Liberty Hospice Pilots New Tuck-In Program
Liberty Hospice volunteers are piloting a new Tuck-In Program to improve continuity of patient care outside of normal operating hours. Deploying weekend or overnight staff for visits unassociated with acute symptom management can misdirect resources, especially when covering a broad service area. The Tuck-In Program is an initiative that aims to reduce off-shift requests by anticipating the needs of our patients when it comes to delivering supplies, medications and planning visits.
The Tuck-In Program uses volunteers with a scripted questionnaire to call patients each Thursday and before anticipated weather events to ‘tuck them in’ for the weekend. The results of these calls are immediately forwarded to the volunteer program manager who will prioritize the urgent or non-urgent needs so an appropriate team member can act on meeting the specific needs of patients and families before the weekend, saving costly and time consuming on-call visits and providing potential crises intervention and prevention.
Volunteers in Sanford and Siler City recently completed their first month of piloting the Tuck-In Program. Each Thursday, they called all of their home hospice patients and asked a series of pre-determined, specific questions to ensure our patients and caregivers are as prepared as possible for the upcoming weekend.
This Tuck-In Program provides an additional evaluation point, a review of service satisfaction and early identification of patient needs. It also reduces the burden of staff travel and non-emergent weekend visits.
“The patients and caregivers are loving the extra level of care, comfort and support the Tuck-In Program calls are providing,” said Regional Hospice Program Manager Charlotte Walton. “During our first month, we logged 124 calls and added 22 hours of additional volunteer hours.”
After a successful first month, Liberty Hospice offices throughout our service area in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia will roll out the Tuck-In Program in upcoming months. Volunteers are needed for this virtual program. If you are interested in volunteering a couple hours each week to help hospice patients and their families, visit our website or call your local Liberty Hospice office.
Is Now the Right Time for Home Care?
As we age, certain daily activities become a little more challenging. Seeing your loved one struggle with those activities and worrying about their safety and health can be difficult. However, home care is a solution that can give you peace of mind while increasing your loved one’s independence by allowing them to stay where they are most comfortable: their home.
Liberty Home Care offers an online assessment that includes a brief questionnaire to determine if now might be the right time to consider home care for your loved one based on trends you’ve noticed over the last few months.
Assessing Physical Abilities
Part of the home care assessment includes questions about your loved one’s physical abilities. Are they cooking meals for themselves on a regular basis or losing weight? Do they bathe and keep up with their personal hygiene or do they wear the same clothes repeatedly without washing? Are they still able to move around the house or have you noticed cuts, bruises or evidence of a fall? Those are just some of the questions that help Liberty Home Care understand what assistance your loved one might need to maintain their independence safely.
Assessing Cognitive Abilities
The assessment also includes questions related to your loved one’s cognitive abilities. Do they remember to take their medication or pay their bills or do you notice them becoming more forgetful? Do they ever show signs of confusion or disorientation? Do they struggle to communicate well with others? Are they still socializing with their friends or have you noticed a lack of interest in hobbies and activities? These types of questions give us valuable insight to help us create a care plan tailored to their individual needs.
How to Qualify for Home Care
We can accept a referral for home care and help determine if an individual qualifies. In North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, a physician or non-physician practitioner, such as a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, must order services. Once this determination and order have been made, we work directly with that physician/NP/PA and his or her staff to develop a custom home care plan for the patient.
Conditions that generally meet coverage criteria include:
- A new diagnosis
- Recent exacerbation of a previous diagnosis
- New medication or medication dosage change
- Recent fall
- Patient is homebound, meaning the person has an illness, medical condition or injury that restricts the ability to leave home without the assistance of others; the aid of supportive devices such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs or walkers; the use of special transportation; or those instances where leaving the home is medically contraindicated
Our Team Approach
Liberty takes a team approach to home care. Once we receive a referral from a medical provider, we develop an individualized plan of care with them to ensure every patient’s treatment is designed specifically to his or her needs. We then update the plan on a regular basis with the medical provider’s approval to make sure it adapts to the progress the patient is making. Through the entire process, the patient’s doctor, caregivers and home care staff act as a team to provide care.
