Nursing Care
Nurses treat patients, educate patients and the family or caregivers about the patient's medical conditions and provide advice and emotional support to patients' family members. Nurses record patients' medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow-up and r
ehabilitation. Nurses teach patients and their families how to manage their illnesses or injuries, explain post-treatment home care needs; diet, nutrition, and exercise programs; and self-administration of medication. Nursing care is often follow-up care after discharge from a hospital or from a rehabilitation, long-term care, or skilled nursing facility. When caring for patients, RNs establish a care plan or contribute to an existing plan that is developed by the physician. Plans may include numerous activities, such as teaching self-monitoring techniques, administering medication, including careful checking of dosages and avoiding interactions; starting, maintaining, and discontinuing intravenous (IV) lines for fluid, medication, blood, and blood products; administering therapies and treatments; observing the patient and recording those observations; and consulting with physicians and other healthcare clinicians. Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapy
Our therapists establish a home exercise program to assist the client to regain lost strength and endurance, coordination and retrain fine motor skills. They also provide caregivers with training in patients' health and safety issues. Physical Therapists - Work with large muscle groups and focus on safety when walking, managing stairs and uneven floors or narrow pathways. Our physical therapists help patients regain lost strength, improve coordination and retrain fine motor skills with the goal of increasing safety, independence and mobility. Speech therapists - Can help patients regain or improve communication skills lost due to injury or illness and can also help retrain patients' swallowing skills that may have been affected by surgery or stroke. Occupational Therapists - Specialize in fine muscle re-training and help with increasing independence with all activities of daily living. Our low-vision occupational therapists provides appropriate "cues" throughout the home, which increase safety by decreasing falls with injury. For the visually impaired client, this service provides increased awareness of the dangers in the home environment and teaches them ways to make the best use of their remaining visual fields. Social Services
Apostle's social workers assess the patient's social service needs and assist in matching the patient and their caregivers with the appropriate community resources. This includes assistance with finances, medical bills and other daily activities required for independent living. Apostle works to prevent the onset of depression-related social isolation by assisting with each patient's involvement in community activities through networking with local resources. These resources include senior or adult programs designed to provide the client with socialization and necessary interaction with peers. Home Health Aides
For clients with disabilities and self-care deficits, Apostle Home Healthcare can arrange for a home health aide to assist with personal care such as bathing, dressing, and small meal preparation when provided in conjunction with required skilled nursing care. Patients with lower incomes may be eligible for referral to state paid provider services to help with trips to the doctor, grocery shopping, hairdresser and similar activities. In Home Medical Exams
We also have the resources to provide patients with assistance in locating a home visiting physician for routine medical examinations and to provide physician evaluations when changes in physical status occur. These changes include deteriorating wounds, flu-like symptoms and exacerbations of disease processes such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, and cardiac issues. Medical visits in the home prevent the need for assistance with transportation and reduce the risk of exposure to others while sitting in a crowded office.
