Ensuring Medication Safety in Home Care

Ensuring Medication Safety in Home Care

Dec 12, 2023 | Caregivers & Families, Health & Wellness, Home Health Articles

caringedge ensuring medication safety in home care

When caring for a loved one at home, medication management is one of the most important responsibilities to ensure safety and best health outcomes. As a caregiver, it is important to understand how to properly store medications, identify the right dose and give medications on time, as well as understand the side effects and interactions of the drugs. Keeping medication safety in mind, here are a few key tips to help protect your loved one’s health.

Educate Yourself on the Medication

When administering medications, it is essential to first understand the purpose of the drug and how it is meant to be taken. This means reading the label thoroughly as well as consulting with the doctor or pharmacist before matter. Understanding the implications and potential side-effects is also important. Knowing what drugs should and should not be taken with the medication your loved one is taking is critical, as certain medications can react with each other. Keeping yourself well informed about the medications will help protect your loved one and prevent any mistakes.

Store the Medications Properly

After understanding the medications being taken by your loved one, proper storage should be a priority. It is recommended to keep all medications away from direct light and away from humidity. In addition, it is important to keep all medications in labeled containers and away from children. Beware of using expired medications, as this can cause serious side-effects.

Understand the Dosage

One of the most important steps when giving medications is understanding the dosage. Overdoses or underdoses can cause serious health risks, so it’s important to understand the right amount to give. Generally the doctor or pharmacist will provide instructions about how much medication needs to be given and how many times per day. It is important to have a schedule for taking the medication and use measured spoons for liquid medications when needed.

Monitor the Side Effects/Symptoms

When taking any medication, there are always side effects that can occur. It is important to recognize and understand the side effects that are associated with your loved one’s medications. Different side effects can range from nausea and fatigue to skin rashes and other more serious conditions. In addition, if any of the medications your loved one is taking have been changed recently, it is important to monitor any new symptoms that may emerge. Recognizing any potential changes will help ensure the best health outcomes.

Stay Organized and Communicate

Managing medications may seem like a daunting task, but there are ways to make things easier. Using smartphone apps, such as CareZone, to track medications and set alerts for doses helps ensure that your loved one is taking their medications properly. In addition, if you are caring for your loved one with other family members, it is important to coordinate and share medical information to ensure that all parties are well-informed. Communicating with the doctor and the pharmacist is also important when managing medications.

Ensuring medication safety in home care is not an easy task. However, by educating yourself about the medications, storing them properly, understanding the dosage, monitoring any side effects or potential changes, and staying organized, you will be able to ensure the best health outcomes for your loved one.

The Role of Case Managers in Coordinating Care

The Role of Case Managers in Coordinating Care

Dec 4, 2023 | Caregivers & Families, Home Health Articles, Hospice Articles

caringedge the role of case managers in coordinating care

Case management is an important part of the coordination and maintenance of care for those who are either living with or have been diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness. A case manager provides a thorough assessment of an individual’s health care needs and coordinates the delivery of service and resources to promote the most effective and least restrictive care.

The case manager provides an assessment of an individual’s present and foreseeable needs, and works collaboratively with various other disciplines in the management and coordination of care. This might mean providing patient education and support, helping arrange for long-term care when needed, linking the individual to community resources, tracking test results or other vital information, and managing medication. The goal of case management is to ensure that quality, cost-effective outcomes are realized.

When case management is effective, it can be a resource to both the patient and their healthcare team. In terms of care coordination, it can ensure that the patient’s care plan is both comprehensive and coordinated across multiple providers, particularly when the patient is referred to specialists or other community resources. Moreover, research has demonstrated that coordinated care has the potential to reduce unnecessary medical costs and improve health outcomes.

The role of case managers is also to connect patients and their families with particular resources that make their care more convenient as well as provide support for a more collaborative approach between providers. For example, case managers can provide assistance in finding transportation to appointments, assist with short-term meals and lodging, and connect individuals to support services such as counseling, technical assistance, and physical and occupational therapy.

Case management also has the potential to improve healthcare quality. By providing the right information to the right people at the right time, case managers can ensure that necessary preventive interventions take place and any related risks are monitored, thus preventing potentially serious complications. Case management can also provide the necessary tools and guidance to manage complex conditions, giving patients the resources and support they need to improve health outcomes and quality of life.

Case management is a vital role in ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of quality care. It helps ensure that patients are connected to necessary resources and services and that all providers are working together to achieve the most successful outcomes. It also gives patients the ability to confidently and effectively manage their own health and wellbeing.

