Home Again

Suggestions for staying healthy and fit while homebound

Thu, 27 May 2010 10:31:06 GMT

For homebound seniors, getting to a senior center or wellness program in order to begin or maintain an exercise plan can be challenging. This doesn’t mean you can’t be physically active right at home. In fact, most homebound seniors have a wide variety of activities around them to help increase everyday wellness.

Just remember, in doing so, realize that everyone has different capabilities, especially when it comes to what exercises are appropriate and safe to do. You want to feel the benefits of activity or exercise, however you don’t want to push yourself too far beyond your comfort level or get hurt in the process. Physical activity is important to both your physical and mental health. If in doubt, always ask a healthcare professional for advice.

Like most therapists these days, I like to prescribe fitness plans that focus on strengthening core muscles, balance, endurance and flexibility. By centering on these areas, homebound patients are able to decrease muscle loss and stay healthier longer. You can effectively manage chronic conditions and reduce risk of developing some diseases and disabilities this way.

For many seniors, Tai Chi is a form of exercise that offers benefit in all these areas. Not only is it low impact, but it includes core stretches and balance challenges that progress through different motions. As a result, it increases flexibility and helps you stay limber in your arms, neck and calves. Another type is the ROM Dance, a “Range Of Motion” routine that allows motion with all your limbs and can be done while sitting or standing.

Additionally, if possible, consider adding various inexpensive exercise tools into your regimen. Popular items include light-weight cuffs and exercise bands; exercise hand outs and videos offer great guidelines to follow as well. Also, multi-generational families who have Ninentdo WiiTM gaming systems at home can include them into a fitness plan.

Above all, make your wellness activities fun. The more you enjoy what you’re doing, the more likely you will keep at it.

The Importance of Cardiac Rehabilitation

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:51:41 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?

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:07:57 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.