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COPD Home Care Services in Mt. Prospect, IL

Free Consultation: (847) 499-1307

There are an estimated 24 million people worldwide who suffer from the chronic lung disease known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD.  This is a very serious and debilitating disease that is believed to be caused by extensive exposure to lung irritants such as chemical fumes, occupational dust, air pollution, and cigarette smoke, the leading cause of COPD.

About COPD

There is no cure for COPD and it is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.  The first symptoms of COPD appear around the age of 40 and they will get worse over time.  While COPD cannot be cured, it is a preventable disease and the symptoms can be treated.  Medications and treatments for COPD will help alleviate symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and allow the affected individual to live a better life.

Oxygen Level Monitoring for COPD Patients in Mt. Prospect, IL

It is common for those with COPD to need some help at home to administer their treatment and take care of certain tasks around the house that are too difficult.  Assisting Hands Home Care can care for COPD patients in Mt. Prospect, IL.  We provide home care and medication reminders to help them follow their prescribed regimen.

What is COPD?

COPD is a lung disease caused by long-term exposure to dangerous lung irritants.  The alveoli, the small air sacks at the ends of the bronchial tubes, are affected and damaged by this disease.

COPD can attack the alveoli in one of two ways; it can cause the walls of the alveoli to become damaged and swollen, a condition known as emphysema, or it can cause the lining in the bronchial tubes to become irritated and inflamed, a condition known as chronic obstructive bronchitis.

The following are the main symptoms of COPD:

  • Wheezing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness
  • Persistent cough

If someone displays these symptoms, that does not necessarily mean they have COPD.  It is also possible to have COPD and not display these symptoms.  If you believe you or a loved one might have COPD, consult a physician.  They can test an individual for COPD using chest x-rays and CAT scans, lung function tests, and arterial blood gas tests.

COPD Treatments

A physician can prescribe several different treatments for the symptoms of COPD.  The treatments are chosen based on the severity of the disease and symptoms.  Those who have moderate symptoms may be prescribed bronchodilator medication or a steroid inhaler.

Bronchodilators relax the muscles in the airways to make it easier to breathe and steroid inhalers can reduce swelling within the bronchial tubes.  Those affected by COPD are also advised to get regular flu and pneumonia vaccines because these diseases can lead to major complications with COPD.

Nurse Helping Senior Man To Organize Medication

If a physician sees fit, they can put a patient through pulmonary rehabilitation which is a combination of exercise, disease management, and psychological counseling.  This treatment can help manage the symptoms of COPD so the patient can live a more normal life and it is supervised by a medical professional.

If the COPD has progressed and caused severe symptoms in the patient, they likely need oxygen therapy.  With this treatment, patients use a mask to breathe in oxygen from an oxygen tank.  This will help raise the levels of oxygen in the blood which will also increase alertness, improve sleep, and prevent damage to other organs like the heart that rely on oxygen.

Treating the Symptoms of COPD

The best way to relieve COPD symptoms is to make sure the patient is in an environment free of lung irritants.  Those affected by COPD should not smoke or be around cigarette smoke and must avoid insecticides, paint fumes, and other dangerous irritants.

They should also avoid going outdoors if there is a high level of pollution.  By avoiding lung irritants and following the prescribed treatment regimen, those affected by COPD can control their symptoms and live a better, more active life.

How Assisting Hands Home Care Can Help

in-home care for those with chronic diseases, including COPD.  This includes dusting the home to keep the air free of debris and providing medication reminders.

Our care services can also include help around the house such as meal preparation and personal care.  If an emergency occurs, we will respond immediately.

Schedule a Free Estimate

Call Assisting Hands Home Care if you or a loved one is living with COPD and could benefit from professional home care in Mt. Prospect, IL.  We will create a personalized care plan to cover your care needs.  Give us a call at (847) 499-1307 to learn more.

Reviews from Our Clients

Review by Edward L
Senior Care
Rating 5 5 Star Moving Rating

I can personally attest to the care and concern that Daniellah brings to your home. I was very fortunate to have her come out for a consultation with my grandmother who is suffering from breast cancer and can tell you that my Gram was over the moon happy with her time with Daniellah. The owner’s bedside manner and warm demeanor makes her a joy to work with. Her caregivers are carefully selected to reflect the values that Dani herself exemplifies. I can not say enough good about her and will recommend her office to all of my family & friends! Thanks guys
Review by a client
Senior Care
Rating 5 5 Star Moving Rating

In such a short time, Allison has become an essential part of my mother’s daily morning routine. Allison is my mother’s friend and protector. Her gentle and caring style bless my mother every morning during her check in to ensure that all of her needs and safety are met. Allison helps my mother with light jobs around her condo, runs errands with her, and encourages my mother to do stimulating activities such as puzzles and reading. Allison is a natural caregiver and genuinely cares about my mother’s well-being. My family is so grateful for her presence.
Read More Testimonials
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Key FAQs About Home Care

When a loved one needs care, there’s a sense of urgency for many families. Finding a reliable and trustworthy caregiver to come into your home is not easy, but an agency can take the guesswork out of the process. Assisting Hands Home Care in Glenview hires and screens all of our caregivers. When we find the right caretaker match for a client, it gives all family members peace of mind knowing that they or their loved one is in good hands.

