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Caregivers: Take care of yourself, too

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  • About Home Health Corporation of AmericaAbout Home Health Corporation of America

  • Home Health Corporation of America ("HHCA") began over 25 years ago in Broomall, Pennsylvania, and since that time the company has grown to include 21 branch offices in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Florida.
    Home Health Corporation of America ("HHCA") began over 25 years ago in Broomall, Pennsylvania, as a single home health agency known as Pennsylvania Home Health Services. Since that time, the company has grown to include 21 branch offices in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Florida.
  • We are committed to providing the best home health care to its patients by clinicians who excel in their field. In the provision of home health care, we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of quality.
    Home Health Corporation of America is committed to providing the best home health care to its patients by clinicians who excel in their field. In the provision of home health care, we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of quality.
  • With expertise and compassion, the highly skilled professionals at HHCA provide home health care services that allow you or your loved one to remain as independent as possible.
    Home Health Corporation of America understands the importance of maintaining the highest levels of security and comfort in your home. With expertise and compassion, the highly skilled professionals at HHCA provide home health care services that allow you or your loved one to remain as independent as possible.
  • HHCA has designed a Performance Improvement ("PI") Program to effectively measure, assess and improve the care and services provided to the Company's patients.
    HHCA's mission is to provide the highest quality skilled home nursing service. Towards that end, the Company has designed a Performance Improvement ("PI") Program to effectively measure, assess and improve the care and services provided to the Company's patients.
  • Home Health Care ServicesHome Health Care Services

  • In order to provide complete clinical expertise to patients with Cardiovascular Disease, HHCA clinicians are updated with the most recent information and management techniques through continuing education.
    In order to provide complete clinical expertise to patients with Cardiovascular Disease, Home Health Corporation of America clinicians are updated with the most recent information and management techniques through ongoing in-services and continuing education.
  • With a clear understanding that diabetes is more difficult to manage than other chronic illnesses, our clinicians educate their patients and caregivers to help achieve balance in their lifestyles.
    With a clear understanding that diabetes is more difficult to manage than other chronic illnesses, our clinicians educate their patients and caregivers on monitoring procedures, achieving balance in their lifestyles and utilizing various community resources.
  • HHCA has assembled a team of health care professionals led by registered nurses to ensure that the needs of our Pulmonary Disease patients are met.
    HHCA has assembled a team of health care professionals led by registered nurses to ensure that the needs of our Pulmonary Disease patients are met. Clinical personnel at HHCA enhance their field expertise by attending ongoing in-service and continuing education programs.
  • At HHCA, we are committed to recruiting, training, developing and retaining the best professionals in the home health care field. Our clinicians are trained in the latest techniques to manage your loved ones/patients.
    At HHCA, we are committed to recruiting, training, developing and retaining the best professionals in the home health care field. You can be assured that our clinicians are trained in the latest techniques to manage your loved ones/patients.


By Gregg Newby
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Caring for an ill or dying loved one can be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do. It can also take a toll on your health and well-being. Depression and stress are common for caregivers, whether they are spouses, partners, children, or friends.

Caregivers often ignore their own health because they are so focused on their loved one. If you are caring for someone, pay attention to your needs, too. If you're feeling down, lonely, and overwhelmed, ask for help.

How to manage stress
Millions of caregivers in the United States act as full-time nurses to ill loved ones while still managing all of the household chores and errands. That can add up to a lot of stress. Here are some tips for coping:

  • Stay as informed as you can about your loved one's symptoms and treatment. Learn what to expect as the illness progresses.
  • Keep a list of questions and observations about your loved one. Take it with you to his or her doctors' appointments. Ask the doctor to make time for your questions and concerns. At this time, discuss only your loved one's health, not yours.
  • Get legal and financial help, if needed. You may need a lawyer and perhaps a financial adviser to create a power of attorney, a will, and a living will, and to help you with insurance policies.
  • Talk to a medical social worker (ask your doctor or hospital for a referral). He or she can help you find agencies and other community resources to help.
  • Take a break. Don't let caregiving become a full-time job. Use hospice services. Ask friends or other family members to take your place for a day or a half-day every week. Contact your church, mosque, or synagogue about volunteer caregiving teams in your area. Use the free time to do something for you: Go to a museum, take a day trip, see a movie, eat in a restaurant, or go shopping.
  • Take care of yourself. Eat right, exercise, and get enough rest. Watch for warning signs of depression, such as feeling sad and hopeless, losing interest in food and activities, or having sleep problems. Don't delay in getting help for depression.
  • Find a support group for caregivers. Some are sponsored by hospitals and community centers. The Internet has chat rooms, discussion groups, and websites devoted solely to supporting caregivers.

SOURCES:

  • Helpguide. Preventing caregiver burnout: Tips and support for family caregivers. Accessed: 04/27/2011
  • Wolff JL, Dy SM, Frick KD, Kasper JD. End-of-life care: findings from a national survey of informal caregivers. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2007;167(1):40-46.
  • Helpguide. Support for Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers: What the caregiver needs. Accessed: 04/27/2011

View the original Caregivers: Take care of yourself, too article on myOptumHealth.com

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