Part of professional assistance in ADL’s includes pain management; patients of every age and  illness can be eligible for this part of ADL services. Typically, skilled nurses help with pain management through recommending therapies or adjusting medications with the help of a doctor, though unskilled professionals and family members can request an increase in pain management programs.

Recognizing A Need
The first step in matching pain management with ADL’s is the recognition of the need for such management. Typically, a nurse entering the home can assess pain and determine if extra help is needed, but family members can also request additional assessments. After this initial recognition and assessment, a plan is worked out with the family.

Creating a Plan
The family will work with the doctor and the skilled nursing professional to devise a plan for pain management. Initial relief and care will be recorded, as well as an ongoing plan if changes become necessary. The family will keep in constant contact with the nurse and doctor to make sure the plan is working correctly. Often, the plan includes medication administration, admission to inpatient care when necessary, and consistent communication with the family doctor.

Ongoing Plans
If the patient changes in status, the family and the doctor will be notified. The nurse will determine if extra medications or therapies are necessary to help with pain, and will communicate with the doctor for recommendations. It is important to remember that the nurse cannot recommend new medications; he or she can only administer the medications already prescribed by the doctor. If the family wishes to make changes, the nurse is allowed to request the changes from the doctor, but he or she cannot make changes alone.

ADL’s and Pain Management Occur Naturally
As a skilled nurse enters the home to care for a loved one’s general medical needs, it’s natural that pain management is part of that visit. Nurses are bound to keep patients as comfortable as possible, so remembering that he or she is there to keep your loved one as comfortable as possible is important. He or she will ensure your loved one has what is necessary medically, and he or she will recognize when your loved one needs additional care. Communicating regularly with the nurse is essential in ADL’s, including how pain is managed on a daily basis.

Vancouver Home Health Care Agency is happy to help families further understand pain management in relation to ADL’s, and we are happy to help families get started on an ADL plan.
At Vancouver Home Health Care Agency, Caring and Compassion is our business.

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