by Christina O'Leary | Jan 27, 2025 | Health
Reading Time: 2 minutesGlaucoma is a silent thief of sight, often progressing without noticeable symptoms until significant vision loss occurs. As the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, it affects over 80 million people, with an estimated 3 million cases in the United States alone. January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to shed light on this condition, its warning signs, and holistic approaches to prevention and management.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to increased pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure). There are two primary types:
- Open-Angle Glaucoma: The most common type, developing gradually and painlessly.
- Angle-Closure Glaucoma: A rarer, acute form that can cause sudden vision loss and requires immediate medical attention.
Warning Signs of Glaucoma
- Gradual loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision).
- Halos around lights.
- Eye pain or redness (in acute cases).
- Blurred vision.
- Sudden vision loss (in severe cases).
Holistic Ways to Manage Glaucoma
While there is no cure for glaucoma, early detection and a proactive approach can help manage its progression and protect your vision.
- Maintain Regular Eye Exams
Early detection is key. Adults over 40 should have comprehensive eye exams every 1-2 years, or more frequently if there’s a family history of glaucoma.
- Prioritize Eye-Healthy Nutrition
- Leafy Greens: Rich in antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which support retinal health.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts, they help reduce inflammation and support eye pressure regulation.
- Vitamin A & C: Found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and citrus fruits, these vitamins protect against oxidative stress.
- Exercise Regularly
Moderate aerobic exercise, like walking or swimming, can help reduce intraocular pressure and improve blood flow to the optic nerve. Avoid inverted positions (like headstands) if you have elevated eye pressure.
- Manage Stress
Chronic stress can elevate eye pressure. Practices like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help maintain overall eye health.
- Limit Screen Time
Prolonged exposure to screens can cause digital eye strain. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol
Smoking increases the risk of optic nerve damage, while excessive alcohol can contribute to dehydration and increased eye pressure.
- Use Protective Eyewear
To prevent eye injuries that could exacerbate conditions like glaucoma, always wear protective glasses during activities like sports or home repairs.
How Bedrock Healthcare At Home Can Help
Our Wellness Ecosystem offers personalized care for individuals managing chronic conditions like glaucoma. Here’s how we support you:
- Routine Monitoring: Our healthcare team can monitor your eye health and coordinate with specialists to ensure early detection and treatment.
- Nutrition Guidance: Work with our dietitians to create a diet rich in eye-healthy nutrients.
- Holistic Wellness Plans: Our team integrates stress management, exercise, and lifestyle coaching into your care plan.
- Telehealth Convenience: Access professional guidance and check-ins from the comfort of your home.
Protect Your Vision Today
Glaucoma doesn’t have to mean losing your independence or quality of life. With a proactive, holistic approach, you can take control of your eye health and maintain your vision for years to come.
Your eyes are windows to your world—keep them healthy, one step at a time. Schedule your consultation with Bedrock Healthcare At Home today to explore how our wellness ecosystem can support your eye health journey.
Written by – Christina O’Leary
Photo by – Visivasnc
by Christina O'Leary | Nov 6, 2024 | Health
Reading Time: 3 minutesDiabetes affects over 37 million people in the U.S., with numbers steadily rising. This complex chronic condition is about more than medication—it requires a lifestyle approach to monitor blood sugar, diet, exercise, and consistent medical care. At Bedrock Healthcare at Home, we meet this challenge through our comprehensive, patient-centered approach within the Bedrock Care Management and Bedrock Wellness Ecosystem. We’re committed to delivering the resources, education, and compassionate support patients need to live fully while managing diabetes.
Types of Diabetes and Their Impact
- Type 1 Diabetes: This autoimmune condition affects around 1.45 million.
- Americans, requiring lifelong insulin therapy and careful blood sugar monitoring.
- Type 2 Diabetes: The most common form, affecting 95% of all diabetes patients, occurs primarily in adults and is impacted by lifestyle and genetic factors. Treatment often involves lifestyle changes, medication, and sometimes insulin.
- Gestational Diabetes: Occurring in about 10% of U.S. pregnancies, this condition requires careful management to ensure the health of both mother and child. It increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes later in life for both.
