What to Expect from Home Nursing Services in Boston

1-Skilled Nursing Care

Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses provide skilled medical care, including:

• Wound Care and Dressing Changes: Treatment and dressing of wounds to promote healing
• Medication Administration and Management: Safe delivery and oversight of prescribed medications.
• Therapy and Injections: Administration of intravenous fluids and medications.
• Catheter Care and Maintenance: Management and upkeep of urinary catheters.
• Vital Sign Monitoring: Regular checking of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration.
• Pain Management: Techniques and medications to alleviate discomfort.

2-Physical Therapy

Physical therapists work with patients to improve mobility, strength, and balance. This can include:

• Customized Exercise Programs: Tailored exercises designed to improve strength and mobility.
• Gait Training: Techniques to enhance walking ability and balance.
• Use of Assistive Devices: Recommendations and training on devices like walkers or braces to aid movement.
• Pain Management Techniques: Strategies to reduce pain and discomfort during physical activity.

3-Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists help patients regain independence in daily activities:

• Training in Self-Care Tasks: Instruction on dressing and bathing to enhance daily living skills.

• Home Safety Assessments and Modifications: Evaluations of home environments with recommendations to prevent accidents and improve safety.

• Adaptive Equipment Recommendations: Suggestions for tools and devices to assist with daily activities and promote independence.

4-Speech Therapy

Speech-language pathologists assist with communication and swallowing disorders:

• Speech and Language Exercises: Activities to improve articulation, fluency, and language skills.
• Swallowing Therapy: Techniques to address difficulties with swallowing, ensuring safe and effective eating.
• Cognitive Rehabilitation: Therapy to enhance memory, problem-solving, and other cognitive functions disorders affect.

5-Medical Social Services

Social workers provide support for patients and families:

• Counseling and Emotional Support: Assistance to help patients and families cope with the emotional impact of illness.
• Resource Coordination: Connecting patients with community resources and services to meet their needs.
• Long-Term Care Planning: Developing ongoing care and support strategies based on patient and family goals.

6–Home Health Aide Services

Home health aides assist with personal care and daily living activities:

• Bathing and Grooming: Assistance with personal hygiene and grooming tasks to maintain cleanliness and comfort.
• Light Housekeeping: Help with basic household chores to keep the living environment tidy and safe.
• Meal Preparation: Cooking and preparing nutritious meals according to dietary needs.
• Medication Reminders: Prompting and assisting with medication schedules to ensure adherence to prescribed treatments.

7-Chronic Disease Management

Specialized care for patients with conditions such as:

• Diabetes: Comprehensive management, including medication, lifestyle changes, and monitoring to maintain optimal blood sugar levels and prevent complications.
• Heart Disease: Personalized care focusing on medication, dietary adjustments, and exercise to improve heart health and reduce risk factors.
• COPD: Tailored treatment plans involving medication, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lifestyle modifications to manage symptoms and enhance breathing.
• Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Specialized support and interventions to maintain cognitive function, manage symptoms, and ensure patient safety and quality of life

8-Post-Surgical Care

Support for patients recovering from surgeries:

• Wound Care: Ensuring proper cleaning, dressing, and monitoring of surgical wounds to promote healing and prevent infection.
• Pain Management: Providing medications and therapies to alleviate pain and enhance comfort during recovery.
• Rehabilitation Exercises: Customized physical therapy to restore strength, mobility, and function post-surgery.
• Monitoring for Complications: Close observation is needed to detect and address potential post-surgical issues.

9-Palliative and Hospice Care

Compassionate care for patients with terminal illnesses:

• Pain and Symptom Management: Providing relief from pain and other distressing symptoms to improve quality of life.
• Emotional and Spiritual Support: Offering counseling and support to address patients’ and families’ emotional and spiritual needs.
• End-of-Life Planning: Assisting with advanced care planning and ensuring patients’wishes are respected at the end of life.