For people living with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS / Lou Gehrig’s disease) or other neurological disorders, daily activities can prove a real challenge. Tasks taken for granted by others may seem monumental due to physical limitations such as speech impairment, reduced mobility, and lost dexterity. And while these hardships are well documented, many patients and families may not know that home care agency resources can improve safety and quality of life in a variety of ways.
Here’s how a reputable caregiver agency in Torrance—and particularly one with licensed nursing resources—can help South Bay families who manage loved ones’ neurological disorders.
Safety
Neurological diseases are often progressive, so a patient’s mobility and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) can suffer over time. Safety is a concern for anyone experiencing physical limitations, but the greatest danger occurs when a patient’s condition rapidly declines with little advanced warning. For example, a person with Parkinson’s disease may have a history of safely showering alone. But an unexpected change in strength or balance could result in a dangerous and preventable fall.
Professional caregivers improve safety for patients at all stages of neurological disorders. Even if someone still cares for herself, the presence of a home care aide provides a welcome safety net. The extra set of “eyes” can also help note a general decline in function, alerting family members and preempting dangerous falls or accidents.
Quality of Life
Families are often focused on topics of safety when coordinating care plans for loved ones with neurological disorders, which is understandable. However, it’s also important to consider quality-of-life issues. Can “Dad” go for a walk along the beach without the assistance of a caregiver? If not, how does his inability to do so affect his joy and contentment?
A professional aide can liberate patients who are otherwise confined to indoor settings. And caregivers under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN), as is the protocol of BrightStar Care in Torrance, are best equipped to ensure safety for patients enjoying outdoor activities. Even if a loved one is physically incapable of venturing outside or uninterested in doing so, a home care aide can engage in stimulating and enriching activities within the home.
Family Respite
Many people caring for patients with Parkinson’s disease, MS, ALS and other neurological disorders ignore their own needs and vulnerability to “burnout.” Naturally, family members are usually focused on the wellbeing of afflicted loved ones. But their own physical and emotional health is also important.
A local home care agency can provide “respite” for family members under considerable stress. Those who need a helping hand or break from the work can defer to the expertise of a reliable caregiver with disease-specific training. And for those who enlist the services of a nurse-led agency, like BrightStar Care of Torrance, they’ll know their caregiver enjoys a network of clinical support 24/7!
Nurse-Led Services
Some patients with neurological disorders only require minimal assistance with ADLs or passive supervision to reduce fall risk. Others, however, might need extensive hands-on care. Professional caregivers can assist in either capacity, but those with RN oversight are best equipped to care for patients with more complicated needs.
As diseases like Parkinson’s, MS and ALS progress, patients may also require skilled nursing duties for management of G-tubes, catheters and PICC lines. In these situations, the vast majority of home care agencies are ill-equipped to provide care. They usually lack licensed nurses (either RNs or licensed vocational nurses/LVNs) and are legally prohibited from performing “medical” tasks. Fortunately, a full-service agency such as BrightStar Care of Torrance can manage nursing needs both practically and legally.
To be clear, BrightStar Care provides non-medical caregiver services throughout the South Bay, Palos Verdes and Beach Cities areas. But the company is also a licensed nursing agency, complete with RNs, LVNs and even physical therapists. In this sense, BrightStar Care is in a unique position to properly address the needs of all patients with neurological disorders!
Other Considerations
Realistically, most people with Parkinson’s Disease, MS, ALS and other neurological disorders can benefit from professional caregiver resources. And there are many home care agencies in Torrance from which to choose. But those with superior hiring practices, training, and accountability protocols will provide the most reliable service. And for patients and families seeking the highest level of oversight and nursing resources, BrightStar Care’s Director of Nursing and her team of RNs and LVNs can accommodate most any home-based medical need!
If you’d like to learn more about BrightStar Care of Torrance and our unique, nurse-led approach to home care, contact us today for a free consultation!
Here’s how a reputable caregiver agency in Torrance—and particularly one with licensed nursing resources—can help South Bay families who manage loved ones’ neurological disorders.
Safety
Neurological diseases are often progressive, so a patient’s mobility and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) can suffer over time. Safety is a concern for anyone experiencing physical limitations, but the greatest danger occurs when a patient’s condition rapidly declines with little advanced warning. For example, a person with Parkinson’s disease may have a history of safely showering alone. But an unexpected change in strength or balance could result in a dangerous and preventable fall.
Professional caregivers improve safety for patients at all stages of neurological disorders. Even if someone still cares for herself, the presence of a home care aide provides a welcome safety net. The extra set of “eyes” can also help note a general decline in function, alerting family members and preempting dangerous falls or accidents.
Quality of Life
Families are often focused on topics of safety when coordinating care plans for loved ones with neurological disorders, which is understandable. However, it’s also important to consider quality-of-life issues. Can “Dad” go for a walk along the beach without the assistance of a caregiver? If not, how does his inability to do so affect his joy and contentment?
A professional aide can liberate patients who are otherwise confined to indoor settings. And caregivers under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN), as is the protocol of BrightStar Care in Torrance, are best equipped to ensure safety for patients enjoying outdoor activities. Even if a loved one is physically incapable of venturing outside or uninterested in doing so, a home care aide can engage in stimulating and enriching activities within the home.
Family Respite
Many people caring for patients with Parkinson’s disease, MS, ALS and other neurological disorders ignore their own needs and vulnerability to “burnout.” Naturally, family members are usually focused on the wellbeing of afflicted loved ones. But their own physical and emotional health is also important.
A local home care agency can provide “respite” for family members under considerable stress. Those who need a helping hand or break from the work can defer to the expertise of a reliable caregiver with disease-specific training. And for those who enlist the services of a nurse-led agency, like BrightStar Care of Torrance, they’ll know their caregiver enjoys a network of clinical support 24/7!
Nurse-Led Services
Some patients with neurological disorders only require minimal assistance with ADLs or passive supervision to reduce fall risk. Others, however, might need extensive hands-on care. Professional caregivers can assist in either capacity, but those with RN oversight are best equipped to care for patients with more complicated needs.
As diseases like Parkinson’s, MS and ALS progress, patients may also require skilled nursing duties for management of G-tubes, catheters and PICC lines. In these situations, the vast majority of home care agencies are ill-equipped to provide care. They usually lack licensed nurses (either RNs or licensed vocational nurses/LVNs) and are legally prohibited from performing “medical” tasks. Fortunately, a full-service agency such as BrightStar Care of Torrance can manage nursing needs both practically and legally.
To be clear, BrightStar Care provides non-medical caregiver services throughout the South Bay, Palos Verdes and Beach Cities areas. But the company is also a licensed nursing agency, complete with RNs, LVNs and even physical therapists. In this sense, BrightStar Care is in a unique position to properly address the needs of all patients with neurological disorders!
Other Considerations
Realistically, most people with Parkinson’s Disease, MS, ALS and other neurological disorders can benefit from professional caregiver resources. And there are many home care agencies in Torrance from which to choose. But those with superior hiring practices, training, and accountability protocols will provide the most reliable service. And for patients and families seeking the highest level of oversight and nursing resources, BrightStar Care’s Director of Nursing and her team of RNs and LVNs can accommodate most any home-based medical need!
If you’d like to learn more about BrightStar Care of Torrance and our unique, nurse-led approach to home care, contact us today for a free consultation!