January 31, 2023
What happens when a hospital is ready to discharge a patient who still needs ongoing clinical care? Typically they’re transferred to a nursing home or nursing and rehabilitation center. Most people would rather be sent home (or wherever they call home) so they can continue living in their own space. Fortunately, clients who choose Wellspring ... Read More
December 21, 2022
After more than 40 years of working with patients who have Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, Dr. Steve Fox has become a trusted expert witness for Chicago-area courts. As Wellspring’s Medical Director, Dr. Fox assesses all new clients and directs their plan of care, in coordination with the client’s doctors. Dr. Fox has been ... Read More
November 22, 2022
In last month’s blog post, we talked about how consumers would be better served if home care agencies were required to use levels of care, similar to how hospitals treat their patients. You can read about that here. This month, we want to look at another idea that, if used consistently by the home care ... Read More
October 20, 2022
When someone is admitted to a hospital, they are assigned to a certain level of care depending on their condition. Someone with an acute problem, such as a heart attack, will be put into the intensive care unit. After they’re stabilized they may be transferred to the medical/surgical unit or a “step-down” unit. These levels ... Read More
September 19, 2022
We know what you’re going through. You or your loved one need in-home care—perhaps urgently—and you have a lot of choices. With so many home-care agencies available, you may wonder how to evaluate and choose one. We’d like to help ease the process for you by sharing some of the key factors that separate Wellspring ... Read More
August 18, 2022
Voters need to talk to their lawmakers about keeping home care affordable and available. But it’s not always easy to get in touch with members of Congress. Fortunately, a program called “Bring the Vote Home” is helping connect lawmakers directly with voters on this topic. Created by the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA), Bring ... Read More
July 21, 2022
In Illinois there are about 260 home nursing agencies, but more than 900 home service agencies. Consumers need to be aware of the difference when they make choices. “I don’t want to put my mom in a nursing home. I want to figure out how to take care of her at home.” More and more, ... Read More
June 30, 2022
As Americans, we comprise only 5% of the world’s population but we consume 50% of the major pharmaceuticals. A study in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that seven out of 10 Americans take at least one prescription drug. One in five Americans are on at least five prescription medications. In 2021, we spent $1,011 ... Read More
May 24, 2022
Millions of people—most of them seniors on fixed incomes—need in-home nursing care or personal assistance. Unfortunately, with minor exceptions, in-home care is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Some long-term care insurance policies might cover it. For the most part, Americans must pay out-of-pocket for the care they receive at home—and that care can be ... Read More
April 6, 2022
Many people are taken aback when they hear the cost of in-home care. That’s understandable. When you’re desperately searching for in-home care for a loved one, the situation is already stressful. But whenever you pay for care – be it at home or in a skilled nursing facility – you are paying for professional expertise, ... Read More