Lauren “Bailee” Bradford looks like any carefree, precocious 4-year-old little girl. With her long brown hair, sweet smile and curious nature, she quickly wins the heart of everyone she meets.

“Bailee is our shining star, a special needs child who has overcome more health problems in her young life than most people ever experience,” said Kim Bradford, Bailee’s mother.

Adopted as a newborn, Bailee had health issues from the beginning, according to Bradford.

“Bailee was born prematurely at only 25 weeks, such a tiny, fragile baby. But the moment I held her, I knew she was meant to be part of our family,” said Bradford.

“I was determined to love and care for Bailee, but I was scared to death, afraid I wasn’t capable managing her health care.”

Bradford spoke with a social worker at UAB before Bailee was released — four months after her birth. Cullman County Home Health Care was suggested by the social worker, and Bradford was given extensive information on how to find help for a special needs child.

Bradford met with local home health care professionals, including Sandra Bates, R.N. supervisor of the Cullman County Home Health Care. A plan of medical care was established, and Bradford said the continuing assistance, adjustments and level of personal involvement by staff has helped Bailee develop and thrive over the past 4 years.

“Of course, sometimes there are setbacks with Bailee. She’s been hospitalized and had surgery at times, but home health care has taught me so much about understanding how to meet Bailee’s health care needs,” says Bradford.

Due to being premature and other pre-natal complications, Bailee suffers from Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, a chronic lung disease, which requires oxygen on a frequent basis. A stomach and swallowing reflux problem requires she have a permanent feeding tube in her stomach, although now she can eat some soft and solid foods.

“Home health nurses or aides visit Bailee at least twice weekly. The aides check vital signs, examine her for any noticeable problem related to her condition. If I have an emergency situation, I call them, ” said Bradford , who along with her husband, Lou, raises Katie and Bailee. “I don’t think we could cope without their help.”

“I just wish more people would adopt special needs children,” said Bradford as Bailee sits down next to her, giving her a hug. “Bailee has touched so many lives, I know God has a purpose for her life.”

The Bradford family includes Lou, a Cullman City Police Captain; Katie, another adopted child; and Bret.



Charles E. Johnson, 67, sits in his small, neat apartment while a home health aide is busy dividing his medication into a daily dispenser.

“I tell you the truth,” Johnson says, “if it wasn’t for the help I get from home health care, I’d be in a nursing home. I’ve had heart attacks, a gunshot wound to my head and past surgeries. I can’t have any more surgeries. I have serious health problems, congestive heart failure, breathing problems and need oxygen. I probably will not get better.”

He pauses, then adds, “Staying in my home, having my own things around me, I still feel like I have choices and some independence.”

Johnson spent most of his working years as a master carpenter. He has 3 sons and 4 grandchildren and has lived in this area nearly all his life. He qualifies for Life Care and gets regular housekeeping and cooking services in addition to the medical care from Home Health.

“They make sure I get my medication, even sometimes calling it in by phone.”

Johnson says he has been in home health care for four years, and first heard about it from neighbors and other patients.

He credits social worker, Edith Parker, for handling the paperwork and helping him receive everything he qualifies for.

A visiting aide, Angie Philyaw, said, “I’ve been helping Mr. Johnson for four years, and we’re just like family.”

Johnson said,”Sandra Bates, she brought me flowers last Memorial Day. To take the time and visit me on a holiday just shows you the kind of people who do this work. They really care about us, the patients.”

Home health aides and nurses truly do make a remarkable difference in the lives of their patients and families.



“I want people to know there is quality home care available to many homebound, sick, elderly, or disabled who may be unaware of our organization,” said Sandra Bates, R.N. supervisor of the Cullman County Home Health Care.

Home health care is available for many who need personal medical care in their homes on a continuing basis. Referrals often are made by doctors, but can also come from family or friends. Medicare and Medicaid funds many patients’ home health care, but private insurance may have coverage in some cases.

With a staff of 3 field nurses and 5 health aides, Bates says they set up a plan of care based on an R.N. assessment of an individual’s need. This may include twice weekly visits, or even daily visits. Services range from physical therapy and wound care to personal hygiene.

