In this episode of Caregiver SOS On Air, hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial sit down with Jackie Bresner, Director of Therapy at Home Care Dimensions, to unpack how families and caregivers can maximize the benefits of home healthcare. Drawing on her 33 years of experience in therapy and acute care, Jackie breaks down common misconceptions about home health and explains how skilled care differs from routine daily assistance.

The conversation highlights how home healthcare serves as a vital bridge between hospitals, physicians, and families, helping seniors regain independence, manage chronic conditions, and stay safe at home.

Key Topics & Summary

• Understanding Skilled Home Healthcare: Home health focuses on skilled medical needs—such as disease management education, physical/occupational therapy, and wound care—rather than custodial tasks like bathing or meal preparation, which fall under provider services.

• Navigating Care & Coverage: Services require a physician or practitioner referral and are typically covered 100% by Medicare for patients who meet the "homebound" criteria, with visit schedules dictated by specific clinical needs rather than arbitrary caps.

• Medication Reconciliation & Safety: Admission involves a thorough medication audit to reconcile prescriptions across specialists, preventing dangerous drug interactions, duplicate therapies, and rehospitalization.

• Home Assessments & Adaptations: Therapists evaluate the living environment for hazards—checking bed heights, rug traction, cord placement, and bathroom grab bars—while teaching practical maneuvers, such as navigating kitchens or closets safely with a walker.

• Caregiver Integration & Support: Family caregivers are encouraged to join visits to learn body mechanics for safer transfers, medication routine strategies, and early warning signs of health decline.

• Telehealth Coordination: Home health teams assist homebound individuals by gathering vital signs and facilitating telehealth appointments with primary care providers.

Key Takeaways for Caregivers

1. Set Clear Goals: Before care begins, outline specific functional milestones—like transferring into a car, navigating stairs, or prepping a basic meal—to help guide the therapy plan.

2. Protect Your Own Health: Take advantage of therapist instruction on proper body mechanics so you can assist your loved one with sitting, standing, and moving without injuring yourself.

3. Be the First Line of Observation: Caregivers are often the first to notice subtle changes or physical declines; communicating these early allows the home health team to contact physicians and make timely adjustments before a health event becomes a crisis.

About Jacqueline

Homecare Dimensions opened in 1995 and provides skilled home health services in various markets throughout the state of Texas including San Antonio, Austin, Dallas- Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, the Rio Grande Valley, and El Paso. Skilled services include nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Services are provided to patients receiving services in the home. They offer training, education, and care for patients with varied diagnosis and disease processes including the need for wound care, IV therapy in the home, disease management support and training, medication management and teaching, as well as Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapy.

Speaking with us is Jacqueline Bresner, Director of Therapy with Homecare Dimensions Jacqueline is both a United Health Group Sages Award Winner, and Optum Superhero. Of her 33-year career, 26 of them have been working in extensive Home Health fields.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Caregiver SOS On Air is a presentation of the WellMed Charitable Foundation. For more resources, tips, and past episodes, visit caregiversos.org or email your questions to radio@wellmed.net.