What Kind of Training Does The Home Health Care Agency Provide?

When it comes to taking care of an elderly family member, often the caregiver has no idea how their own life will change in the process. Although someone is elderly, that doesn't necessarily mean that they won't live a long and fruitful life. To that end, many people start looking at the options of having a home health care agency assist in the day-to-day care of their elderly family member. When choosing a home health care agency, it's very important to use a set of standards to assess each company's ability to take care of the person. One very important factor to consider is the type of training the in-home care giver has received from their employer.

Training is absolutely vital when it comes to taking care of the elderly, especially if they have specific health-related issues. For example, Alzheimer's disease is becoming very prevalent among the elderly community. This is not simple senility or even dementia, but a specific disease that requires careful handling on the part of the in-home care giver. It can be a very frustrating disease to deal with for the family members and at can lead to stress and burn out. So it is important that the worker is well-versed in taking care of any situations that come up with the elderly person or couple.

Unfortunately, some home health care agencies do not properly train their workers to deal with specific medical conditions. Although they are not there to provide urgent medical care, certain conditions do require different handling. If someone has arthritis, for example, then the way they are cared for may be different than someone who has no real medical issues. Someone may have problems with incontinence, for instance, and this will need to be dealt with on a regular basis by the in-home care giver. Even though this person is your loved one and you may know every problem he or she may have, any problem could arise and you want the right person there with the right experience.

When you are interviewing home health care agencies, don't be afraid to ask in-depth questions. You are the caretaker of someone who is very important to you, so it only makes sense that you want to make sure that they have the right kind of care on a daily basis and that they are comfortable with the person who is caring for them.

Types of Diabetic Supplies Needed for Home Health Care

Diabetes is a life-long medical condition that does not have a cure, as yet. It can be debilitating if not managed properly, but with the right diabetic supplies and equipment for use in the home, it can be overcome. This disease may affect your life, but it should never be allowed to rule your life. With the right tools, you can control it to the point where it has very little effect on your quality of life, and we will show you how.

What is Diabetes?

The body takes in proteins, vitamins, minerals and sugars through the food we eat, and processes it all into making glucose. Diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough glucose to sustain it, or when there is an overabundance of it. Type 1 diabetics suffer from a definite lack of blood glucose, and must take in specified amounts of insulin to compensate. Type 2 diabetics will at times have too much blood glucose, and their condition is primarily controlled through diet and exercise, needing insulin only when their level of blood glucose drops to a dangerous low.

The ones who will need diabetic supplies at home most often are those who are suffering from Type 1, and their list of needs is more prolific than those who have Type 2. Type 2 diabetics will primarily use only glucose metering devices and test strips to maintain their health, having been educated in what to do when their blood glucose reaches certain levels and what can be done to correct it. Type 1 diabetics need more supplies because their condition must be constantly and closely monitored 24/7.

Basic Supplies

Glucose Meter: These can be invasive or non-invasive meters that test the current level of blood glucose in a diabetic through the use of test strips which are inserted into the meter. In the invasive version, the diabetic pierces their fingertip with a lancet and places a drop of their blood on a test strip. The meter calculates the glucose level, showing it on the screen of the meter itself. There is a defined range for every patient, and it is meant to be a guideline for daily glucose maintenance. The non-invasive meter does the same thing, but without piercing the skin or drawing blood.

Test Strips: Thin strips similar to litmus test strips; they are used to transport blood from the diabetic to the glucose meter. They are available primarily through prescription. If using a coded meter, the meter needs to be adjusted to match the code on each new vial of test strips; otherwise your blood glucose readings can be wrong.

Diabetic Socks: People with diabetes tend to have problems with their feet. Diabetic neuropathy can cause them to lose feeling in their feet due to poor blood circulation, and these socks will help prevent blisters and other wounds from forming, and can help with circulation issues.

Glucose Tablets: Typically used by both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics as a quick means for restoring the proper level of glucose without resorting to insulin injections. This quick fix meant to be taken before or after eating a proper meal.