No one cares more than we do.
DURBAN NORTH NURSING
Our caregivers are trained in Basic or Advanced homebased care, First Aid and HIV.
Some of their daily tasks may include:
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Bed bathing or shower assistance, mouth care and basic hygiene
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Dressing
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Nail care for uncomplicated nails
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Assisting the patient to go to the toilet/commode and/or changing incontinence products
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Pressure part care and massage
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Passive exercising
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Taking the client for walks and assistance with mobilising
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Administering prescribed medication
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Basic meal preparation and serving of tea/coffee
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Keeping the patients immediate living area and bathroom clean and tidy, bedmaking and washing of the patients clothing (they do not do ironing)
Companion Care
A companion carer primarily provides emotional support. He or she may offer a client, an essential physical presence or company for a few hours each day or one or two days per week. This is commonly for seniors who live alone and are generally healthy and able to care for themselves. They may in some instances, require a little help with things like shopping or trips to the doctor. A companion carer is often the first person to identify that the client may need more assistance with basic activities of daily life. The shortest shift for one of our carers is a 9-hour shift. If you require someone for just a few hours per day, we do keep a list of recommended companion carers who drive and are able to pop in, visit or take one shopping.
Assisted Living
A person may reach a stage when a person is starting to require a little assistance with their activities of daily life. The person may be in their 70’s or 80’s and is still able to do some things independently such as driving, shopping, preparing meals but struggle to do certain things like showering alone, dressing, walking safely and taking medication. This is often the stage when the person or a family member starts to consider a retirement home.
Our aim is to keep the person at home in their own environment, ensuring that they are happy, safe, and independent, for as long as possible.
Frail Care
A person may be deemed as “Frail” when they are: ill and recovering or deteriorating due to illness or operation, weak and undergoing treatment, elderly and physically weak, mentally frail, or severely disabled. They are likely to need more supervision and assistance with many of the activities of daily living and will require a lot of nursing by comparison to a person needing assisted living.
Post-Operative Care
Post-operative care refers to the health care provided after a surgical operation, to ensure and support a full recovery. Quite often a family member expects to be able to cope when they return home but may find, that caring for their loved one becomes very over whelming.
Post-operative care is usually short term and we commonly care for patients following surgeries such as hip, knee, shoulder replacements and spinal surgery. Caregivers are trained in basic wound care and hygiene and work under the guidance of our qualified Nursing sister when caring for a wound.
Palliative Care
Palliative Care is a holistic approach to care, that improves quality of life in patients and their families, facing a serious illness. It is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness and enables the patient to live as actively and as comfortably as possible.
Our Durban North Nursing professionals, work closely with key role-players in the patient’s medical team, often providing a valuable link in communication between patient and doctor, leading to early intervention which can prevent unnecessary pain and suffering of the patient at home.
Not all clients needing palliative care are facing an end of life situation and many do recover and are still able to continue to lead active and healthy lives.
End of Life Care
End of life care is the term used to describe the support and medical care during the time surrounding death. Gentle, loving, comfort care is essential part of end of life care and it is becoming more popular for those wishing to die in their own home. We make this possible.
Our aim is to prevent unnecessary pain and suffering and improve quality of life, whilst respecting the dying persons wishes. Our team works with the patient’s doctor, oncologist, or hospice team to manage and get the right balance of medication and pain control and keep the patient comfortable throughout his/her last chapter.
Our caregivers are all trained to recognise when the end is imminent and are most often able to notify the family and contact one of professional nurses, to guide and support the family with their loved one at this difficult time.