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“Assisted Living” at Home

Hospitalized Dad, Exhausted Family

by Cheryl Nemanic

Nearly one out of every four U.S. households (23 percent, or 22.4 million) provides care to a relative or friend aged 50 or older. The majority of these caregivers are baby boomers. In the twenty-first century the demands placed on family and other informal caregivers are likely to escalate, affecting nearly every American family. Since most persons prefer to stay in their own homes and live independently for as long as possible, this column addresses questions and concerns regarding these issues.

Q

My father was recently diagnosed with a chronic illness and was in the hospital for an extended period. At times he was very confused due to medications he was given. He also became very weak. We were concerned that he could try to get out of bed, or pull out an IV line so we stayed with him practically day and night. Even when he was doing better, he was glad to have one of us there since the nurses were so busy. We were glad to be with him, but it was also very exhausting, not to mention that we had to take a lot of time off from jobs. We are told that with his illness we can expect him to have recurring hospital stays. We want to be there again when he needs us, but we need a better plan for the next time.

A

Patients and their loved ones are often not aware that they can hire a patient sitter, aide, or nurse to be with a patient in a hospital, or any type of facility. Often the facility can provide you with a list of Private Duty Nursing Services, or will contact one for you. Service can usually be provided for any period of time that you agree on with the service, an hour or several hours, overnight or around the clock. Although most facility policies require that their own staff administer all medications and treatments, a private duty nurse or aide can provide much in the way of assistance and peace of mind. Cost per hour will vary depending on the level of care that you request.

Private Duty services that a patient monitor can provide in a facility include assistance with activities, safety for confused patients who may be at risk of falling or wandering, help summoning a staff person when needed, comfort, and companionship. They can also report changes in a patient’s condition to hospital staff.

A nurse aide can also provide bathing, personal or incontinence care, feeding, assistance in and out of bed and with walking. In certain nursing home units, nurse aides are required by law to be state certified in order to provide hands-on care. To be sure that you request the correct level of care, ask your private duty nursing service to check for you before scheduling a nurse aide to come in to a nursing home.

In addition to the above services, private duty licensed practical or registered nurses can utilize their knowledge and observation skills to alert facility staff to vital changes in a patient’s condition and monitor prescribed medications and treatments being administered.

Using a private duty service to supplement during the times that you can’t be there can ease the stress for both families and patients and make it possible for you to be at work or get the rest that you need.

Cheryl Nemanic, CCM, is the General Manager of Private Duty Services for Liken Health Care, Inc., a private duty nursing service in the Pittsburgh area since 1974. If you have a question, Cheryl can be reached by phone at (412) 816-0113, by email at cnemanic@likenhealthcare, or visit the website at www.likenhealthcare.com.