When you turn to Liberty Home Care, you’ll find a team that believes in honesty, integrity and delivering the best quality care. To learn more about our home care options and services, give us a call toll free at 800-999-9883 or visit our website. We are here to help you figure out if home care is the best option for your loved one and guide you through the entire process.
January is National Bath Safety Month: Tips for Bathing Safely
With wet and slippery conditions, the bathroom can be one of the most dangerous places for seniors as they age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 older adults reported falling in 2018. That adds up to around 36 million falls, with more than 8 million of those falls requiring medical attention. Many falls happen when individuals attempt to get in and out of the tub.
Liberty HomeCare and Hospice Services knows how a fall injury can immensely interfere with a person’s quality of life. That is why we believe protecting your loved one from injuries is a vital part of the care we provide. We also encourage families to be proactive by taking steps to keep their loved ones safe, especially during National Bath Safety Month in January.
Consider Installing Grab Rails
Think about installing grab rails in the tub, beside the shower and near the toilet for your loved one. He or she can hold on to them as they get in and out of the tub and maneuver around the bathroom.
Discuss a Shower Chair
A shower chair may be a great option so your loved one can sit comfortably during the entire shower to prevent their legs from giving out or them slipping. You will want to make sure the chair has a non-slip seat and rubber tips on the feat so it won’t slip and slide in the tub.
Make Shower Items Easily Accessible
You can decrease your loved one’s need to stand up and potentially slip and fall by rearranging all shower items so they are within reach when your loved one sits.
Check the Lighting
Age-related vision loss is an issue that may occur as early as a person’s mid-40s. Problems with visual acuity decrease your loved one’s ability to see in the bathroom. Ideally, you should make sure the bathroom is properly lit. Check the bulbs regularly and replace them if you notice one burned out.
Remove Rugs
Bathroom rugs may be an essential décor piece and protect your bathroom floor, but these rugs are a tripping hazard. Remove all the rugs in the bathroom to reduce your loved one’s risk of falling. If you plan to replace them, use non-slip versions only.
Hire a Home Care Aide
If you don’t already have an aide coming to assist your loved one, call Liberty Home Care. Our certified nursing assistants can visit your loved one’s home and ensure he or she bathes regularly and safely. They can also help with other personal care services and daily living activities.
Liberty HomeCare and Hospice Services can perform a safety evaluation of your home and create a custom care program that fits the needs of your loved one. We provide home care services throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Call us today at 800-999-9883 or use our online consultation request form.
Moments that Matter: Quality Vs. Quantity
Liberty Homecare and Hospice offers a range of services to hospice patients to improve their quality of life. We work with families to help them make the most practical and beneficial decisions for their loved one. Often, this means choosing to enhance the person’s quality of life rather than extending the quantity of life.
Why Treatment Isn’t Always a Feasible Course of Action
Hospice is specifically for patients who are approaching the end of life. For some of them, the journey has been a long road that’s included them fighting hard for every last breath. Others, however, may have just received a terminal diagnosis and treatment isn’t possible, could be difficult, or isn’t what’s desired.
In these cases, a family is choosing to optimize their quality of life as opposed to treating the illness. At this point, it’s vital to make the individual’s last few months or days the best possible rather than putting them through an aggressive or invasive treatment.
Deciding on a Treatment Plan
We understand choosing quality over quantity is a difficult decision to make. We encourage our families to think about what their loved one wants. Additionally, we suggest families put themselves into their loved one’s position and consider how they would feel given the circumstances.
When your loved one receives a terminal diagnosis or is approaching the natural end of their life, Liberty HomeCare and Hospice can fully explain all the options for your family so you are equipped with the knowledge to make a decision that is best for your loved one.
