Home health care helps patients and caregivers

Neither Carl Wamhoff nor John Kaluba envisioned nurses and therapists visiting their homes to care for them.

Carl had multiple sclerosis, but he was convinced it wouldn't keep him down. He'd seen other people with MS in remission. But Carl's MS didn't go into remission. Eventually, he became a long-term home health care patient with the Panhandle Health District (PHD).

John was 44, healthy and in a job that demanded physical fitness. He handled irrigation for the Twin Lakes Golf course. He slipped last June jumping from his truck bed and became a short-term home health care patient with PHD.

"I have had nothing but great care," John says. He's just back on his feet after six surgeries and is hoping to walk Bloomsday in May.

Panhandle Home Health through PHD provides doctor-ordered professional nursing care and licensed physical, speech and occupational therapy to patients in their homes. The goal is to help patients regain as much independence as possible.

John completely supported that goal. He considers himself very independent, but he fractured two bones in his leg when he fell and the bones poked through the skin on his ankle. One bone was broken in three places and the other bone snapped in half.

His doctor ordered home health care through PHD after John's first surgery. Cindy Little, R.N., taught John how to care for his wounds and manage the antibiotics he was receiving intravenously. Cindy taught John's sister, who helped with his care, to clean around pins holding his bones in place.

For six months, Cindy helped monitor John's medication, changed dressings and much more.

"She taught me a lot," John says. "It was hard for me because I'm so independent, but she was so understanding and very helpful."

John's home health care ended just before Christmas.

"Now I'm doing awesome," he says.

Carl's sister, Jan Young, discovered home health care soon after she began caring for Carl.

"I made a promise to him. I said I'd take care of him as long as I could. That was 23 or 24 years ago," Jan says as Shannon Gisclair, R.N. with PHD's home health division, treats bedridden Carl's wounds. "I thank God every night for Shannon."

Shannon visits three or four times a month unless Carl needs wound care. Lying in bed round the clock can produce sores. Shannon visits Carl three or four times in a week to care for wounds and return him to comfort.

"Jan does such a good job with care," Shannon says. "Thanks to her care, Carl's sores are at a minimum."

Jan was picky about the home health care she chose for her brother.

"I looked for someone who knows what she's doing and is there when I call," she says. "I want someone who gives me helpful hints to make things better for Carl."

Knowing Shannon or another nurse from Panhandle Home Health will respond if Carl needs help between scheduled visits is a great relief for Jan. Transporting him anywhere requires an ambulance.

"I rarely have to call because Shannon does a good job," Jan says. "But if I do call, I'm always taken care of. There's always an informed nurse on call on weekends and holidays."

No one wants home health care until they need it. Finding the right care leads to the best outcomes for everyone involved.

"Home health is an absolute godsend," Jan says. "I love the convenience of knowing they're coming, that I can count on them and that they always have supplies. Shannon knows our whole family right down to the person who's helping out around the house. We're like friends."

Panhandle Home Health provides services in the five northern counties. For information on Panhandle Health District Home Health, call (208) 415-5160.