Kindred-Spirit Blog
The Kindred Spirit
  • medalertheader

    Every day, patients are brought into emergency rooms or other medical scenarios. Often, depending on their symptoms and situations, they are unable to let the clinicians know certain medical information that may be critical to their care and recovery. As medical providers, Kindred Healthcare and our clinicians are familiar with patients' medical information as it pertains to charts, patient interactions and patient advocates. While our facilities generally don't operate typical emergency room settings, we understand the benefits of having your medical information on hand in case of emergency.

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  • Cold Weather and COPD

    Do you experience a shortness of breath from cold air? If you suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you might find your symptoms worsen when you are outdoors in winter weather. COPD is characterized by limitation of airflow to and from the lungs. It is generally progressive, meaning it can worsen over time. According to the latest estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), 64 million people currently have COPD and 3.17 million people died from COPD in 2015, equal to 5% of all deaths globally that year. Many people who suffer from COPD acknowledge that harsh winds and frigid air can result in wheezing and breathlessness, which can be frightening and sometimes dangerous. Cold air can be irritating and drying to the mouth and airway passages, and can trigger or intensify symptoms for those suffering from COPD. Read Full Post
  • September 2021 marks the 34th annual Alcohol and Drug Addiction Awareness month, aimed toward increasing outreach and education regarding the dangers of alcoholism and issues related to alcohol and drug usage.  Read Full Post
  • When people with complex needs that extend beyond a hospital stay of a few days to a week, both long term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) or inpatient rehabilitation hospitals (IRFs) provide intense, specialized care to help make significant progress on their journey to recovery and help them get back on their feet again. Learn more.

    image of a woman working on walking with her physical therapist at the hospital
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  • Caring for a loved one is not always easy, but it is an important role in America’s healthcare system. We’re sharing incredible journeys of other real caregivers. This is Judith’s story.

    Stories of Caring Judiths Story 600

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  • Intensive care can affect a person’s body, thoughts, feelings, mind and interactions with friends or family. As a loved one transitions out of intensive care, they may not have the same abilities physically, mentally or emotionally as they did before. This is referred to as post-intensive care syndrome, or PICS, and this is everything you need to know to help care for them.

    Image of a senior female patient in a hospital bed speaking with her nurse about her plan of care
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  • If you are living with one or more chronic conditions, it can seem like your calendar is full of doctor’s appointments. Try these tips to make the most of each visit by good preparation, being thorough during your visit and how to have a good follow-up plan.

    Your Complete Checklist to Prepare for Doctor’s Visits
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  • Using prescribed oxygen can help you avoid shortness of breath, improve sleep and mental alertness, and help you to be more active when you are living with a chronic health condition like COPD, emphysema or lung disease. Follow these important safety tips to prevent hazards like fire when using your oxygen unit.

    Everything You Need to Know for Safe Oxygen Therapy
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  • High blood pressure can raise your risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure, but controlling blood pressure can reduce your risk of these problems. Know your blood pressure, remember to check it regularly and use these helpful tips to stay in a healthy range.

    29 Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure
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  • On the last day day of a roadtrip in the Texas Hill Country, Ed's motorcycle veered off the road and flipped several times. He was taken by Life Flight to the emergency room with serious injuries and an uphill battle to get back to life as he knew it. With wife, Laura, by his side and the help of Kindred Hospital, Ed fought his way home. Read more about his journey.

    How Ed Survived a Near-Fatal Motorcycle Accident 600
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