Reducing risk of falls has been identified as a national safety goal by The Joint Commission (TJC). The purpose was to determine if the total score on the multifactorial Falls Risk Assessment accurately identifies the risk of falls in a homebound client. In addition, the study examined if any individual item had a higher predictive ...

Diabetes is a common diagnosis for home care patients. Diabetes drugs are now available that target the multiple defects of metabolism that characterize Type 2 diabetes. Understanding the wide variety of medications available will assist clinicians in guiding their patients through the complexities of diabetes self-care to promote optimal glucose control. As the number of ...

Polypharmacy, by definition, is the concurrent use of several different medications consumed by a person. Often these multiple medications are in the same class and are used to treat more than one chronic condition. Older individuals are often faced with issues of polypharmacy due to multiple chronic conditions and multiple providers. The risks associated with ...

Chronic conditions and age-related changes place older adults at increased risk for skin breakdown and damage to skin integrity, leading to poor outcomes that may impact quality of life. Although we cannot stop skin from aging, home care clinicians are in the best position to mitigate further skin problems and influence healthier outcomes for patients ...

Throughout the 1990s, psychiatric home care seemed to be on the verge of exploding. The number of in-patient psychiatric beds decreased; hospital stays became shorter; and patients were being maintained in the community with a much higher symptom burden than before. At the same time, traditional community psychiatric services, rapidly becoming overwhelmed, were looking to ...

A focused assessment of the respiratory system includes a review for common or concerning symptoms including: Cough—productive/nonproductive, hoarse, or barking; Sputum characteristics—clear, purulent, bloody (hemoptysis), rust colored, or pink and frothy; Dyspnea (shortness of breath) with or without activity, wheezing, or stridor; Chest pain—on inspiration, expiration, or with coughing and location of pain. Ask about ...

Heart disease remains the number one cause of mortality in both men and women in the United States and patients with heart failure are at high risk for hospitalization. Thirty-day readmission rates have become a benchmark for hospitals and home healthcare agency reimbursement. P hysical exam and history taking are essential to evaluate patients with ...

Urinary catheters are used by home healthcare patients, like Edward Jones, for a variety of reasons. Urinary catheterization allows access to the bladder for the purpose of draining urine. This access is gained by inserting either a catheter through the urethra into the bladder or a suprapubic catheter through the anterior abdominal wall into the ...