Disease Specific Care
Parkinson’s and other Movement Disorders
Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic, progressive, neurological disease that mainly affects movement. People with Parkinson’s disease often exhibit a “shuffling” gait, tremor of the arms and legs when they are resting, muscle stiffness, and stooped posture. Some individuals also have cognitive problems. Personal care, medication management, and exercise must all be taken into consideration with the care of clients with Parkinson’s Disease.
We assist Parkinson’s Clients in the following areas:
- Movement - Balance, walking, posture, transfers, strengthening and flexibility exercises.
- Swallowing and Nutrition - Foods that are easy to eat, nutrients that allow Parkinson’s medications to function properly, and watching for signs of increased congestion after eating or drinking.
- Cognition - Reminders, healthy diet, mentally stimulating exercises, stress reduction, and proper rest to help assist concentration and cognition.
- Secondary Symptoms - Assistance with writing, monitoring, and reporting any signs of urinary tract infections, being alert to signs of depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders.
Alzheimer’s and Other Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. NeuroCare Specialty Home Care can provide care through all stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia as an hourly or 24-hour care provider. In fact, very few individuals ever need to be placed in a care facility as long as there is a qualified caregiver providing essential in-home care.
Our services keep those who suffer from Alzheimer’s:
- Cognitive engagement, independent, and secure in their homes by prompting and assisting with daily routines, medications, personal care, social activities, and cognitive stimulation.
- Alzheimer’s trained home care aides and certified nurse’s aides are aware of the emotional, as well as physical needs of an individual with Alzheimer’s, offering the most appropriate care for the situation.
Traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injury, also called brain injury or head injury, occurs when a blow or jolt to the head results in damage to the brain. TBI’s range in severity from mild to severe. The most common type of brain injury, a concussion, is classified as a mild traumatic brain injury. Severe TBI’s may involve loss of consciousness for hours or weeks and can result in permanent disability. A TBI may result in mild, moderate, or severe changes in one or more areas, including thinking, speech, physical functions and social behavior.
Our services can assist individuals with TBI’s by:
- Assisting with cognitive and physical stimulation
- Respite for family caregivers
- Transportation to medical and social appointments
- Assistance with personal care
Stroke Related Illness
A stroke is an injury to the brain caused when the brain’s blood supply is interrupted or greatly reduced. The brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, and the brain cells begin to die within minutes. For that reason, a stroke is considered a medical emergency and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Our services can assist individuals who have had a stroke by:
- Preparing easy to swallow meals and thicken liquids when required
- Passive and active range of motion exercises
- Assistance with personal care
- Providing respite for family caregivers
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries begin with a blow that fractures or dislocates the vertebrae. Our trained home care aides and certified nurse’s assistants will provide care to meet the client’s specific needs and address the functional limitations experienced by individuals that have sustained a spinal cord injury. They assist clients and their family to reach the physical, mental, and emotional goals that provide the foundation for an independent life.
Our services can assist individuals who have sustained a spinal cord injury by:
- Monitoring skin integrity
- Adhering to pressure sore alleviation program
- Providing bowel management assistance
- Assistance with specialty and personal care
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis is a degenerative autoimmune disease of the central nervous system causing motor dysfunctions such as problems in coordination, balance and clumsiness thus making clients at risk for falling.
Our services can assist individuals with multiple sclerosis by:
- Daily exercise to stretch the muscles and joints to avoid contractures and spasticity
- Monitor skin integrity to alleviate pressure or friction
- Aid with assistive devices and transfers
- Assistance with personal care and medication reminders
Sports Injuries-Repeated Head Trauma
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a degenerative brain disease that results in behaviors like Alzheimer’s disease. However, according to researchers, CTE has a clear environmental cause, repeated brain trauma, rather than a genetic cause. Originally term “dementia pugilistica” otherwise known as “punch drunk.” Because repeated closed head injuries seem to be the cause of CTE, athletes involved in contact sports may be at risk including athletes in the sports of boxing, football, wrestling, rugby, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, and skiing.