- Pre-diabetes: Around 96 million U.S. adults have pre-diabetes. Early intervention through lifestyle changes can often prevent progression to Type 2 diabetes.
Each type of diabetes requires a balanced approach to prevent complications, such as heart disease, kidney issues, nerve damage, and vision impairment.
Healthy and Holistic Strategies for Diabetes Prevention and Management
Lifestyle changes can play a powerful role in preventing and managing diabetes. Here are some effective methods:
- Balanced Nutrition: A diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, and vegetables can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and legumes are great choices for managing and preventing diabetes. Bedrock’s dietitians help design meal plans that support these nutritional goals.
- Consistent Physical Activity: Studies show that moderate exercise, like brisk walking or cycling, for 150 minutes a week improves insulin sensitivity and helps lower blood sugar levels. Physical therapists in the Bedrock Wellness Ecosystem provide patients with safe and effective exercise plans.
- Stress Management: Chronic stress raises blood sugar levels and may even contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes. Mindfulness practices, meditation, and physical activities like yoga are helpful in reducing stress. Our Behavioral Health Integration (BHI) program offers counseling and tools to help patients manage stress effectively.
- Adequate Sleep: Poor sleep quality has been linked to insulin resistance and increased blood sugar levels. Developing healthy sleep habits, like setting a consistent bedtime and reducing screen time before bed, can have a positive impact on diabetes management.
- Regular Monitoring and Early Intervention: Monitoring blood sugar levels and scheduling regular checkups is critical for understanding and adjusting lifestyle and medication to manage diabetes effectively. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Telehealth (TH) through Bedrock make regular monitoring convenient and accessible.
The Bedrock Wellness Ecosystem: A Holistic Approach to Diabetes Care
Effective diabetes management requires a full-spectrum approach to ensure patients have support across all health aspects. Bedrock’s Wellness Ecosystem is structured to provide comprehensive support, integrating medical expertise with holistic wellness practices.
Bedrock Care Management: Comprehensive Chronic Condition Support
Bedrock Care Management (BCM) provides coordinated care that includes:
- Transitional Care Navigators (TCNs): TCNs guide patients newly diagnosed or recently discharged from hospital care, bridging the gap from hospital to home and providing essential education on diabetes self-management.
- Chronic Care Management (CCM): The CCM team develops personalized care plans addressing diet, exercise, and medication, with regular check-ins and remote monitoring for real-time support.
- Advanced Care Planning (ACP): ACP ensures patients and families make informed long-term care decisions, particularly crucial for those with complex or progressive diabetes.
- Behavioral Health Integration (BHI): Diabetes management can take a toll on mental health, and our BHI program provides counseling to address stress and improve emotional resilience.
- Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Telehealth: Through RPM and Telehealth, patients can monitor their blood sugar, receive real-time support, and adjust, reducing the need for in-person visits.
Holistic Support Through the Bedrock Wellness Ecosystem
The Bedrock Wellness Ecosystem integrates primary care, specialty care, and wellness services to provide holistic diabetes care, offering:
- In-Home and Telehealth Access: Our providers make routine check-ups, glucose monitoring, and medication adjustments convenient through in-home and telehealth visits.
- Nutrition and Diet Planning: Our dietitians work with patients to create nutritious meal plans, helping manage blood sugar and support weight control.
- Physical Therapy and Exercise Guidance: Structured activity improves insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health, critical for Type 2 diabetes management.
- Patient Education Programs: Through these programs, patients learn about diabetes self-care and recognize early warning signs, empowering them to be proactive in their health.
- 24/7 Access to Care and Support: Our 24/7 call center provides immediate support for diabetes-related concerns like blood sugar spikes or medication questions, ensuring patients feel secure and supported.
Bedrock’s Unique Approach to Diabetes Care
Our approach is deeply personalized, with each care plan tailored to a patient’s unique needs. Through individualized care, we help improve patient outcomes by creating manageable and effective plans for diabetes care.
