The DeKalb County
Health Department

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

DATE:     November 13, 2009

TO:           DeKalb County Media  

FROM:    Karen Grush, Public Health Administrator

The DeKalb County Health Department’s Home Care Program recognizes November as “National Home Health Care Month”, according to Karen Grush, public health administrator at the DeKalb County Health Department.   Home care professionals care for people recovering from surgery or illness when it is difficult for the patient to leave their home.  

"Since 1966, the DeKalb County Health Department has helped to preserve one of our most important social values - keeping families together," reports Karen Grush, public health administrator.  “Care is provided to patients in the comfort and security of their own homes.” 

Home care offers a cost-effective alternative to higher priced care. Payment for physician ordered care is provided by Medicare, public aid, or private insurance.  There are times when hospital or nursing home care is necessary, but more and more sophisticated treatments are now being delivered at home.  Grush said another factor contributing to the increase in use of home health care services is the fact that people are living longer.

In 1966, when the Home Health Program was implemented, home care staff provided 700 nursing and physical therapy visits.  In 1990, the Health Department provided more than 5,500 visits.  By the end of 2009, that number is expected to be near 18,000 visits.  "Not only have the number of visits risen, types of services have also increased," said Grush.

“Our home care team consists of registered nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, medical social workers, and home health aides,” says Deb Rolf, Director of the Home Care Program.  “Our team works together with the patient’s physician to meet the health care needs of the patient and family, to promote health and recovery from illness or surgery, and to teach patients and caregivers to manage health care needs to prevent relapses.”

Registered nurses, under the direction of the patient's physician, give injections, change dressings, provide IV therapy, home phototherapy for infants, teach about medications, and evaluate the overall health status of the patient.  The nurse is a liaison between the patient and the physician and with other home care workers. 

Home health aides assist with personal hygiene. Physical therapists provide rehabilitative services following illness or injury.  They may instruct a patient how to use a wheelchair or other device, as well as provide instruction in therapeutic exercise.  Occupational therapists help patients improve their function by providing exercises and assisting them to manage self-care.  Speech therapists provide rehabilitative services for speech and language disorders. Medical social workers assist the patient and family to resolve problems that may interfere with the patient’s recovery, to plan for future needs after home care discharge, and to obtain community resources.

Rolf encourages patients to discuss home care with their doctors.  During hospitaliza­tion or nursing home stay, a discharge planner can assist the patient in obtain­ing home care.  The Home Care office is located at 2500 North Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb.  For more informa­tion, call DeKalb County Home Care at (815) 787-8900. 

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