Flu Safety

by Robert Estrada, R.N.

Now that our summer has ended, and we see all of the signs that fall is here, we know that the holiday season is around the corner.  This is also the season known as flu season, and it is the time of year when viruses and bacterias seem to be most active.  Colder weather can weaken immune systems, and lower our defenses to attack.  In addition, the return of school for children and college students creates the perfect environment for the sharing and spreading of contagious diseases.  The goal of this article is to raise your awareness to the influenza virus, and preventive strategies you can take to protect yourself.

Flu Season Facts

• Peak season is November to March.
• 5-20% percent of Americans will get the flu.
• More than 200,000 people are hospitalized annually in the US.
• Can be contagious up to one day before symptoms appear, then up to 5-7 days after symptoms.
• Responsible for between 3,000 to 49,000 deaths annually since the 1970’s.

Influenza- also know as “the flu” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.  It can cause mild to severe illness, and can sometimes lead to death.  Transmission is person to person by droplets from coughing, or sneezing.  Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, and runny or stuffy nose.  Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with compromised immune systems, are at high risk for serious flu complications.  Complications include dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and pneumonia.  Pneumonia is responsible for over 1 million admissions to hospitals annually, and

Prevention Strategies

•  Get immunized! 

                Flu vaccine- See your doctor to see if you can take the flu vaccine.  Vaccines are prepared every               year to provide the maximum protection for that year.  Usually lasts 6 months to a year.


Pneumovax- Individuals over age 65 should also be immunized with pneumovax.  It consists of a              mixture that protects against the 23 most prevalent or invasive pneumococcal types of           Streptococcus pneumonias, including the six serotypes that most frequently cause invasive drug-      resistant pneumococcal infections streptococcus pneumonia.

• Antivirals- If you get the flu, talk to your doctor about new anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu which can shorten the length of the illness, and lessen your symptoms.
• Hand Hygiene-  wash your hands frequently.  Assume that viruses and bacteria are on every door handle, counter top, and hand rail in public places…because they are! Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use alcohol based hand sanitizers frequently. Carry one with you.  Cough into sleeve or tissue, and not your hands. 
• Stay away!  If you become sick, stay home to protect others.  If you know someone is sick, stay away.  You can visit later when they are healthy.

At Home Assistants is a local In Home Care agency operated by registered nurses that provides compassionate,  companionship and caregiver services.  We wish you and yours a safe, and happy holiday season.

Is In Home Care the Same as Assisted Living?

There are a number of different terms and descriptions for various types of senior care, and sometimes it can be confusing. A main distinction for senior housing and senior care is whether a person can live in their own home and receive assistance there, or needs to move to a care facility. 

"In home Care" and  "At Home Care" are the most common used terms that are searched for on Google, as families are looking for solutions for a loved one. 

As R.N. 's and with over 30 years of nursing experience in both critical care and long term care settings, Robert and Angela Estrada recently launched an in home care agency in Salem. The definition that you will see on their new website for At Home Assistants defines the broad concept of in-home care.

"In-home care encompasses a wide range of services ranging from companionship, homemaker, and personal care services that are delivered at each client’s home by qualified caregivers. Generally, in-home care is appropriate whenever a person prefers to stay at home, but needs care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends. More and more seniors are electing to live an independent lifestyle and are receiving in-home care services as their physical capabilities diminish. In-home care is a great option for those you wish to receive safe and effective care in the comfort of their own homes."

The following descriptions elaborate on the three major types of in home care provided by At Home Assistants.

Companionship and Homemaker
At Home Assistants provides Homemaker and Compassionate Companionship Services that are tailored to meet individual needs. These needs are carefully assessed, understood, and met through the selective assignment of qualified, trustworthy, and compassionate personnel. If your loved one enjoys their independence but is struggling with everyday activities, then Homemaker and Compassionate Companionship Services just might be the right solution. We provide a wide range of services such as meal planning and preparation, modified or physician ordered diets, housekeeping and cleaning, watering plants, pet care, shopping/errands, assistance with transporting and/or escorting to doctor’s appointments or other medical and non-medical appointments. 

Personal Care Services
At Home Assistants provides a wide range of Personal Care Services to meet the individual needs of our clients. Because we are RN owned and operated, we are able to provide higher levels of personal care than other in-home care agencies within the community. Not only does At Home Assistants provide Personal Care Services such as, dressing, bathing, oral care, shaving, feeding, and incontinence care. We also have the ability to provide higher levels of care. Cares such as tube feeding, catheter care, ostomy care, CBG glucose monitoring and insulin administration our care providers are overseen and delegated by registered nurses to perform these tasks. We are also able to provide personal caregivers for end of life/hospice care needs.

