November 1, 2024
Too many Americans have experienced the stress and financial challenges resulting from inadequate health care insurance coverage. At Wellspring, we see this every day. Families and older adults who are struggling to manage care for themselves or their older loved ones are usually surprised to learn that Medicare does not cover most in-home care. Finding ... Read More
October 16, 2024
Did you know that older adults are particularly susceptible to malnutrition? Malnutrition can happen as a result of a range of factors, from loneliness to medical conditions. It can happen in the home and in a care setting. The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) emphasizes nutrition as a patient right with ... Read More
May 8, 2024
In the fall of 2022, the Illinois HomeCare and Hospice Council convened a committee focused on reviewing the change in the Illinois Nurse Practice Act, made by the Board of Nursing of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, that allows certified nursing assistants to deliver medications in home and community-based settings. By bringing ... Read More
March 21, 2024
A slew of bills that could have a big impact on healthcare practitioners and consumers are on the table in Springfield during this current legislative session. The bills, if passed, “could lead to really good things,” says Wellspring’s founder, Sheila McMackin, MSW, LCSW. But she also notes that one of the bills—HB 4884—could negatively affect ... Read More
February 29, 2024
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
January 29, 2024
When you need to hire a home care agency, it’s crucial to find a service that aligns with your specific needs. Here are some key questions to ask when screening agencies, along with insights into how Wellspring Personal Care addresses these concerns. Does the level of care provided match my needs? Understanding the type of ... Read More
December 19, 2023
Hospice care is designed for patients who are at the end stages of a terminal illness, typically when the life expectancy is six months or less, as certified by a physician. The primary goal of hospice care is to provide comfort and maintain the highest quality of life possible. This approach includes managing pain and ... Read More
October 30, 2023
In the fall of 2022, the Illinois HomeCare and Hospice Council (IHHC) convened a committee, chaired by Sheila McMackin, LCSW, to explore the concept of applying levels of care to in-home health care. (To learn about levels of care, see our blog post, “Like Hospitals, Home Care Agencies Should Have Levels of Care.”) The Levels ... Read More
August 10, 2023
When parents start needing help around the house, the responsibility often falls on adult children to provide care and support. This can be both a privilege and a burden, depending on the situation and the family relationships. Caregiving can become more complicated if several siblings are involved, each with their unique perspectives and needs. Here ... Read More
July 28, 2023
Aishling Kelly is more than just a name in Illinois’s healthcare industry. She’s an advocate, a mentor, and a passionate force who is driving change in a sector that’s craving transformation. At the heart of her initiative lies the Aishling Care Academy, an Illinois state-certified training program she founded to arm aspiring certified nursing assistants ... Read More