By Frances T. Traver
Manager, Clinical Services
Saint Francis Home
Care Services, Inc.
Saint Francis Hospital’s Home Care Services, Inc., the Certified agency, often receives calls about types of assistance available for those recovering from an illness or injury.
While we accept Medicare payments, Medicare requires that your condition meets certain requirements before we can assign you a nurse or therapist.
Your physician must agree you need home care services and needs to guide our staff regarding your needs. We stay in contact with your physician throughout your care.
Second, the care you receive may require the skill of a professional nurse or therapist. Medicare has guidelines. For example, a nurse may help you with wound care or injections. Medicare would also cover a nurse to assess the status of your illness. If you have a heart condition for which you were recently hospitalized, Medicare would cover for a nurse to come to your home to assess blood pressure and heart rate. However, once you are doing better Medicare would no longer cover a nurse to assess the condition.
Medicare also would cover a professional nurse to teach you to manage your illness. Our staff demonstrates good outcomes with their ability to teach patients to care for themselves at home. A nurse may teach a diabetic how to use a glucose monitoring machine or teach a client about medication and how to better manage their side effects. Medicare will also cover for a nurse to teach you to inject insulin at home. But not to come to your home to give insulin injections.
You must be “homebound” to receive home care services in your home. Medicare defines homebound as taxing for you to leave your home. This does not mean you need to be in bed. But if you leave home it can only be for short durations or to receive medical treatments, such as chemotherapy.
Just as important as what Medicare benefits will pay, is what Medicare benefits will not cover. They will not cover aide services unless you have one of the skilled services discussed above. Medicare will only pay for the aide to assist with personal care, such as bathing. Medicare will not pay for housekeeping services.
Medicare benefits are there when you need them in the home. Saint Francis Home Care Services, Inc (Certified agency) can bill Medicare directly to cover needed services. Please feel free to call us (845-483-5550) about your Medicare benefits for home care services. You may also call your Medicare office for more information about home care benefits.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Yogurt Sense
By Joanne Chaconis, RD
Chief Clinical Dietician
It’s been around forever and it is a real powerhouse food. With calcium, protein and probiotics, yogurt “packs a punch.“ But as with most foods we find in our grocery aisles, there are many varieties to choose from. I hope the following guidelines are helpful:
The choice is up to you – whether you choose plain, unflavored, a traditional flavor like vanilla or strawberry, or some of the more contemporary flavors like kiwi lime pie, just use the following as guidelines for making an educated choice (per eight ounces) :
1.) No more than 200 calories. Remember that yogurt is processed mainly from milk (skim milk being about 80 calories per cup ). That means that extra ingredients should not be contributing an abundance of extra calories.
2.) Four grams of fat or less. No other fat is added to yogurt. If a label says more than four grams of fat, that means that whole milk or even cream was used.
3.) 30 grams of sugar or less. Milk naturally contains about 12 grams of sugar (lactose) per cup. Anything over that comes from fruit, honey, or sugar.
4.) At least six grams of protein. Less than that would suggest that the protein has been watered down with ingredients, such as sugar.
5.) At least 20 % of your daily value for calcium. That equals to 200 mg. (based on 1000 -1200 mg daily ).
Also, look for live active cultures. Known as “probiotics,” they may boost immunity and help prevent or manage constipation, diarrhea, bloating. Look for L. acidophilus and/or B. bifidum as these are the more potent forms.
Other points to consider: fruit flavored yogurts do not count as a fruit serving. If that is your aim, just add a cup of sliced fresh fruit to a small container of plain, fat free yogurt. If you prefer a drinkable yogurt, use the aforementioned points as your guide. And if you prefer or need to choose a soy yogurt, go ahead. Aside from it being made from soy rather then cow’s milk, the benefits/content are usually the same.
Chief Clinical Dietician
It’s been around forever and it is a real powerhouse food. With calcium, protein and probiotics, yogurt “packs a punch.“ But as with most foods we find in our grocery aisles, there are many varieties to choose from. I hope the following guidelines are helpful:
The choice is up to you – whether you choose plain, unflavored, a traditional flavor like vanilla or strawberry, or some of the more contemporary flavors like kiwi lime pie, just use the following as guidelines for making an educated choice (per eight ounces) :
1.) No more than 200 calories. Remember that yogurt is processed mainly from milk (skim milk being about 80 calories per cup ). That means that extra ingredients should not be contributing an abundance of extra calories.