Medication Management

At Home Assistants Registered Nurses are able to provide delegated nursing tasks such as, Medication Management to our experienced and qualified caregivers. Our Registered Nurses will also work in conjunction with you or your loved one’s physician to ensure that appropriate medications and medication orders are acquired and implemented promptly. If there is a change in the health status of you or your loved one, our Registered Nurse will be an immediate link between you and your physician. This gives your care team the ability to make changes in medication and other physician orders in a timely manner. 

Assisted Living

Assisted living is often viewed as the best of both worlds. Residents have as much independence as they want with the knowledge that personal care and support services are available. Assisted living communities typically provide a private apartment, and are designed to provide residents with assistance with basic ADLs (activities of daily living) such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and offer medication assistance and/or reminders. These services are often offered at an additional cost.  Assisted living communities differ from residential care facilities and nursing homes in that they don’t offer 24 hr services, or complex medical services. These settings are licensed and regulated by the Department of Human Services. 

Both Sweet Bye N Bye and At Home Assistants provide a free R.N. assessment of your loved ones needs and what the best solutions may be for either in home care or assisted living. Request Free Assessment

submitted by David Brown
webmaster, Sweet Bye N Bye Inc.

Status of Healthcare - A Nurse's Perspective

We have all been hearing about the healthcare reform that is needed in our country, and it has been the subject of much debate between our Democratic and Republican leaders. It is true that healthcare costs have risen dramatically, and in its current state, our healthcare costs will bring our country to its knees if left unchanged. I do not intend to discuss how that should be done, but rather how you the consumer, and my patient should plan for success in the unsettled times ahead.

What do we know?
Physicians: We know that beginning with this decade, there will be a large number of physicians retiring, and according to a recent Dartmouth College study, it will result in a future physician workforce will be smaller and younger. This shortage will create strain on our current systems, and will require physicians to change practice models in order to keep up with the increased demands.
Nurses: According to the American Nurses Association, there is currently a national shortage of approximately 120,000 RN’s. This number is expected to grow to 1.5 million by the year 2015, and peak in 2020. This will require hospitals, and medical practices to do more with less RN support.
Hospitals/Nursing Homes: Both hospitals and nursing homes are facing significant Medicare cuts, and will need to change their operational models, and reduce expenses in order to remain viable. One major way for these institutions to reduce costs is to shorten length of hospitalizations/admissions to the shortest possible time, while still ensuring safe care.

What does this mean to you?
Our healthcare model as we know it will need to change. The physician to patient, and RN to patient ratio’s will worsen, and you will have less time with the professionals that can best manage your care. Hospitals and nursing homes will, as a necessity to survive, look to minimize their costs, and will shorten your hospitalization/admission times if possible. You will have to assume more responsibility for managing your health/recovery in the outpatient or home setting.

What can you do?
While these above mentioned scenarios are ominous, I believe if you are prepared, and educated, you can make good decisions, and help your medical providers continue to provide you with excellent care.
1. Be prepared when you see your doctor: Understand that their time is limited, and they can best manage your care if you have pertinent data with you at your visit. Medication lists, blood glucose readings, weights, or blood pressure readings are some examples of things that you should have when you see your doctor. This will help them best manage your care.
2. Know the hospitals/nursing homes in your area. Understand that Medicare is now basing their payments to these organizations based on their quality, and knowing which facilities are best can be critical to your recovery. Some web resources:
www.healthgrades.com or www.medicare.gov/nhcompare
3. Plan for handling some of your rehabilitation in your home and know the ranges of services that can be provided. Understand how Home Health, In Home Care and Hospice work, and how they can help you in your home.

Angela Estrada Wins Honorable Mention for Dorland Health Silver Crown Awards

The Silver Crown Awards seek to honor industry-leading organizations like assisted living facilities and home health agencies, as well as individual practitioners across a range of disciplines like geriatric care managers, facility directors and hospice and palliative care professionals.

The Silver Crown Awards also recognize the best in adult and senior-specific programs, such as Alzheimer’s care, and coverage entities like those that provide Medicare Advantage or pharmacy benefits.

Dorland Health, the publisher of the Case Management Resource Guide, the National Directory of Adult and Senior Services, the Senior Services Report, Case In Point magazine and other resources for those in medical management, has provided information and development tools for those who care for adults and seniors for over two decades.

The Silver Crown Awards also recognize the best in adult and senior-specific programs.