Pneumonia Care in Home Health

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. In the U.S., nearly 250,000 people are hospitalized with pneumonia each year, and about 50,000 die from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Identifying the signs and symptoms of pneumonia can help the patient take action and address concerns before there is an urgent need for hospitalization.

Volunteer Home Care’s skilled team of clinicians can help.

Home health provides care to a patient who needs medical management. Pneumonia patients can suffer for weeks with symptoms and home health can make visits to assess their progression and monitor their oxygen levels and their oral medication intake, as well as assist them with their activities of daily living.

Pneumonia in elderly adults can often be serious and progress quickly. In fact, pneumonia is the second leading cause of hospitalization in Medicare beneficiaries, and most of the people who die from pneumonia each year are elderly adults, according to the American Lung Association (ALA).

Ask these questions to determine if the patient would benefit from home health:

1. Is the patient Short of Breath (SOB) when walking, e.g., when they walk down the hall or going from room to room at home? Do you think they can safely climb stairs?

2. Has the patient been ordered antibiotics to treat pneumonia at home?

3. Which patients will need help with activities due to their shortness of breath?

4. Which patients are going home without a caregiver, and are you concerned about their safety?

How can Volunteer Home Care help with Pneumonia Patients?

Home Care Services for a Pneumonia Patient:

Skilled Nursing

· Disease process education

· Respiratory Assessment

· Fall risk identification and reduction

· Medication Instruction

· Deep-breathing techniques

· Percussion, which is also known as Chest PT

Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

· Energy conservation for ADLs

· Home safety

· O2 management

· Home exercise program

· Energy Conservation

· Fall risk reduction

If you are a provider, patient, or caregiver and need additional information, please contact one of our local branch offices. You will find all of our locations and their direct phone numbers on our locations page.

We are looking for nurses to join the Volunteer Home Care family! Visit our Careers page to apply to our most recent open positions. We have opportunities for you to make a difference in the lives of those in need in your community. Opportunities are available for therapy and home care aides as well.

Volunteer Home Care is a Medicare-certified and state-licensed home health agency. We offer home health, private duty, and personal care support services in 29 counties throughout West and Middle Tennessee. Locally owned and operated, we proudly support the communities in which we serve.