Sacred Heart - Inspiring Health

4 6 15 THE LONG-TERM CARE CONVERSATION Tab le o f Contents 2 THE LONG-TERM CARE CONVERSATION 3 FOSTERING NEW BONDS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY THE BENEFITS OF SCALING BACK GRADUALLY 4 NEVER ALONE 6 THREE WAYS TO AVOID OFFICE WEIGHT GAIN A SAFE RANGE FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS 7 GIVING WOMEN OPTIONS 8 AN EVENING OF HELP AND HOPE 9 GAIN THE ADVANTAGE OF AWARENESS CAFFEINE'S EFFECT ON YOUR HEART 10 THE SIMPLER LIFE 11 DINNER, FAMILY STYLE A DECADE OF DA VINCI 12 TELLING FACT FROM FICTION 14 KEEPING OVERUSE INJURIES ON THE SIDELINES 15 GET BACK ON TRACK FOR BACK TO SCHOOL 16 FROM THE FRONT LINE HSHS ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL PROVIDES HOME HEALTH, HOSPICE, AND PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICES TO THOSE LIVING WITHIN A 50-MILE RADIUS OF CHIPPEWA FALLS. PREPARING A LOVED one for long-term care can present many emotional and logistical challenges. It is important to discuss his or her wishes so you can come to an agreement about the best next step—whatever it may be. "It's also important to ask the health care provider questions about recovery, treatment, education, and any monitoring your loved one might need," says Debbie Lauer, RN, BSN, Director of HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital Home Health, Hospice, and Palliative Care. This helps you decide which of the following services would be most beneficial. HOME HEALTH Patients who use Home Health services are often dealing with short-term illnesses or rehabilitation—for example, someone recovering from a hip or knee replacement who wishes to maintain as much of their independence as possible. "Usually the patients have defined improvement goals to meet," Lauer says. "St. Joseph's Home Health provides skilled nursing and therapy services that are typically covered by insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid." PALLIATIVE CARE Patients with conditions such as cancer, congestive heart failure, multiple sclerosis, or dementia will often use palliative care services, in which St. Joseph's nurse practitioners work with the patient's physician to provide the necessary level of care for symptom relief. "If your loved one requires close monitoring to prevent emergency room visits or hospital stays, this may be the best option," Lauer says. HOSPICE If your loved one no longer wants to undergo aggressive treatment for their condition, hospice may be the right choice, as it provides support in a comfortable setting for patients at the end of life. "Hospice focuses on offering nursing, social workers, chaplain services, aides, and comfort modalities, such as massage therapy, to the patient," Lauer says. "Support is also provided to a hospice patient's caregiver and family for 14 months after their loss." For more information about our Home Care services, visit hshsathome.org and click on "Home Health" or "Palliative Home Care." 2 I N S P I R I N G H E A LT H

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