Exploring Home Health Care Benefits

If your senior love one has been diagnosed with a pulmonary condition, then they may experience shortness of breath, frequent infections, fatigue, and persistent weakness. When pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema become severe, the individual may require home health care services. Here are some services that a home care nursing assistant or registered nurse can provide your aging loved one suffering from a pulmonary disorder. 

Activities Of Daily Living Care

People who have severe breathing problems and subsequent weakness may be unable to perform their activities of daily living, or ADLs. These activities include bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding themselves, and performing hygiene tasks such as brushing the teeth.

Depending upon the level of care your loved one requires, the home health care assistant can either perform the ADLs for the person, offer assistance, or simply provide "stand by" support while the person performs their ADLs independently. Those with pulmonary disorders often have good days and bad days. When they are feeling well and breathing function is optimal, they may have more strength to perform their ADLs independently, however, when symptoms are severe, they may be totally dependent upon the home health caregiver for their ADLs.

Respiratory Treatments And Drug Administration

People with pulmonary diseases often require respiratory treatments. These treatments include delivering medications into the lungs via a hand-held portable medical device known as a nebulizer. The home healthcare nurse can prepare the medication and nebulizer for your loved one while monitoring the effects of the medications. If your senior loved one is prescribed nebulizer treatments, they will use the nebulizing device to inhale their medications.

Bronchodilators are common medications used in nebulizer treatments, and while they are effective in opening up the airways to facilitate an effective breathing pattern, they can cause significant side effects. These include heart palpitations, shaking, severe coughing, nausea, vomiting, and anxiety. The nurse will monitor the person during and after the bronchodilator nebulizer treatments so if side effects occur, they can be addressed immediately. 

If your aging loved one has a pulmonary disorder and is unable to live independently or if they simply need occasional help in the home, call a home health care agency in your area. After speaking with an agency representative, you will then have the information you need so that you can make an informed decision as to whether home health care services are right for you and your family.