In 2019, we realized that some of our patients would benefit from a continuum of care as they transitioned from home health to needing more of a hospice plan of care. It made sense to support the relationships we already had with patients and their families and extend our services to include hospice care. Knowing the needs of our patients and respecting their end of life wishes is crucial in hospice care and we are honored to be a small part of our patients’ journeys.

If you have questions about what hospice care entails or knowing when it’s time to start hospice care, reach out to us. We can provide answers to your questions and guidance for your decisions.

Home Health Services: Not Only for the Elderly

When people think of in-home care, they assume it is only for the elderly however, it is also an excellent option for young individuals that need assistance following an injury or illness, as well as those with disabilities.

Some home health care benefits for young people include:

• The ability to recover faster at home rather than in a hospital or nursing facility.
• Assistance with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, etc.
• Home health aides can assist when family members are not available.

At Armonia, we offer in-home care for all ages and uniquely tailor care to meet our patient’s needs. Contact us today for more information regarding in-home care for your loved ones.

There are many reasons why families choose hospice care. It allows patients to end their lives as comfortably as possible, surrounded by family and friends. In-home hospice care gives patients and their families a greater sense of control than a hospital. Hospice also places a much greater emphasis on the spiritual and emotional aspects of dying.

Most hospice care is provided where the patient lives, whether it is their private home, a nursing home, or an assisted living complex. Being surrounded by one’s familiar belongings and surroundings is a core tenet of hospice care.

The philosophy of hospice is that everyone has the right to die free of pain and with dignity, and that families should be supported in helping to make this possible. At Armonia, we are equipped to provide quality care to the dying as well as support to their families. Our services can be particularly helpful to family members, who shoulder most of the burden and often must help an aging parent or other relatives.

Here are a few reasons why families choose hospice.
• Hospice Supports the whole family.
• Hospice gives patients and families more control.
• Hospice allows patients to stay at home.

Choosing hospice is not an easy decision and patients and families should never feel compelled to choose between care that extends life and care that provides comfort. However, those who have chosen hospice care should be thinking about hospice sooner rather than later.

Hospice care is a service that we all may need someday – if not for ourselves, for our loved ones. While death is not an option for any of us, we do have choices about the services we use at the end of life.

Hospice offers a variety of benefits, not only to those of us who are dying but also to those we leave behind-making it un undoubtedly the best option in the last months of life.

So, how do you find the most appropriate hospice? Start by:
• Seeking professional opinions.
• Ask around! Friends, families, neighbors, etc.
• Determine if the hospice is accredited.

We also recommend that when you are interviewing a hospice, take notes and ask questions such as:
• What type of care or training will they provide?
• What is the typical response time during or after business hours?
• How quickly can a plan of care be developed?
• What kind of out-of-pocket expenses should you anticipate?
• What type of bereavement support is provided?

Ready to reach out and learn more about Armonia. Let our knowledgeable staff tell you more and walk you through the entire process.

At Armonia Home Health & Hospice, our goal is to reduce hospital visits and limit readmissions. To improve patient outcomes and reduce these visits, Armonia takes much into consideration such as:

• Knowing when our patients are at risk of readmission. Whether in person or remotely, our team closely monitors high-risk patients.

• Ensuring our team members are aware of high-risk patients. Before entering a patient’s home, our staff members have been briefed on whether the patient is at high risk for readmission. This allows us to pay attention to signs of worsening symptoms such as potential infections, pain, and medication compliance.

• Providing patients and family members with the education they need. Educating patients about their care is the key to a successful clinical outcome. Patient education can happen in or outside the home with the use of technology.

• Engaging with patients in between home visits. Our team ensures patient concerns are addressed before a hospital readmission occurs. We connect with patients outside their scheduled visits and address issues before they become detrimental.

At Armonia, we use a variety of effective methods to address and organize patient needs. Our experienced team uses proven, reliable strategies to keep patients healthy and out of the hospital.

The flu is more dangerous for older adults for many reasons. One is that the immune system — which helps our bodies fight infections weakened as we age. Another reason is that older adults are also more prone to have other health conditions, that increase the risk of complications from the flu. The good news is that the flu vaccine reduces your risk of getting the flu and of getting seriously ill if you do get sick with the flu. Flu vaccines are especially helpful for those with chronic health issues.

So…how can you prevent the flu?

The most effective way to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine every year. The vaccine not only makes it less likely that you will get the flu it also reduces your chances of being hospitalized or dying if you do get the flu.

In addition to getting the flu vaccine, you can help stop the spread of flu by:
• Washing your hands
• Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• Staying home when you are sick
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school

In-home physical therapy has many benefits. Physical therapy can help seniors maintain their independence by improving muscle strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility. Physical therapists are movement experts, helping people recover their mobility after an injury or surgery or manage symptoms of a chronic condition. Decades of studies find physical therapy speeds recovery and helps people regain the highest mobility possible.

Here are 4 benefits of physical therapy for seniors.

