What a difficult time it is when a family or loved one faces lifestyle changes that require a complete revamping of the way a home is run due to health issues!
Consider your Mom having a stroke and suddenly she is bed-ridden; too heavy to lift; can’t get up to go to the bathroom; the Doctor advises against a long term catheter due to infections, and she can’t swallow well.
Can you imagine where to begin to put the pieces of a peaceful and happy life back together again?
Hillary Clinton introduced us to a very enlightened thought when she coined the phrase “It takes a Village” because it certainly does to raise children but it also takes EVERYONE to take care of an older adult when they can no longer take care of themselves.
Help for the set-up of the home, the equipment that will be needed (no we don’t sell it, we just work with lots of people who do), the exercise and strengthening programs (the therapist don’t stay long term or daily), medication accuracy (multiple Doctors and multiple medication adjustments can make this very confusing once you are staring at a basketful of medications) , where do you apply cream? Powder? Ointments? How do you prevent contractures? Bedsores? Falls? Choking? Decrease fear and anxiety?… and many other issues must now be considered.
It helps a lot to have EXPERIENCED and qualified nurse managers to help answer your questions and provide suggestions for resources as needed for daily care. Working in conjunction with your physician and other health providers, it is essential and important to choose the right long term care provider who can follow through on all the initial plans, working with the health care team to ensure that your loved ones needs are met long term, not just for a short while following discharge from the hospital or rehab facility.
When some time passes and no one is around but the caregiver, making sure your caregiver has had access to good resources and continues to receive good (and free) supervision by knowledgeable and well trained professionals can give you peace of mind.
We sincerely hope you never need to have to worry about these things, but if you do, we are committed to helping you with a good solid long term plan that will work for you and your loved one. Making your life AND your loved ones life more peaceful and happy can be a challenge in challenging times, Nightingale’s can help. That’s why we say, “Your Home is Where Our Heart Is”.
When you need help, you need it quickly and you need experience. Rest assured, with Nightingale’s Nursing and Attendant Care Services, when you need us, we’ll be there.