If you or your loved one is an Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) beneficiary or a Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) beneficiary, free home healthcare services may be available to help you and your family deal with the effects of a chronic respiratory illness.
No matter the specific circumstances at hand, it is crucial that elderly patients who are dealing with chronic respiratory issues get access to the proper medications that they need to treat their condition. Beyond that, helpful home healthcare services — including medication management and respiratory therapy — may be accessed through EEOICPA or RECA. Helpful energy workers compensation programs can make all the difference.
Common Respiratory Conditions are Covered Under EEOICPA and RECA
Many different respiratory issues have been linked to working in the Department of Energy (DOE) facilities, to work to the uranium industry, and to exposure to nuclear weapons testing. Some of the most common chronic respiratory illnesses that are covered under these federal programs include:
- Lung Cancer: Lung cancer comes in a number of different specific forms, with the most common being non-small cell lung cancer. As noted by the American Cancer Society, the long-term prognosis and treatment options for lung cancer will depend on the individual diagnosis.
- Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD): Chronic Beryllium Disease, or CBD, at its commonly known, involves the scarring of sensitive lung tissue. In most cases, the cause of CBD is the inhalation of the dust or fumes of beryllium — a potentially dangerous lightweight metal. In the early stages, CBD often has few, if any, recognizable symptoms. Though, as time passes, this condition can become far more severe.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): COPD is a serious lung condition that can make it difficult for a person to breath. It is often associated with emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis. Although the effects of COPB can be severe, this condition can often be effectively managed with the right medications and proper medical treatment.
- Pneumoconiosis: Pneumoconiosis is an occupational chronic respiratory disease that is closely linked to the inhalation of toxic substances. Though the effects of this condition can vary widely, they can be extremely severe — resulting in major breathing problems and, in the worst cases, even death.
- Silicosis: A type of pneumoconiosis, silicosis is an occupation-related chronic respiratory condition that is typically caused by the inhalation of dangerous crystalline silica dust. Among other things, the effects of this chronic respiratory illness lung issue include inflammation and tissue scarring.
Medications For Chronic Respiratory Conditions
EEOICPA and RECA beneficiaries need immediate access to the proper medication or medications for their individual chronic respiratory conditions. In many cases, these conditions require some form of inhaled medication (the use of an inhaler). Inhaled medicine can help to manage the effects of lung disease and to improve the overall quality of life. In addition, many people with chronic respiratory issues are also prescribed some form of an anti-fibrotic agent. Essentially, these types of drugs are designed to slow the rate of additional scarring and damage in the lungs. Depending on the specific nature of a patient’s condition, a number of other medications, including antibiotics and painkillers, may also be prescribed to help treat underlying medical issues.
How Home Healthcare Services Can Help Affected Patients
For people who are dealing with a chronic respiratory illness, home healthcare services can help to facilitate better care and can help to dramatically improve one’s quality of life. One of the major advantages of these services is that they can be carefully modified to meet the specific individual needs of the patient. In some cases, relatively modest home healthcare assistance may be sufficient to assist a patient with a respiratory illness. In other cases, home-based pulmonary care can help to provide protection and to minimize the adverse impacts of the illness. As an example, many patients benefit from services and guidance provided by trained respiratory therapists and related professionals who work directly with doctors to develop an effective, comprehensive healthcare plan.
Free Home Health Support May Available To EEOICPA/RECA Beneficiaries
At United Energy Workers Healthcare and Four Corners Health Care, we are committed to offering the very best home healthcare services to EEOICPA/RECA beneficiaries. If you or your loved one is dealing with a covered chronic respiratory illness, our team of experienced professionals is standing by, ready to help you and your family find the best no-cost home healthcare support services. To learn more about what we can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact us today.