Caring to Care: A carer’s perspective for advanced home care
September 27, 2023
Manipal College of Nursing in collaboration with the Interprofessional Advanced Wound Care Centre, Centre for Continuing Education, and Interprofessional Development Department, MAHE Manipal, and Edge Hill University UK jointly organized a day workshop on empowering carers for advanced home care under SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being. Dr. Judith A. Noronha, Dean College of Nursing has stressed the importance of an advanced home care workforce to meet the rising demands. Dr Vimal Krishnan, Chief Guest of the day addressed the August gathering focusing on caring for advanced care at home that can be indeed challenging. When someone requires advanced medical care or has complex healthcare needs, providing care in a home setting comes with its own set of difficulties and considerations. The caregivers and families may encounter numerous challenges when caring for advanced medical needs at home. Dr Elsa Sanatombi Devi shared glimpses of Interprofessional Advanced Wound Care Centre activities which is an industry-collaborated center of MAHE Manipal dedicated to training and capacity building of health care professionals as well as caregivers. Caring to care and having to die a dignified death is the dream of every human being. Loving and empathetic care is our goal to reduce abuse and neglect while caring. Building capacity to care can reduce abuse to a great extent in our society. Patients today are going home with complex medical procedures, multiple medications, and 24/7 Care, which can be emotionally and psychologically exhausting. Therefore, helping them cope with a loved one's serious illness can be emotionally draining as well. Providing emotional support and maintaining a positive atmosphere at home is crucial for both the patient and the caregiver. Dr Toni Bewley and Dr Allen Bewley, Edge Hill University shared their views on her passionate care given for her own daughter with a chronic health problem and also her mother-in-law who had dementia. She highlighted the home modifications to accommodate medical equipment and ensure the patient's safety and mobility. These modifications can be costly and time-consuming as well. Dr Suba Sooria, Head of Nursing, at Kasturba Hospital, addressed her views on training the trainer's program for advanced home care to coordinate with the wound center and cater to the needs of the elderly or chronic home-bound individuals and make a registry for elderly for continual support as an administrator. Caregiver Burnout is vividly seen on the surface which can induce elderly abuse and neglect besides caring for them towards their end of life which can be deeply emotional and challenging. This challenge is an opportunity for healthcare professionals to offer a wide range of positive facilities. Additionally, having a well-thought-out care plan, involving the patient in decision-making, and maintaining open communication with healthcare providers can help improve the quality of care provided at home. Dr Elsa Sanatombi Devi shared her expertise on diabetic foot debridement using simulation as a method of learning to learn. Preparing carers for advanced home care needs competency towards advanced care techniques. Mr Prasannakumara, a nurse practitioner demonstrated pressure ulcer care. Ms. Effienia D Walling, Ms Priyanka Mukherjee, Ms. Pushpavathi, Mr Shreenidhi, Mrs Janet Alva, Asst Professor, demonstrated surgical wounds, LAD therapy, episiotomy wound and Burns wound care. A total of 40 participants from Nursing, Medicine, Public health, Engineering, and Edge Hill graduates actively engaged in the sessions.