Disease Specific Personal Care

GENERAL – Since 1974, Always-Care has taken care of Thousands of Clients in their homes, who have had almost every type of problem and/or condition, such as; ADD/ADHA, Anxiety/Panic, Asthma, Bipolar Disorder, Breast Cancer, Cholesterol, Colorectal Cancer, Depression, Epilepsy, Erectile Dysfunction, Fibromyalgia, Genital Herpes, Heartburn/GERD, Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, Hypertension, IBS, Incontinence/OAB, Infertility & Reproduction, Inflammatory Bowel Disease/Crohn’s, Lung Cancer, Lupus, Melanoma/Skin Cancer, Migraines/Headaches, Multiple Sclerosis, Oral Health, Osteoporosis, Ovarian Cancer, Pain Management, Prostate Cancer, Schizophrenia, Sexual Conditions, Skin Problems & Treatments, Sleep Disorders, and many, many more than we can list here.

THE PROCESS – However whatever the patient’s condition, at the beginning of care, an Always-Care Registered Nurse (RN) Supervisor makes an initial Nursing Assessment of the Client in his/her own home.

Then, along with the Client and/or Family, and the Client’s own Physician (if needed/desired) the RN will develop an individualized plan of care for each Always-Care patient. Thus the assigned Always-Care, Nurses and/or Personal Care Assistants (P.C.A.’s) will follow that plan to assure the patient receives the care and assistance needed for his/her condition, so as to achieve maximum medical improvement, and to maintain his/her independence and quality of life as much as possible.

During later routine visits to the client’s home, the Always Care Nurse Supervisor will do an updated Nursing Assessment, and the Plan is adjusted as necessary to reflect the patients condition changes.

Note: As part of the Initial Always-Care Nurse Supervision Visit, our Nurse will conduct an “In-Home Safety Check” to advise of dangerous conditions in the home such as “loose” throw rugs, which can be removed to enhance patient safety for patients with reduced mobility.

See our CLIENT FAQ Page, where you will find a Link to download and use a copy of our Home-Safety-Medical-Equipment-and-Supplies-Evaluation form that you wish to use even if you do not use our services.

Disease-Specific Personal Care for the following major conditions;

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE & OTHER FORMS OF DEMENTIA – Dementia is the loss of mental functions – such as thinking, memory, and reasoning — that is severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily functioning. – People with Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease have special needs and require special help. Depending on his or her level of independence, the person with Alzheimer’s disease may need help with personal care activities, including eating, bathing, shaving, and using the toilet. The Always-Care Personal Care Assistant (PCA’s) can assist with these activities, by establishing a routine and scheduling grooming activities for the same time and same place each day. Some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, including confusion and lack of energy, which can be worsened by poor nutrition. The PCA can prepare your loved ones a nutritious diet and encourage plenty of healthy fluids, such as water or juice.

ARTHRITIS – Arthritis is a general term that means inflammation in joints. Osteoarthritis also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis usually is treated by physical therapy with muscle strengthening exercises, oral medications, hot and cold compresses to the painful joint, removal of joint fluid, injection of medications into the joint, use of supportive devices such as crutches or canes, and weight control. Inflammation is a process in which the body’s white blood cells and chemicals help protect us from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. In some diseases, however, the body’s defense system (immune system) triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign substances to fight off. In these diseases, called autoimmune diseases, the body’s normally protective immune system causes damage to its own tissues. The body responds as if normal tissues are infected or somehow abnormal. Some, but not all types of arthritis, are the result of misdirected inflammation. Some types of arthritis associated with inflammation include: Rheumatoid arthritis, Tendonitis or Bursitis, Gouty arthritis, Polymyalgia rheumatica. Systemic lupus erythematosus. One unique thing about arthritis, is that the area of the body that it effects, may change from day to day, or time of day. What hurts one day, or time of day, may not the next, and thus the activities that a person can do at one time, may not be possible the next. The Always-Care Personal Care Assistant (PCA) will adjust her/his providing of Personal Care Task, and Activities of Daily Living, including Meal Preparation (Special Meals if necessary, such as Low Salt), Shopping, Laundry and Light House Keeping, as needed each day, depending on the difficulty that the person has been accomplishing them for themselves.

BACK PAIN – Back Pain can be very debilitating depending on the type (cause) and severity. The Always-Care Personal Care Assistant (PCA) can assist the person with Cold/Heat Treatments, Exercise, Flexion, Extension, Stretching, and possibly Aerobic exercise. All of the above should only be done under the supervision of the clients, Physician, and the Always-Care RN Supervisor or Licensed Physical Therapist. The (PCA) can also assist with Personal Care Task, and Activities of Daily Living, including Meal Preparation, Shopping, Laundry and Light House Keeping, all of which may be difficult for the person with back pain to accomplish for themselves without assistance.

CANCER (Most) – Through one-on-one interaction, our Personal Care Assistants (PCA’s) will motivate and encourage: Management of daily activities at an onset of fatigue to best conserve energy; meal preparation to increase energy levels through proper nutrition; assistance with exercise to reduce depression and anxiety while increasing energy; relaxation and breathing exercises to reduce stress.

DIABETES – In addition to providing assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADD’s), Personal Care Assistants (PCA’s) can provide assistance with: Preparation of a diabetic-friendly meal; monitoring condition of skin and lower extremities to prevent skin breakdown, ulcers and related injuries; ensure proper oral hygiene to prevent gum disease. Note: The PCA can assist the patient by reminding and bringing his/her medications, to be self taken. PCA’s may not administer them. Administration requires a Licensed Nurse. An LPN’s or RN may be used to make visits for this purpose, and/or to fill pill boxes for the patient.

HEART DISEASE – In addition to providing assistance with meal preparation, transportation to doctor’s visits/other appointments, and with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), our Personal Care Assistants (PCA’s) can provide one-on-one assistance to: increase client compliance with dietary or lifestyle changes and to supervise prescribed exercise/physical therapy activities. All of our caregivers are trained in CPR and First Aid.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE – Personal Care Assistants (PCA’s) can provide assistance with: Gait supervision to prevent falls; light housekeeping to remove dangerous obstacles; feeding during tremor episodes; specialized meal prep, such as pureeing when swallowing is difficult; fluids for thirst relief; and social stimulation to combat depression.

STROKE – Personal Care Assistants (PCA’s) can provide assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), mobility and transferring; support with feeding for patients with paralysis; help clients overcome communication difficulties; provide social companionship, supervision and assistance with Physical Therapy (PT), and/or Occupational Therapy (OT) exercises or assignments, as directed by the Licensed Therapist, along with emotional support and encouragement to become as independent as possible.

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