Lifelong Commitment to Diabetes Prevention and Management
Diabetes care requires lifelong dedication. As patients’ health evolves, so does the support offered through Bedrock’s Wellness Ecosystem, ensuring patients have the resources they need to continue living healthily.
Written by – Christina O’Leary
Photo by – Milos Dimic
by Christina O'Leary | Nov 6, 2024 | Health, In The News
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe effects of the election could be pivotal in determining the future of healthcare and other essential industries, especially in terms of driving innovation and disrupting outdated models to make services more accessible, affordable, and inclusive for all Americans. Here’s a look at how the evolving political landscape may influence healthcare and related industries:
- Healthcare Reform and Access Expansion
As healthcare remains a priority issue, the election results could determine shifts in policy geared toward broader access, cost reduction, and resource availability. These changes could open doors for programs designed to ensure access for underserved communities, extend coverage options, and focus on preventive care, addressing the root causes of many health disparities.
Expanding access often involves leveraging technology, such as telehealth and virtual care solutions. Telehealth became a lifeline for many during the pandemic, and policies emerging from this election may solidify its role in regular care, making healthcare more convenient and available regardless of location.
- Innovation Through Funding and Regulation
Election outcomes often shape how much funding, and support will be allocated to research, development, and emerging technologies in healthcare and adjacent sectors. This funding is key to fostering innovation and allowing companies to explore new solutions like AI-driven diagnostics, personalized medicine, and data integration. With supportive regulation, startups and established companies alike can bring groundbreaking solutions to the market, disrupting the status quo and benefiting patients with more efficient, personalized, and affordable care.
Regulatory support also determines the speed at which these advancements are brought into practice. By adapting regulations to accommodate new technologies and business models, policymakers can facilitate a smoother transition into a more modern, data-driven healthcare system.
- Addressing Mental Health and Wellness Holistically
Recent years have brought a new focus on mental health, recognizing it as critical to overall well-being and productivity. Election-driven policy changes may create room for mental health services to be treated as essential within healthcare frameworks. Additionally, broader access to behavioral health integration services, stress management programs, and support for those managing chronic conditions could positively affect mental health across the population.
Holistic mental health support often extends beyond traditional healthcare settings, affecting workplace environments and communities at large. As more employers recognize the value of employee well-being, there’s a growing demand for programs addressing mental health and wellness comprehensively. Political support could help sustain this trend, making mental health resources more accessible.
- Cross-Industry Collaboration and Innovation
Today’s election may lay the groundwork for policies that promote collaboration between industries. For example, advancements in AI, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure are becoming foundational in healthcare, allowing providers to deliver safer, more accurate, and more accessible care. Collaboration between healthcare, tech, and insurance sectors could further revolutionize patient experience and operational efficiency. By encouraging cross-industry partnerships, policymakers can facilitate innovations that reach beyond healthcare, affecting industries like finance, education, and public safety.
Disruption through collaboration may also influence the job market, creating new roles and opportunities across fields that were previously unrelated. As industries converge, we can expect to see diverse job roles emerge, where expertise in one field complements the needs of another.
- A Future-Ready Workforce and Education
As industries evolve, the skills and training required to support them must also advance. Policies that drive investments in education and workforce development are essential to ensure that the workforce is ready for the future of healthcare, which includes a higher demand for tech-savvy healthcare professionals, data scientists, and cybersecurity experts. Educational institutions may see increased support to adapt their programs to focus on these skills, creating a future-ready workforce that can support innovation across sectors.
- Transforming the Patient Experience with Virtual Care and AI
With election-driven policies supporting digital health, AI could become an integral part of healthcare, helping clinicians make data-informed decisions. Virtual care solutions aim to bridge the gap between digital interactions and physical patient care by offering real-time assistance and military-grade security. Such innovations could revolutionize patient experience by ensuring personalized and continuous care, making healthcare more accessible and efficient.
AI applications extend beyond diagnostics. They are being integrated into workflow optimization, predictive analytics, and remote patient monitoring, all contributing to a patient-centered care model. Policy support for these tools could create an environment where patients receive a more streamlined and satisfying experience, regardless of where they are or what type of care they need.
