Home Care Services: Managing COPD in Seniors
Home Care Services: It is very common in the elderly to be diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
This disease also causes chronic morbidity and mortality. In the case of COPD, persistent airflow limitation occurs that is usually progressive and associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response to the presence of noxious particles or gases in the airways and lungs. The main concern in the case of COPD is the co-morbidities- which influence the overall severity for the individual patients. The impact of this disease, however, may be reduced by using 24 hour home care services.
Home Care Services: COPD
Causes:
Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD, but there are several other factors that can also contribute. Other noxious particles such as smoke from biomass fuels and toxic dusts and chemicals can contribute to the chronic inflation of the lungs that leads to COPD. Longer length of exposure can accelerate the development of COPD. As it is a lung disease, naturally the quality of the air we intake on a daily basis affects the outcomes.
Symptoms:
In COPD there are several visible symptoms including chronic coughing, sputum production, dyspnea. Once a patient has these symptoms, he or she is advised to do clinical tests. Along with the inhalation of cigarette smoke or noxious particles, risk factors like age, gender, socioeconomic status, and any history of respiratory infections come into play.
Treatment:
There is no permanent cure of COPD, however, we can say that someone can be partially, and temporarily cured of symptoms. That is why the treatment for COPD is called palliative, not curative in the strictest sense. It is likely that the longevity can not be significantly improved with any treatment, except in patients with hypoxemia who benefit from supplemental oxygen therapy.
Cure and Preventions:
There are certain preventive measures that can be taken which are given below to restrict COPD. Though in the end stage of disease, mechanical ventilation may be necessary for short- or long-term use; some individuals may become dependent on a ventilator until death.
Smoking Cessation: Smoking cessation, including cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, is the most important step in the treatment of COPD, since smoking is the most common cause
Pharmacologic Interventions: Medication intervention usually consists of life-long chronic therapy with dosage adjustments and additional agents when exacerbations present.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation: A comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program may lead to significant clinical improvement by increasing exercise tolerance and reducing shortness of breath.
Conclusion: Managing COPD in Seniors:
Age impacts lung function. It is an undisputed fact that changes in lung function occur with aging in healthy, non-smoking individuals. If an individual smokes, the situation is compounded and can wreak havoc.
In addition, COPD morbidity and mortality are on the rise. If your loved one is affected with COPD, 24 hour home care services may help them and their family. With the help of attending professionals, the overall situation may improve and the quality of life may get better for the patient. 24 hour home care can also set up a routine depending upon the needs of the patient.
If you are interested in learning more about 24 hour home care services, give us a call today and discuss your options!
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Home Care Services in Beech Grove, IN, please call the caring staff at Home Services Unlimited. Serving Greater Indianapolis Area. Call for Immediate Info & Assistance: (317) 471-0760
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3815613/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5378379/
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1164/rccm.201204-0596PP
As a practicing Registered Nurse, Etelka was keenly aware of a void in quality patient care that could be provided in the home. She embarked upon a journey to develop a home health care agency that would exceed all expectations and become a trusted partner to physicians and patients.
A Distinguished Career From Nurse to Director of Nursing to President of Home Services Unlimited
Etelka’s distinguished career followed a logical progression to her position as President of Home Services Unlimited. She graduated as a nurse practitioner with a Bachelor of Nursing (RN) in 1972 from Meshgorya University in the Ukraine, close to where she lived with her family. She married her husband Phil in 1973 and decided in 1977 that they would relocate to the United States to be closer to family and to come to this land of opportunity. With an eagerness to continue her budding career, Etelka sat for and passed her Boards in the U.S. in 1979.
A Love and Talent for Working with the Elderly
Etelka began her nursing career in the U.S. at Colonial Crest, now part of Golden Living, where she was the In-service Coordinator, the Director of Training and Education and Director of Nursing, a position she occupied for several years.
With a group of partners, she co-founded Adept Corporation, which operated group homes for the mentally challenged. The business was successful and in 1996, Etelka sold her share to return to her roots, caring for the elderly.
In January of 1997, Etelka opened Home Services Unlimited as a fully licensed business to provide home health care. In her quest to learn to do better for her patients, she had already obtained a Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA) in May of 1990 from the College of St. Francis. As President of Home Services Unlimited, Inc., Etelka guides the trusted, experienced care model Home Services Unlimited uses to continue providing excellent home health care.
Giving Back to the Community of Indianapolis
Volunteering for community services is a high priority for Etelka. Her memberships include the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Executive Women in Health Care and the Indiana Association for Home and Hospice Care, where she is a member of the Board of Directors.
Etelka has also served on the Board of Directors with Hooverwood Home, a highly regarded geriatric facility, since 1997 and as the President for 2005-2006. Through her community work, she has received several awards and accolades, including the Nora McFarland award in 2002, from the Indiana Association of Home and Hospice Care.
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