Living With Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects approximately 70 million people in the United States. If you or a loved one have osteoarthritis, here are some life style recommendations and tips to help you manage symptoms and lead a full, active life.

Diet and Exercise
With diet and appropriate exercise it is possible to decrease stress on the arthritic joints. Exercise is an important part of any therapy prescribed for those with osteoarthritis. Strengthening exercises and range of motion exercises can help to maintain and improve joint mobility.

When patients work to strengthen the muscles around joints, they experience less stress on those joints and less pain. Walking or riding a stationary bike are great options for improving range of motion and muscle strength. They also help to improve cardiovascular health, decrease fatigue and increate your overall sense of well being. Water programs, such as aqua aerobics or swimming, can be especially helpful for osteoarthritis pain in the hips, knees and feet. Millcreek’s experienced team of Physical Therapists will develop an exercise plan to improve your comfort and well being.

Rest
Resting is very important in managing osteoarthritis. Understand that when you rest, your body heals, so get adequate amounts of sleep every night and supplement with daytime naps. During periods of increased osteoarthritis symptoms, realize that you will require more rest than during periods when pain is under control.

Find Easier Ways to Do Day-to-Day Tasks
There are more adaptive equipment options than ever for those with osteoarthritis. Jar openers, modified writing and kitchen utensils, and special shoehorns are examples of devices that can be helpful to patients with osteoarthritis. There are special shoes, braces and walking aids such as canes, crutches or walkers that can help increase your comfort as you do daily activities.

Simplifying your daily routine can also help manage your osteoarthritis symptoms. When doing your day-to-day tasks, pace yourself and understand your limits. People living with osteoarthritis often find it helpful to strategically store the items needed for activities. While you may store a tool you use every day in your basement, it may provide a lot of relief to store it in a living room closet. When cleaning your house or living area, try to clean just one room a day and consider keeping a set of cleaning solutions and tools on each floor – including separate lightweight vacuum cleaners.

If you have questions about other aspects of osteoarthritis home health care in the Salt Lake City area, please feel free to contact a Millcreek Home Health and Hospice staff member at 801-463-2478 for answers.

Salt Lake City Area Residents Can Get Help In Controlling the Effects of Lymphedema

Lymphedema is an abnormal buildup of fluid that causes swelling, most often in the arms or legs. The condition develops when lymph nodes are missing, impaired, damaged, or removed. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Lymphedema, there are many ways to help control the effects of
Lymphedema such as:

Maintaining Good Nutrition
Include at least two to four servings of fruits and three to five servings of vegetables in your daily meal plan.

Reducing Foods High in Salt and Fat
Use food package labels to help you to make the best selections for a healthy lifestyle.

Exercising Regularly
Always check with your physician first before starting a new exercise program.

Avoiding Infections
Immediately report any signs of infection to your home health nurse or physician.

Planning a treatment program depends on the cause of the lymphedema as well as the stage and the cause of the illness. Your physician may recommend treatments such as bandaging, compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage and a gentle form of stretching or massage.

Your physician may also refer you to a therapist who specializes in managing lymphedema. Lymphedema therapists come to this field from a variety of backgrounds, including nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and massage therapy, among others.

A Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) has a deep understanding of the lymphatic system, plus knowledge and experience in the hands-on skills required to perform the treatments. “The Standards for the Required Training of a Lymphedema Therapist” are published on the National Lymphedema Network website. The lymphedema therapist will assess your condition and develop an individual treatment plan to manage your lymphedema.

If you or a loved one would like to find a qualified lymphedema therapist, you might wish to use the following resources:

-           Millcreek Home Health and Hospice offers three lymphedema therapists to provide therapy.

-           The physician who diagnosed your lymphedema should be able to recommend to you a qualified lymphedema therapist.

-           Insurance companies know where lymphedema is treated. Ask your insurance company for suggestions as to where you can find “in network” treatment.

Lymphedema cannot be cured. However, with proper care and treatment, the affected limb can be restored to a normal size and shape. In addition, lymphedema can be treated and controlled so that it does not progress further. 

