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.

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.

In-home care provides convenient and professional care to patients recovering from illness or injury. The goal is to help patients regain their independence and quality of life. At Armonia we offer a variety of services that assist patients in reaching their goals. Below are three of the most common types of care we provide.

Skilled Nursing
Our skilled nurses are properly trained and licensed to provide patients with individualized care under the supervision of a medical doctor. Most commonly they treat and manage complex wounds, IV therapy, catheter support, and the monitoring of all vital signs. Our experienced nurses are also available to assist with most medical equipment needs.

Home Health Aide
Home health aides are paraprofessionals that work under the supervision of our skilled nurses. Their role is to regularly monitor any changes in a patient’s physical or mental state. They assist with day-to-day activities that include bathing, dressing, and vital sign checks.

Medical Social Work
Our medical social workers serve as the patient’s educator or advocate. They strive to support and educate patients and their families with necessary information regarding insurance coverage, doctor plans of care, and public assistance programs. In addition, medical social workers maintain in regular communication with patients and their medical providers.

Armonia provides a full range of in-home therapy and rehabilitation services for patients in the El Paso area. Our skilled therapists provided uniquely tailored care that assists patients in reaching a more independent lifestyle and better quality of life.

Physical Therapy
The goal of our physical therapist is to restore a patient’s mobility and balance. Physical therapists focus on recovery from an injury or surgery, chronic conditions, and pain relief. All of our therapists are licensed and undergo extensive training specific to in-home therapy.

Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists use day-to-day activities to improve and treat hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Self-care activities include dressing, bathing, writing, and more. The focus of this type of care is centered around sensory and cognitive improvement.

Speech Therapy
Speech disorders can result from a variety of issues such as injury, neurological, or brain disorders. Our speech therapists assess the patient’s condition and provide the appropriate treatment to treat functional communication and safe swallowing

Planning for in-home care for yourself or your loved one can seem overwhelming but those who plan ahead may have more available options. From government assistance to Veterans programs, there are a variety of options available to most.

Out-of-Pocket Payments
When planning ahead, there are a few options for out-of-pocket options. Many patients pool together a care budget from multiple financial sources such as annuities, investments, savings, life insurance policies, or borrowing in the form of reverse mortgage or home equity loans.

Government Assistance
Patients may receive assistance for home health care if they don’t have insurance coverage for long-term care and can’t afford to pay out-of-pocket. Original Medicare can cover the total cost of any necessary home health care on a limited basis for those who are unable to leave home without assistance. This may include occupational, physical, or speech therapy and skilled nursing care. Original Medicare will cover routine home care and assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and basic medical care that includes the checking of vital signs and dressing wounds. Services are only covered on a part-time or intermittent basis, and only if a doctor orders it.

Veterans Programs
Former service members may qualify for one of many VA programs that assist in paying for in-home care. Some include Aid and Attendance benefits, Housebound benefits, Veteran Direct Care and Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care.