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.

Before we know it, the inevitable will happen, cold and flu season will creep in and hospitals will see a surge in patient intake. This seasonal epidemic generally runs from October to March and while most will survive the fever, cough, headache, and other known symptoms, many will not. So how can you avoid getting the flu?

The first step in avoiding the flu is the most obvious, get the flu shot. Flu vaccines vary from year to year but are proven to significantly reduce the severity of the virus. For the immunocompromised, elderly, and pregnant women, the vaccine leads to fewer deaths and hospitalizations.

Should the unfortunate happen and you or a family member present with symptoms it’s recommended that keeping a “survival kit” on hand can help in treating symptoms quickly. Avoid spreading the virus by keeping your supplies on hand. Fluids, fever reducers, cough drops, antiviral treatments, and cold and sinus meds are the most critical. A good thermometer and moisturizing tissues are also a must.

Meet Norma Gonzalez, Office Manager at Armonia. Norma has been part of the Armonia team for seven years and loves helping patients and assisting them with anything they may need. Answering questions and addressing patient concerns are her favorite parts of the job. Referring to the Armonia team as her “other family,” Norma also enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

From the first steps of the hospice admissions until the final steps of a patient’s end-of-life journey, the experienced and compassionate care of our hospice nurses is what families will experience with Armonia.

Patient Care
A hospice nurse is responsible for hands-on, care. From administering medications, ongoing wound care, to documenting patient vital signs, hospice nurses play a critical role in guaranteeing their patients are as pain-free and comfortable as possible.

Emotional Support
The patient and nurse bond are not only important but also very special. The trust patients have for their nurses is especially critical as it can ease any fears or concerns a patient may have. A patient may share their fears about death that a hospice nurse or chaplain can help alleviate.

Dying Alone
Hospice is of the belief that no one should die alone which is why coordinating the presence of a nurse during a patient’s final hours is a priority. During a patient’s final hours, hospice nurses provide a caring, and comforting presence while providing soothing care that ensures the patient is free from any discomfort.

Home health care is a very critical and life-changing part of life, it is also a very misunderstood service. As the need for home health care rises many people aren’t sure exactly what this type of care entails or how to secure this type of service. Fortunately, we have debunked a few common misconceptions.

I will lose my Independence
The opposite is actually true in this situation. In many cases, the introduction of an in-home care aid can assist in maintaining one’s independence. Home health can provide consistent support that will make life easier and prolong independence. Additionally, in-home care can help prevent injuries such as falls which the CDC has reported to be the leading cause of injury and death amongst those 65 and older.

I can’t trust a stranger in my home
In-home care staff are put through a vigorous training and screening process ensuring that the team entering your home is qualified and trustworthy. Finding the right person is critical which is why families have the option to request changes to their in-home care staff at any point. It is not uncommon for home health staff to quickly become a valued members of the family.

I need nursing care to have home health
While in-home services do care for people with nursing needs, they also assist patients who may only need physical, occupational, or speech therapy. Assistance with medications and spotting potential threats are also areas where they can support.

Only those recently discharged from a facility qualify
Patients do not have to be in a hospital or facility to receive care. If the patient qualifies for home health, they can often be referred by their doctor. Being diagnosed with a serious illness or those struggling with day-to-day tasks are also elidable.

In-home care gives families the confidence and peace knowing their aging loved ones are comfortable at home and receiving personalized care. In many cases, it is the most rewarding form of senior care and sometimes more affordable than other types of care. There are many reasons for the growing demand for our services, so if you are considering private in-home care such here is what you should be asking.

1. How does the agency train caregivers?
   
2. Does the agency provide continuing education?
   
3. Are the caregivers licensed and insured?
   
4. How closely does the agency’s supervisor evaluate the quality of home care?
   
5. Do the agency’s employees seem friendly and helpful?
   

The knowledgeable staff at Armonia can answer any questions you have as well as guide you through the process of securing assistance for your loved one.

As our loved ones grow older many need extra support to carry on. There are many types of in-home care that can help. Here are some common myths about home health care, and the facts to help you decide if home health could be an option for you.

Home Health Care is Expensive
Home health is covered by Medicaid, Medicare, and many private insurance companies, if you meet the eligibility requirements. Many confuse home health with other types of in-home health services, such as private personal home care, however those are often paid out-of-pocket. These services are different from home health care, which is a very affordable option for at-home health care if you qualify.

Only Bedbound Patients Can Receive Home Health Care
Many individuals confuse Medicare’s homebound requirement with being bedbound. Patients do however have to be homebound for Medicare to reimburse for home health services. Homebound usually means, that you normally are unable to leave your home without assistance, and that, if you can leave for brief periods, it requires a very taxing effort. You do not have to be bedbound (unable to get out of bed) to receive home health care.

