or occupational therapist will outline a plan to enhance patient mobility and motor skills. Depending on the patient’s needs, therapy may focus on bed mobility, walking, basic self-care, or instrumental activities of daily living that can increase patient independence.
Speech-Language Therapy
Our speech-language pathologists can visit patients in their homes for one-on-one therapy to enhance verbal communication skills. These professionals may also aid patients in learning to effectively speak with a ventilator or tracheostomy using the Passy-Muir valve.
With CHAP accreditation, Medicare certification, and AARP recognition, Independence Plus offers quality skilled nursing services. Our clinicians can provide a variety of treatments and therapies according to the patient’s personalized care plan in order to facilitate a positive outcome. Call (708) 689-4336 today to schedule a home care consultation.
Last updated 9 days ago
When caring for a friend or relative who has recently left the hospital, falls are often a major concern. Since you can’t always be around to ensure the safety of your loved one, it is important to utilize tools that can help you detect dangerous situations.
The free Fall Detector app uses the accelerometer in Android phones to monitor the user’s activity, contrasting normal patterns of movement with potential falls or periods of motionlessness. Caregivers are alerted to possible danger via Twitter or text message, so they can quickly check on potential problems.
If your loved one is at high risk for medical complications, you may need the assistance of a skilled private duty nurse. Call Independence Plus at (708) 689-4336 to learn about our comprehensive home care services.
