Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
A heart attack is one of the leading killers in both men and women in the US and usually the older you are, the more at risk you can be. About half the people who have heart attacks die because of them. Naturally your elderly parents are at a greater risk because they are more frail. A heart attack occurs when blood flow is blocked from the heart. If the flow isn’t quickly restored, that section of the heart muscle becomes damaged due to lack of oxygen.
Not all heart attacks are quite as dramatic as they are portrayed in movies. Don’t expect to clutch your chest and fall to the ground. The most common signs include chest pain or discomfort, upper body discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, or breaking out in a cold sweat.
If you or your aging parents suffer from a heart attack, call 911 immediately. It’s better to take an ambulance instead of driving the patient so as not to delay treatment. After calling, take an aspirin to reduce blood clotting. The quicker you get treatment, the more likely you are to survive the heart attack.
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High Blood Pressure in Elderly Parents
High blood pressure: the silent killer. High blood pressure is defined as a reading of 140/90 mmHG or higher. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans has high blood pressure and if it is left untreated, it can be very dangerous –often leading to heart failure or a heart attack. It is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. Many people don’t find out they even have it until they have trouble with their hearts, brains, or kidneys, which is why it’s important to have your aging parents go to the doctor regularly for a checkup.The good new about high blood pressure is that it is very easy for home health aides and elderly parents to treat and control with medication.
For many, there is no specific cause. However, people at a greater risk for high blood pressure are the overweight, people with a family history of it, men over 45, and women over 55. Factors that can raise blood pressure include eating too much salt, drinking too much alcohol, not eating enough potassium, not getting enough exercise, suffering from long lasting stress, and smoking.
If high blood pressure is not addressed, it can worsen over time and lead to many other health problems. Getting it checked is quick and easy, so take your elderly parents to the doctor as soon as possible.
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Pneumonia In Elderly Parents
I know it’s summer and you’re thinking there is no need to worry or talk about pneumonia, but viruses aren’t concerned about what season it is. They can strike at any time. Pneumonia is actually one of the leading causes of death among those 65 or older. It can range from mild to severe and while it is contagious, most elderly parents get if from themselves. We all have bacteria in our throats and noses and the elderly cannot clear the secretions from their lungs which then make their way into the bronchial tubes.
Elderly parents are at greater risk because of their frailty, their weakened immune systems, and other health conditions. Those who’ve had surgery are also at a great risk. When in pain, elders take shallow breaths which can lead to mucus gathering in the lungs. Signs to look for include coughing, fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, lethargy, and feeling worse after a recent cold or flu.
Although year round, pneumonia strikes the most during flu season so always get your annual flu shot. Home health aides and anyone else frequently in the home should get a flu shot as well. At the sign of any symptoms, see your doctor immediately before the problem worsens.
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When Elders Don’t Accept Home Health Aides
It’s not uncommon for elderly parents to have trouble adjusting to home health aides in the house. They might feel like you don’t care enough about them to take care of them, that you’re just hiring outside help because you can’t deal. Of course, we all know this isn’t the case at all. But some elders can be verbally or physically abusive to their caregivers, making it unpleasant for everybody.
Children need to constantly remind their parents that home health aides are here to help, not to hurt. It can be hard if your aging parents have dementia and constantly forget who these people are. Sometimes the caregiver may look or remind your parents of someone from their past and it may frighten them. It’s important to get to the root of the problem and see where this fear is stemming from. An alternative might be to prescribe an anti-anxiety medication. This should hopefully calm them down.
The elderly must be treated with much care, even if it seems difficult at times. Do what you can to let them know you care about them and you would never do anything to harm them.
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Protecting Aging Parents from Frequent Falls
Frequent falls are among the most common issues facing aging parents. It’s right up there with heart conditions, dementia, depression, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Frequent falls are very dangerous for the elderly because their bones are not as strong as a younger person’s so it’s easy for bones to break or fracture. Aging parents who have osteoporosis are at an even greater risk for serious injury because the bones are even more fragile.
It’s important to keep your home free of clutter and keep floor surfaces smooth, but not slippery. All carpets and rugs should have a skid-proof backing and be mindful of the carpet edges. All electrical cords and wires should be neatly tied up and kept out of the way. Put lamps and lights near switches that are by the entryway so they can be easily turned on. Keep a portable phone near you at all times so you don’t have to run to answer it.
When outside, use a cane or walker during bad weather and wear boots with rubber soles for extra traction. Be mindful of floor surfaces in public buildings and always take your time. There is no need to rush. Home health care NY is also available for those who would prefer extra care around the home.
