Last updated 9 months ago
Returning home from the hospital is a challenge for many patients and their families, particularly when continuing health care is required within the home setting. For this reason, Independence Plus can provide a licensed clinical social workers who can help you and your loved ones ease the transition to home nursing by providing the following:
Assistance Finding Resources
Bringing a loved one with chronic medical needs home from the hospital can be a difficult undertaking for those unfamiliar with the world of home health care. A licensed clinical social worker can assist your family in finding and scheduling the necessary help, from skilled private duty nurses to licensed respiratory care practitioners.
Conflict Mediation
When a family member is ill, tensions can run high, leading to disagreements that may sometimes seem insurmountable. Seeking the intervention of a licensed clinical social worker is generally a good idea, as he or she can view the situation objectively as well as use past experience with similar cases to suggest alternate options or provide a larger picture.
Resolution of Obstacles
An unexpected disability can put a great deal of strain on the patient and his or her family, as important aspects of life such as income and division of household labor become uncertain. A licensed clinical social worker can help identify feasible solutions and inform you of options such as applying for disability benefits. He or she can also work to resolve transportation difficulties and suggest ways to make your home safer and more accessible to your loved one.
If you have questions about maintaining your loved one’s continuity of care between the hospital and home or would like to get in contact with a licensed clinical social worker, call Independence Plus today at (708) 366-4500. With skilled clinicians in a variety of areas, including nursing, respiratory care, and rehabilitative therapy, we can help you and your family more easily adjust to home health care.
Last updated 9 months ago
If you or a loved one is in need of 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.
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Learn what long-term mechanical ventilation entails and why home is considered the best environment for ventilator-dependent patients at ChestNet.org.
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An occupational therapist can help you gradually return to work after a debilitating injury or illness. Find out what this process involves at the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
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Discover how physical therapists work to improve patients’ range of motion, level of pain, and quality of life on this page from WebMD.com.
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Visit the American Physical Therapy Association online for information on how physical therapy can help you return to work more easily.
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For an explanation of what home health care entails, read this page from Medicare.gov.
Last updated 9 months ago
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.
Last updated 10 months ago
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.
Last updated 9 months ago
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.