Paving the Way for a Healthier, More Innovative America
The results of today’s election have the potential to drive meaningful change in healthcare and related industries, reshaping how services are delivered and experienced. By encouraging innovation, funding research, and supporting regulatory adaptations, policymakers can help ensure that the U.S. healthcare system is not only more inclusive but also better equipped to address the diverse needs of all Americans.
The road ahead is about bridging gaps in care, leveraging technology, and fostering partnerships across industries—all of which can contribute to a more dynamic, resilient healthcare system and a healthier, more prosperous future for the country.
Written by – Christina O’Leary
Photo by – peshkov
by Christina O'Leary | Oct 22, 2024 | Health
Reading Time: 4 minutesIn healthcare, quality care isn’t just about treating symptoms; it’s about providing comprehensive, proactive care that keeps patients healthier in the long run. A key aspect of quality care is minimizing re-hospitalization rates, which is beneficial for patients and cost-effective for healthcare organizations. This focus aligns with the principles of Value-Based Care, a model that prioritizes patient outcomes over service volume, and Medicare’s shift toward rewarding quality care.
Why Reducing Re-Hospitalization Matters
- Better Patient Outcomes
Re-hospitalization can be a stressful and disruptive experience for patients and their families. Often, repeated hospital visits are a sign that patients’ needs weren’t fully addressed the first time. Quality care focuses on providing personalized treatment, follow-up, and ongoing support to help patients manage their health at home. This reduces the likelihood of complications, leads to faster recovery, and improves overall patient satisfaction.
- Cost-Effectiveness for Healthcare Organizations
Re-hospitalizations are not only detrimental to patient well-being but also costly for healthcare systems. The average cost of re-hospitalizing a patient can be over $15,000, depending on the condition. By investing in quality care, healthcare organizations can significantly reduce these costs, freeing up resources for preventive care, additional staffing, and technology upgrades. It’s a win-win scenario where financial resources are better allocated, leading to improved care standards and a healthier patient population.
What is Value-Based Care?
Value-Based Care is a healthcare delivery model that rewards providers for the quality of care they give to patients rather than the quantity of services rendered. Under this model, healthcare providers are incentivized to focus on long-term health outcomes, patient engagement, and preventive care, as opposed to short-term fixes.
Key Elements of Value-Based Care:
- Coordinated Care: Ensuring that all healthcare providers work together to deliver a seamless experience.
- Preventive Services: Emphasizing screenings, wellness checks, and early detection of health conditions.
- Chronic Care Management: Offering personalized care plans for managing chronic illnesses.
- Patient Engagement: Encouraging patients to be active participants in their healthcare through education, support, and easy access to medical advice.
- Follow-Up Care: Post-discharge check-ins to monitor recovery and prevent complications.
Medicare‘s Approach to Value-Based Care
Medicare has embraced the concept of Value-Based Care through several programs designed to improve patient care and reduce costs. These initiatives focus on outcome-based reimbursement, encouraging healthcare providers to offer services that prevent re-hospitalizations and improve quality of life.
What Medicare Covers Under Value-Based Care:
- Annual Wellness Visits: Coverage for yearly check-ups that focus on preventive health and personalized care planning.
- Chronic Care Management (CCM): Medicare supports services that help patients with two or more chronic conditions manage their health, including ongoing support, care coordination, and regular check-ins.
- Home Health Services: Medicare covers certain at-home services to help patients recover and manage their conditions, which reduces the need for re-hospitalization.
- Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): Patients with chronic conditions can access digital tools for monitoring their health at home, with coverage for connected devices and telehealth consultations.
- Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs): These networks of healthcare providers work together to meet cost and quality goals, with a focus on preventive care and reducing re-hospitalizations.
