Recovering Following a Heart Attack

Having a heart attack can be a very scary event. Recognizing the symptoms and getting help immediately is essential and can support improved recovery. It can take time to fully recover, but many people are able to return to the activities they enjoy. Following the doctor’s orders can prevent complications and reduce risk of future heart attacks. This often involves making some lifestyle changes.

Healthy Diet: The food you eat can impact heart attack risk. Cutting back on sodium and saturated fat is often recommended. Seniors should try to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meat, and whole grains into their diet. Changes in diet can also help to naturally reduce cholesterol and manage weight which can reduce strain on the heart.

Exercise: This is often part of the rehabilitation program and then seniors are instructed on what exercises they should continue at home. Their doctor will help them to come up with a plan that fits with their needs and abilities. It is important not to start off too strenuous because the body is still recovering. However, exercise can help to strengthen heart muscles, improve circulation, and boost mood.

Medication: Oftentimes medication is prescribed following a heart attack. Seniors should take them as directed to support better heart health. They may be used for pain, to address heart conditions, or to manage other medical concerns that increase risk of another heart attack. If medication management is a challenge, an in-home caregiver can assist with these needs.

Reduce Worry: After having a heart attack, many seniors are worried that it may happen again. Addressing this anxiety is important so that it does not lead to depression or other health problems. Spend time with your senior doing things that they enjoy and helping them to make the most of lifestyle changes. It can be challenging to adapt at first because it is something different. Help them to feel more comfortable and reduce stress and anxiety.

Have patience and recognize that recovery takes time. Ensure that your senior has the support and assistance they need to transition back home and follow through with the doctor’s orders. If they should experience any pain or concerning symptoms or side effects, contact their doctor immediately to find out how to proceed. Their medication may need to be adjusted or there may be other issues occurring.

Home care services can allow you to more effectively meet your senior’s needs. Trained caregivers provide them with companionship and various levels of care to promote independence while ensuring safety. You don’t have to try to care for your aging parent alone. Arrange for in-home care that works with your schedule as well as that of your senior and allows them to continue aging in place.

Foods to Support Senior Heart Health

The foods that you eat can have a vast impact on your health. Not getting enough vitamins, minerals, and nutrients can be detrimental. The body needs a well-balanced diet to function properly and ward of illness, injury, and disease. Your diet can also play a role in heart health which can be a major concern for seniors worried about heart disease. Monitoring what you are eating can help to boost health and reduce risk of heart disease. Here are some things to keep in mind for a heart healthier diet:

• Fruits and Vegetables: Not only are they low in calories and high in essential nutrients and antioxidants, many are also high in fiber. Whether you enjoy them as a salad, side dish, or snack, there are many ways to incorporate them into your diet. Try to get a wide range of colors as well because each one contains different vitamins and minerals.
• Green Tea: Replace coffee or soda with green tea which has beneficial antioxidants and flavinols. It contains a small amount of natural caffeine but will not cause the same impact as coffee.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These are good source of fat. They can be found in a variety of fish, nuts, flaxseed, and canola oil. You can also take supplements including fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids help to fight inflammation and protect the heart.
• Dark Chocolate: Just because you’re eating healthier does not mean you have to ward off all sweets. Eating a small amount of dark chocolate each day can cut the risk of heart disease.
• Whole Grains: Avoid processed white flours and choose whole grains instead. Oatmeal and brown rice can be good options as well as pastas, bread, and other baked goods main with whole grain. Whole grains can also be a good source of fiber.
• Low Fat: Limit the amount of saturated fat in your diet. Try to consume poly- or monounsaturated fats instead.  Choose lean means and low-fat dairy products. You can still eat meat, just select healthier cuts and stick to recommended serving sizes.
• Red Wine: In moderation, red wine can boost heart health and protect arteries. One five-ounce glass per day is plenty. Drinking more than this can lead to other health problems.

Try to shop around the outer perimeter of the grocery store where the fresh foods are located. Replacing processed meals with healthier versions containing fresh ingredients can support heart health. Pay attention to your sodium and cholesterol intake as well. Offer to take your senior shopping to help them make good choices and find the foods they are looking for. If you are unavailable, consider an in-home care provider that can take your senior to the store and help with light meal preparations. Having a wide variety of healthy options can cut back on unhealthy choices and promote better heart health.

When Does Your Senior Parent Need More Assistance?

