By ShirleyAnn Janulewicz RN, BSN, PHN
As a home health nurse, I believe that home health nurses should address the psychosocial needs of their patients, not just should see the patient, complete her assessment, perform the skills that were needed based on the plan of care, and then leave. All of those skills are necessary physical skills, but the patient is a whole person, and we need to treat the patient holistically, including addressing any routine psychosocial issues that the patient might be experiencing. A social worker would address a major psychological need and also assist with the application process for In Home Supportive Services, Meals on Wheels, and access transportation to assist them to get to appointments. However, at each and every visit, the home health nurse should address the routine psychosocial needs, such as verifying their status as important members of society despite their present illness, addressing their concerns that they were burdens to their caretakers, or just listening to them talk about their problems or concerns.
At the completion of my planned visit, I always set aside time to spend with the patient: to ask how they really were doing, to allow them to express their feelings and concerns, and to just talk. For many home health patients, the home care nurse or therapist is the only outside presence in their lives; we are their only visitors. Being the homecare nurse means that I address these issues and concerns with my patients each visit. I believe that caring for their psychosocial concerns and needs is as important, and sometimes more important, than their physical needs. Since I had already established a rapport with my patients, it only followed that they would be comfortable enough with me to tell me if they had concerns about their continuing health or present living situation, their caretakers, or their life in general. My patients genuinely liked me and looked forward to my visits and the extra time I gave them to just talk. A patient doesn’t just have physical needs, but also mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. I would address all issues, asking for outside support, if needed. To me, that is another reason to love home health. I get to treat the whole person; I wouldn’t have it any other way.