Conclusion

Case Managers play a vital role in the healthcare system. By providing assessments, coordination of care, and assistance with connecting patients to the right resources, case managers help ensure quality care is received and that patients are empowered and well informed with regards to their own health and wellbeing.

Embracing the Spirit of the Holidays: Enhancing Comfort and Joy in Home Health, Hospice, and Assisted Living, Highlighting volunteer opportunities and community support for these care settings during the holiday season

Embracing the Spirit of the Holidays: Enhancing Comfort and Joy in Home Health, Hospice, and Assisted Living, Highlighting volunteer opportunities and community support for these care settings during the holiday season

Nov 17, 2023 | Caregivers & Families, Home Health Articles, Hospice Articles

caringedge home health embracing the spirit of the holidays

With the holiday season upon us, it can be hard to find the joy and cheer we so deeply crave this time of year. For those in home care, hospice, or assisted living settings, however, the holidays may bring on additional challenges. Many public facilities may have less staff, reduced resources, and tight restrictions on visitors. As the providers of these vital services, it is up to us to ensure that our patients and the communities at large find ways to connect, rejoice, and celebrate, even amidst the ever-present challenges of the pandemic.

Whether they’re spreading light and joy through holiday concerts or caroling in the hallways, there are countless ways to encourage our patients and care recipients to find meaning in the holidays. We can use this season to bridge gaps between cultures, celebrate special gatherings of family and friends, and maybe find a holiday baking project to share with others. Comfort and joy could start with a kind word, heartfelt letter, a warm meal, or a socially-distanced visit.

It is our mission at CaringEdge Health Services to make the holidays special for our patients and their families, with a unique blend of personal, compassionate care and an array of organizations and initiatives devoted to making the holidays brighter for everyone in our extended network. Our private home health care companies and our elderly care home teams offer festive programs crossing cultural, religious, and social lines, and we work diligently with our local businesses, churches, and affiliates to provide meals, music, decorations, and the chance for our patients to enjoy the winter season together.

Volunteer Opportunities to Bring Holiday Cheer to Home Care Settings

The holiday season is a great time to reach out to our local communities to solicit or host an event like a Holiday Toy Drive, a Secret Santa program, or a special event for patients. The donation of gifts and food items, and the joy associated with holiday decorations brightens our facilities, and leads to smiles all around. We’ve found that having volunteers bring goodies, cards, decorations, food, books, or even play cards or offer an activity of their own helps spread cheer and a sense of family and holiday spirit.

Community Support for our Home Health, Hospice, and Assisted Living Settings

Beyond gifts and decorations, there are lots of creative and meaningful ways we can connect with our larger community. A few ideas that may spark joy in our centers include:

  • Making holiday ornaments, paintings, or special gifts
  • Creating holiday cards for troops, elderly friends, or loved ones
  • Sending out good wishes and holiday letters through friends and family
  • Hosting a virtual holiday party with stories, music, and dance
  • Organizing games, puzzles, and activities for residents
  • Coordinating caroling events and story-telling
  • Posting festive photos and video messages on social media
  • Making blankets or other items to donate to charities in need

At CaringEdge, we know the power of kindness and the significance of togetherness, especially during the holidays. We are proud to share in the holiday spirit and embrace the joy of the season through our services and local partnerships. This year, let’s step up and make the holidays brighter for everyone in our care and beyond.

Home Health, Hospice, and the Comfort of Late Fall and Early Winter

Home Health, Hospice, and the Comfort of Late Fall and Early Winter

Oct 31, 2023 | Caregivers & Families, Health & Wellness, Home Health Articles, Hospice Articles

caringedge home health hospice fall winter

As the summer fades away and evenings become cooler, the fall months of our year left many of us feeling comfortable and secure. After all, the changing of the leaves and the longing for something different is already setting in. But, with the reality of fall and the cooler temperatures come across different medical issues that can come up with home health and hospice care.

For many, starting the fall and beginning the winter brings about a flurry of changes in the weather and the temperatures. Those differences can make it harder to care for someone who is ill and sick. It can also make it harder for those in home health and hospice care to stay comfortable and safe.

For those in home health care, falls during the winter months can have a large impact on their health. With the colder temperatures and wetter conditions, falls can happen more often. That’s why home health care teams must be extra vigilant in helping to protect those that they are taking care of. The extra precautions and extra care to prevent falls is critical in order to keep those in home health care safe during the winter.

Home health care teams and those in hospice care can also take extra precautions during the winter to help those in their care remain comfortable. With cooler temperatures, patients can be more susceptible to illness. So, hospice and home care must make sure that patients have plenty of blankets, warm drinks, and warmer foods to remain comfortable. It’s also important to make sure that patients are wearing the proper fit of clothing to stay warm.

