Safe At Home Healthcare

Sleep Better At Night and Go About Your Day Knowing Your Senior Is Safe at Home (800) 480-4154

Home » Archives for Kurt Hjelle » Page 5

Kurt Hjelle

Senior Care in Aurora, IL: World Heart Day Sept 29, 2012Teaches Us to Be Aware of Stroke and Heart Disease

By

The risk of developing heart disease or stroke is higher for individuals suffering from an unhealthy weight, harmful diet and a lack of physical activity. It also increases for tobacco users and those with high stress levels. Heart attacks do not always happen suddenly and may take some time for pain and discomfort to be recognized as a symptom. Chest pain is often the most associated symptom. Other symptoms may include discomfort in certain areas of the body, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and cold sweats. Although men and women typically experience similar symptoms, women are more likely to suffer from back pain, shortness of breath and nausea. The warning signs for a stroke may be more apparent. It can include numbness, confusion, severe headache, dizziness and a sudden onset of coordination problems.

The World Heart Federation was created to raise awareness among everybody across about these deadly diseases. This organization is an advocate for healthy living and developed the World Heart Day to promote health and wellness across the globe. Created in 2000, the World Heart Day is observed on September 29 of each year and features concerts, sporting events, national runs and walks, public discussions and health screenings.

World Heart Day 2012 focuses on the importance of understanding heart disease in women and children. The intention is to successfully raise awareness among women and children as well as their loved ones and encourage them to lead healthier lifestyles to reduce the chances of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Children are often at risk because of their inability to make certain heart-healthy decisions concerning their environment and diet. Women are more likely to be the educator and enforcer within a household so it is important that they are well-informed to have the ability to pass on the knowledge they acquire to their loved ones.

Many of the individuals and volunteers of the World Heart Federation have been affected by CVD and are willing to share their experiences with others. Reaching out to others and sharing the knowledge of acquiring a heart-friendly lifestyle is the primary goal of World Heart Day. Addressing important issues such as the dangers of high blood pressure and the regular use of tobacco can help spread awareness to others and bring people together to lower the numbers of those who may become affected by deadly diseases such as heart disease and stroke.

Home care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing senior care in Aurora, IL. For more information about senior care call us at (888) 703-5287.

Non-Medical Home Care in Oswego, IL- What a Non-Medical Companion Can and Cannot Do in the Home.

By

With the aging population and busy work schedules, it is likely that more seniors will require care services in the coming years. Home care allows elders to stay in their own home environment while still getting additional help with daily tasks. Non-medical care may be needed even when the senior is relatively healthy and without medical issues.

What Is Non-Medical Home Care?

Non-medical home care encompasses a variety of daily tasks that can be challenging for seniors in their own homes. Non-medical care may mean help with getting to the bathroom, dressing, preparing food, reminding about medication, transporting them to appointments, light cleaning and other household tasks. Often, non-medical care can mean interacting with the senior on a meaningful level to help keep them alert and engaged in activities. The non-medical caregiver may play cards with the senior, engage them in conversation on favorite subjects and be a companion for shopping trips. Non-medical care helps to enrich the home environment and social circle of the elder.

What Caregivers Can’t Do

Non-medical caregivers do not provide any medical procedures for clients. They cannot administer medications, give injections for insulin or other drugs and cannot monitor vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar or other physical indicators. They cannot engage in any services that would be considered clinical or invasive. Strict legal requirements determine the limitations of medical and non-medical home caregivers.

How Non-Medical Home Care Helps

Primarily, the non-medical caregiver ensures that the normal physical care of the elderly person is consistent and adequate for his needs. A non-medical caregiver provides regular companionship for the elder and a ways to monitor the condition of the elder on a regular basis, outside of his regular medical care. Non-medical care companies generally provide updates on the status of the elder’s mental, social and physical condition so that family members can take action when needed. Non-medical caregivers can provide important social and mental stimulation that helps to keep seniors alert. A non-medical helper can also provide respite for other family caregivers so that they can spend some time on themselves.

Matching Caregivers With Seniors

Because non-medical companions come into the home and have close interaction with the elder, it is important to find a good mix of personalities. A good non-medical home care agency will work to find the right person to make your elder family member feel comfortable and secure.

Non-Medical Home Care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your Non-Medical Home Care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Oswego, IL. For more information about Non-Medical Home Care call us at (888) 703-5287.

Caregiving in Montgomery, IL: Learn More About World Alzheimer’s Day 2012

By

September 21st is World Alzheimer’s Day. “Dementia: Living Together” is the theme for this year’s event. World Alzheimer’s Day was created by the World Health Organization in 1994 to draw attention to Alzheimer’s Disease. This special day will highlight a month of worldwide activities designed to combat the social stigma Alzheimer’s victims and caregiving family member’s face.

Alzheimer’s is the most common dementia. It is a slow, progressive disease that gradually robs victims of their memory. There are no cures or effective treatments for the disease’s symptoms. In fact, experts can’t even figure out how to slow it down. The number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is expected to explode in the next few decades as the post-World War II generation, the baby boomers, age.

Misconceptions and detrimental attitudes about Alzheimer’s are still too common. Caregivers struggle as their loved ones slowly lose touch with reality. They face not only overwhelming physical care and financial stress, but also the social stigma of Alzheimer’s. National Alzheimer’s Day will help victims and caregivers by encouraging positive discussions about this devastating disease.