2.) Four grams of fat or less. No other fat is added to yogurt. If a label says more than four grams of fat, that means that whole milk or even cream was used.
3.) 30 grams of sugar or less. Milk naturally contains about 12 grams of sugar (lactose) per cup. Anything over that comes from fruit, honey, or sugar.
4.) At least six grams of protein. Less than that would suggest that the protein has been watered down with ingredients, such as sugar.
5.) At least 20 % of your daily value for calcium. That equals to 200 mg. (based on 1000 -1200 mg daily ).
Also, look for live active cultures. Known as “probiotics,” they may boost immunity and help prevent or manage constipation, diarrhea, bloating. Look for L. acidophilus and/or B. bifidum as these are the more potent forms.
Other points to consider: fruit flavored yogurts do not count as a fruit serving. If that is your aim, just add a cup of sliced fresh fruit to a small container of plain, fat free yogurt. If you prefer a drinkable yogurt, use the aforementioned points as your guide. And if you prefer or need to choose a soy yogurt, go ahead. Aside from it being made from soy rather then cow’s milk, the benefits/content are usually the same.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Maintaining Independence At Home
By Nicole Peluse Gesh,
Manager, Licensed Home Care
One of the greatest desires heard by home care professionals is to maintain independence and remain at home. This is why home care continues to expand its service menu. It is estimated that more than half of all falls resulting in injury occur at home. There are several preventative measures to help prevent falls from occurring:
- Tack rugs and flooring so they are flat.
- Be sure carpets and runners are fully attached to stairs.
- Do not stand on a chair to reach things. Keep regularly used items within easy reach.
- Be sure and have lights easily turned on when getting out of bed.
- Use canes and walkers as directed by your healthcare provider.
- Understand medications that can cause dizziness or drowsiness.
- Exercise regularly as directed by your healthcare provider.
The Lifeline personal care system can not only help save a life, but help preserve a cherished way of life by giving seniors the confidence to continue living in their own homes. Lifeline is not just for the wearer, it provides great peace of mind for the caregiver(s). An accident can happen in a split second, a medic-alert system gets help instantly. The buttons are simple, small and easy to use. They are meant to wear in bed and in the shower.
Lifeline is one of the many products and services available through Saint Francis Home Care Services, Inc. These are designed to keep patients at home and enjoying their regular activities. Often, people will shy away from the idea of a medic alert system. Many caregivers achieve success by giving it as a gift. Explaining they will take comfort in knowing the patient has the security. It isn’t just for falls, one patient woke up, didn’t feel quite right and pushed his Lifeline without getting out of bed. Another patient heard someone at the door and she felt uneasy. She pushed the Lifeline button and was connected with help.
Home Care has so much to offer both patients and caregivers. The message is to not only ask for help, but to accept the levels of support that meet the needs of your situation!
Manager, Licensed Home Care
One of the greatest desires heard by home care professionals is to maintain independence and remain at home. This is why home care continues to expand its service menu. It is estimated that more than half of all falls resulting in injury occur at home. There are several preventative measures to help prevent falls from occurring:
- Tack rugs and flooring so they are flat.
- Be sure carpets and runners are fully attached to stairs.
- Do not stand on a chair to reach things. Keep regularly used items within easy reach.
- Be sure and have lights easily turned on when getting out of bed.
- Use canes and walkers as directed by your healthcare provider.
- Understand medications that can cause dizziness or drowsiness.
- Exercise regularly as directed by your healthcare provider.
The Lifeline personal care system can not only help save a life, but help preserve a cherished way of life by giving seniors the confidence to continue living in their own homes. Lifeline is not just for the wearer, it provides great peace of mind for the caregiver(s). An accident can happen in a split second, a medic-alert system gets help instantly. The buttons are simple, small and easy to use. They are meant to wear in bed and in the shower.
Lifeline is one of the many products and services available through Saint Francis Home Care Services, Inc. These are designed to keep patients at home and enjoying their regular activities. Often, people will shy away from the idea of a medic alert system. Many caregivers achieve success by giving it as a gift. Explaining they will take comfort in knowing the patient has the security. It isn’t just for falls, one patient woke up, didn’t feel quite right and pushed his Lifeline without getting out of bed. Another patient heard someone at the door and she felt uneasy. She pushed the Lifeline button and was connected with help.