Again, the colder winter months can also make it harder for family caregivers to provide care. As the temperatures drop, the amount of time outside can be more limited. That’s why families need to make sure that they take extra care to ensure that their loved ones are warm and comfortable during these colder months.

Those in home health and hospice and family caregivers can also turn to the change of the season as a reminder to take extra precautions. As the leaves change, the temperatures change, and the days become shorter and shorter, remember to take that extra time to care for yourself and your loved ones during the colder winter months. After all, a little extra care and comfort can go a long way during these times.

Helping Your Loved One Prepare for Surgery

Helping Your Loved One Prepare for Surgery

Aug 29, 2022 | Caregivers & Families

When it comes to surgeries, we always hope for the best, but we should also prepare for some things in advance. When individuals undergo surgical procedures, they may need more help, and we should be ready. Scrambling to find help or mobility aids in a pinch can add unnecessary stress and safety risks.

Here are some things to think about to help your loved one prepare:

Mobility and accessibility-Will they be able to get around independently after returning from the hospital?

If your loved one will require a wheelchair or walker after a major operation, make sure they have these items available before they leave the hospital. Whether prescribed from the doctor and purchased via Medicare or borrowed, make sure they have what they need to be safe.

Be sure that their home is accessible. Leave enough room between furniture to accommodate safe mobility and pick up the throw rugs to reduce their risk for injuries or falls.

Move any items they might need down to where they can easily reach. Easy access to their phone, bottles of water, snacks, or the TV remote will all help.

Find out if they will need any durable medical equipment like grab bars in their bathroom, a shower chair/hand-held shower, a positioning rail to reposition in bed, bed risers for getting into bed, or any other items. Having these things installed/available immediately after their procedure will be helpful.

Medications-The American Society of Anesthesiologists shared that seniors are at an increased risk for complications after surgery. This includes potential for post-operative confusion and disorientation, cognitive dysfunction, and even long-term memory loss.

Caregivers can help their loved ones stay safe by managing their medications after surgery. Ask their doctor what to expect as the anesthesia wears off, how long it will take, and what the person will feel like, so you can assess how long you should plan to help.

Learn all the details of medications they must take after the surgery. Understand what dosages to provide and when, as well as what side effects to keep an eye out for. You can greatly reduce your loved one’s stress by taking care of their prescriptions for a few days after the surgery. This will allow them to have some recovery time and feel closer to normal before resuming typical activities.

Arrival and pick up- Remember that surgery is not as simple as a clinic visit.

Make sure there is someone to bring your loved one to the hospital at the predetermined time, as well as to pick them up when the surgery is over.

Know the surgery schedule so you can ensure they arrive with plenty of time to fill out pre-op paperwork and go through admittance procedures. Also, ask the doctor about what to expect after the surgery. Oftentimes, senior patients will stay in recovery a bit longer because the anesthesia can wear off more slowly, and because it’s riskier for them. You may be able to be in the recovery room with them following the operation as they are waking up and become alert.

Eating and drinking-Many surgeries have strict rules on patients eating and drinking before and after the procedure.

Your loved one may not be able to eat or drink for up to 24 hours ahead of surgery. Make sure you understand this process and encourage them to follow the direction as well. In the event they do accidentally eat or drink, call the hospital right away to discuss it with their doctor/surgical staff. It may require them to reschedule the surgery, or simply that you help them remember not to eat or drink anything else.

Once the procedure is over, the doctor may have some special diet requirements. That could mean eating only soft foods, for example. Be sure to help them have easy access to the foods they should eat and encourage them to follow the post-op instructions. Proper nutrition can impact healing.

What about after surgery? Before the procedure, find out what they will need to do afterward. Will they require a return visit to the hospital soon after? If so, can they drive, or should you plan to take them or arrange a ride?

Will they require special wound care at home, and if so, can you complete that, or will they require outside help? Ask for a walk-thru if you would like help in making sure you can properly care for their wound.

Ask the doctor about home healthcare. Sometimes, patients may qualify through Medicare for nurse visits from an RN to visit their home to help them with wound care or with medication management. Your loved one may also qualify for in-home outpatient therapy from a physical or occupational therapist to help them regain strength or to regain independence with activities following surgery. The doctor may order this which can allow you to find providers before surgery, so they’re prepared in advance to help after discharge.

 

CaringEdge offers both in-home nursing support as well as outpatient therapies to help. Give us a call today and learn how we can help to support your loved one! We would love to help offer you both peace of mind to make their recovery a smooth experience. For more information, please contact us at info@caringedge.com, or call us at 1.877.651.5839.