Freedom for Home-Bound Patients

If you need ongoing care at home for conditions like congestive heart failure, you have a new friend: a clock-radio-sized device that records your weight, blood pressure, pulse and oxygen level daily. This computerized "telemonitor" transmits your information to a central office for a nurse to review. If a level is dangerously low or high, a house call is arranged.

This system, called HomMed, gives you greater freedom and privacy, and helps our nurses and doctors provide better care. National studies show that using HomMed reduces a person's hospital and emergency room visits.

Monitoring his health at home

Pearl Wieber, 84, helps her husband, Henry, 86, do a blood pressure check. The clock radio-sized device on the table in their Allentown home sends Henry Wieber’s vital signs to a nurse every day. Also, a Lehigh Valley Home Care nurse regularly visits to deliver palliative care and medical treatment. Home telemonitoring “gives us confidence,” the Wiebers agree.

A Lifetime of Caring

Home care and the telemonitor provide an extra layer of security

Inside Pearl Wieber’s petite body lies a woman of great strength. Despite being in their 80s, she and her husband, Henry, have led active lives that included careers, travel and community service. And since the mid-1990s, Henry’s health has required her to take on the additional role of caregiver.

Henry suffers from prostate cancer that has spread to his spine. A neurological problem makes walking difficult, and congestive heart failure makes him weak. He has been through chemotherapy, radiation, heart bypass surgery and several heart attacks.

Despite their troubles, the Allentown couple are upbeat, celebrating each day and staying as active as possible. For the last year-and-a-half, Pearl’s job has been made easier by regular visits from Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network home health nurses and therapists, and the use of an electronic monitoring system that keeps tabs on Henry’s blood pressure and other vital signs.

“The telemonitor gives us confidence,” Pearl says. “His condition changes every day, but I don’t have to run to the doctor all the time. They’ll call us if something doesn’t look right.”

Married for almost 60 years, the Wiebers take care of each other, and the telemonitor and home health staff have made life more relaxed for both.

“Pearl really looks after me,” Henry says. “But this way, she gets a break too. She never wanted to leave the house because she was afraid something would happen. Now she can go out, or read a book or take a nap. It’s been good for us because we don’t feel we are alone.”

The Wiebers have also taken great comfort from visits with Gretchen Fitzgerald, R.N., palliative care nurse. The outpatient palliative care program helps people who have suffered a life-altering illness with physical, emotional and spiritual concerns. Fitzgerald has connected them with community resources for personal care assistance and worked with Henry and his physician.

“Gretchen has helped both of us with so many things,” Henry says. “She gave us her phone number and told us to call anytime, and we do!”

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