When a parent prefers to age in place, there are many things you can do to help support them and make living at home as easy as possible. One of those things is to look for signs that they may need additional assistance or in-home care. As parents age and live on their own, they may begin to face new mobility and medical issues that make it more difficult to perform daily activities. 

But there are some easy-to-spot signs that can help you identify their changing needs. When it comes to home care, Asheville families can start by looking for these common signals, so they can act fast and offer support to help their parents in any way they need. Here are some signs that your parents might benefit from additional assistance around their house.

The home is more cluttered than usual. If your parents tend to keep a clean home but suddenly it has become more disorganized, this might be a warning sign. They could begin to lose interest in keeping up a neat house, which is an especially important signal if your parent has always been orderly.

Missing appointments. Not being able to access proper transportation, or being unable to drive might lead an elderly loved one to miss important appointments. They may need assistance in getting to and from medical visits, social gatherings, or other meet-ups that are important to them and their health.

Reduced hygiene. Unkempt hair, long finger nails, poor dental care, body odor, or wearing the same clothes without washing could be signs that your loved one is having difficulty maintaining their hygiene. They could be afraid of falling in a tub or shower, or painful joints might make it difficult to open soap bottles. 

Bills or mail is piling up. The act of opening or filing mail might become too overwhelming, or paying bills on time has become difficult. Over time, managing a bank account could also become too much for an elderly loved one to handle. Take note if mail seems unusually disorganized.

Food in the home is spoiled or left uneaten. Cooking, cleaning, or shopping could become difficult to do. Painful joints, impaired driving, or weakened vision could all make it more challenging to do these tasks. Food could be forgotten about, not taken care of properly, or uneaten food might signal a poor appetite. 

Scorched pans or pots. Short-term memory loss could make it easy to forget about food on the stove. This could be a warning sign that your loved one is having difficulty remembering things; it could also be a dangerous fire hazard. 

Unusual behavior. Consider if neighbors have noticed anything unusual about your loved one. For example, he or she might be dressing inappropriately for the seasonal weather. Uncharacteristic behavior might signal confusion and that your parent could benefit from some extra help around the house. 

Not addressing home maintenance needs. A parent might not recognize the need to fix a problem, like a leaky pipe or a broken door. Even if they acknowledge the problem, they may not call to schedule repairs. Look for unkempt lawns, old trash piling up, or piled up mail outside the home. 

If any of these signs are present, consider if your parent would enjoy having some extra help around the home. When providing elder care, Asheville families should start by heeding these signals and finding ways to help their parents get around more easily and safely by offering more comprehensive assistance. 

Crucial Bathtub Safety Tips For Your Senior

A warm bath is a relaxing and comforting experience, particularly on a cold day. However, the bathtub can pose a hazard for your senior. In fact, The National Safety Council states that more than 400 people drown in bathtubs each year.1 This does not account for the hundreds more who slip and injure themselves entering or exiting the tub. To keep your elderly loved one safe as they enjoy a bath, keep these tips in mind:

Install a bath rail

A bath rail is an essential device that helps to ensure that your senior gets in and out of the tub safely. There are many different styles to choose from, and they are able to fit over the tub without doing permanent damage to its structure. Grab bars are also useful. They come in a number of different lengths, and give the elderly individual something to hold on to in the event that they start to slip. 

Both of these tools help seniors to keep their balance, and can be used to stop a fall before it happens. Remember that towel bars are not sufficient substitutes for bath rails and grab bars. Senior care professionals encourage families to have these tools professionally installed to ensure that they are set up properly. 

Invest in a bathtub chair

According to those who work in home care, Asheville-Hendersonville families should think about investing in a bathtub bench or chair that assists an elderly individual as they enter and exit the tub. These products have legs that sit both inside and outside the tub, and allow the senior to sit on the bench and slide across, thus making getting in and out less dangerous. 

Mechanical bath lifts are also helpful as elderly individuals get in and out of the tub, note eldercare professionals. There are battery or water-powered lifts, though battery-operated models are preferable as they cut down on the risk of mold developing within the device. 

Also, home care professionals encourage families to install non-slip treads or a bath mat inside the tub to cut down on fall risks. This is useful for all family members, and not just elderly individuals. Keeping tubs clean can also make bathing safer, as soap scum or mold buildup can quickly make the surface slick and dangerous. 

1 http://seniorliving.about.com/od/improvepersonalsafety/a/bathtub_safety.htm