How We Enhance Quality of Life
Our hospice care stresses the importance of comfort measures. Your loved one should be comfortable and at ease during this time. Our caregivers will carefully monitor your loved one’s pain level and intervene with pain medication as necessary.
We also stress the importance of living life to fullest while you still can. Our caregivers, chaplains and volunteers will work with your family to help you create Moments that Matter for your loved one to bring them joy. We know the importance of mental and spiritual wellness during this time. We want to be a resource for your family to lend an ear, hand or provide guidance as needed.
Your loved one deserves to pass with dignity, and comfortably. We know how hard this time is for the patient and their family. Our goal is to ensure the transition is peaceful and exactly what you and your loved one want.
Liberty HomeCare and Hospice Services provides something that treatment can’t at this stage -quality. We believe that every moment your loved one spends should be one that is pain-free and as pleasant as possible. Sometimes, the best decision you can make for your loved one is for the highest quality of life possible, even if it means sacrificing quantity.
Contact Liberty HomeCare and Hospice Services to discuss how we can assist your loved one and improve their quality of life by calling 800-999-9883. You may also use our online contact form as well.
Music Therapy: The Benefits for People in Hospice
“Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.” – Elton John
Music has the power to evoke strong emotions, transport us back in time, lift spirits, ease and relax the mind and so much more. Music therapy can play an essential role in helping a loved one feel calm and at peace, while improving their mental health and overall well-being. For those in hospice care who are struggling physically, emotionally or spiritually, music can be an outlet to relieve some of their anxiety, stress or depression.
According to the American Music Therapy Association, the main functions of music therapy for hospice patients include:
- Decreasing pain and discomfort through individualized interventions
- Facilitating family communication, relationship completion and social interaction through creative means
- Providing alternative opportunities for processing emotions related to death, dying or bereavement
- Facilitating avenues for spiritual expression and support
At Liberty HomeCare and Hospice, our caregivers, volunteers and chaplains utilize the power of music for hospice patients on a regular basis to bring them comfort and help them feel relaxed. Music can boost moods, lessen pain, relieve agitation and promote deeper breathing.
A recent study found hospice patients have preserved hearing towards the end of life. Even when a loved one becomes unresponsive, they may still be able to hear, making music an important element for end of life care.
To learn more about our hospice services and how our team can incorporate music into your loved one’s care, call 800-999-9883.
Moments that Matter - Celebrating Holidays with Loved Ones in Hospice
There is no place like home for the holidays and that is why hospice can be a blessing for families and their loved ones this time of year. A family member’s illness can be emotional, stressful and heartbreaking, especially during the holidays. However, it is important to fill this season with as much joy as possible and to cherish the Moments that Matter while you still can.
Liberty HomeCare and Hospice enables your loved one to be where they feel most comfortable: their home. Our hospice services and caregivers emphasize comfort measures and counseling to deliver physical, emotional and spiritual support for everyone involved. Families sometimes put off seeking hospice care until after the holidays, but hospice can actually help their loved one stay at home in the center of family holiday activities while our caregivers manage their pain and symptoms, improving their quality of life.
If you are struggling with how to celebrate the holidays with a loved one who is ill, below are a few ideas for how you can maximize time together and create meaningful moments.
- Modify your expectations and traditions: This holiday season will most likely feel and look different and that is okay. You may need to modify certain traditions because your loved one may not feel up to spending as much time together as they normally would like to. While this may be difficult to accept, try to focus on making the most of the time you are able to share together. Remember to listen to your loved one and acknowledge their feelings, concerns and needs.
- Bring the holidays to your loved one: If your loved one feels more comfortable in bed or a certain location in their house, bring the holidays to them. Decorate that room with their favorite holiday décor or special items that hold meaning for them.
- Don’t overdo it: This can be a stressful time for everyone involved. Packing in as much activity as possible as a distraction may not be the best thing for you or your loved one. Embrace quality time over quantity time. Just being present is enough. Make sure to take a moment for everyone to recharge. If you feel overwhelmed or need a break, Liberty HomeCare and Hospice offers respite care. Our team of volunteers can also step in to assist.