Our caregivers can assist individuals with symptoms of CTE by:
- Assisting with balance and walking
- Assistance with exercises prescribed by a physical therapist
- Prepare meals and monitor swallowing
- Providing personal care, companion, or homemaker services
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, neuromuscular disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurons, among the largest of all nerve cells, reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to muscles throughout the body. When these mother neurons die, the brain can no longer start and control muscle movement.
Our services can assist individuals with ALS by:
- Assisting with mobility, transfers, and ambulation
- Assistance with total personal care
- Assist with and monitor assistive breathing devices such as BiPAP
- Prepare easy to swallow meals
Cancer-Brain Tumors
A brain tumor is a collection of damaged cells that multiply out of control within the brain. Also called a neoplasm, growth, mass or lesion, a brain tumor is classified as either primary or secondary (metastatic) and can be benign or malignant.
Our services can assist individuals with brain cancer by:
- Assistance with personal care
- special diets and nutritious meals
- Transportation to doctor’s appointments and treatments
- Medication reminders
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism, the way the body uses digested food for growth and energy. Diabetes is associated with long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body: blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputations, and nerve damage. There are 3 main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational. The most common form, and the one to which adults and the elderly population is most prone is Type 2.
- Reminders to take medications and maintain daily log of blood glucose
- Prepare diabetic specific meals
- Encourage to exercise daily
- Assistance in the evening with frequent trips to the bathroom
Hospice/ Palliative Care Support
End-of-Life care requires a skilled and compassionate caregiver, one who is specially trained in the care of clients with a terminal illness. We take a holistic approach that looks beyond the disease and focuses on living each day to the fullest. Our caregivers are available 24 hours a day to provide emotional, spiritual, and physical support to the entire family. We are fully engaged and present and work closely with the family and hospice team to create a sense of peace. Hospice/palliative care provides:
- Peace of mind for family members
- Assistance with care needs thus allowing family member’s quality time with loved one.
- Alert hospice personnel and family of changes in condition
- One-on-one care to maximize comfort
Post- Operative Care
NeuroCare Specialty Home Care offers care to individuals returning home after surgery who need assistance while recuperating. Our services are ideal for someone living alone or caring for children or other family members. An individualized plan of care includes your surgeon’s post-operative care orders.
Our services can assist individuals recuperating from surgery with:
- Assistance with personal care, ambulating, and transfers
- Changing ice bags
- Grocery shopping, preparing meals, errands, and light housekeeping
- Transportation to medical, therapy, or other appointments
- Medication reminders, and assist with range of motion exercises
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a broad term used to describe a range of diseases that affect your heart. The various diseases that fall under the umbrella of heart disease include diseases of your blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease; hear rhythm problems (arrhythmias); heart infections; and heart defects you’re born with (congenital heart defects). The term “heart disease” is often use interchangeably with “cardiovascular disease.” Cardiovascular disease generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke.
Our services assist individuals with heart disease by:
- Planning and preparation heart healthy meals
- Monitoring and recording blood pressure
- Providing medication reminders
- Keeping legs elevated during rest periods
- Providing transportation to medical appointments
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are common COPD’s. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Breathing in other kinds of irritants, like pollution, dust, or chemicals, may also cause or contribute to COPD.
Our services can assist individuals with COPD by:
- Aiding and monitoring usage of oxygen, inhaler, or nebulizer
- Medication reminders
- Monitor exacerbation of condition
- Accompany to pulmonary rehabilitation
- Transportation to medical appointments
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease is a condition in which the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function properly over time, usually months or even years. As many as one in six individuals have kidney disease, and kidney disease is 40% more common among the elderly. Chronic kidney disease is broken down into five different stages of increasing severity. Stage five chronic kidney disease is sometimes referred to as end-stage renal disease, and at this point a person’s kidneys are so bad that they require dialysis or need a transplant.
Our services can assist individuals with chronic kidney disease by:
- Preparing special meals as recommended by a licensed dietician
- Medication reminders
- Assistance with ambulation and transfers
- Transportation to doctor’s appointments and dialysis if required