If you would like to talk to one of our experts about Lymphedema, contact Millcreek Home Health and Hospice, please feel free to call us at 801-463-2478. 

"Everything they did was far and beyond what was expected..."

Millcreek Home Health and Hospice is well known for professional and compassionate home health and hospice care in the Salt Lake City, Utah area.  Here is a glowing review from a patient's family member:

   

“I wanted to let you know what a positive difference you made for my siblings and our parents. Angel, Juan, Tiffany and Ed all took the extra effort and time to make sure that Mom and Dad felt loved, cared for and informed! Everything they did was far and beyond what was expected.... Love and Respect was evident in their touch, their face and in the tone of their voice. Originally we had Millcreek involved just to help out dad with mom's constant care needs. But within 2 short weeks of mom's passing, they were back to take care of dad in his final weeks of life, when an expected tumor became very agressive and ultimately took dad 2 1/2 months after mom's death. Mom had suffered with Diabetes 2 for many years and on several different occasions we have had various different Home Health & Hospice providers for mom. It was my employment that brought me in contact with Millcreek and Tiffany Lee. When mom came back from St. George this past March, she specifically requested that Tiffany be her nurse. And when mom passed, dad did the same. Every morning dad looked forward to Ed and Juan to come and help him get shaved, dressed and cleaned up for the day and guests. We felt such gratitude for the care and expertise, the extra effort to keep us all informed, the willingness to answer our questions and concerns, even after hours. Thank you seems inadequate, but it is all we can say, "THANK YOU!" –Annette”

We are glad to know that our services are providing not only the best care for our patients, but their family's as well. 

What Are the Benefits of Physical Therapy?

The benefits of physical therapy for seniors include increased comfort and safety. Physical therapy as part of hospice or home health care plays an important role in range of motion, flexibility, coordination and restoring or increasing strength. Physical therapy can also be used to help a patient retrain their bodies to do everyday tasks.

As a person ages, there are many health conditions that may affect their ability to comfortably and safely do normal day to day activities. There are different ways to treat the symptoms of diseases. Most often, an elderly person might turn to a medication regimen as the first way of suppressing the symptoms.

Medications can ease the effects of the symptoms of a variety of the conditions; however physical therapy can be a very effective part of a complete health solution. Physical therapists work with each patient on an individual basis, evaluating capabilities and designing programs for education, wellness and exercise. Physical therapists also communicate with a patient’s nurse and primary care physician to coordinate the patient’s care.

Working with a physical therapist can help establish a physical therapy program that will meet the patient’s personal goals, which may range from control of bodily functions to increased independence. Some of the services physical therapists perform are:

-          Improving coordination, flexibility, balance and strength

-          Teaching techniques to support mobility and independence

-          Making suggestions for lifestyle adaptations to fit physical ability of the patient

-          Helping to prevent further deterioration of mobility through exercise and assistive devices

-          Stretching and exercising to eliminate pain and improve overall physical fitness

If you are a senior who is considering physical therapy or if you have a loved one who is considering physical therapy, consult with their primary care physician to see how therapy will benefit health and independence. Millcreek Home Health and Hospice encourages seniors to retain their independence and enjoy a better quality of life through physical therapy treatment. If you have questions about physical therapy for seniors in the Salt Lake City area, contact Millcreek Home Health and Hospice by phone at 801-463-2478 or email.

Do You Have Questions about Home Health Referral?

With Utah’s growing elderly population, more and more people are finding themselves in roles as caregivers. However, many family members are uncertain when professional home health care is appropriate. The truth is, there are a great number of circumstances which may necessitate home health care, and every patient’s condition is unique. A few common causes for referral to home health include:

-          Recovery from an illness or injury

-          Recovery from a fall or acute impact injury

-          Changes in medication, including increases in dosage

-          Debilitating changes in cognition

-          Inability to provide adequate care for oneself

-          Necessity for physical occupational, or speech therapy

-          Increased necessity for care, such as cannot be provided by family

As always, if you feel that your loved-one’s condition may require home health care, the best option is to speak with an experienced Salt Lake City home health professional.  Millcreek Home Health is available seven days a week at 801-463-2478 for consultation to can help you determine whether home health referral is appropriate for you or your loved-one.

