CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AGENCY CLIENT STORY

 

Mrs. J. was a 38 year old woman who had just delivered her second child. She was referred to our Certified Home Health Agency by a hospital discharge planner for follow-up assessment and education regarding the care of her newborn child.

 

It had been more than 10 years since the birth of her first child and Mrs. J. was anxious about being a new mother again. The Nurse, who visited her the day after her release from the hospital, assessed Mrs. J's physical status and that of Mrs. J's. baby. The Nurse discussed the expected signs and symptoms that would signal the return of Mrs. J.'s body to its normal physical state, and reviewed the nutritional requirements that would promote Mrs. J's recovery. She also assisted Mrs. J. on how to plan each day so that she would get the required amount of sleep while accommodating her baby's feeding schedule. A large part of the Nurse's instruction centered on breast feeding as this was one of Mrs. J's primary concerns. Mrs. J. was also instructed on care of the baby's umbilicus, the need for frequent feeding and skin care.

 

At the conclusion of the Nurse's several visits, Mrs. J. was independent,  knowledgeable about proper baby care as well as what she could expect in the days and months to come. Today Mrs. J. is a confident and happy mother of two.

 

CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AGENCY CLIENT STORY

 

Mrs. G. is an eighty-two year old woman who fell in her apartment bedroom while she was getting out of bed one morning.  As a result, she fractured her left hip and also sustained bruising to her left arm.  She had diabetes and high blood pressure for many years, which she controlled with medication and diet.  She was admitted to the hospital for surgery to repair her hip.  Upon discharge from the hospital, Mrs. G was referred to our Certified Home Health Agency by a hospital discharge planner for a Skilled Nursing Assessment, as well as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Social Work evaluations, and Home Health Aide services.

 

At the Visiting Nurse Association of Long Island, the Registered Nurse is responsible for coordinating all aspects of care, treatment and services for Mrs. G. The Registered Nurse (RN) made an initial visit to Mrs. G. and performed a physical assessment that included assessing Mrs. G’s Cardiopulmonary status, Diabetic status, and her left hip surgical site.  The RN also reviewed her medications, assessed her activities of daily living and reviewed important safety precautions.  She also supervised the Home Health Aide and formulated a care plan for the Home Health Aide to follow in order to assist Mrs. G. with personal care.  The Registered Nurse provided instruction to Mrs. G. about her medications, diet and disease processes.  She also ensured that the Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Social Work services were in place and ready to begin.

 

The Physical Therapist assisted Mrs. G. with left lower extremity strength training, ambulation and transfer training. He ordered a tub transfer bench and a quad cane for Mrs. G, and developed an appropriate home exercise program.

 

The Occupational Therapist provided therapeutic strengthening exercises to Mrs. G.’s left arm.  She assessed Mrs. G.’s dressing and bathing skills and provided instruction and guidance to help improve skills in both areas.  She ordered a long handled reach tool for Mrs. G. The Occupational Therapist also formulated a home exercise program for Mrs. G.

 

A Social Worker provided information and counseling that addressed Mrs. G.’s changing health needs and worked with her to plan for her discharge from home care services.

 

As a result of the coordinated services provided by the CHHA, Mrs. G. was able to be discharged safely under the supervision of her daughter who lived nearby.  With the help of the Social Worker, Mrs. G. privately hired an Aide to assist her a few hours a week with housekeeping and grocery shopping chores.  Her cardiac and diabetic status are stable and she uses a cane for safety and stability while she ambulates.

 

Today Mrs. G's quality of life is greatly enhanced.