Your Trusted Partner in Home Care
At CareMinders Home Care, we want you to feel confident in the care your loved one receives, the environment in which they live, and the decisions you make. Before you choose a home care partner, take a moment to learn about some of the benefits a registered nurse can bring to the team.
The Benefits of Having a Nurse Involved in Home Care
In addition to nurses partnering with you for your loved one’s care, they can serve as consultants. Their background and training mean they can provide services, resources, and education that will keep you confident your loved one is safe and in the right hands.
Answer Questions About Medical Conditions and Treatment
There’s a lot to take in when dealing with a medical condition. Sometimes you forget to ask a question when you’re at the doctor’s office, you don’t think of it until you return home, or you just don’t know what to ask. Your dedicated nurse can answer questions as they pop up. They’ll take the time to explain the details of your loved one’s condition and treatment.
Provide Skilled Medical Services
Your loved one may have specialized needs that require skills beyond that of a general caregiver. Our seasoned nurses can assist with these types of services. If you don’t have a nurse on your home care team, you will need to find another provider to perform these specific tasks.
Help Modify Your Loved One’s Home to Make It Safer
There are safety practices that should be used in every home, such as installing smoke detectors, but some medical conditions may require additional steps to keep a loved one safe. Our nurses follow the Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals, which address safety issues in a variety of health care settings.
During the initial assessment for every client, our nurse will evaluate your loved one’s home and make suggestions for how to make it safer and decrease the risk of falls. Recommended modifications may include:
- Better Lighting
- Improved Medication Storage
- Specialized Furniture or Home Accessories (Handrails, Throw Rugs, etc.)
Recognize Medication Side Effects
Every medication comes with the risk of potential side effects. Some of these side effects may be very subtle or even mimic other conditions. For example, some drugs can cause confusion or forgetfulness, which may be blamed on existing or emerging dementia.
Nurses can often recognize when certain symptoms may be attributed to a medication and not a medical condition and recommend discussing the situation with the prescribing doctor. Our nurses are in close communication with our caregivers so that they know when a change in condition may require additional help.
Help in Coordinating Medical Services
Families often find themselves in a quandary about what to do, where to go, and which community resources are available. Nurses are well-versed in these areas and can recommend specific specialists, clinics, and support groups that address the needs of your loved one. Additionally, if your doctor prescribes a certain treatment, your nurse can ensure that all caregivers on the team are on the same page and working together to reach the goal.