NRMC Home Health: A Different Kind of Care Home health care, simply put, is health care delivered in a patient’s home. Some examples of Home health services are: at-home nursing care, physical therapy following a hospital stay and post-surgical care. Services are available for all ages, from newborn to elderly. More than 11 million Americans receive home-delivered health care from home health providers. In many cases, a long, expensive hospital stay isn’t necessary to recover from an illness or injury. Home Health Services can help with the responsibility of patient care in the home, making recovery more comfortable for both the patient and the family. The goal of Home Health care is to help the patient remain in the home and independent. “Being a Home Health nurse has a very different dynamic than providing nursing care in any other capacity,” Said Jan Rowland, RN, Home Health supervisor at NRMC. “When a nurse enters a patient’s home, they become a part of the patient’s environment. At home, patients need different things than they do in the hospital, they need personal things. We’re more than just nurses; we’re someone who will listen.” Nevada Regional Medical Center Home Health Department offers nursing visits under the direction of a physician, therapist visits as well as visits from a nurse’s aid. The aid checks with the patient to see that they have everything they need to function until the next visit. “I check on the patient’s medical needs first but, if the bed needs to be made then I make it. We want them to recover and part of that is peace of mind,” Theresa Jarrell, Home Health nurse aid said. “Our Home Health department operates on a unique model,” said Harlo McCall, Home Health Administrator at NRMC. “We mind patient’s medical needs and consider their personal needs as well. We focus on the environment as a healer, not just the medicine.” A nurse acts as a case manager in Home Health service. They do an initial evaluation of the patient’s individual needs and will make referrals to other disciplines as necessary. They help the patient get set-up with other support services such as Meals on Wheels. Also, they ensure patient’s have the necessary equipment needs in their home like: wheel chairs, grab bars and walkers. In addition to medical attention, NRMC Home Health Staff work to educate their patients to manage their illness. For example: they train patients or family how to treat a wound and change dressings. They educate diabetic patients about proper nutrition, how to correctly give themselves insulin injections, and how to get an accurate blood-sugar reading. “We are more than nurses, we are teachers and friends. We are good listeners and sometimes, we are the family or support staff,” Said Jan Rowland, RN. Nevada Regional Medical Center Home Health has been providing skilled services and care in the comfort of patients’ homes for 40 years. If you would like to see if you or a family member qualifies for Home Healthcare, contact your physician or call (417)448-3751 for more information.