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Aging Your Way

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.

Question:

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 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 it was also very exhausting, not to mention that we had to take a lot of time off from our jobs. We need a better plan for the next time.

Answer:

It’s no secret that health care today has changed in many ways. Rising costs, insurance requirements, and nursing shortages have had a definite impact on patient care. "Ninety of the 105 nurses' unions and organizations in our survey -- representing 69 nations and every geographic region -- reported their countries were experiencing a nursing shortage. This is bound to have a negative impact on the quality of patient care," says Dr. Paul F. Clark, professor of labor studies and industrial relations. In the first systematic study of the problems faced by nurses globally, Penn State researchers found that this is both jeopardizing health care and creating stressful working conditions for nurses.

Patients and their loved ones are feeling the crunch. Concern that patients may not receive the care and attention they need is raising anxiety levels. Loved ones are staying with patients in hospitals and in other facilities as often as possible, feeling the need to provide extra care, safety and advocacy. This creates a hardship for those who are torn between being there for the patient and caring for their own families, jeapordizing their jobs, and fulfilling other responsibilities.

Many are turning to a private duty sitter, aide, or nurse for help. Hiring someone who is trained to provide assistance, comfort, safety and companionship when loved ones can’t be there themselves can help bridge the gap. Service can be provided for any period of time, one hour, several hours, overnight, or around the clock. If asked, facilities may have a list of private duty providers they will give to families or they may contact a provider for you. Families can also locate providers on their own.

If you do hire a caregiver be sure to let the facility know who will be there and when. In certain nursing home units, nurse aides are required by law to be state certified in order to provide hands-on care. Check with your facility, or ask your private duty nursing service to check for you before scheduling a nurse aide to come in to a nursing home. Most facility policies maintain that their own staff continue to administer all medications and treatments.

Services that a private duty caregiver can provide in a facility differ depending on the level of care:

Sitter/Companion – Enhanced comfort, safety measures for those who may be forgetful or confused, companionship, can report changes in a patient’s condition to facility staff.

Nurse Aide/CNA- In addition to the Monitor services; bathing, grooming, personal and incontinence care, feeding, assistance transferring in and out of bed and with walking.

Licensed Practical or Registered Nurses- In addition to Monitor and Nurse Aide services; nurses can utilize their education and observation skills to alert facility staff of vital changes in a patient’s condition, monitor prescribed medications and treatments being administered.

Using private duty service to supplement during the times that you can’t be there can make it possible for you to be at work, or get the rest that you need and still have peace of mind knowing that your loved one is being cared for.

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 e-mail at cnemanic@likenhealthcare, or visit the website at www.likenhealthcare.com.