There used to be a time when patients bounced back and forth from home to hospital or from home to hospital. Sometimes it got so bad that patients who needed almost no care were occupying some of the most expensive hospital beds. Home health care (HHC) done right can solve 90% of those problems.
For us, HHC seemed like just piece of a complicated system - excellent in its own environment and totally cooperative in the big picture.
To begin with, they were involved early on with my case from an early notification from the hospital. Plans were developed during my stay so there were no last minute surprises or crises. Supplies were ordered, shipped, and even inventories. In fact a training at the home was possible using 100% of our own product. A charge nurse coordinated all the units that we dealt with. She was blown over by Carolyn's organization with regard to meeting all the caregiver's challenge. Because of personal schedules, this charge position was shared by two nurses. Saying we were the "best" patient/caregiver she had seen in her 32 year career, the case was closed. We had successfully transitioned.
Our next visitor from HHC was thw Physical Therapist.. An experienced therapist brought a person whom she introduced as her replaeement. She would be retiring soon. This older therapist was well qualified but, seeing that Carolyn had put things together well, decided to start micro-managing. I was battling with my inner self not to smack her with some of her suggestions. Then my aide said something that rang a bell with the PT and she immediately changed gears. From the "ongoing assistance" mode, she shifted to the "advise and close" mode. She wrote up her observations along with one or two suggestions and told us she was closing her part of the case unless we had reason to insist she come more often. We didn't.
Like the PT, the Speech Therapist found things so well organized that they moved immediately into recommend and close mode. I had difficulty focusing on their recommendations after they shared with us the results of my Modified Barium Swallow test. If I couldn't improve my score on that physical test I would probably never be able to eat another normal meal. I did pay close attention to some swallowing exercises they shared with us.
Going one better than the visitors who came only once was the Nutritionist who held a telep;hone consultation. She asked her pertinent questions, answered ours, our and gave us referral numbers if something new came up. She also gave us permission to skip our 3:00 am feeding.
All in all a good professional team who accomplished their mission then left us alone.
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