“Both women, are a welcome addition to our staff, they bring a wide variety of nursing experiences which will enrich the quality of care provided to future home bound clients that will be the recipients of their nursing care.” said Candace Gill, Director of Nursing at Nursing Resources.

Tanya Obermyer, RN,  lives in Bowling Green, and graduated from Otsego High School and the University of Toledo.  She has worked for Heartland Hospice, Wood County Hospital, Grand Rapids Care Center and Dr. Steven Dood’s office (Waterville Family Practice).

Karen Collins,RN  a long-time resident of Fulton County, has a rich history in working on the medical/surgical, discharge planning and home health care.  She has worked at the Fulton County Health Center in Wauseon, Henry County Hospital in Napoleon and with Community Health Professionals (home health care nursing).

Awarded to top-performing Medicare-certified home health care agencies in the United States, this honor showcases the winners who were ranked by analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes and quality improvement.

 “HomeCare Elite has become the industry standard for identifying home health agencies that perform at the highest levels,” says Amanda Twiss, president and CEO of OCS HomeCare.   “We congratulate the 2009 Home Care Elite for their continued success and commitment to high quality.”

Darren Horrigan, along with Candace Gill, RN and Director of Nursing, both serving Nursing Resources for well over 10 years each, have gently grown and guided the staff of Northwest Ohio’s Nursing Resources to provide quality home health care.  They acknowledged all of the staff including office workers, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and home care aides who daily do their best for their clients.

 “We are not a national chain; we are local folks who can adapt to the needs of our clients.”  Speaking of this honor, Horrigan said, “Our elderly deserve the best!  Many clients we may see for just a short time, where we step in with skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy… others have needed us for on-going home care aide services. Medicare pays for short-term skilled home care/rehabilitation following an illness or injury … usually this consists of 3 – 8 weeks of skilled home care involving multi-disciplinary support.  A therapist might be trying to strengthen muscles to perform at their best again, while a nurse might address health management issues, and a certified health care aide may assist with safe bathing & dressing.  Behind the scenes, our office staff organizes the medical care, working with the patient’s physician and checking for community resources that could support the patient.  When done well, it all makes for a successful recovery, and our client moves on with their life independently and safely.  Candace and I are very proud of all of our staff, for the daily commitment to quality care, and on their behalf, I am thrilled to accept this HomeCare Elite recognition”, said Darren Horrigan.

The Area Office on Aging once again hosted a lovely get-together of caregivers and agencies that support caregiving, this past November 7^th at SeaGate Center in downtown Toledo.

Nursing Resources’ Ann Worden, Director of Community Relations and Jackie Eckel, RN, Clinical Care Coordinator, enjoyed chatting and sharing information with caregivers.  “There were so many wonderful people doing fantastic jobs trying to take care of their loved ones,” said Worden, “It can be a very daunting experience, unless you have support – friends, others to share this experience with.”  “It is important to take stock of what you can and can’t do, and look to others for help.  This is a good place to come and share experiences and look for support”, said Jackie Eckel.

Dozens of agencies exhibited helpful information.  The event sponsor, The Area Office on Aging, disseminated information regarding homemaking services, residential opportunities, their RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), to name a few…. Plus there were hospice agencies, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and homecare agencies.

Nursing Resources shared information about their Balance Therapy program, which helps folks stay safe in their own home.  They also let folks know about their killed nursing and aide support for homemaking services.

Karen Taylor-Good, author, speaker, and award winning singer/songwriter, presented a heart-felt message of support for those in the audience and the keynote speaker.  It was such a success that a repeat event is already planed for next year on Saturday, November 6^th.

For more information regarding services of the Area Office on Aging, visit their website.

For more information regarding services of Nursing Resources, call 419-861-3333.

Article Originally Featured in Mature Living Magazine

Nursing Resources  is taking a proactive stand to reduce the risk of falling among its homebound clients by offering Solid Steps Prevention and Balance Pro­gram a balance therapy program that includes assessing a client’s home environment and implement­ing personal therapies specifically designed for clients to keep them safe. According to statistics pro­vided by Medicare, more than one third of people over the age of 65 suffer accidental falls resulting in personal injury and costly medical expenses. Because of the high cost of medical care associated with falls, Medicare encourages pro-ac­tive balance therapy programs.

