On the Plus Side

Tips For Caregivers

Caring for an disabled family member can be stressful and difficult, which is why many people in such a position develop depression and even physical ailments of their own. Watch this video to learn why you do not have to carry the burden by yourself and what your options for help are.

Even a small break from caregiving that lasts an hour or two each day can help you recharge and focus on handling your own responsibilities, so seek help in the form of other family members or homecare companies such as Independence Plus.

To learn what Independence Plus can do for your loved one, call (708) 366-4500. We are CHAP accredited and Medicare certified, and we are devoted to providing family caregivers and their loved ones with home nursing in Chicago for the ultimate peace of mind.

Why Specialized Health Care Doesn't Have to End When You Leave the Hospital

For patients transitioning from the hospital back to their homes, continuity of care is vital. Ensuring that home healthcare professionals in the following areas are available can provide invaluable peace of mind and contribute to better overall outcomes:

Skilled Nursing Services

Once your condition has stabilized and a definitive treatment plan has been put into place, you may be cleared for discharge from the hospital—yet the scope of your care may be beyond what family caregivers can provide. For such cases, Independence Plus offers skilled private duty nursing services, which can be helpful for cleaning incisions and catheter insertions, ensuring that medications are taken properly and at the right times, and minimizing potential medical complications.

Respiratory Home Medical Equipment

Whether you must use a ventilator constantly or only for certain hours of the day, our respiratory care practitioners (RCPs) can teach you how to operate your machine and are on-call to answer your questions once you return home. While you are still in the hospital, your RCP will educate you on caring for your tracheostomy and ensure that all home medical equipment is set up and ready for use when you are discharged from the facility. After you are home, he or she will visit monthly to restock disposable supplies and provide any necessary help.

Rehabilitative Therapy

Many patients find that receiving speech-language, physical, and occupational therapy is more pleasant and effective in a home environment. Without the distractions that occur in a hospital, and using the surfaces and objects found around the home, patients can focus on meeting their therapy goals and relearning important skills. For these and other reasons, Independence Plus employs therapists in a variety of fields to make convenient home health visits.

Call Independence Plus at (708) 366-4500 to learn more about how our home healthcare services in Chicago can help you enjoy a comfortable and worry-free return from the hospital.

How You Can Receive Ventilator Care at Home

A mechanical ventilator is a life supporting piece of medical equipment that helps a patient breathe when he or she would have great difficulty doing so otherwise. Ventilation is often administered through a hole in the windpipe, called a tracheostomy, for maximum efficiency and patient comfort. While mechanical ventilation is generally commenced in a hospital setting, many patients recover to the degree that they are discharged while still using a ventilator. For this reason, smaller, more portable ventilators have been designed for easy home use.

Although you may at first feel intimidated by the prospect of owning and operating such a complex and vital piece of equipment, Independence Plus’ licensed respiratory care practitioners (RCPs) will guide you throughout the entire process. While you are still in the hospital, you will be evaluated by an RCP and allowed to try out the ventilator you will be using in the home. Practicing its operation while under professional supervision is empowering and can help you receive prompt answers to all of your questions.

Once you and your caregivers feel comfortable operating your home ventilator, your equipment needs will be evaluated and all the supplies and machinery will be sent to your home. There, they will be set up by a licensed RCP. Should you or your caregivers encounter any difficulties after your transition back home, you can speak with an on-call clinician at any time of the day or night. In addition, your RCP will visit every month to provide follow-up care and furnish fresh respiratory supplies.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a licensed respiratory care practitioner, call Independence Plus at (708) 366-4500. We can help you and your loved ones make sense of your options and create a comprehensive plan for safe and effective home ventilator care in Chicago.

Learn More About How Indendence Plus Can Help!

If you or a loved one is in need of skilled private duty home nursing in Chicago, home health visits, or home medical equipment, these resources may help you better understand your options. Call Independence Plus at (708) 366-4500 for further information.

• Learn what a tracheostomy is and what considerations are necessary for patients who have one on this page from MedlinePlus.
• For a helpful guide to meeting with a physical therapist, read this article from the American Physical Therapy Association.
• The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute describes the experience of being on a ventilator and explains why skilled health care is important during such a period.
• This guide to home ventilator use from the International Ventilator Users Network answers a variety of questions about different types of mechanical ventilators.
• For a brief overview of mechanical ventilation and how it works to sustain patients with breathing difficulties, visit this page from the American Thoracic Society.

Increasing Demand for Home and Community Based Services

More and more long-term care services are taking place within the home as opposed to in a nursing facility. This change is vital for the independence, dignity, and comfort of patients, who can easily receive the medical care and household help they need using a homecare company. Watch this video to learn more about this fundamental shift and why organizations such as AARP are fighting to increase home and community based services across the country.

Independence Plus is proud to offer skilled home health services in Chicago to patients in need of nursing care, ventilation, and rehabilitative therapy. Call (708) 366-4500 today to learn how we can help you or your loved one live comfortably at home.