- Play music: The sounds of the season can be therapeutic, having a positive effect on a loved one’s overall well-being. Play their favorite holiday songs, sing along together and let the music calm your souls and warm your hearts.
- Share family memories and stories: While gathering with family, encourage everyone to share a favorite memory or story. Stories that result in laughter will provide a sense of normalcy and comfort in the midst of this difficult time. Even if a family member is non-responsive, studies show they can hear their surroundings. Hearing their family tell stories and laugh can bring comfort and peace to your loved one.
At Liberty HomeCare and Hospice, we want to be a support system for you and your family during this transition marked by dignity and meaning. We promise to provide care that will comfort and relieve stress for all involved. Whether your loved one needs nursing care from our team of registered and licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants, spiritual support from our chaplains and spiritual care coordinators or simply a caring, supportive hand to hold from our patient care volunteers, our team provides an integrated approach to care that evolves as your family’s needs change.
To learn more about how Liberty HomeCare and Hospice Services can help your family, visit our website or give us a call at 1-800-999-9883.
Moments That Matter: Country Singer Alan Jackson Sends Message Of Hope To Liberty HomeCare and Hospice Patient
Country singer Alan Jackson recently sent a message of hope to a Liberty HomeCare and Hospice patient after learning he had a super fan in Southern Pines, North Carolina.
To hospice patient Dean Ivey, Alan Jackson is more than just a country singer. He said he adopted Jackson as a brother long before he even won his first music award. He said he appreciates Jackson’s faith and family values and relates to him on many levels. He shared all this with Medical Social Worker Donna Brock.
Brock reached out to Jackson’s team and told them all about Mr. Ivey. To her surprise, the team responded within 24 hours. They sent Mr. Ivey a T-shirt, new CDs, a baseball cap, an autographed photo and a heartfelt and sincere letter of appreciation thanking Mr. Ivey for his support and wishing him well.
Mr. Ivey felt overwhelmed by the gift. Through a smile and tears, he said, “You don’t know how much this kind and thoughtful gift means to me.”
When a person is placed in hospice care, it becomes incredibly important to celebrate ‘Moments that Matter’ with loved ones because every moment counts. This was one of those moments and Liberty HomeCare and Hospice is thankful Jackson and his team made it possible.
Liberty HomeCare & Hospice is Searching for Compassionate Volunteers
For those facing life-limiting illnesses without a support system, Liberty HomeCare & Hospice Volunteers can make all the difference in the world. They are more than just a volunteer -- they are a friend. If a patient does have a support system in place, they are a breath of fresh air so caregivers can focus on their own health for a moment while a volunteer steps in to assist. As the demand for home care and hospice grows, so does the need for volunteers who play such a vital role at a critical point in our patients’ lives.
Compassionate volunteers are needed in a variety of roles. Depending on your comfort level, there are opportunities to interact with patients in-person, over the phone or by simply writing a letter or birthday card. Our volunteer managers will work with you to help you find the perfect fit that compliments your natural skills and what you are passionate about.
There are several ways you can volunteer your time, both in person or in the comfort of your own home.
Become a Patient/Family Volunteer:
Patient/family volunteers assist in providing care and support to patients and their family by making regular visits. They can sit with the patient while caregivers run errands or complete other tasks. This simple gesture is imperative to prevent caregiver burnout, which happens to some caregivers who focus so much on their loved one that they forget to take care of their own mental and physical health.
Become a Life Enrichment Volunteer:
Life enrichment volunteers assist with activities at facilities. These activities include bingo, singing or reading the newspaper. The ideal volunteer is energetic and comfortable leading a group of seniors in activities.
Provide Emotional Support with a Pet Companion:
Volunteers with well-trained pets are encouraged to bring them along to visit patients to provide emotional comfort and support.
Become a Pen-Pal:
Volunteers are needed to write letters or birthday cards to patients to let them know someone is thinking of them.
