Call Us 866-924-2442
logo new
 
  • About Us
    • Our Culture
    • Our Caregivers
    • Our Management Team
    • Industry Statistics
  • Careers
  • Services
    • Coordination of Care
    • Elderly Care Services
    • Hiring an Agency vs.
      Direct Caregiver
    • Benefits Outweigh Cost
    • Personal Care
    • Skilled Nursing Therapy
    • Senior In Home Care
    • Alzheimer’s and Dementia
  • Programs
    • ENSUREPrograms
      • ENSUREConnect
      • ENSURECheck
    • Temperature Screening Services
      • Event Screening
    • Veterans Aid & Attendance
  • Blogs
    • Lifestyle
    • Franchising
    • Newsroom
  • Hand in Hand Newsletter
  • Franchise Opportunities
  • Ask a Question

Blog

Home Healthy Aging Living at Home With Heart Disease

Living at Home With Heart Disease

February 9, 2015Admin

February is American Heart Month.

 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States—but according to the National Institutes of Health, heart disease is also one of the most preventable conditions. With the aging of our population, our healthcare system is now putting increased emphasis on controllable risk factors such as inactivity, poor nutrition, obesity and smoking. A study that recently appeared in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that the risk of heart disease decreases more with each positive lifestyle change an older adult makes.

But age is one of the risk factors for heart disease that we can’t control. For many seniors who are living with heart disease today, effective management of the condition is often a team effort that includes the patient, healthcare provider and family caregivers. Most people with heart disease prefer to remain in the comfort of their own home rather than move to a nursing home or other care community. Families want to honor their loved one’s choice—but they worry about whether their loved one is safe living independently.

Family members also should consider the demands of their caregiving tasks. Studies show that caregiving can be hard on the health of caregivers—and that includes heart health. So for the good of the person with heart disease and family caregivers alike, it’s important to take advantage of available support services. For many families, this includes the help of in-home care professionals.

In-home caregivers assist clients with a heart-healthy lifestyle, including:

Medication management. Most heart patients take medications—often, a number of medications, for their heart condition and other health problems. For these drugs to be effective, they must be taken as prescribed. But medication compliance can be a challenge. A professional caregiver can help your loved one manage medications, pick up prescriptions at the pharmacy, and be alert for any side-effects or interactions.

Nutrition support. Your loved one’s physician will most likely prescribe a special diet personalized for your loved one’s condition. Working with instructions from the physician, a professional home care agency can help plan a heart-healthy diet that meets low-sodium, low-cholesterol and other requirements. The caregiver can go to the grocery store, and prepare nutritious and appetizing meals to tempt your loved one’s appetite.

Physical activity. The old days when bed rest was the rule are over. We now know that inactivity is bad for our hearts. On the other hand, overexertion can be dangerous for those who have experienced a heart attack or who are living with congestive heart disease. That’s why you might hear that the physician has “prescribed” a specific exercise regimen that is right for your loved one’s specific needs. In-home caregivers can help with exercises and provide watchful, non-intrusive supervision to give your loved one greater confidence.

Hygiene and home safety. Low energy, shortness of breath, and fatigue can make household tasks and personal care a challenge. The doctor may recommend against more strenuous tasks, such as raking or lifting. In-home caregivers can clean the house, do laundry, and provide other home support tasks. They also help with personal care such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. Feeling well-groomed, in clean surroundings, provides a real mood boost, and reduces stress for patient and family caregivers alike.

Avoiding and treating depression. Experts are learning more about the connection between heart disease and depression. Heart patients may be caught in a cycle: depression decreases their motivation to comply with treatment—which leads to a decline in their health…which in turn increases depression. The doctor may prescribe anti-depressant medications. And did you know that spending time with others is one of the best mood boosts? Professional caregivers provide companionship and the encouragement to be more active and socially connected. Does your loved one like board games? Sports programs? Music? Walking the family pet? The caregiver can encourage participation in stimulating activities that lift the spirit.

Peace of mind for caregivers. When a loved one is recovering from a heart attack or dealing with chronic heart disease, it sometimes seems as if medical appointments fill every day of the calendar! And of course, the doctor’s hours and family caregivers’ working hours are usually the same. Other family and friends may offer to help—but as one daughter says, “I felt like I had used up all my favors, and hesitated to ask.” Using professional in-home care allows family to concentrate on their other responsibilities, knowing their loved one is in good hands. The caregiver can help keep track of your loved one’s schedule and provide transportation to the doctor’s office, to cardiac rehabilitation sessions, smoking cessation classes, and any other healthcare appointments.

Home care can be provided for several hours a week, up to full time, depending on your loved one’s needs and your schedule. The goal is to allow the patient the greatest independence possible without compromising the most effective heart wellness routine.

To Find More Information

Find American Heart Month resources on the websites of the American Heart Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

Source: Assisting Hands Home Care in association with IlluminAge. Copyright © IlluminAge, 2015.

Tags: american heart month, Assisting Hands Home Care, heart disease
Previous post Is Winter Really Heart Attack Season? Next post The Amazing Health Benefits of Pets

Newsletters

Facebook
Twitter

Categories

  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Brain Health
  • Business Awards
  • Caregiving Tips
  • COVID-19
  • Elder Care
  • Healthy Aging
  • Homecare
  • In Home Care
  • Legal & Financial
  • Long Term Care
  • News
  • Planning Ahead
  • Respite Care
  • Safety
  • Senior Care
  • Summer
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Volunteering

Recent Posts

  • Parkinson’s Awareness Month and Your Loved One
  • The Benefits of Robotic Pets for Seniors
  • Benefits of Art Therapy for Seniors
  • Sneaky Habits That Cause Caregiver Weight Gain
  • The Importance of Senior Vitamins and Minerals

Archives

  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • October 2019
  • May 2018
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • September 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • November 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • May 2012
chat-icon

Read Our Newsletter

Read More
apache_pb

Download Our Brochure

Download
logo

assisting hands

Assisting Hands Home Care provides elder care services and senior in home care services for families across the country.

  • 866-924-2442
  • support@assistinghands.com
  • 5700 East Franklin Rd Nampa ID 83687

Follow Us

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Pinterest

Company

  • In Home Health Care, Elder Care & Senior Caregivers
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Services
  • Company News
  • Newsletter
  • Franchise Opportunities
  • Location List

Services

  • Hiring an Agency vs.
    Direct Caregiver
  • Senior In Home Care
  • Elderly Care Services
  • Coordination of Care
  • Personal Care
  • Skilled Nursing Therapy
  • Benefits Outweigh Cost

Legal

  • Site Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Crunchbase

2020 Assisting Hands Home Care. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | Powered by Path