“Sometimes a patient just needs someone to talk with, or listen to them for a while,” said Elizabeth Linn, 26, a home health aide worker. “I check each one for vital signs, ask about any health problems they may be having and record the information on their chart. I also give baths, wash and set patients’ hair, do many things that make home health care personal.”

R.N. Wendy Smith, 35, adds, “If a home health aide alerts me to a problem, I can go to the patient’s home and draw blood, do lab work and sometimes save them from having to make a doctor’s visit.”

Each patient receives a booklet explaining home health care, what defines an emergency and how to get help. Smith says, “We like to educate our patients about possible medical complications, the disease process and infection prevention. We have found when knowledge is applied to a patient’s situation, they adapt and cope better.”

An R.N. is on call 24 hours, and if needed, can respond to emergencies. Home health aides work only during the day.

Bates said, “Social worker, Edith Parker, is often called in when necessary. Sometimes we talk to a person who will not quality for our services. If I can’t direct them to an appropriate agency, then I refer them to our social worker. Parker can offer suggestions, like the Veterans Administration, and also help patients locate volunteer help or paid sitters.”

Recently a request to area churches resulted in donations of medical equipment, and according to Bates, “We had a lot of contributions, such as walkers, bedside commodes, and other equipment our patients need.”

Bates, Smith and Linn agree working for home health care is, “a fulfilling nursing experience, much more personal.”

“As a nurse, I get to know my patients better, spend more time with them, and this makes it a rewarding experience,” Bates said.

Life Care, a separate division of the Cullman County Health Department, is available to Medicaid recipients and assists with housekeeping, errands, and driving patients to a doctor’s office. Currently there is a waiting list.



For the home health patient, one concern is getting the appropriate medical equipment and supplies for home use.

Several Cullman medical supply businesses offer a complete line of supplies and equipment, including Southern Medical Equipment Corp, Independent Medical Services , Home Oxygen Inc., and NARE.

Oxygen and CPAP units can be purchased, with delivery and set-up of equipment as an additional option. Area pharmacies may have limited medical supplies in some cases.

Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance billing is filed by the medical supply companies. NARE has a 24-hour emergency service available, and also a respiratory therapist and R.N. on staff.

Available at some area pharmacies, Guardian Alert 911 is a small, lightweight transmitter operated by AA batteries and can be worn around the neck. If a patient falls or has a medical emergency, they need only push a red button and will be connected directly to 911 for help. Even if the patient is unable to speak, but pushes the button, help will be sent.

Guardian Alert requires no monthly fee, just the initial cost.

Jackie Washburn, a Pharmacy Tech at Hospital Discount Pharmacy East, said, “We’ve had patients request the Guardian Alert, and several have said they like it.”

Many times patients or their family find used medical equipment either for sale by previous owners or at yard sales.

Sandra Bates, R.N. supervisor of Cullman County Home Health, said, “Sometimes we can provide medical equipment donated to us by area churches for patients. And we’re always in need of more being donated by any local charities or individuals.”

Cullman County Home Health Care is a division of the Alabama Department of Health, a state government agency, and is located in the Cullman County Health Department building. For more information or to send a referral, please call 256-734-0258.







Cullman County Home Health Services



Medicaid



Initial visit evaluation

RN supervisory visit

Restorative services

Preventative services

Custodial and maintenance services (Nursing or Aide)

Teaching activities

Vital signs

Administration of oral medications

IV and IM injections, gold injections, B-12 injections

Iron/Chromogen injections

Diuretic injections

Antibiotic injections

Insulin injections

Prolixin injections

Prefilling insulin syringes

Setting up oral medications

Pacemaker monitoring

Catheter installation

Lab work





Medicare



Skilled nursing services

Observation and assessment

Management and evaluation of a patient care plan

Teaching and training services

Administration of medication

Catheters

Wound Care

Rehabilitation nursing

Physical therapy

Speech therapy

Medical social services (with skilled services)

Home health aides (with skilled services)

Occupational therapy (with skilled services)