According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 5.7 million people throughout the United States are currently living with heart failure. Approximately half of those who are diagnosed with heart failure will die within five years of initial diagnosis. These statistics can seem frightening, but as a family caregiver it is important to understand the challenges that your parent can face and ensure that you are giving them the care and management efforts that they need. This starts with recognizing if your parent is at increased risk of particular health issues, such as heart failure. Knowing these risk factors can help you to pay better attention to your parent’s lifestyle and health so that you can encourage them to make good lifestyle choices to reduce their risk or to detect when they might be suffering from particular conditions so you can make sure they are getting the care that they need.

Some risk factors for heart failure include:

• Smoking or using tobacco products
• Eating a diet that is high in saturated fat and sodium
• Not eating foods that the body needs, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, high quality fiber, and lean protein
• Living a largely sedentary lifestyle or not getting enough physical activity on a regular basis
• Being overweight or obese
• Living with high blood pressure, especially if it is not well managed
• Living with high blood cholesterol, especially if it is not well managed
• Having a personal history of heart problems, including heart attack

If you are a family caregiver for an elderly adult, you will need to make a wide variety of decisions for your parents. One of the best can by to start home care for them. An in-home senior care services provider can fill care gaps, be with your parent on a regular basis, and help them to pursue their own care goals as well as supporting you and giving your parent to care that they need. This care provider can be there for your parent to provide safe and reliable transportation so that your parent can get to where they need and want to go for a more active and fulfilling lifestyle. They can also provide assistance with personal care needs and activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, dressing, meal preparation and eating, grocery shopping, housekeeping, and other tasks to help you or loved ones live the highest quality of life possible at the age in place.

https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_heart_failure.htm
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartFailure/Heart-Failure_UCM_002019_SubHomePage.jsp

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Sterling, VA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today. (703) 982-0050.