On the Plus Side

Living with ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a degenerative condition that eventually results in total paralysis. Watch this news special to meet someone living with ALS, and learn how she manages her condition.

Peggy Driessen’s disease is slowly progressing, affecting her ability to use her arms and speak clearly. Fortunately, specialized equipment such as a pressure-relieving mattress provides her with optimal comfort, while a network of caregivers allows her to stay actively engaged with life.

If you or a loved one are coping with ALS and require extra support, call Independence Plus at (630) 463-4400. Our private duty nurses, respiratory care practitioners, and home health therapists can provide the help you need to remain safe and healthy at home.

Learn More About Tracheotomy Procedures and Recovering From a Stroke

Would you like to learn more about the topics discussed in our recent blog posts? Look through these helpful articles for more information or contact the skilled staff at Independence Plus at (630) 463-4400 with any home care questions:

• The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute provides more information about what to expect after a tracheotomy.
• Learn the difference between a tracheostomy and a tracheotomy from the Mayo Clinic.
• Home therapy can be a vital part of regaining function and improving independence after a stroke. 
• The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute provides more information about what a tracheostomy is.

How to Avoid Having a Stroke

Stroke is a serious medical event that is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Similar to a heart attack, stroke is caused by the obstruction or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain that prevents nutrients and oxygen from entering the organ. 

Fortunately, there are things that everyone can do to decrease their risk of suffering from one of these deadly “brain attacks.”  This video provides helpful information about the causes of stroke and how to recognize the symptoms when they occur. Watch to learn more. 

Knowing the symptoms of stroke can help to save a life. If you would like to learn more about stroke and its prevention, call the skilled home care specialists of Independence Plus at (630) 463-4400.

Understanding the Differences Between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

The skills of occupational therapists and physical therapists are vital in the rehabilitation of many illnesses and injuries that affect people in all walks of life. After a stroke, for example, therapy can help a victim to recover his or her ability to eat and swallow normally. After a tracheotomy or ventilator procedure, therapy can also help to improve mobility and joint strength. Therefore, with the help of occupational therapists (OT) and physical therapists (PT), patients struggling with mobility or function issues can learn to live more comfortably and independently in their own homes. 

So, what is the difference between OT and PT? Both types of therapy are focused on improving overall quality of life by restoring the patient’s ability to perform the tasks of daily living without difficulty. For OTs, this means modifying the home to improve safety and to avoid aggravation of any illness or injury. An OT may also introduce assistive devices to improve a patient’s ability to perform his or her daily activities. PTs, on the other hand, focus mainly on improving the mobility and strength of the musculoskeletal system. Therapy will often involve specific exercises focused on strengthening weakened joints or improving the efficiency of motion. Treatment also can be administered manually, through deep muscle therapy that promotes joint realignment.

At Independence Plus, our team of highly skilled nurses and clinicians provide both OT and PT to our patients in their homes. Independence Plus therapists assist patients with gait, therapeutic exercises, postoperative care, and more. In addition to improving our patients’ ability to perform their daily active tasks, we are dedicated to providing support and education to each patient and their families. If you would like to learn more about how our team can help you or your loved one, contact Independence Plus today at (630) 463-4400. 

Rush University Medical Center Respiratory Care Student Shares Experience at Independence Plus

As a respiratory care student in the Master of Science program at Rush University Medical Center, I had the opportunity to participate in clinical rotations at 4 different medical sites over the course of 8 weeks. While most respiratory care students won’t get the privilege of participating in a home care, we had the privilege of spending one week at Independence Plus, Inc, a leading provider of private duty nursing, home health visits, and respiratory home medical equipment in Chicagoland. 

During the clinical rotation at Independence Plus, we worked directly with the respiratory therapists. We felt welcomed by the entire staff, and even as a student, I was encouraged to join and contribute openly to their daily morning meetings, which included discussion about respiratory care services and equipment provided to their patients. The daily morning meetings were a good example of quality of care. The meetings provided an opportunity for the whole team, from management to respiratory therapists, to get on the same page and discuss any patient concerns from the previous work day.

I was pleased to find that, similar to Rush University Medical Center, Independence Plus always puts the patient first! And their patient focus did not stop at the office. While rotating with each of the therapists, I was very impressed at how they interacted with the patients and families to ensure that the lines of communication were open and that the whole family was involved in the plan of care. This is vital for home care because, more often than not, family members are the primary caregivers in the home. In addition, the high level of interaction with the clinical nurse manager at Independence Plus ensured continuity of care.

On-going education is also a major element of Independence Plus’ success. During the week I was there, I participated in an in-service on a new cough-assist device. This demonstrated their desire to keep informed about the latest equipment and standards of care. 

After this experience at Independence Plus, I would definitely consider working in the home care industry in the future. 

This article was written by Troy Ellens, MS Student in Respiratory Care at Rush University Medical Center (expected graduation date: May 2013)