Special to IFN

In an effort to enhance its award-winning senior-care business, Home Instead of Statesville has added a specialized medical-care component by unveiling its Nurse Directed Services.

Licensed by the State of North Carolina, this program aims to keep its clients at home even as some of their needs become increasingly challenging and require medical care that previously hadn’t been a necessity.

Nurse Directed Services provides specialized care, addressing complex needs and managing medical care. Services are tailored to individual needs and can include medical support, medication management, wound care management, vitals observation and other selected forms of support, including assistance with daily activities. Testing is available for such conditions as COVID-19, influenza and urinary tract infections.

Director of Nursing Services Heather Skeens organized Home Instead’s Nurse Directed Services and leads the program, which was licensed in 2024. She most recently served as the franchise’s general manager.

Skeens has worked for Home Instead for 10 years. She has been a longtime CNA and service coordinator and has extensive background in health care, gaining experience from many different environments including home care, assisted living facilities, Alzheimer’s units and geriatric psych facilities.

She holds an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), and she is working toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Registered Nurse status. She has worked on staffing the program with trained Care Professionals who have state certifications.

“We employ six Registered Nurses. We also have Care Pros who hold certifications as CNA1s, CNA2s and LPNs,” Skeens said. “Altogether, we have 22 CNAs on a team of Care Pros that numbers between 80 and 100. We have a specific Nurse Directed Services training path for our Care Pros who are CNAs.”

In the future, more seniors who want to remain in their homes will need acute care in order to do so.

“We have clients now who will benefit from Nurse Directed Services, and we’re talking to them about it. We’re ready. I’m eager because I will work with clients as well as staff.”

With Nurse Directed Services, Home Instead can also partner with home-health agencies that provide visiting nurses and other kinds of medical care such as physical therapy.

“Home-health agencies are not able to provide this type of care 24/7. However, here at Home Instead, we can,” she added.

Key aspects of Home Instead’s Nurse Directed Services:

• Medical expertise: Home Instead employs nurses who provide medical support, check vital signs, administer medications and address other needs.
• Personalized care plans: Home Instead works with clients and families to create personalized care plans that address their specific needs and goals.
• Comprehensive support: Services can include assistance with personal care, meal preparation, transportation, medication management and more.
• Focus on independence: Home Instead aims to help seniors maintain their independence and quality of life in their homes.
• Collaboration and communication: Home Instead emphasizes open communication and collaboration between nurses, Care Pros, families and other healthcare providers.
• Expertise in chronic conditions: Home Instead offers specialized support for seniors living with chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s or other kinds of dementia.
• In-home care: Home Instead provides care in the seniors’ homes, building long-term relationships with seniors and allowing them to remain in a familiar and comfortable environment.

About Home Instead

Co-owners Creighton and Tracey Gibson started a Home Instead franchise November 18, 2002, in Statesville.  All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, call 704.924.9909 or apply online at https://www.homeinstead.com/location/455/home-care-jobs/.