Home Care - Disease Management Home Care - Disease Management

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What Is Disease Management?

• Improve patient health • Avoid costly complications • Reduce medical costs • Support patient and family self-

management

Disease Management At The Core

• Save Money• Encourage Self-Care• Quality of Life

Saving Money• Research shows that over 70% of a person’s

medical expenses are paid out in the last two years of life

• Research also shows that poor self-care and/or limited social resources increase medical expenses

Interpretation – Providers who have financial risk are tired of paying unnecessary costs because a member doesn’t know how or refuses to take proper care of their health

Encouraging Self Care

Self-Care means less reliance on others, particularly medical professionals.

Opportunity for Non-Medical Home Care

Self-Care also equals self-pay care. As we know, private duty is not a typically covered service.

Quality of Life

• Independent• Comfort of Chosen Place of Residence• Pain Free

Quality of Life Private Duty Care services enable a patient to remain at home and continue to

perform their activities of daily living (ADLs). Ability to perform ADLs have a direct impact on a patient’s quality of life.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

bathing

dressing

meal preparation

light housekeeping

medication reminders

grooming

transportation

ambulation

toileting

What can we do?

• Design a care plan that is focused on each individual’s specific disease(s) with a focus on self care, prevention, and support with activities of daily living

Example: Alzheimer’s Disease

• Patient Supervision….to prevent wandering• Toileting reminders… to eliminate potential

accidents• Meal preparation… to maintain nutrition & prevent

kitchen accidents• Social Stimulation…. To combat

loneliness/depression

Example: Arthritis• Assistance with painful tasks (driving, bathing,

dressing, housekeeping)• Applying ice packs or heating pads to relieve

localized pain• Apply proper transferring techniques to prevent

further joint damage• Meal preparation and diet modification to prevent

weight gain (which stresses joints)

Example: Cancer• Post chemotherapy/radiation therapy support and

assistance• Meal preparation and nutrition encouragement to

increase energy levels• Social support and activities to divert negative

feelings• Assistance with exercise regimen to reduce

depression & anxiety while increasing energy• Management of Daily Activities at onset of fatigue

to best conserve energy

Example: Diabetes

• Preparation of diabetic-friendly meals• Monitoring condition of the skin and lower

extremities to prevent skin breakdown, ulcers and related injuries

• Ensure proper oral hygiene to prevent gum disease common to diabetics

Example: Heart Disease

• Increase patient compliance with dietary and/or lifestyle changes

• Supervise prescribed exercise/physical therapy activities

• Ensure proper supervision and act in the event of an emergency i.e. call 911.

Example: Multiple Sclerosis

• General assistance and ADL support during an exacerbation period

• Social stimulation to combat depression• Transferring assistance to prevent falls and

injuries

Example: Osteoporosis

• Gait supervision and assistance to prevent falls resulting in possible fractures

• Assistance with weight-bearing exercises to increase bone mineral density and maintain proper body alignment

• Social support and activities to divert their attention

Example: Parkinson’s Disease• Gait supervision to prevent fails• Light housekeeping to remove potentially

dangerous obstacles• Assistance with feeding during tremor episodes• Specialized meal preparation (i.e. Puree) when

swallowing is difficult• Offering fluids for thirst relief caused by

Parkinson’s medications

Example: Stroke

• Transfer assist for patients with paralysis• Emotional support for labile patients• Support with feedings for clients with difficulty

swallowing• Mobility assistance/supervision to prevent falls

Conclusion

• Design a care plan that is focused on each individual’s specific disease(s) with a focus on self care, prevention, and support with activities of daily living

Resources for Disease Management • Web MD• Yahoo Health• American Cancer Society• Alzheimer’s Association• American Parkinson’s Disease Assoc

Questions?