Caregiving / home care help by an RN in Rochelle, Dixon, DeKalb, northern Illinois!
WHAT I DO
How AtHome Helpful RN can help your home caregiving
Taking care of someone at home can be a daunting task.
You might feel everything is under control, then suddenly your loved one has a worsening of symptoms, a change in condition, a new wound... an unexpected hospitalization. You'd really like a qualified nurse to check on him/her. This is why Athome Helpful RN, a qualified, fully licensed private duty RN, is the premier choice for northern Illinois.
Below are some ways that I might be of service to your elderly homecare caregiving needs, or how I can assist you yourself with your own care.
Wellness check – You would just feel better being checked by a qualified private duty nurse who can take your vital signs, check you over, make any necessary suggestions or recommendations. Maybe you just woke up worried about something going on with your health. Contact *me* for an in-person wellness check.
A discharge from a hospital or nursing home – AtHome Helpful RN can help you prepare your home for the return of a loved one before or after his arrival. You may have Home Healthcare already set up with a local agency, but they can't get there for a few days. *I* can fill in the gap. Contact me for fast assistance. I can help advise you on the equipment you may need, resources, and even caregiving instructions....hands-on, if you wish.
A change in condition- Your loved one is "just not him/herself", and you would like a physical assessment by a qualified nurse.
You can't get out to the doctor's office - While I am not a substitute for regular care by a physician, I can check you during the "in between" times-- when you just don't feel up to making the visit to the doctor due to transportation issues, physical limitations, COVID concerns, or even cost.
Medication management – Medications can quickly overwhelm. Tablets, capsules, topical ointments and creams, eye drops, insulin. Seniors aged 65 to 69 take an average of 15 prescriptions per year, and those from 80 to 84 take an average of 18, according to the American Association of Consultant Pharmacists* [source below]. I can advise on pill boxes or dispensers, set up or fill a dispenser, administer already-prescribed medications per your physician's orders... even make suggestions that can be discussed with your physician (Note: AtHome Helpful RN does not prescribe medications).
Injections – If regularly scheduled by your doctor or discharge instructions, and new to you, these can seem daunting. I can help put your mind at ease, give some tips, administer a prescribed injection. I can also educate via demonstration on how to do these yourself.
Wound care- Your doctor has given you wound care instructions post-operatively, or a dressing change is due, or you have a new wound you would like assessed by a medical professional. Maybe you'd like instruction via demonstration on how to perform wound care, or advice on what supplies you might need. Contact *me* for assistance!
After a fall- If your loved one had a mild fall without a life-threatening injury or loss of consciousness (either circumstance 911 should be called), you can contact me to assess him/her and make safety recommendations, etc.
Newly bedbound- It's "a whole new ballgame", taking care of someone who can't get out of bed and care for his own needs anymore. I can go to your home and teach or reinforce the basics-- how to provide toileting, meals, oral care, dressing, washing up, positioning the patient-- even how to make the bed with him/her in the bed.
Interpretation of medical paperwork- I can explain confusing medical terminology and reports for you from hospital discharges, Xray reports, scans, lab reports, doctor's notes, history & physicals, etc.
Caregiving tips- anything you need more assistance with- dealing with Alzheimer's or dementia, daily care, bathing-- contact me. I'll show you, in person, until you feel comfortable with the task at hand.
Supplemental visits- Medicare covers only so many skilled nursing visits to your home, and stipulates this. Most people do not qualify at all for such visits. However, as I am not a Medicare home health care agency, but rather a concierge private duty nurse, *I*can make whatever home visits are needed to supplement your care, and no insurance payments are involved. You get the visits you require, desire, and deserve!
"Sanity" check- You think you're doing something related to caregiving the "right way"-- but you aren't sure. Perhaps you want to know if there's a better, faster, safer, cheaper way. Contact me for assistance. If you're unsure of something, I can evaluate and encourage your efforts in the right direction.
* Source: [Brenof, Anne. (2015/4/30), The Elderly are Taking Too Many Pills. Huff Post. https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_7079060 ]
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What makes me stand out from the rest? Click here for more info about Why Choose AtHome Helpful RN? and What We Offer....