Additional benefits of working with a home care agency include:

  • Concierge service: At Assisting Hands, we screen and vet caregivers for you, working daily to recruit and train the best. Given our experience and background, we’re equipped to find caregivers that fit best with your family’s needs.
  • Backup care:If a caregiver is unable to show up to their scheduled shift, home care agencies will find a replacement so families can rest assured they’ll always have coverage.
  • Specialized care:Home care agencies offer caregivers who are trained to work with patients with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other conditions that require additional skills or limit mobility.
  • Streamlined billing:Home care agencies will handle the payroll, taxes, and employment verification for each caregiver.
  • Personal injury protection:Our caregivers are insured and bonded, which protects against theft from the patient and any injuries incurred by the caregiver. Agency caregivers are also eligible for worker’s compensation, whereas private caregivers are not, requiring the family to pay for damages in the event of injury.

The added benefits of working with a home care agency are the reason for the price differential. Though the cost of a private caregiver is typically about 20-30% less than working with an agency, families must take on additional work including training, hiring, and handling payroll — and that all comes after the challenging process of finding a trustworthy, reliable caregiver.

All of our caregivers are Assisting Hands employees, meaning they’re prescreened, trained, and on our payroll. The less footwork required, the sooner you’ll find care for your loved one.

Absolutely! Ongoing professional development is part of our commitment to elevating the profession of caregiving.

Our caregivers are required to go through annual training that covers specialized care for many conditions including strokes, Parkinson's, and dementia. Caregiving is a holistic profession, and to that end, training sessions also include topics like death and dying. A Certified Dementia Practitioner oversees each training program, offering insight into both the physical and emotional needs of dementia clients.

All our caregivers are trained to handle numerous daily tasks, including:

  • Manage personal care, bathing and toileting
  • Assist with ambulation and transfers
  • Manage emergencies and provide emergency care
  • Detect and report abuse
  • Identify the signs of a stroke

Assisting Hands Home Care is licensed through the Illinois Department of Public Health. This means that you automatically get insurance and protections, including:

  • Compliance with IDPH guidelines regarding caregiver training, intake procedures, supervision, and scope of care.
  • A professional Coordination Team
  • Concierge Services such as…

A family caregiver can provide temporary relief and help their loved ones save money on the cost of patient care. While giving your time and energy is noble and provides comfort and familiarity for the care recipient, there are also disadvantages.

Family caregivers are prone to stress, and often make personal sacrifices due to the high demands of the job. This can also be detrimental to their mental and physical health. To avoid burnout, it’s okay to ask for help.

There are many options available. Choosing respite care services, in which a caregiver will share the responsibilities of caring for the loved one, can create a healthy balance and be a good middle ground.

Home care and home health care have different scopes of service. The primary difference is that home health care includes medical care assistance, while home care involves a number of non-medical services that make care recipients feel more comfortable and safer in their homes.

The scope of services covered by home care include:

  • Personal care, such as feeding, bathing, incontinence care, and personal hygiene maintenance
  • Senior transportation
  • Meal preparation
  • Light housekeeping
  • Transferring for clients who are unsafe to move on their own The scope of services covered by home health care include:
  • Injections
  • Blood testing
  • Medication management
  • Wound care

When you contact Assisting Hands for your initial assessment, one of our experts can help determine which type of care is the best fit for your loved one.

For some of our clients, long-term care insurance is the best option when paying for home care. If you think long-term care insurance is a possibility, start by reviewing your policy to see if you have a home care benefit.

Our agency has experience working with the major LTC companies including Genworth, John Hancock, and C.N.A., among others. Our team submits care notes and invoices weekly, so you can receive timely reimbursement for your services.

Make sure you’re familiar with the policy holder’s coverage limits and the costs your policy covers. Some insurance companies require a waiting period of one to three months after receiving assistance before families are allowed access to funds, so make sure your timing is correct.

A line of credit is another popular option to pay for care. It can provide a quick source of funds to cover the cost of care while waiting for long-term care insurance or Veteran Aid to take effect. During the signing process, the borrower will pay an unused line fee, known as an annualized percentage on the money not withdrawn. You should also know that lines of credit require collateral, such as a house, annuity, car, or savings account. This is required for security purposes, should the borrower not pay back the loan.

Assisting Hands is proud to be a preferred provider for the VA. Care is an important responsibility, and we take our role as a community provider very seriously. Contact your TK to find out more about your eligibility.

Our goal is to provide as much consistency as possible. While we cannot always guarantee that your loved one will have the same caregiver, we can assure you that our team will communicate any changes to your family as soon as possible. You will not have to worry about someone new showing up to your home without being notified first by one of our team members..

Yes! We have an online portal where families can view caregiver notes, invoices, and upcoming caregiver schedules. We value transparency and clarity in all we do.

Assisting Hands Home Care is licensed through the Illinois Department of Public Health. The added value of a home care agency include the following:

  • Illinois Department of Public Health Licensing: Complies with IDPH guidelines regarding caregiver training, intake procedures, supervision, scope of care, etc.
  • Caregivers are Legal Employees: At Assisting Hands all caregivers are our employees. We cover appropriate employment taxes & make sure we comply with laws regarding overtime, benefits, etc.
  • Insurance: Assisting Hands is responsible for holding liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Although caregivers work in your home, we are responsible for the work they do.
  • Professional Coordination Team: 1) All of our staff are Certified Dementia Practitioners. 2) Expertise in hiring and match caregivers with client needs 3) Monitor caregiver arrival, departure, and care notes 4) Quarterly visits to assure quality of care 5) Easy billing and printed invoices to submit for tax purposes
  • Concierge Service: Changes are common in home care. Our care team can adjust to changes seamlessly. Your loved one may require more care after a hospitalization or less care on their road to recovery. Our Assisting Hands team can ensure that the management is off your plate and in our hands. Think of us as your concierge for home care services.