Nursing home residents often have illnesses and ailments that require specialized attention and expert care. These problems can be excruciating, necessitating sophisticated pain management measures.
With that in mind, The Nathaniel Witherell has added service enhancements in palliative and ENT (ear, nose and throat) care, and respiratory therapy. Attending doctors and therapists will be able to diagnose and treat residents requiring specialized geriatric medical services, alleviating the need for those residents to leave the building for professional care in treating conditions such as congestive heart failure, hearing loss, pneumonia, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). “The goal is to optimize the medical care, quality of life, and emotional well being of all of our residents,” notes Lynn Bausch, Witherell’s Director of Nursing.
Bausch announced that Dr. Caroline Lodato, a palliative care specialist associated with Greenwich Hospital, will make rounds at Witherell twice a month. She will attend to residents that require pain management and consult about treatment plans with their families and attending staff members. According to Bausch, Dr. Lodato will also be a great resource to families when it comes to deciding whether their loved one should be put on palliative care.
Complementing the services of Witherell’s staff audiologist, Dr. Jeffrey Kerner, an ENT-otolaryngologist associated with Bridgeport Hospital, will see residents once a month. Dr. Kerner will be able to do hearing loss evaluations and earwax removal, and treat such conditions as ear infections, ear abnormalities, sinus issues, and dizziness.
In addition, Witherell has contracted with O2 Safe Solutions, which is the facility’s oxygen supplier, to have Cynthia Charles Maignan, a respiratory therapist, come two to three times a week to see residents. Ms. Charles Maignan will be responsible for making assessments and care plans for residents suffering from such illnesses as pneumonia, congestive heart failure, COPD, asthma, and chronic bronchitis. She can also help with tracheotomy care as well as BIPAP and CPAP (ventilator) care. “By having a respiratory therapist on site, we can quickly evaluate symptoms and treat pulmonary issues, thereby reducing hospitalizations,” says Bausch.
To learn more, call Allen Brown, Executive Director, at 203-618-4323, Scott Neff, Development Director, at 203-618-4227, or visit nathanielwitherell.org
