Conditions We Serve

At Alpenglow Homecare, we understand that dealing with chronic medical conditions and disabilities can be tough, not just for the person affected but for their whole family. Our goal is to offer you - the caregiver - the ability to provide caring, personal in-home care for your loved one without worry.

We’re here to help improve life for everyone involved, simplifying the intricacies of the Medicaid billing process and allowing you to do what matters most - care for your loved one.

Medically Fragile Patients

Our services are designed to meet the needs of those caring for medically fragile people dealing with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and age-related limitations. Whether it's providing comprehensive care for someone with a long-term condition or offering support for daily activities, we help you keep your loved one out of long-term care homes and in the comfort of their own home.

Some conditions that make round-the-clock care necessary are discussed below. While this list is in no way exhaustive, it gives you a good idea of what types of care needs may benefit from the SD-CFC/PAS program.

Chronic Conditions

Understanding chronic conditions means grasping their complexities and how they affect lives. From the initial signs to daily management, every condition brings unique challenges.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder causing tremors, stiffness, and movement slowness, alongside non-motor symptoms such as sleep and mood disturbances. Its cause is thought to be a mix of genetic and environmental factors affecting brain dopamine levels.

PD diagnosis is based on medical history and neurological exams, with imaging tests used to exclude other conditions. 

Treatment includes medications like Levodopa, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery for some, and lifestyle changes, supported by physical, occupational, and speech therapies to enhance daily living and quality of life.

Parkinson's Disease can cause progressive limitations on mobility, coordination, and daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and medication management. The SD-CFC/PAS program can provide funding for caregivers to assist with these activities, allowing your loved one to maintain independence and remain comfortably at home for longer.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition targeting the central nervous system's myelin sheath, leading to symptoms like fatigue, mobility issues, numbness, vision problems, stiffness, and cognitive shifts.

Diagnosis requires a detailed assessment, including medical history, neurological exams, MRI scans for myelin damage, and sometimes spinal fluid tests, due to no definitive single test for MS.

There is no cure for MS, but treatments aim to manage symptoms and decelerate disease progression, utilizing disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) to lessen relapses and support for daily mobility and function through medications and physical therapy.

The unpredictable nature of MS can lead to flare-ups that cause increased fatigue, weakness, and difficulty with mobility. In-home care funded through SD-CFC/PAS can provide essential financial support for such cases, ensuring your loved one receives personal care from their own family.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, caused by exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke. 

It leads to symptoms such as cough, breathlessness, wheezing, and chest tightness, affecting daily life. Diagnosis is through medical history, exams, and lung function tests like spirometry.

While there's no cure for COPD, symptom management and quality of life can be improved through quitting smoking, avoiding irritants, using medications (bronchodilators, corticosteroids), pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen for advanced stages, and vaccinations.

COPD can make daily tasks like housework and personal care very challenging due to shortness of breath. The SD-CFC/PAS program allows caregivers to be funded so they can offer valuable assistance with these activities, helping your loved one conserve energy and maintain their quality of life.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) results from a gradual loss of kidney function, often due to diabetes, high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, or polycystic kidney disease. Early symptoms are minimal but can progress to fatigue, swelling, urination changes, nausea, and elevated blood pressure.

Diagnosis is based on blood and urine tests, with imaging or biopsy for detailed assessment.

Treatment focuses on slowing progression by managing underlying conditions with medication and lifestyle changes. Dialysis or a kidney transplant may be required in advanced stages.

As CKD progresses, managing dietary restrictions, taking medications, and attending dialysis appointments can become overwhelming. As a caregiver, you can benefit from the SD-CFC/PAS program to help ease the financial burden on you and your loved one.

Cancer

Cancer involves the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, with symptoms like weight loss, fatigue, and pain typically appearing in advanced stages.

Diagnosis uses imaging, lab tests, and biopsies to identify the cancer's type, location, and stage, guiding treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy aimed at eliminating cancer cells and preserving health.

Cancer care takes a multidisciplinary approach, combining medical treatment with support for the patient's overall well-being. 

The fatigue, pain, and difficulty with daily activities caused by cancer treatments can make personal care, meal preparation, housekeeping, and transportation to appointments a challenge for the patient and their family. In-home care funded through SD-CFC/PAS allows your loved one to focus on healing and recovery in the comfort of home.

Disabilities & Age-Related Limitations

Many disabilities and age-related limitations can make independent living difficult. The SD-CFC/PAS program can offer financial assistance for caregivers to help with mobility, meal preparation, medication management, and other daily tasks, allowing your loved one to live safely and comfortably at home for as long as possible.

