Care

Hospice

The decisions to seek hospice care is an important one. Hospice focuses on “caring,” not curing, with the fundamental principle that each of us has the right to live each day with comfort and dignity. Hospice is a concept of care that includes a team of professionals and volunteers who are experts in the field of end of life care. The purpose of hospice care is to enable patients to live as fully as possible by addressing the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patient and their loved ones.

St. Joseph Villa Hospice is one of the most experienced hospice programs in the greater Omaha, Nebraska area.

Caregivers

Our trained caregivers provide assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, toileting, transferring and ambulation. We also assist with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) such as shopping, meal preparation and clean up, medication reminders, light housework, laundry, transportation and errands.

Bath Visits

This service includes assistance with bathing, personal hygiene and dressing, while ensuring the safety of the client.

Medication Set-up

A licensed nurse will visit to set up medications in a complimentary weekly planner. Prior to your medications being set up, we will contact your physician to verify your medication regimen and request his/hers orders. We will also call in refills to your pharmacy.

Nurse Visit

We can schedule a licensed nurse to visit for medically related needs, please call for details and pricing.

Medicaid (In-Home & Community Based)

We participate in the Division of Senior and Disability Services (DSDS) in-home and community-based services program which is available to eligible persons 60 years or older or adults with disabilities between the ages of 18-59. Our services are designed to assist with personal care, nursing services, housekeeping and respite hours to help meet the needs necessary for a person to remain in their own homes and avoid or delay institutionalization.

We accept Private Pay, Medicare, Medicaid (in-home and community-based), Veteran’s Benefits and some Long-Term Care Insurance Plans.

Our staff is carefully pre-screened and fully insured. The St. Joseph Villa is committed to hiring only the best caregivers. All staff must possess the basic qualifications of the job, in addition to undergoing the following verification process:

• Assure good standing with the State of Nebraska Health and Senior Services
• Complete criminal background and sexual abuse screening in all states where staff member has lived or worked.
• Verify Federal eligibility to work in the U.S. through E-Verify/Form I-9 and social security verification (Form I-9 is the core of E-Verify. E-Verify is an internet-based system that compares information from the Form I-9 to government records to confirm that an employee is authorized to work in the United States.)
• Comprehensive references and employment history
• Pre-placement physical
• Screening by the Nebraska Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR)

In addition, we provide our staff with Workers Compensation insurance, professional and medical liability coverage.

Skilled Nursing

The St. Joseph Villa is committed to providing professional care to in home and independent/assisted living patients. Specific needs and unique factors which influence each patient’s care are taken into consideration. A Registered Nurse serves as case manager and makes a complete complimentary assessment of the patient; working in conjunction with the attending physician as a plan of treatment is prepared for each patient.

Rehabilitation

Our staff of expert speech, physical and occupational therapists works together to restore patients to a healthy physical and psychological state.

Physical Therapy

Following orthopedic surgery, illness, onset of neurological conditions, generalized weakness and other conditions affecting mobility, the licensed physical therapist and team members develop a program to improve each patient’s mobility and to achieve his or her maximum level of functioning.  Our therapists and assistants also help patients with cardiopulmonary, neurological and orthopedic conditions, as well as those lacking endurance.

Occupational Therapy

Loss of function in the arms, difficulty with dressing, bathing, meal preparation and other functional activities as well as adaptive equipment needs are all addressed by a registered occupational Therapist.  Our therapists and assistants also help patients to regain all adult daily living functions.

Speech Therapy

Neurological, orthopedic, cognitive and traumatic conditions that affect the ability to speak, swallow, problem solve, word find and other related communication difficulties are addressed by a licensed speech pathologist. This specialized therapist assists the patient in achieving his or her maximum potential relating to communication and oral-motor skills.

Diabetic Care/Training

Diabetic patients have special dietary and exercise concerns that cause bigger problems if neglected.  Education must be intertwined with medical treatment. Our team develops and monitors a patient diabetic teaching plan.

Self-management workbook is created that focuses on:

• Specific education on exercise and diabetes, in addition to foot care
• Meal planning
• Education focused on hyper/hypoglycemia, signs and symptoms of worsening condition and when to call the Home Care nurse, MD, and 911
• Self management contract
• Foot care protocol for lower extremities
• Diabetes care record
• Personal Health Record and Diabetes Diary

CHF (Congestive Heart Failure)

The program goal is to keep the patient out of the hospital and avoid re-hospitalization.

• To accomplish this we create a self-management workbook which focuses on medications, diet, daily weight, signs and symptoms of worsening condition, when to call the home care nurse, MD and 911.
• Three to four visits per week during the first two weeks
• Phone monitoring daily during the first 2 weeks when visit is not scheduled
• Coordination of visits with other disciplines to maximize patient contact/touches
• Maintain continuity of care for patient by ensuring same professional staff member cares for patient
• Use of Personal Health Record

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Prevent further deterioration in lung function, alleviate symptoms and improve performance of daily activities and quality of life. Chronic obstruction of the flow of air through the airways and out of the lungs generally is permanent and may be progressive over time. The St. Joseph Villa Home Care helps to develop and maintain a care plan.

• Self-management workbook
• Self-management contract
• COPD symptom awareness plan
• Education focused on medication, activity/exercise, diet/nutrition
• Personal Health Records

Wound Care

The purpose of medical care for wounds is to prevent complications and preserve function. Our staff includes a Certified Wound Care Specialist on staff to evaluate any patient when necessary.

• All of our staff are highly-educated at orientation in wound care and best practices, and use of The St. Joseph Villa Home Care Wound Care Program
• Nurses are highly-trained in the use of wound vacs
• High quality products are used, decreasing some dressing changes to two-three times a week versus daily
• Products used to reduce bacterial bio-burden
• Continuing education of staff twice annually related to wounds, wound care and best practices
• Limited formulary of quality products which increases knowledge and focus of products used
• Standardized physician communication sheet for clear communication