Avera Skilled Nursing and Home Health Aides

Avera Home Health Services offers many skilled nursing services previously only available in a hospital, outpatient clinic or long-term care center. Delivering nursing services in the home has many advantages. Home health patients express satisfaction with their care and a feeling of dignity. Studies report shorter hospital stays, cost savings and faster recoveries for home health patients.

Avera Home Health skilled nursing services staff members work with physicians and members of the health care team to coordinate home care services. By providing direct care and education, Avera Home Health can help restore and improve a patient’s health status.

Home Health Nurses

Nurses from Avera Home Health are experienced and trained in current nursing practices for both adult and pediatric populations. Services may be short-term following an illness or surgery, or long-term for patients with chronic diseases. Services include:

• Health assessment and teaching
  • Vital signs monitoring
  • Medication use
  • Health condition management
  • Coordination of community services and home medical equipment use
• Medication administration
• Wound care and dressing changes
• Blood draws for laboratory work
• Ostomy care
• Foley catheter care
• IV services
  • Care of central lines
  • Antibiotic
  • Hydration
  • Chemotherapy
• Maternity care for high-risk pregnancy and aftercare for mother and newborn
• Diabetes programs
• IV nutrition and other nutritional support programs
• Telehealth or home monitoring (where available)

Home Health aides are available to provide personal care services under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse. They assist with activities of daily living, helping the patient to remain at home.

Home Health Aide services may include:

• Bathing and grooming care
• Personal care
• Help with dressing
• Transfer and ambulation assistance
• Exercise supervision
• Medication cueing
• Blood pressure checks
• Simple dressing changes
• Companionship
• Relief for caregivers (respite care)