 “Falls can be devastating to older people. As a home health provider, we are very aware and concerned that our clients do everything possible to prevent a devastating spill. Sometimes there is a pattern that happens among the elderly who experience a tragic fall that leads to a hospital stay and physical therapy. Unfortunately, when they return home, they may be susceptible to falling again sustaining more injury and the cycle continues. This balance therapy can provide direct intervention to our clients and help them avoid physical setbacks and pain, along with the additional medical expenses. It pro­vides additional peace of mind to our patients and to families who value keeping their loved ones safe at home,” explains Nursing Resources Administrator Darren Horrigan, RN.

 Nursing Resources uses a three-step process to evaluate balance risk which includes:

1) an in-depth assessment of a patient’s home;

2) an evaluation of the client’s physical condition and limitations;

3) consultation and development of an individualized plan between nurse case manager, physical thera­pist and client’s physician.

 “Solid Steps is a six-week pro­gram that has been very success­ful for clients utilizing home care services. We are able to determine with special equipment a patient’s posture quality which can affect their movement and balance. We also identify any physical condi­tions that may contribute to loss of balance including muscle weak­ness, fatigue, loss of sensation in the feet, vision or inner ear problems, etc. We are also able to offer fall prevention strategies and safety education that may be new information for clients who are fearful of falling,” explained Physi­cal Therapist Doug Munson.

 At 90, Kathleen “Kate” Partlow lives independently at a retire­ment community in Lambertville. She graduated from the Solid Steps program last summer and since that time has impressed other residents and staff with her enthusiasm for the program as well as her improved mobility. “The les­sons I learned through Solid Steps are working. My therapist taught me to stand up straight and to look ahead instead of down. She also taught me how to walk around things using my walker. I feel more confident and am walking around to visit neighbors living in adjacent apartments.”

 Exercise is a key part of the Solid Steps program. Mary Slee, age 80, lives in a Perrysburg retirement community. To help her reduce the risk of falling, her physical therapy assistant worked with Mrs. Slee on muscle strengthening exercises that includes sitting, standing, resis­tance, and range of motion.

 “I was already taking exercise classes, but they recommended I take this balance therapy program and I did. Everyone tells me I am walking and moving much better. I have more confidence in daily activities. I fell last year and don’t want to fall again. I want to remain independent. I definitely recom­mend this program to others,” Mrs. Slee said.

Medicare and most insurance providers will pay for balance therapy with an approved medical diagnosis.

 Nursing Resources works with the client’s physician to determine whether or not a fall-risk therapy evaluation might be appropriate. For additional information, contact Ann Worden, Nursing Resources Corpora­tion, at 419-861-3333, ext. 28.

Called Free to Breathe® Rumble Run, the event has raised over $23,500 so far!  Proceeds from this event benefit the National Lung Cancer Partnership’s s research, education and awareness programs.

                    ]]> http://www.nursingresources.com/toledo-home-care/2009/09/08/staff-walk-for-lung-cancer-research/feed/ 0 http://www.nursingresources.com/toledo-home-care/2009/08/04/rns-jim-and-lee-welcome-to-nursing-resources/ http://www.nursingresources.com/toledo-home-care/2009/08/04/rns-jim-and-lee-welcome-to-nursing-resources/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:02:45 +0000 admin http://www.nursingresources.com/2009/08/04/tracy-williams-welcome-to-the-nrc-team/

Welcome Lee, Jim & Emily to the Nursing Resources Team

Welcome Jim Karl, Lee Conrad, and Emily Yoder. Jim and Lee join the nursing team and will be opening and managing client cases for  Nursing Resources in and around the Greater Toledo and Bowling Green areas; including Maumee, Rossford, Perrysburg, Sylvania, Swanton, and Holland.  Nurses manage both short-term, recuperative type cases and private pay clients, requesting home aide care.

Emily Yoder recently moved to the Toledo area and joined the staff  in Nursing Resources Records department, after graduating from Bob Jones University in South Carolina where she received a bachelors degree in Actuarial Science.