Home Care has so much to offer both patients and caregivers. The message is to not only ask for help, but to accept the levels of support that meet the needs of your situation!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Food Allergy FAQ
By Sarah Daubman, RD
Staff Dietician
What exactly is a food allergy?
A true food allergy involves an immune system response from the body. The body identifies an offending food as harmful and releases antibodies to attack it. This triggers the release of histamine, thus precipitating the outward symptoms of an allergic reaction. These may include itching in or around the mouth, hives, nausea, stomach pain, difficulty breathing and/or anaphylaxis. Most often, people need to ingest the food for the allergic reaction to occur, but certain sensitive individuals may develop symptoms from touching the food or inhaling steam from which the food is being prepared (as in cooking shellfish).
How is that different from food intolerance?
Like a food allergy, a food intolerance is also an adverse reaction to food, but the body’s immune system is not involved. Lactose intolerance, for example, is when the body lacks the enzyme lactase needed to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. Without the enzyme present, lactose remains undigested and ferments in the gut, resulting in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating or constipation. Lactose intolerance is therefore not the same as a milk allergy, which would involve the type of allergic reaction described above. The cause of other food intolerances may not be as easily identified but may trigger similar GI symptoms.
What are typical food allergies?
Unfortunately, any food can be a food allergy but eight foods account for more than 90 percent of them: egg, milk, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts. Certain food allergies that appear in childhood may disappear as the child grows (milk, eggs, soy and wheat), but others (peanuts, fish and shellfish) typically never go away.
How are food allergies diagnosed?
Clinical testing for diagnosing a food allergy may include a skin prick test or blood testing. An elimination diet may also be recommended to assess whether removing the suspected food from the diet results in an alleviation of symptoms.
How are food allergies treated?
The only treatment for food allergies is to eliminate the food from the diet. In a case of multiple food allergies, a visit to a Registered Dietitian may be recommended to avoid any dietary deficiencies.
Where can I get more information?
About food allergies:
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
www.aafa.org
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
http://www.foodallergy.org/about.html
The American Pediatric Association
http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/asthma.cfm
To find a Registered Dietitian in your area:
www.eatright.org and click on “Find a Nutrition Professional” on the right hand side.
Staff Dietician
What exactly is a food allergy?
A true food allergy involves an immune system response from the body. The body identifies an offending food as harmful and releases antibodies to attack it. This triggers the release of histamine, thus precipitating the outward symptoms of an allergic reaction. These may include itching in or around the mouth, hives, nausea, stomach pain, difficulty breathing and/or anaphylaxis. Most often, people need to ingest the food for the allergic reaction to occur, but certain sensitive individuals may develop symptoms from touching the food or inhaling steam from which the food is being prepared (as in cooking shellfish).
How is that different from food intolerance?
Like a food allergy, a food intolerance is also an adverse reaction to food, but the body’s immune system is not involved. Lactose intolerance, for example, is when the body lacks the enzyme lactase needed to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. Without the enzyme present, lactose remains undigested and ferments in the gut, resulting in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating or constipation. Lactose intolerance is therefore not the same as a milk allergy, which would involve the type of allergic reaction described above. The cause of other food intolerances may not be as easily identified but may trigger similar GI symptoms.
What are typical food allergies?
Unfortunately, any food can be a food allergy but eight foods account for more than 90 percent of them: egg, milk, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts. Certain food allergies that appear in childhood may disappear as the child grows (milk, eggs, soy and wheat), but others (peanuts, fish and shellfish) typically never go away.
How are food allergies diagnosed?
Clinical testing for diagnosing a food allergy may include a skin prick test or blood testing. An elimination diet may also be recommended to assess whether removing the suspected food from the diet results in an alleviation of symptoms.
How are food allergies treated?
The only treatment for food allergies is to eliminate the food from the diet. In a case of multiple food allergies, a visit to a Registered Dietitian may be recommended to avoid any dietary deficiencies.
Where can I get more information?
About food allergies:
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
www.aafa.org
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
http://www.foodallergy.org/about.html
The American Pediatric Association
http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/asthma.cfm
To find a Registered Dietitian in your area:
www.eatright.org and click on “Find a Nutrition Professional” on the right hand side.
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