The World Alzheimer’s Report will be released during September. Worldwide seminars, special events and workshops highlighting Alzheimer’s awareness will also take place this month. Increasing numbers of people are familiar with Alzheimer’s because of loved ones who are victims. Unfortunately many still don’t recognize Alzheimer’s symptoms or behavior. National Alzheimer’s Day will educate community members to be aware of symptoms and of dementia victims in their area.

Many communities will host fundraising Memory Walks on National Alzheimer’s Day. Caregiving families, their friends and neighbors will walk together to remember those lost and to encourage those currently fighting the disease.

Dedicated researchers are actively fighting the disease. Many diseases have been eradicated or tamed by devoted researchers who have the money to take on the task. National Alzheimer’s Day will highlight one of the worst diseases researchers have ever battled. The day will raise research money, provide information and promote awareness about Alzheimer’s victims. It will highlight their caregivers’ struggles to keep them safe. Anyone dealing with Alzheimer’s dreams of the day this deadly disease will be cured. A world without Alzheimer’s is definitely going to be a better place for all of us.

Home care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your caregiving needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Montgomery, IL. For more information about caregivers call us at (888) 703-5287.

September is Healthy Aging Month: Home Care Services in Lisle, IL Can Help Seniors Get Healthy and Stay Healthy!

By

Here are just some of the ways home care services can assist seniors who want to get healthy and stay healthy, after all – it’s never too late to start taking care of ourselves!

EAT FRESH. Make a commitment to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. September is still harvest time in many areas so seek out local farmers markets and buy local produce. Make it a point to try to make foods from scratch… skip the processed foods as much as you can. How much do you need to eat? Home Care Services can help by preparing light meals and helping with grocery shopping.

TAKE A WALK. Walking with a companion can keep the energy level high and the motivation strong to improve each day. Seniors don’t have to walk long distances, start small and work your way up to longer walks. Walking is good for your overall health and can even be done around the house, at the mall, or around the neighborhood.

DO SOMETHING NEW. Tired of the same old scene? Seniors can go on short day trip to new places, visit new museums, parks and other places that give them a fresh perspective. Look online for recommendations in your area for short trips that are within an hour drive of your area.

GET SOCIAL! Good health for the mind is just as important as good health for the body. Seniors can invite friends over for lunch, participate in church groups, book clubs, senior center activities, card clubs and more.

HealthyAging.net gives us this advice for staying “BRAIN” healthy:

“If you think old, you ARE old. A decline in memory is not always a function of serious disease, like Alzheimer’s. Sometimes memory loss is caused by factors that can be changed — such as diet, medication misuse, depression, etc… At the National Institute on Aging, research is showing that memory may be like other parts of the body. Research showed that the very gradual declines in memory take place until age 70 — when the pace increases, but not so much as to impair us. The conclusion?

The processes of normal aging do not rob you of your memory.

The greatest enemy to the healthy senior mind is depression. New activities, hobbies, and exercise are wonderful anti-depressants. If you truly are depressed, don’t bear it alone — SEEK HELP!

Stay active doing things that use your memory:

• Take a class, play games, be with people

• Pick up the phone now and call someone, just to “chat”

• Volunteer your time. Get involved with a cause you believe in or in something that interests you

• Seek out variety and challenge in your daily life

These are just a few tips for Healthy Aging in September 2012- Healthy Aging Month!

Home care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your Home Care Services needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care Services in Lisle, IL. For more information about Home Care Services call us at (888) 703-5287.

Senior Care in Oswego, IL: August is National Immunization Month- The Importance of Flu Shots for Seniors

By

Immunizations are essential for prevention against serious life-threatening infections and diseases.

Many illnesses are contagious and can cause serious complications. Influenza is an illness that affects the respiratory system and individuals that catch the flu viruses can develop symptoms that range from mild to severe. Severe complications from the flu can lead to serious health problems and even result in death. Specific groups of people are at a higher risk of developing complications including young children and the elderly. August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month to help raise awareness of preventable diseases and the importance of vaccinations to stay healthy.

Seniors and Influenza

Seniors are more susceptible to the flu virus due to the immune system weakening with age. One of the most common complications of the flu is pneumonia. Symptoms of pneumonia may be treatable at home; however, hospitalization is often required for those with compromised immune systems. Receiving a vaccine for influenza can reduce the chances of developing pneumonia and other illnesses that often occur after having the cold or flu.

The “Flu Shot”

The influenza vaccine can help protect against three types of flu strains that are predicted to be the most commonly spread throughout the upcoming flu season. The viruses used in the flu vaccine may change each year depending on the research and estimation that helps to predict what strains will be the most harmful and widespread. The flu shot contains killed virus and is administered through a needle typically in the upper arm. Shots are approved for individuals six months of age and older.

The three different types of flu shots available include:

• Regular shots approved for those six months and older

• Intradermal flu shots for people ages 18 through 64

• High-dose flu shots recommended for those over the age of 65

Antibodies begin to develop in the body within two weeks of vaccination to provide protection against the most harmful strains throughout the flu season.

Seniors are advised to receive the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in their area. A healthcare professional can help determine what type of vaccine is right for an individual. In addition to receiving the flu vaccine, everyday measures such as eating right, getting an adequate amount of exercise and drinking plenty of fluids can also help seniors stay happy and healthy throughout the flu season.

Home care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Oswego, IL. For more information about senior care call us at (888) 703-5287.