How Quality Care Benefits Everyone
For Patients:
- Reduced hospital visits
- Better health outcomes
- Personalized and preventive care
For Healthcare Organizations:
- Lower operational costs
- Incentives for high-quality care
- Increased patient trust and satisfaction
For the Healthcare System:
- More sustainable model
- Shift from volume-based to quality-focused care
- Encourages innovation and better resource allocation
The Path Forward: The Bedrock Wellness Ecosystem—Putting Patients First
At Bedrock, we’re redefining what it means to provide quality care through our comprehensive Bedrock Wellness Ecosystem, which encompasses the Bedrock Care Management Program, Bedrock H.E.A.L.T.H., and other vital elements that prioritize patient well-being. Our aim is to reduce re-hospitalizations, empower patients, and deliver sustainable, high-quality care that aligns with Medicare’s Value-Based Care model.
Bedrock Care Management Program: Comprehensive Care Coordination
The Bedrock Care Management Program focuses on providing coordinated and personalized care for patients, particularly those with chronic conditions. We offer:
- Transitional Care Navigators (TCN): Experts who guide patients through every step of their healthcare journey, especially after a hospital discharge, to ensure a smooth and safe transition to home-based care.
- Advanced Care Planning (ACP): Helping patients and families make informed decisions about their health, preparing for potential changes in their medical needs.
- Chronic Care Management (CCM): Ongoing support for patients with chronic illnesses, minimizing complications and reducing the chances of hospital readmission.
- Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): Using technology to monitor patient health in real time, identifying any concerning trends early to avoid emergencies.
- Telehealth Services: Providing patients with easy access to virtual consultations, ensuring they get the right care without needing to leave home.
- Behavioral Health Integration (BHI): Addressing mental and emotional health needs alongside physical health to provide holistic care.
By bringing together these essential services, Bedrock’s Care Management Program reduces the risk of re-hospitalizations, optimizes patient outcomes, and delivers truly integrated care.
Bedrock H.E.A.L.T.H.: A Holistic Approach to Wellness
The Bedrock H.E.A.L.T.H. initiative emphasizes a holistic approach to patient care, focusing on the whole person. Through Bedrock H.E.A.L.T.H., we’re creating an environment where patients have the tools, support, and guidance they need to thrive beyond traditional healthcare settings.
The Bedrock Wellness Ecosystem: A Patient-Centered Approach
The Bedrock Wellness Ecosystem integrates every element of our care philosophy, building a unified approach to healthcare that goes beyond symptom treatment:
- Preventive Care Focus: Emphasizing screenings, wellness programs, and lifestyle interventions that keep patients healthier for the long term.
- Patient Empowerment: Educating patients about their health, giving them control, and encouraging active participation in their care plans.
- Holistic Support: Addressing physical, emotional, and social well-being to create a comprehensive healthcare experience.
- 24/7 Accessibility: Providing round-the-clock access to healthcare navigation and support, making sure that patients always have a lifeline when they need it.
- Data-Driven Care: Utilizing data insights to personalize care, predict potential health issues, and adjust care plans based on real-time patient feedback.
- Seamless Integration: Streamlining healthcare delivery by merging all aspects of care—acute, chronic, home-based, and digital—into a cohesive system that minimizes redundancy and maximizes efficiency.
By delivering personalized, value-based care through the Bedrock Wellness Ecosystem, we’re not just reducing re-hospitalizations—we’re laying the foundation for a healthier future, where patients are empowered, supported, and well-cared for in every aspect of their health journey. The commitment to reducing re-hospitalization isn’t just about financial savings; it’s about ensuring a higher quality of life for patients, greater efficiency for providers, and a more sustainable healthcare model that benefits everyone involved. Bedrock is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, building a model of care that puts patients first, every step of the way.
Written by – Christina O’Leary
Photo by – Natali_Mis
by Christina O'Leary | Oct 18, 2024 | Health
Reading Time: 3 minutesAt Bedrock Healthcare at Home, our Bedrock H.E.A.L.T.H. initiative (Healthy Ecosystems Advancing Life Through Healing) and our comprehensive Bedrock Care Management Program can play a vital role in respiratory care. We support respiratory care through physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech therapy (ST). These therapies are key to improving outcomes for patients with chronic respiratory conditions, and when integrated with the Bedrock Care Management approach, they ensure a holistic, proactive treatment model.