We train you to support your loved one with a range of disabilities and age-related conditions, ensuring they receive the care and assistance they need to live independently and in the familiar surroundings of their own home.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Asperger's Syndrome is now classified under Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), a range of neurodevelopmental disorders marked by social and communication challenges and repetitive behaviors. The causes of ASD, influenced by genetic and environmental factors, are still under investigation.

ASD symptoms, which vary widely, include social and communication difficulties and repetitive behaviors, appearing in early childhood and impacting social and academic functioning. Individuals with ASD often require continuous assistance with social interaction, communication, and daily living skills.

Diagnosing ASD involves behavioral observation and developmental assessment by professionals like pediatricians and psychologists, without a singular diagnostic test.

Treatment focuses on individual needs, employing behavioral, speech, and occupational therapy, sometimes alongside medications for related issues like anxiety. Early intervention is crucial for developing key skills.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Alzheimer's Disease, the leading cause of dementia, affects brain areas responsible for thought, memory, and language, marked by brain plaques and tangles, differing from other dementias in cause and brain impact.

Symptoms include memory loss, problem-solving difficulties, confusion, visual and spatial understanding challenges, and mood changes, impairing daily task management.

Diagnosis involves medical history, exams, neurological testing, and brain imaging like MRI or CT scans to exclude other conditions.

Treatment manages symptoms with medications, cognitive therapy, and lifestyle adjustments, emphasizing home care support through education, support groups, and respite care. This integrated care approach aims to enhance life quality for patients and families.

As dementia progresses, memory loss and confusion can make it difficult for patients to maintain an independent lifestyle and manage daily tasks safely. In-home care funded through SD-CFC/PAS can be a great help in such a situation.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) encompasses permanent movement disorders emerging in early childhood due to brain damage occurring before, during, or after birth. Symptoms, which vary, include muscle stiffness, coordination issues, tremors, and speech difficulties, with some experiencing cognitive or sensory impairments and epilepsy.

Diagnosis combines physical exams, development history reviews, and MRI scans for brain abnormalities, emphasizing the importance of early detection.

While there's no cure for CP, treatments are personalized, including physical, occupational, and speech therapies, and medications for symptom management, sometimes alongside surgery for deformities.

Cerebral Palsy can cause varying degrees of physical limitations. In-home care funded through SD-CFC/PAS can support your loved one's life at home and avoid institutionalized care, improving their quality of life.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken and fracture more easily, mainly due to aging-related bone density loss. It is particularly common in postmenopausal women due to decreased estrogen. Symptoms often don't show until a fracture occurs, usually in the hip, wrist, or spine, potentially leading to disability and reduced quality of life.

Diagnosis relies on DEXA scans to measure bone mineral density, facilitating early intervention to prevent progression. Treatment can include dietary and lifestyle modifications, increased exercise, calcium and vitamin D supplements, and medications to slow bone loss and encourage growth, alongside fall prevention to reduce fracture risk.

While osteoporosis itself doesn't require constant care, the risk of fractures makes it crucial to have support with daily activities to minimize fall risks. An SD-CFC/PAS funded caregiver from the family can assist with mobility, housekeeping, and errands, helping to prevent falls and keep your loved one safe at home.

Hospice Patients

Hospice care requires compassionate support for those with terminal illnesses, focusing on comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatments. It addresses a range of symptoms like pain, breathlessness, and anxiety to enhance well-being of the patient.

Family support, including bereavement counseling and end-of-life planning assistance, is vital, ensuring patients spend their final days with dignity and minimal discomfort. While hospice care focuses on comfort and pain management, additional support is often needed for daily tasks and emotional well-being.

In-home care funded through SD-CFC/PAS can help you provide companionship, assistance with personal care, and light housekeeping to your loved one, allowing you to care for your loved one during their final days without added financial strain.

Benefits of Home Care

Choosing home care benefits medically fragile individuals by supporting emotional well-being in a familiar setting, unlike the impersonal atmosphere of institutions. 

Home care, often more affordable with Medicaid support, keeps patients with their families, boosting their quality of life. 

Advocating for care models that prioritize patient choices and deliver compassionate care at home highlights the value of personalized care. This approach enhances outcomes, making home care a superior choice for dignity and comfort.

Ready to take the next step?

At Alpenglow Homecare, we provide compassionate, personalized support covering physical, emotional, and familial needs for caregivers in Montana. Our focus on family care, straightforward administration, and caregiver support makes us unique.

We can answer all your questions about the care planning process and the SD-CFC/PAS program.

Contact us to schedule your free initial consultation and take the first step towards accessing Medicaid-funded in-home care services tailored to your needs. To contact our office in Missoula, MT, please call 406-550-8080 or request an appointment online

121 Hickory Street #3
Missoula, MT 59801

Monday - Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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