First, let’s recognize that caregiving is HARD. Whether you are personally caring for your mother or father or other loved one at home, by yourself, and still holding down a full-time job–or whether you’re trying to figure out the maze of organizations and regulations for obtaining home care for that person you love–it’s HARD!

And there are many levels of care, from simple companionship a few hours a week and ensuring nutritious meals or housekeeping to keeping medications straight and full-on caregiving for someone who is ill. No matter what the level, caregiving is stressful–and that stress spills over into your relationship with your loved one.

This year, resolve to release the guilt and the stress. There is no judge who will decide if you are a good daughter or a good son or a good spouse. The only thing you need to do is give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back for taking on the vital and challenging role of providing and finding appropriate care for your loved one.

Just like every aspect of life, caregiving can be a messy proposition. Whether you are the solo caregiver or have brought in private duty home care or you’re coordinating with medical and hospice teams, too, none of this progresses in crisp, linear fashion. Once you can accept that, your life (and that of your loved one) will be easier and calmer.

Support is huge. You may find that hiring a private duty home care worker–even for just a few hours per week–gives you the space you need to decompress. That time can also be spent attending support group meetings for caregivers, and those meetings will help you discover that you are not alone. Others are dealing with the same issues and may have solutions you’d never thought of. Just being among a group who is experiencing the same thing you are is both therapeutic and helpful.

Next Level Nursing Solutions offers professional, competent, and compassionate private duty home care. Choose the level of care that’s right for your loved one as well as the frequency and number of hours that are necessary.

Contact Next Level at 620-794-1338, email us at nextlevel@nextlevelnursingsolutions.com, or message us from our Facebook page.

We’d love to be part of your resolution to provide the best possible and most appropriate care for your loved one–and help YOU overcome some of the stress of caregiving.
​

Home health care is sometimes misunderstood. We thought it would be helpful to share some facts about home health care from Medicare.
​
Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be given in your home for an illness or injury. Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF). 
Examples of skilled home health services include:

• Wound care for pressure sores or a surgical wound
• Patient and caregiver education
• Intravenous or nutrition therapy
• Injections
• Monitoring serious illness and unstable health status

In general, the goal of home health care is to treat an illness or injury. Home health care helps you:

• Get better
• Regain your independence
• Become as self-sufficient as possible
• Maintain your current condition or level of function
• Slow decline

If you get your Medicare benefits through a Medicare health plan, check with your plan to find out how it gives your Medicare-covered home health benefits.  
If you have a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy or other health insurance coverage, tell your doctor or other health care provider so your bills get paid correctly.
If your doctor or referring health care provider decides you need home health care, they should give you a list of agencies that serve your area. They must tell you whether their organization has a financial interest in any agency listed.  
What should I expect from my home health care?

• Doctor’s orders are needed to start care. Once your doctor refers you for home health services, the home health agency will schedule an appointment and come to your home to talk to you about your needs and ask you some questions about your health.
• The home health agency staff will also talk to your doctor about your care and keep your doctor updated about your progress.
• It’s important that home health staff see you as often as the doctor ordered.

Examples of what the home health staff should do:

• Check what you’re eating and drinking.
• Check your blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and breathing.
• Check that you’re taking your prescription and other drugs and any treatments correctly.
• Ask if you’re having pain.
• Check your safety in the home.
• Teach you about your care so you can take care of yourself.
• Coordinate your care. This means they must communicate regularly with you, your doctor, and anyone else who gives you care.

​