Become an Eleventh Hour Volunteer:
Eleventh hour volunteers are needed in the final moments of a patient’s life. They can hold their hand, play soft music, read a passage aloud or simply be present. The goal is to ensure no one passes away alone.
Become a Bereavement Volunteer:
Bereavement volunteers are needed in person or by telephone to provide support for families who have lost a loved. Simply being there to listen can make all the difference to someone who is grieving.
Sew Memory Bears:
Volunteers with sewing experience can use their skills to make Memory Bears. The bears are created using articles of clothing donated by family members of our deceased patients. The bears are kept as a keepsake for the family and can hopefully help them through the grieving process. This is an easy way to volunteer from the comfort of your own home while providing a family with a special memento of their loved one.
Sew Bears for Children:
In some cases, a stuffed bear can be used to help explain the illness or pending death of a loved one to a child. We will provide the bear pattern, stuffing and thread.
Volunteering for hospice offers you an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of our patients and their family members. Becoming a volunteer is easy. All you have to do is click here and fill out a simple questionnaire. One of our volunteer managers will reach out and work with you to place you in the perfect volunteer role based on your skills, passions and the time you want to give.
Thank you in advance for considering becoming a Liberty HomeCare & Hospice Volunteer. The need is great and the impact you could have on someone’s life is even greater.
Tips for Staying Safe This Fall
Daylight savings is coming to an end, and fall is approaching us quickly.
This time of year is full of beautiful autumn colors. The weather starts to cool down, and the days become shorter and nights, longer. But with all things in life, it's important to take note of ways we can keep our loved ones safe through environmental changes. Here are a few of our tips to keep the seniors in your life safe this new season.
Prevent Falls and Accidents
Each year about 3 million older adults are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s safe to say that some of these falls may be in autumn.
The autumn leaves decorating your driveway might be mesmerizing to look at, but it is important to rake them up regularly as they are a slip hazard for seniors. Keep all pathways and driveways clear of any debris so that your loved ones are able to walk safely to and from their home.
As the days get shorter, there won’t be as much natural light in and around the house. Make sure all the lightbulbs are changed to ensure there’s plenty of light, so your loved ones can get around easily. Also, make sure there are extra batteries and flashlights for emergency situations to help your seniors prepare for any kind of event.
It is important to take preventative measures to protect the senior in your life from falling or having an accident. Slip free shoes, handrails, plenty of lighting, are all simple ways to ensure the safety of seniors indoors and out.
If the senior in your life already has a hard time getting around due to a back or knee injury, physical therapy is a great option for them to gain back their strength and be able to navigate through their homes and outside of their homes safely. Here at Liberty, we provide physical therapy for our homecare patients, and will make sure to provide your seniors with the tools necessary to be able to safely get in and around their home.
Fire and Carbon Monoxide Monitors
According to John Hopkins Medicine, space heaters increase the chances of carbon monoxide poisoning. By hiring a professional to check all furnaces and heaters, you can ensure they are working properly for the cooler days and would keep your seniors safer throughout fall and winter.
As daylight savings time is ending, it would also be a good idea to change out the batteries in the fire alarm systems, along with the carbon monoxide detector. Check them again in March when daylight savings starts back up. This schedule will make it easier for everyone to remember when the last update was.
Stay Healthy and Active
Unfortunately, with the beautiful autumn leaves and crisp weather comes... flu season. It is important to remind your seniors and everyone that comes in contact with them to wash their hands with soap and water regularly. Keeping germs at bay will help decrease the chances of catching the flu and spreading it to others. Also, make sure your senior speaks with their doctor on whether or not they should get a flu shot.
Having a healthy diet along with regular exercise are also great ways to stay healthy during the fall. Whether it’s taking a walk outside in the newly crisp air or participating in a community yoga class, it’s important for senior citizens to move their bodies and get their blood flowing. Regular exercise helps strengthen the body and promotes healthy joints, which in return, helps prevent falls. If your senior feels like their body is not able to perform daily exercise due to pain, injury or a chronic condition, physical therapy exercises can help restore their body function and get them back to exercising as close to pain free as possible.
