DCH HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE MAKES HOLIDAYS BRIGHTER FOR MILAN FAMILY

A Milan family known for aiding those in need is very grateful for the help it received after a devastating accident.

On September 18, 2009, Michael “Mike” Wainscott lost control of his motorcycle while pulling out of his sister-in-law’s driveway.  He was taken by Air Care to University Hospital where he remained a patient for four weeks, having suffered a fractured skull, collapsed lung and a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The TBI resulted in extensive short and long term memory loss, along with paralysis on the right side of his body.  In addition, his vision became impaired.

After his discharge from University Hospital, Mr. Wainscott spent three weeks at the Drake Center, followed by two weeks at the Woodland Hills Care Center.  On November 20, he was able to come home where he is cared for by his wife, Mary, and her extended family.

Since his homecoming, Mr. Wainscott is seen twice a week by a Registered Nurse from Dearborn County Hospital Home Health & Hospice.  During most visits, Mr. Wainscott is cared for by Kathy McClanahan-Miller, R.N., who performs a variety of tasks, including a physical assessment to check his blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen level.

“I also work with the family so they are able to perform certain aspects of his care,” explained Mrs. McClanahan-Miller.  “For example, I demonstrated to Mrs. Wainscott how to properly flush out her husband’s feeding tube.  The family and I also practice mental exercises to help Mr. Wainscott work through his cognitive disability.  We help him reminisce by asking questions about his life.  Mr. Wainscott is starting to remember names now, not just of people but of objects as well.”

Tim Heller, M.S.W./L.C.S.W., DCH Home Health & Hospice Clinical Social Worker, also visits the Wainscotts.  He assists by helping them complete necessary paperwork and plan for future needs.

 “Mr. Wainscott is doing much better than expected,” Mrs. McClanahan-Miller continued.  “Initially his physicians hadn’t expected him to be able to walk or talk.  Now he is walking and has progressed to the point where he can eat solid food.  Also, he will begin speech therapy at Dearborn County Hospital after the first of the year.”

Before the motorcycle accident, Mr. Wainscott drove a semi tractor-trailer for the Hill-Rom Company, Inc., and Mrs. Wainscott was a substitute teacher for Jac-Cen-Del Community Schools.  Their 15-year-old daughter, Mikayla, is a freshman honor roll student at Milan High School.  Mrs. Wainscott, when she wasn’t working, volunteered at Cornerstone Baptist Church’s free store, and she and her husband played “Secret Santa” to help families with money and gifts during the holidays.

In addition to Mr. Wainscott’s injuries, the family continues to cope with another health issue that began a year ago when Mikayla was diagnosed with Graves’ disease.  Radiation treatments to fight the autoimmune disease destroyed much of her thyroid and she will require thyroid medication for the rest of her life.

“I had to quit my job to care for my husband and he most likely will be unable to return to his job as a truck driver,” Mrs. Wainscott admitted.  “DCH Home Health has been a godsend to us.”

In the past, DCH Home Health & Hospice has assisted some of its patients during December with donations of canned goods.  However, the Wainscotts have more extenuating circumstances than those of the families adopted in previous years.  The staff of DCH Home Health & Hospice collected money and gifts for the family for Christmas.  For example, Mrs. Wainscott asked for and received a new winter coat for her husband.  The employees also gladly pitched in their own money to buy additional personal and household items.  This week, Mrs. McClanahan-Miller and Mr. Heller delivered the Christmas gifts to the family.

Many others have helped the Wainscotts in the past four months:  Mary’s eight siblings; the churches in Milan, including the Lighthouse Baptist Church, where the Wainscotts are members; both the Jac-Cen-Del and Milan Community School Corporations; and Hill-Rom.

“Ministers we didn’t even know stopped by the hospital to check on Mike,” said Mrs. Wainscott.  “It’s amazing how many people have helped us.”

“What happened to Mike was very scary for all of us!  Yet in the past few months we’ve felt great love and support from everyone.  We have been the recipients of so much, both financially and emotionally,” Mrs. Wainscott added.  “Our faith in God has helped us as well.  I don’t know where we’d be without it.  We had donated time and money over the years for various charities, so it’s humbling to be on the receiving end now.”

The mission of Dearborn County Hospital Home Health & Hospice is to help reduce the amount of time a patient spends in a hospital or other healthcare facility by providing continuity of care for the return home.  Inhome care helps to keep the family together and allows the patient to recuperate in a more familiar and comfortable environment.

Some forms of inhome healthcare available through Dearborn County Hospital Home Health & Hospice are:  

• skilled nursing care, administered by a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse, including chronic wound care and catheter care

• personal care, provided by a Home Health Aide or LPN, such as assistance with personal hygiene or the monitoring of blood pressure

• intravenous (IV) therapy

• case management

• medical social services

• physical therapy

• occupational therapy

• speech therapy

• nutrition counseling

• palliative care (pain management) for Hospice patients

• spiritual counseling and/or bereavement services for Hospice patients and their families

• procurement of necessary healthcare equipment for Hospice patients.

DCH Home Health & Hospice provides care for persons in Dearborn, Ohio, Ripley, Switzerland and Franklin Counties.  Individuals do not have to be a current or former patient of Dearborn County Hospital and may be referred by their personal physician, family members or friends, a social service agency or other concerned individual.

The staff of DCH Home Health & Hospice is comprised of an experienced team of Registered Nurses; Licensed Practical Nurses; Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapists; Licensed Social Workers; Home Health Aides; a Chaplain; and ancillary personnel.

For more information about Dearborn County Hospital Home Health & Hospice, please call Ricardo Horn, R.N., B.S.N., DCH Director of Home Health & Hospice, at (812) 537-8192 or (800) 676-5428.