Convenience. Ease and accessibility is always the first thing in-home therapy patients point to when discussing why they choose home physical therapy.

One-on-one care. When a patient is receiving in-home PT, they have the undivided attention of the caregiver.

Effective. Many studies have found that home-based physical therapy was just as effective as outpatient therapy services.

Increased Functionality. When the physical therapist is working with a patient in the home, the movements and exercises are immediately more relatable for them.

Considering hospice care as an option for loved ones with a life-limiting illness is a very challenging decision, made by the patients and their families. Being faced with a loved one’s pain and symptoms can be difficult, but by recognizing the signs of hospice, you can avoid the unnecessary discomforts and pains that hospice agencies manage.

Here are 5 signs it may be time to contact us for hospice care.

1. Frequent hospitalizations or trips to the ER
   
2. Rapid decline in health over past six months, even with aggressive medical treatments
   
3. Uncontrolled pain, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting
   
4. Decreasing alertness, withdrawal, increased sleeping or mental confusion
   
5. Decision to focus on quality of life, instead of aggressive treatments.
   

At Armonia, we offer pain management to alleviate pain and other discomforts. If your loved one is not doing well or displays some of these 5 warning signs, suggest they seek hospice care.

Occupational therapy is designed to treat patients by using daily activities as a therapy to improve hand-eye coordination or fine motor skills. Our occupational therapists (OT) may use self-care activities, like dressing and bathing, or writing to help improve fine motor skills. Occupational therapy is performed by licensed therapists.

So, what can an occupational therapist do to help an aging patient? Here’s how…

1. Overcome the struggles of everyday life. OTs help improve fine motor skills and range of motion through a variety of exercises that can make daily tasks more manageable.
2. Prevent falls. OTs provide balance and muscle-building exercises that can prevent falls.
3. Recommendations for patients with dementia. OTs can make recommendations that can make life easier for patients with dementia.
4. Assist caregivers. An OT can teach healthy coping skills to caregivers and educate them on the patient’s status and any current research regarding the patient’s condition and illness.
5. Life transitions. OTs can help elderly patients deal with life transitions by educating them and providing health coping skills.
6. Vision loss. Elderly patients who suffer from vision loss or eye diseases tend to struggle with performing simple everyday tasks. OTs conduct exercises with elderly patients that improve perceptual vision, pattern detection, and overall visual awareness. Occupational therapists will also commonly suggest changes in the home or workplace to make sure their vision loss does not get in the way of everyday life.
7. Home modifications. OTs will review the layout of the patient’s home and make recommendations to modify the space that promote a safe independent lifestyle.
8. Memory rehabilitation. All elderly people suffer some degree of memory loss. Some activities OTs conduct to assist the patient’s in regaining their memory are puzzles, placement of signs, allowing only a limited number of items for patients that suffer confusion, and more.

So…do you have a family member that is struggling to complete daily tasks on their own? Have many of the strategies you have tried failed? It may be time to enlist the assistance of an occupational therapist. Contact our team today for details on how to secure care.

Families and patients often tell us that they “wish they had called us sooner.” Once people experience the benefits of hospice, they understand that its focus is on comfort and quality of life. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions surrounding hospice care. Here are some common myths about hospice and the truth behind its goals and objectives.

Myth: Hospice care is only for the dying.
Fact: Hospice is not about dying, it’s about keeping patients living life to the fullest, with the time they have left. Studies have proved that patients with terminal diagnoses often live longer and have a better quality of life with hospice care.

Myth: Hospice care is expensive.
Fact: Hospice is fully covered by Medicare/Medicaid. It is also covered by many private insurance companies. Most families incur no financial burden from hospice.

Myth: Choosing hospice care is indefinite.
Fact: Patients and families can revoke hospice care at any given time. Instances such as an improvement in condition or a decision to pursue other measures of care lend themselves to the termination of hospice. Patients can reapply for care at any time.

Myth: Hospice and Palliative care are the same.
Fact: While both types of care are offered during serious illness, they are not the same. Hospice begins once the decision to end treatment for a terminal illness is made and palliative care generally begins at diagnosis and happens at the same time as treatment.

Myth: Only doctors can refer patients for hospice care.
Fact: Anyone can make a referral. Family, nurses, clergy, etc.

The principles of hospice care are simply described as those of good clinical practice. Good medical practice integrates a whole range of care –medical, nursing, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual. When it comes to hospice care all aspects are essential no matter the patient’s illness, wherever the patient is under care, whatever his/her social status, creed, culture, or education.

At Armonia, we value our patient’s comfort and well-being, which is why we are dedicated to a group of goals we strive to reach during the provision of hospice care. These include:

• Integrated Teamwork
• Management of Pain and Physical Symptoms
• Holistic Care
• Caring, compassionate, and Skilled Providers
• Timely and Responsive Care
• Patient and Family Preparedness

For more information regarding in-home care, contact us at 915-584-5272.