While we can take many preventative measures to ensure the safety of our seniors, if the senior in your life is suffering from chronic back, knee or joint pain, these symptoms increase their risk of taking a fall. Contact Liberty Homecare and Hospice Services to learn more about our physical therapy services. Through these services, we support seniors to be able to perform their daily activities with confidence and reduce costly trips back and forth to the hospital.
Ask your medical doctor to fill out a referral for our Physical Therapy services on our website. Let Liberty help you receive the expert care you deserve.
Seniors Can Monitor Their Health with Technology
In today’s digital age, there are more options for keeping track of your health than ever before. From smart watches to apps, older adults can monitor their health from the comfort of their own home. This can make it easier to keep track of daily habits and any health conditions that require recording symptoms in between doctor visits. Health professionals use this vital information to provide the best care for their patients and identify any changes in a patient’s health. Let’s take a look at how seniors can monitor their health with technology.
Tech Designed to Help Patients Track Their Health
Apps to Manage Medications
To help your loved one maintain their health, it’s important that they take their medications at the right time and use the correct dosage. If they have multiple medications, this can easily become confusing and overwhelming to manage on their own. Additionally, some medications must be taken with or without food to avoid causing stomach issues.
Luckily, there are apps and devices designed to help people manage their medications. Seniors can download and use a medication reminder app. These health apps help people track their medications, send refill medication reminders, and notify the user of when they need to take their medications. Your loved one will hear an alert and notification, which will display on their phone’s home screen with instructions on what to take and when.
Alternatively, your loved one may benefit from a medical management device instead. This does not require a smartphone, which some seniors may struggle to use based on their health conditions. A medical management device will hold a few days worth of medication with different alarms that beep and vibrate when it’s for your loved one to take their medicine. Some devices also offer phone call options, which include emergency contact lines in case a senior needs to call for help.
Devices to Track Pain and Symptoms
If your loved one suffers from chronic pain or changes in their health, this has a significant impact on their overall health and well-being. They will likely need to keep track of their symptoms and changes in health, which can be difficult to monitor on their own. Doctors need this vital information to provide the best treatment plan for your loved one.
Like the medication management apps, there are digital health monitoring devices and apps designed to track a person’s health, and symptoms. This is an effective way for older adults to continue living on their own for as long as possible, but also being able to keep track of their health changes in an easy, user-friendly way. You can find several options for wearable medical alert devices for older adults, such as MobileHelp or Medical Guardian. These devices that are worn on the wrist track a person’s biometric data (i.e. brainwaves, heart rate, muscle biosignals, and more) and provide key data related to their specific health conditions.
Additionally, older adults also have access to health apps that track changes to a person’s health. These highly advanced apps will track when a senior experiences pain and symptoms. The apps will even show the location of the pain on an image of a human body, which helps health professionals know where the pain is coming from. These apps also include medication logs and graphs showing health trends over time.
At Liberty Homecare and Hospice services, we use new telemonitoring technology that is implemented into a patient’s home and enables our professionals to monitor patients' health virtually. Alongside monitoring the health of our patients, our telemonitoring system provides the patient with access to our professionals at any time by phone or internet. The health information being gathered in real time, helps our professionals make the best decisions possible during the virtual appointments. Our telemonitoring services are a great way to be able to stay connected to your healthcare professional from the comfort of your home.
Find the Right Tech for Your Loved One’s Needs
As new technology continually emerges, it can feel overwhelming to find the best device and/or app for your loved one’s needs. We recommend discussing with your loved one’s primary care for recommendations and doing research for high-quality health products. While it may be a more costly investment, having peace of mind that your loved one can continue to safely live at home, manage their health, and take their medications correctly is worth it. Contact Liberty HomeCare and Hospice Services today to learn more about our telemonitoring services designed to help seniors achieve their health goals and maintain their independence.