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Asking for Help from Home Health Aide Agencies
My dear old grandma is really getting up there in age. She’s just three years shy of 90! However, she’s not your spunky little 87 year old, but she isn’t restricted to a wheelchair and a tank of oxygen either. She’s right there in the middle –the Goldilocks Syndrome. Unlike Goldilocks, it’s not exactly the perfect place to be. She’s been forgetting things, like appointments, and retelling the same stories we’ve all heard over and over again. We know grandma just wants some extra company, but we’re concerned about her well being.
The family had a meeting and decided that it was time to get her some help. We definitely couldn’t afford to send her to a nursing home. Not to mention she would never ever move out of her apartment. Instead, we went to Quality NY, a home healthcare agency. Their home health aides stop by a few times a week to make sure the apartment is clean, grandma is taking her medication, and she’s eating more than just coffee and ice cream.
With the help of Quality NY, the family isn’t so worried about grandma anymore. We know she’s being well taken care of and she still has plenty of time left on this earth.
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Visiting on Father’s Day
Father’s Day is on Sunday and I bet you have some great activities planned for dad. Maybe you’re taking him out to his favorite restaurant or spending the day out on the boat. But for those of us who have aging parents or grandparents, we can’t forget that they need to be included in the celebration too. If your loved ones are in a home or just living by themselves, pay a visit or take them along with you if you can. You’d be surprised how happy you can make them.
Even if your father or grandfather isn’t well enough to go out with you and the family, just stop by to wish him a Happy Father’s Day. Don’t think mailing a greeting card is good enough. They want to spend time with you. My own grandfather is ill but I always make the effort to stop by when I can and he’s so appreciative of it. His eyes light up and he has the biggest grin on his face.
So mark your calendars for this Sunday because you’re hanging out with dad or grandpa this year. He’s worked hard and your aging parents deserve some appreciation!
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Beating the Summer Heat for Aging Parents
Even though it’s officially spring, it’s beginning to feel a bit like summer. Temperatures on the east coast are hovering around 80 degrees and we all know the humidity is terrible. As the temperatures continue to climb, the elderly are more at risk to suffer from heat exhaustion and heat strokes. Symptoms of a heat stroke include, an extremely high body temperature, red, hot and dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, and nausea. Symptoms for heat exhaustion are very similar except your skin will be sweating and not dry and you’ll feel tiredness, muscle cramps, and shallow breathing.
Whether you’re receiving in home health care or not, the best way to stay cool is to stay indoors. If you don’t have an air conditioner, consider spending time some place that does. Drink plenty of water and do not perform any strenuous activities. Take a cool bath and simply rest. If your aging parents live alone, check in with them at least twice a day to make sure they are well.
In the summer, it’s good to have home health aides around the home to look after them, and if heat exhaustion should occur, they can quickly give them medical attention. Stay cool this summer. I hope it’s not a dreadfully hot one.
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Consider In Home Healthcare After a Stroke
Each year there are over 700,000 strokes in this country. It is also the 3rd leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. If one survives a stroke, there is serious long-term disabilities afterward –more so than any other disease. Nearly 3/4 of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65 and your risk of suffering a stroke doubles each decade after the age of 55.
These are some pretty scary statistics. When a stroke occurs, essentially brain cells are dying. Depending on how severe the stroke is, a lot of damage can be done. Afterward, the patient may need to enter a rehabilitative service or receive in home healthcare. There may be weakness in one side of the body, slurred speech, or incontinence. Minor stroke victims may recover completely, or to a near-normal condition.
Stroke patients can receive home health care NY when they choose Quality NY. Quality NY offers both home health aides for those suffering more serious disabilities and rehabilitative services for those who will be able to recover. You can count on caring and experienced aides to help those who have suffered from a stroke and lead them on the road to recovery.
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Exercise Can Prevent Osteoporosis
A few months ago we talked about the many benefits of exercise for your aging parents. But did you know that exercise can also help prevent osteoporosis in elderly men and women? (Yes, men can get it too!) Exercise is never a bad idea, but it can be very beneficial as we get older. Just like muscle, bone is also a living tissue and it can get stronger with exercise. If you exercised when you were young, you potentially achieved a greater peak bone mass than those who didn’t. Bone mass peaks at age 30 and after that, you can begin to lose bone.
Exercise increases our muscle strength, coordination, and balance. That means less falls and fractures –a common occurrence for our aging parents. What’s the best type of exercise to prevent osteoporosis? Weight-bearing exercise that force the body to work against gravity, such as lifting weights, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, tennis, and dancing.
If you already have osteoporosis, talk to your doctor to determine which exercises are safe. Soreness and discomfort are normal in the beginning, but should ease the more you exercise. Always stop if you feel chest pain or discomfort. And don’t forget to have a healthy diet with plenty of calcium and vitamin D.
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