Patient & Family Education

Empowering Patients and Families to Live Independently at Home

Adjusting to life with a chronic condition can be challenging. At Mary Washington Home Health, our goal is to provide you with the knowledge and resources necessary to maintain a safe and independent lifestyle at home. Feel free to contact one of our intake specialists at 540.741.1667 to learn more.

Our comprehensive in-home medical care includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Heart failure
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Parkinson’s disease
• COPD/Pneumonia
• Joint replacements
• Cardiovascular surgeries

It's important to understand the fundamental difference between home health services and personal care services. Mary Washington Home Health delivers skilled in-home medical care, whereas personal care companies offer assistance with daily living tasks that don't require specialized medical skills. (Read more about the difference in this blog post.)

Home Health Services After Hospital Discharge

Doctors often recommend home health services for patients transitioning out of hospitals or nursing homes. Our team of nurses, social workers, and intake staff, collaborates closely with the patient's physician and caregivers to ensure a seamless setup of home care services. This is especially beneficial for individuals with chronic conditions such as COPD and heart failure, as home health services can reduce the chances of recurring hospital stays and readmissions.

The majority of patients typically receive their first home health visit from a nurse or therapist within 48 hours after being discharged from the hospital.

Caregiver Virtual Support Group

For those currently caring for a loved one.

• Are you currently looking after a sick or homebound loved one?
• Do you seek strategies to maintain a balance in your life and manage caregiver stress?
• Could you benefit from information about available resources for caregivers?

See upcoming dates

Preventing Trips & Falls

Many patients face the risk of tripping or falling at home. Consult your healthcare provider to explore ways to enhance the safety of your home. Read more tips on home safety, emergency preparedness, and preventing falls.

To enhance the safety of your home, consider discussing these questions with your healthcare provider:

• Will any of my medicines make me lightheaded, sleepy, or dizzy?
• What exercises will help me decrease my chance of falling?
• What changes can I make to my bathroom in order to make it safer?
• Are there improvements I should consider for my bed or bedroom?
• Are there ways to make stairs in my home safer?
• Would getting assistance with household chores be a good option for me?
• Might it be beneficial for me to use a cane or walker?
• What should I do in case I experience a fall?

COPD & Respiratory Conditions

While there is no cure for COPD, you can take daily steps to slow its progression, protect your lungs, and maintain your well-being. To effectively manage your COPD, have a conversation with your doctor about the following:

• Learn effective time management strategies to make room for activities in your day.
• Consider quitting smoking and enhancing the quality of the air you breathe.
• Choose frequent, small, and healthy meals throughout the day.
• Develop an exercise regimen in consultation with your doctor to gradually build your fitness.
• Discuss with your doctor how to establish a healthy sleep routine.

Heart Failure & Cardiac Care

Heart failure occurs when the heart can't pump enough blood to the body's tissues. The development of heart failure can vary, occurring suddenly or gradually depending on the underlying cause.

Learn more about Heart Health here!

Medication Safety & Prescription Management

When you receive your prescription, always follow these steps:

• Check the label: Look for your name, the name of the medicine, the dose, and how often you should take it. If something looks unfamiliar, call your healthcare provider.
• Inspect the medicine: Make sure it looks the same as what you've been taking. If it doesn't, call the pharmacist or your healthcare provider.
• Handle and store medicines safely: When taking medicines at home, store them properly, and keep them organized and out of the reach of children.