Only Very Ill Patients Can Receive In-Home Care
Home health agencies do treat people with serious, chronic illnesses however, they also treat individuals recovering from a surgery, or illness. For example, your doctor might order home health after you are discharged from a hospital or rehab facility. They may also choose to order occupational or physical therapy to assist after hip surgery or a stroke. A home health agency can also teach proper medication management or notice symptoms that can lead to more serious issues later.

Family Can Help, I don’t need an Agency
While home health care providers will not replace family caregivers, they can offer an additional layer of support. For example, nurses are trained medical professionals who can provide wound care, catherization and other services most family members are not qualified to provide. A home health agency also provides support and education for your caregiver, who may be feeling overwhelmed.

Hospice nurses wear many hats such as, helping patients and their family members understand complicated medication regimens and advising them on how to store and safely dispose of them. A recent US Government Accountability Office report found that many hospice medications, particularly opioids, end up in the wrong hands. This is why the federal government has endorsed the hospice industry as a key player in fighting the opioid epidemic. Here is what families can expect and should know when hospice staff are faced with proper disposal of medications.

• Qualified hospice staff are authorized to dispose of patients’ lawfully dispensed controls following death, expiration, or a change in the plan of care that no longer includes the medications.
• Staff are required to train and document the disposing of controls in a secure and responsible manner to discourage abuse, misuse, or diversion.
• Hospice agencies have written policies and procedures regarding the disposal of controls. They provide, effectively communicate, and document the communication of these policies and procedures to the patient, patient representative, and family when controls are first ordered.
• After disposal staff must document in the patient’s clinical record the type of control, dosage, route of administration, and quantity so disposed as well as the time, date, and manner of disposal.

Ensuring that your elderly, ill and/or disabled loved ones receive the best in-home care can at times be difficult to accept and organize. Home health care is designed to meet the family’s needs by offering personalized service in the convenience of a patient’s home. This type of in-home care has many benefits such as peace of mind, safety, and regular preventative care. Here are a few more you may not be aware of.

Reduce Hospitalizations
As individuals age, mobility decreases and isolation and the lack of social integration increases. In-home care assists with immobility and isolation ultimately reducing the odds of being readmitted to the hospital. Personal home care ensures suitable supervision, support movement and assists with daily tasks. A caregiver in the home also supports activities of day-to-day living and provides social interaction that is so essential to quality of life.

Physical and Occupational Therapy
Having surgery will generally require physical or occupational therapy but with in-home care you don’t have to go to a rehabilitation facility. At-home therapy also provides the opportunity to assess the safety and accessibility of the home environment. A therapist’s trained eyes can spot fall hazards or other dangers and provide helpful preventive advice.

Relief from Caring for an Elderly or Ill Loved One
Home Health benefits go beyond the patient and can extend to family members as well. A home health team will educate family members about how to provide follow-up care and assist them with helpful resources. This type of support provides tranquility and protects against caregiver burnout.

Home health and hospice are two options for in-home healthcare but they each provide a very different type of care. Comparing home health and hospice will help you better understand which type of care matches your or your loved ones needs. So, what is the difference between hospice and home health? Some of the key differences between home health and hospice care are determined by the purpose of care, types of services needed, frequency, length of care and more.

Home Health care assists in the recovery from illness, injury or surgery. It also helps people learn to manage chronic health conditions. It is designed to provide care for patients who have an intermittent skilled-nursing need, such as: wound care, physical therapy, speech-language pathology services, or continued occupational therapy.

Hospice care on the other hand provides pain and symptom management for people with a terminal illness who are not expected to live longer than six months. Hospice can be provided anywhere a patient resides and does not require them to be homebound. Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and some private insurances, and includes durable medical equipment (DME) and prescriptions that are related to the patient’s diagnosis. Hospice care keeps the patient comfortable, teaches the family to provide care, and offers emotional and spiritual support. Patients on hospice services choose to forgo curative treatment such as chemotherapy and to focus on palliative care.

Regardless of the type of care you or your loved one requires, Armonia’s team of devoted caregivers is here to provide the individualized care tailored to your family’s needs. Contact us today to discuss what treatment options are available to you and your family.

Every three years Armonia Home Health in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a Survey & Certification Group work to review the new and existing Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for Home Health Agencies (HHAs). Agencies across the nation are required to set policies and procedures that ensure patients receive the best possible care.

Over the course of three days CMS representatives reviewed patient files, office plans and protocols, and employee records. In-home patient visits with skilled nursing staff were conducted as well. We are happy to report that Armonia passed the survey with flying colors! At Armonia we ensure all policies and procedures are sound, and our staff provides the highest quality care and service.

*The HHA survey is conducted in accordance with the appropriate protocols and substantive requirements in the statute and regulations to determine whether a citation of non-compliance is appropriate. Deficiencies are based on a violation of the statute or regulations, which, in turn, is to be based on observations of the HHA’s performance or practices.