Living Independently at Home for Patients and Families

Patient & Family Education

Learning to live with a chronic condition is not always easy. Mary Washington Home Health aims to give you the tools and information you need to live safely and independently at home.

Preventing Falls

Numerous patients are in danger of tripping or falling at home. Check out ways to make your home safer by speaking with your healthcare provider.

Ask your health care provider the following questions to make your home safer:

• Will any of my medicines make me lightheaded, sleepy, or dizzy?
• What exercises will help me decrease my chance of falling?
• What changes can I make to my bathroom in order to make it safer?
• What changes should I make to my bed/bedroom?
• Is there any way to make stairs safer?
• Would help with chores at home be a good choice for me?
• Would it be beneficial to use either a cane or a walker?
• What do I do if I fall?

Records & Documents

A living will informs family members or loved ones what your wishes are if you become terminally ill or injured and are on life-sustaining measures.

Learn more about your living will by clicking here

COPD: Day to Day

There is no cure for COPD, but there are things you can do every day to keep COPD from getting worse, to protect your lungs, and to stay healthy.

Speak to your doctor about the following to successfully manage your COPD:

• Learn how to manage your days and give yourself time for activities
• Quit smoking and improve your air quality
• Eat small health meals throughout the day
• Build up your exercise routine under the supervision of your doctor
• Speak with your doctor about a healthy sleep routine

Heart Failure

When the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body’s tissues, heart failure is a possible condition. Heart failure may develop suddenly, or over time, depending on the cause.

Learn more about Heart Health here!

Medication Safety

When you receive your prescription, always:

• Check the label: Look for your name, the name of the medicine, the dose, and how often you should take it. If something looks unfamiliar, call your health care provider.
• Look at the medicine: Make sure it looks the same as what you've been taking. If it doesn't, call the pharmacist or your health care provider
• Take and store medicines safely: When taking medicines at home, store them properly, and keep them organized and out of the reach of children.

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation and physical therapy are designed to help people with injuries or medical conditions regain normal body functions. Therapy and rehabilitation can help patients gain control over mental reasoning difficulties, movement, chewing, language, bowel problems, speech, and more.

Call 540.741.1667 or 800.257.1667 to speak with one of our intake specialists.