What Does VPS Do?
| • Examine, Evaluate and Diagnose |
| • Develop a Comprehensive Care
Plan |
| • Provide Continuous Home Health
Care |
| • Utilize a Holistic Approach |
| • Always Serve with Compassion
and Dignity |
Our Specialties:
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for half to two thirds
of all dementia cases. Other causes of dementia include:
- Vascular disease
- Brain injury
- Parkinson’s disease
- Vitamin B deficiencies
- Drug or alcohol abuse
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disease of the
brain from which there is no recovery. The disease attacks
nerve cells in all parts of the cortex of the brain, impairing
a person’s ability to govern emotions, coordinate their
movements, and remember things.
Alzheimer’s disease is common in older individuals
with over 50% of all 95 year olds reporting some type of impairment.
Alzheimer’s in now the fourth leading cause of death
in adults.
Visiting Physician has extensive experience in treating Alzheimer’s
disease. Approximately thirty percent of our patients exhibit
some form of Alzheimer’s disease. Fortunately, as more
is known about the pathology of the disease, new treatment
options will become available, in addition to the symptomatic
therapy now offered by a variety of cholinesterase inhibitor
drugs.
Competency Examinations
If you have a family member or client that can no longer manage
his or her own affairs, it might be time for a Visiting Physician
to determine their mental capacity. Before a power of attorney
or guardianship is signed it may be necessary for a physician
to perform a complete physical and mental assessment. Visiting
Physicians work closely with a variety of Elder Care Attorneys
so legal and proper steps are taken. Since we are able to
meet with the elderly individual right in their home and perform
a full competency exam, it minimizes the stress on the individual
and their family. After we complete our thorough evaluation,
we co89mpile a full report that is certified by a Board Accredited
Physician.
Geriatric Medicine
Visiting Physician Services has been providing home health
care for the elderly for over ten years. Eighty-five percent
of our patients are over the age of 75, allowing us to become
specialists in the treatment of elderly individuals. We focus
on providing a holistic approach to medical care that includes
a comprehensive evaluation of a complete physical examination,
an evaluation of all medications, and lab tests. We then address
the opportunities to improve physical and mental functions
rather than simply diagnosing and treating diseases. Our staff
of fifteen medical professionals all have advanced degrees
in medicine and/or nursing. This highly experienced staff
has a high degree of interaction, allowing us to share observations
and ideas in the ever-changing world of home health care.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a slow progressive disorder that
occurs when cells are destroyed in certain parts of the brainstem.
This destruction appears to have an impact on the release
of dopamine, a major neurotransmitter. A loss in dopamine
negatively affects the nerves and muscles controlling movement
and coordination. There is probably no single cause for Parkinson’s
disease, but rather it is a combination of genetic susceptibility
and environmental factors.
Pulmonary and Respiratory Conditions
Arteriosclerosis or “hardening
of the arteries” occurs when the inside walls of an
artery become thicker and less elastic. The thickening reduces
the area available for blood flow. Although arteriosclerosis
reveals few symptoms at first, the damaged artery eventually
cannot carry enough blood to supply the necessary amount of
oxygen. Cholesterol and similar substances attach themselves
to the inside linings of the arteries. There they gradually
thicken into a substance called plaque. As plaque grows, it
narrows the artery and in some cases blocks it entirely. This
can lead to angina and heart attacks.
Hypertension, or high blood
pressure, usually has no symptoms, and is often called the
“silent killer.” High blood pressure occurs when
the body’s smaller blood vessels narrow, which causes
the blood to exert excessive pressure against the vessel walls.
Two numbers are used to describe blood pressure: systolic
and diastolic. Systolic pressure refers to the pressure the
blood exerts on the artery walls as the heart pumps blood,
and diastolic refers to the force as the heart relaxes to
allow the blood to flow back to the heart.
Congestive heart failure,
commonly referred to as CHF, occurs when the heart cannot
pump out enough blood to meet the needs of the body. All forms
of heart disease may eventually lead to CHF. CHF is the most
common cause of death for people over the age of 65.
Since 85% of our patients are over the age of 75, we have
extensive experience in the detection and treatment of all
forms of heart disease. We carry mobile EKG devices that allow
us to monitor the performance of the heart. We can also perform
on-site x-rays when necessary. With the use of proper medications
and ongoing care by a medical professional, Visiting Physician
is able to help many patients with heart ailments.
Osteoporosis
There are currently 10 million Americans suffering from osteoporosis,
as well as another 18 million who have low bone mass. Osteoporosis
occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone, or when
the body reabsorbs too much old bone. Calcium and phosphate
are two minerals that are essential for normal bone formation.
As people age, calcium and phosphate may be reabsorbed back
into the body from the bones, which makes the bone tissue
weaker. Women over the age of 60 are the most frequent sufferers
of the disease.
Conducting a thorough physical examination, performing an
urinanalysis, x-rays, and bone density testing can all detect
this “silent disease.”
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common but poorly understood
problem in the elderly population. It is estimated that approximately
one in five persons living in a community dwelling have significant
urinary incontinence. Although the changes in urinary anatomy
that result from normal aging do not cause urinary incontinence,
they do create a situation that allows incontinence to occur
more easily. Aging does result in a reduced size of the urinary
bladder producing a decreased bladder volume and a need for
more frequent bladder emptying. Additionally, many diseases
and medications can contribute to the problem of urinary incontinence.
By reviewing past medical histories, performing a complete
physical examination, and conducting blood and urine analyses,
Visiting Physicians are able to diagnose and treat the majority
of UI cases. For most patients diagnosis and treatment options
are inexpensive, non-invasive, and successful.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is an umbrella
term used to describe progressive lung diseases, encompassing
emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma. In COPD,
the airways — tubes that carry air in and out of your
lungs — are partly obstructed, making it difficult to
breathe. COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S.
and the world.
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are closely related and
persons with COPD may have both, which impair lung function,
preventing the lungs from doing their job of bringing oxygen
to the body and getting rid of carbon dioxide.
Smoking is the main cause of COPD, but other environmental
and industrial pollutants can also result in COPD in someone
who has never smoked. COPD develops slowly, and it may be
many years before you notice symptoms like feeling short of
breath. Most of the time, COPD is diagnosed in middle-aged
or older people.
Quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can
do to reduce your risk of developing COPD and slow the progress
of the disease. Although COPD cannot be cured, your doctor
will recommend treatments that help relieve your symptoms
and help you breathe easier.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or
properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed
to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed
for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery,
although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity
and lack of exercise appear to play roles.
There are 20.8 million people in the United States, or 7%
of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6
million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately,
6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that
they have the disease. In order to determine whether or not
a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes, health care providers
conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose
Tolerance Test (OGTT). The American Diabetes Association recommends
the FPG because it is easier, faster, and less expensive to
perform.
There are two types of Diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes Results from
the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks"
the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel
them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed
with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes Results from
insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to
properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency.
Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2
diabetes.
People with diabetes have the same nutritional needs as anyone
else. Along with exercise and medications (insulin or oral
diabetes pills), nutrition is important for good diabetes
control. By eating well-balanced meals in the correct amounts,
you can keep your blood glucose level as close to normal (non-diabetes
level) as possible.
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