For individuals suffering from conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, or recovering from illnesses such as COVID-19, the combination of PT, OT, and ST can dramatically improve their quality of life. Our Bedrock Care Management Program emphasizes coordinated, comprehensive care that works across disciplines to enhance patient outcomes, prevent hospital readmissions, and support long-term health.
Physical Therapy and Respiratory Care
Physical therapy strengthens the muscles involved in breathing and improves overall respiratory function. PTs play a crucial role in improving lung capacity and ensuring patients stay active, which reduces the risk of exacerbations. According to the American Thoracic Society, physical therapy can reduce hospitalizations by 32% in chronic respiratory disease patients, making it an essential part of Bedrock’s population health strategy.
How PT Supports Respiratory Health:
- Breathing Techniques: PTs at Bedrock teach exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing to enhance oxygen intake and manage shortness of breath.
- Endurance Training: Patients with respiratory issues can experience muscle weakness from reduced activity. PTs work on building endurance safely, helping patients regain physical strength.
- Posture Improvement: By addressing body alignment, PTs help reduce the physical strain on the lungs, allowing patients to breathe more easily.
Occupational Therapy and Respiratory Care
Occupational therapy addresses the practical challenges of daily life that become more difficult with respiratory conditions. Our OT specialists at Bedrock help patients maintain their independence and conserve energy during routine activities, aligning with Bedrock’s mission of enhancing quality of life and long-term health.
How OT Enhances Respiratory Care:
- Energy Conservation Strategies: OTs work with patients to adjust how they perform daily tasks, helping them conserve energy by using adaptive techniques and tools.
- Pacing and Activity Planning: By teaching patients how to pace their activities, OTs help them avoid overexertion, which can worsen respiratory symptoms.
- Environmental Modifications: OTs assess the patient’s home environment and recommend changes to reduce allergens and create a more breathable space.
Speech Therapy and Respiratory Care
Speech therapy plays an essential role for respiratory patients, particularly when speech or swallowing is impacted by respiratory conditions. At Bedrock, our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provide care that helps patients regain their ability to communicate effectively and swallow safely.
How ST Aids Respiratory Health:
- Swallowing Therapy: SLPs help patients improve the coordination and strength of swallowing muscles, reducing the risk of aspiration, which can lead to pneumonia.
- Breathing and Speech Coordination: SLPs help patients regulate their breathing while speaking, which is especially important for those with respiratory weakness.
- Cough Efficiency Training: For those who struggle with weak coughs, SLPs train patients to improve their ability to clear their airways and prevent infection.
Bedrock Care Management and Bedrock H.E.A.L.T.H.
Our Bedrock Care Management Program integrates physical, occupational, and speech therapy into a broader framework that focuses on chronic care management, transitional care, and remote patient monitoring. This holistic approach ensures that all aspects of a patient’s health are managed effectively, preventing readmissions and supporting long-term health.
Bedrock H.E.A.L.T.H., our innovative initiative, is redefining population health management. It focuses on creating healthy ecosystems that promote healing by incorporating advanced care planning, chronic care management, and real-time system integration. By coordinating care across multiple disciplines, including PT, OT, and ST, we can better prevent respiratory complications and ensure that patients receive the most comprehensive, proactive care possible.
Key Statistics and Impact
- COPD: Nearly 16 million Americans suffer from COPD, but studies show that integrating physical therapy into care can reduce hospitalization rates by 26%.
- COVID-19 Recovery: Approximately 50% of patients recovering from severe COVID-19 continue to experience respiratory issues. Combining PT, OT, and ST has proven to be highly effective in improving their function and quality of life.
- Bedrock Care Management Results: Our integrated care model has resulted in improved patient outcomes, with a focus on long-term health and the prevention of chronic disease complications.
At Bedrock Healthcare at Home, we believe in a collaborative approach to respiratory care. The combined efforts of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists, when paired with the proactive care model of Bedrock H.E.A.L.T.H. and our Bedrock Care Management Program, create a support system that empowers patients to live healthier, more independent lives. Together, we can ensure better breathing, better movement, and a better quality of life for our patients.
Written by – Christina O’Leary
Photo by – milan2099
