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The Importance of Cardiac Rehabilitation

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:58:43 GMT

Having worked in home healthcare for more than 20 years, I’m often asked about what it takes to maintain a healthy heart. But rarely do I get questions about what it takes to keep a heart healthy after suffering a heart attack, undergoing heart surgery or recovering from other cardiac problems.

I find this ironic in some ways, because this is the essential question to returning your heart back to health.

Cardiac rehabilitation^* in general is a medically supervised program that helps patients recover from a cardiac event, such as a heart attack. The program is used to stabilize, slow or even reverse the progression of cardiovascular disease, ultimately reducing the risk of heart disease, another heart attack or even death.

All cardiac rehab programs base themselves in exercise routines and strength training. Patients can benefit from effective physical therapy routines to improve function and quality of life. For many, encouraging a moderate-but-tolerable level of activity will result in attaining an overall higher level of activity. All program activities are supervised by medical professionals, who track progress, note any changes in symptoms, and make appropriate adjustments as needed.

Understanding your risk factors and personal health can help you modify your lifestyle to reduce the likelihood of future heart problems, so in addition to physical exercise, programs also include planning and counseling sessions with a medical professional. These discussions help you develop exercise and diet plans, identify and modify future risk factors (such as high blood pressure, smoking and high cholesterol levels, among other things), and provide emotional support and vocational guidance (to help you return to work as soon as possible).

While cardiac rehab may sound pretty intense (and believe me, it can be for some people), it’s interesting to note that the programs can also be used also as a means to improve your overall lifestyle. Over my career, I’ve seen people use these programs as a means to get in shape, quit smoking, improve their diets, manage stress and more.

I remember one young man (in his 80s) who had severely restricted his activities due to a recent heart attack, but after entering a cardiac rehab program he was able to start back doing the things he enjoyed again. As a nurse, there is no greater joy for me than seeing patients "come alive" again.

^* The information above pertains to cardiac rehabilitation in general and not to Medicare-certified cardiac rehabilitation.

Do You Qualify for Home Health Care?

Fri, 22 May 2009 13:59:13 GMT

Have you been diagnosed with a new disease, are managing a long-term illness, or recovering from an accident, illness or surgery? If so, did you know that you may be able to receive health care at home as part of your Medicare benefits? As a R.N., I believe home health care is a very beneficial option, because it allows patients to stay in their home, where they are most comfortable.

Medicare participants are eligible for home health care benefits as long as they meet the Medicare requirements for homebound status and the need for services. Your physician will evaluate the need for home care and write a prescription for our services if they believe you qualify. When the home health nurse visits for the initial assessment, your eligibility will be confirmed, and then home health will be provided if you meet the criteria. Home health will keep you informed of your disease process and your medication management. I most definitely recommend it as a viable health care choice.

To help you better understand if you might be eligible, here are a few examples of who, from my experience as a regional sales director for AseraCare Home Health, would likely meet Medicare’s homebound status requirements and qualify.

A person who needs additional physical therapy from an orthopedic injury or surgery or requires wound care
A person battling an illness, like COPD, diabetes or heart disease, such as unstable blood pressure or congestive heart failure
A person recovering from a stroke who needs rehabilitation therapy or has had a recent fall/balance problem

If you believe you might be eligible for home health care benefits with Medicare, I suggest you discuss it with your doctor. Even though your doctor may have a preference for a particular home health care agency, you have the choice of which agency you use as long as the agency is Medicare-certified, like AseraCare Home Health. Our nurse will recommend a plan of care to Medicare and the plan will be re-evaluated every 60 day period, which is called an “episode of care.” If after 60-days you still require more home health care services, you will need to be re-certified by your physician and by Medicare.

My enthusiasm and passion for home health continues to grow with each new patient referral. I know that at AseraCare we put our heart in our care, and can truly make a difference in the quality of our patients' lives in the comfort of their homes.

What is Home Health?

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:01:26 GMT

As a Regional Sales Director for AseraCare Home Health, I know how important it is for patients to understand their health care options. I’ve found that there is often confusion about what exactly home health is and what it offers. People may wonder what conditions can be treated, how they can pay for it or whether or not home care is right for them. Home health care can be helpful to people in many different situations and with many different needs, and it is with the guidance of your doctor that you should decide if home care is right for you.

Simply put: home health care is skilled nursing care and other health care services that are provided at home for an illness or injury. Sometimes patients receive home health care after a hospital stay. When patients are well enough to return home but still need some ongoing care, this can be a great option. Other times, doctors may recommend home health care if their patients are unable to leave their homes to receive necessary medical treatment. Regardless of the reason for home health, it offers a way for patients to be comfortable in their environment while receiving the care that they need.

Many different services are available through home health. Diabetes management, wound care, orthopedic care and oncology care are all common. Nurses, therapists and home health aides are all provide services to treat these various conditions.

A great example of someone who may do well with home health care is someone who has undergone joint replacement surgery. A hip replacement, for example, will require some time in the hospital and a skilled nursing facility after surgery. When the patient transfers home, they can continue the physical therapy without being required to travel to an outpatient facility.

If you qualify for skilled care as per the Medicare guidelines, home care is covered at 100%. There are specific guidelines that determine whether or not someone qualifies, so check with your primary care physician or refer to Medicare’s Web site. Many private insurances and secondary insurance also assist with home care costs.

Part of my mission at AseraCare Home Health is to ensure that our patients have the information they need to make the best choices for themselves. Home health care may provide patients with a greater level of satisfaction by having care provided in their home environment. Care being provided at home gives the patients a greater sense of independence as well as enhancing their recovery experience.