Volunteer and Support Services At Salt Lake City's Millcreek Home Health and Hospice

Millcreek Home Health and Hospice prides itself on being an agency that provides services to its client population that exceeds expectations. We are dedicated to delivering the highest standard of excellence in heartfelt, compassionate clinical care. To better support our patients and their families. Millcreek Home Health and Hospice offers the following volunteer services, amongst others:

-          Guided Epistolary Letter Writing Workshops

-          Guided Creative Writing Workshops

-          Reading Groups

-          Discussion Forums

-          One-On-One Volunteer Meetings

Millcreek Home Health and Hospice’s Salt Lake City Community Outreach Initiatives

If you are interested in donating your time and participating in a highly rewarding experience, please explore Millcreek Home Health and Hospice‘s options for volunteer work. Please give us a call with any questions at 801-463-2478.

Support Group

Millcreek Home Health and Hospice works with care facilities and communities to establish support groups that meet at regular intervals to provide empathetic conversation and discussion of a wide variety of subjects.

If you have any questions about existing support groups, or have interest in organizing one at you or your loved one’s facility, please contact Heather Bittinger, Millcreek Home Health and Hospice’s dedicated Social Worker, for more information on this subject. Millcreek Home Health and Hospice aims to provide ongoing support to our patients, their families, and any community member in need.

Please contact Heather Bittinger, Millcreek Home Health and Hospice Licensed Certified Social Worker at 801-463-2478

Read What Our Patients and Family Members Are Saying About Millcreek Home Health and Hospice

At Millcreek Home Health and Hospice, we believe that quality of care can only be facilitated when quality of life is first considered. We don’t believe that success is measured purely by numbers. At Millcreek Home Health and Hospice, we measure success by one barometer: You.

We provide personal attention and expert professionalism can go hand-in-hand. Read Millcreek Home Health and Hospice Testimonials what our patients and their families have to say:

Everyone gets an A+ from our family. We are indeed grateful for your kindness, care and expertise - not only during Dad's illness but at the time of his passing. Our heartfelt thank you to everyone of you who assisted us. You were wonderful.— Family Member, Utah

We could not have been more satisfied! We coordinated care long distance and the phone calls were as important as the care given. All aspects of our and Dad's care were A+. — Family Member, Utah

My nurse was very professional, caring, reassuring and knowledgeable. She was a tremendous support and helped significantly in my recovery. I appreciated her very much. — Patient, Salt Lake City

My physical therapist gave me excellent instruction and encouragement as I worked to regain my strength. He was very pleasant and professional and I looked forward to his visits. I would not be doing what I am today without his help. — Patient, Salt Lake City

Patient and family feedback is critical to Millcreek Home Health and Hospice’s goal of constantly improving the quality of our care. If you have any input you would like to provide, please feel free to contact us for Home Health or Hospice Care in Salt Lake City, Utah by phone at 801-463-2478.

Providing the Highest Quality of Comprehensive Home Health and Hospice Care Available in Salt Lake City, Utah

At Millcreek Home Health and Hospice, our mission is simple: provide each and every one of our patients with the highest quality of comprehensive care available. We believe that ‘care’ is more than simply a job description—it is the guiding principle behind everything we do.

Our skilled team of medical professionals works together and provides coordinated care to all of our patients. Millcreek Home Health and Hospice aims to exceed expectations by offering a broad range of home health and hospice care services, not simply limited to physical care.

Millcreek Home Health and Hospice focuses on all aspects of a patient’s condition, including the emotional, psychological, social and cognitive dimensions. We understand that every patient is unique, and each treatment plan must be uniquely tailored to meet each individual’s needs.

We are committed to providing the highest quality of comprehensive care to each of our patients, as well as focusing on preventative measures to ensure optimal clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Our team will communicate with family members, liaison with physicians to coordinate care, and advocate for our patients at all times.

At Millcreek Home Health and Hospice, that is our mission. Care is our vision.  If you'd like more information about home health and hospice care in Salt Lake City, Utah, please call our offices at 801-463-2478.