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Home care company exclusively offers in-home flu shots from Carmel, Indiana and other states
November 11, 2011 (Carmel, IN) --
It's flu season! But not to worry if you are unable to leave your home for the annual inoculation because Nightingale Home Healthcare will bring the shot to you.
Nightingale Home Healthcare, located at Rangeline Road, in Carmel, IN recognizes that some seniors may have trouble getting to a doctor's office or flu clinic to receive a flu vaccination, so a few years ago the company undertook a program to deliver flu shots to homebound individuals. During one of those years, the home care company delivered flu shots to 102 homebound residents, and that number continues to climb each year. Nightingale is the only home health agency in Indiana to provide in-home flu vaccinations at no cost for traditional Medicare patients or veterans who were unable to leave their homes.
Owner and President of Nightingale, Dr. Dev Brar, who started the flu shot delivery program, said that while the availability of the "flu shot" is widely publicized, a significant portion of the elderly, which is considered the "high risk" population, has no means of getting to their doctor or a flu clinic. Nightingale-Indiana's only TOP 500 provider of home health care services, six years in a row-recognized this disturbing crisis and accepted the challenge to correct the problem.
Because the elder population is more susceptible to contracting the flu and can endure more serious complications, it is the goal of the Carmel physician to insure as many seniors as possible receive the vaccine. The home delivery helps him achieve that goal. Any person (qualifying) who resides in Nightingale's service areas is offered the flu shot. Providing FREE shots to veterans simply fulfills an ongoing mission of Brar's, which is to honor in any way possible those having served in the military.
Seasonal influenza, commonly called "the flu," is caused by influenza viruses, which infect the respiratory tract (i.e., the nose, throat, lungs). Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people. In the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications. Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. Some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a seasonal flu vaccination each year.
From now until March 31, 2012, a registered pharmacist OR a licensed nurse will administer the in-home flu vaccine at no cost to any traditional Medicare patient or veteran. Additionally, others in the home who are not Nightingale patients, veterans or Medicare beneficiaries can receive the vaccine for a fee of only $30.00.
To take advantage of the in-home service, fill in the form on the Nightingale website www.HomeCareForYou.com or call (866) 334-7777. A walk-in service for the flu shot is also available at the Nightingale office during the hours of 8:00AM to 4:00 PM, each business day.
"Providing these types of services comply with Nightingale's mission… improving patient outcomes while preserving his/her dignity, privacy, and independence," said Brar."
The CDC says that every year in the United States, on average:
- Five percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu
- More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from complications, and
- Up to 49,000 people die from the illness.
tdulin@homecareforyou.com