Summer Has Arrived!

In case you’ve not noticed, summer has arrived in all of it’s glory.  That includes the scorching days, high humidity, and sultry nights.
For persons aged 65 or older, the risk to heat related issues is higher since their bodies are not able to adapt to temperature changes as well as a younger person.  This typically is related to medications that interfere with the body’s ability to perspire or regulate temperature.
It’s important to take extra precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from the sun’s powerful rays. If not treated promptly and properly, some of these complications can cause irreversible damage and even death. The following tips will help you stay cool while you enjoy the warm weather with family and friends!

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of cool fluids, especially water. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. The daily recommended amount is about eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day; however, you should always check with your physician about any prescriptions or vitamins that may interfere with your fluid intake.
• Take it easy: Enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation, and don’t overexert yourself.
• Enjoy air-conditioning: If you don’t have AC, visit a shopping mall or public library to escape from the heat for a little while. You can also take a cool bath or shower to help you cool down.
• Dress smart: Wear light-weight, light-colored clothing that breathes easy. Hats, long sleeves and pants can help add an extra layer of protection between you and the sun.
• Wear sunscreen: Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Apply at least 20 minutes before going outside so it has a chance to be absorbed by your skin, and reapply regularly throughout the day, especially if you’re perspiring or swimming.
• Avoid sun during peak hours: The sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Opt to eat lunch indoors in AC and seek shade if you are outside.

Most importantly, listen to your body! If you’re ever concerned about how you’re feeling, call your doctor immediately. Summer is meant to be enjoyed, but you don’t have to melt doing it! For more tips and information on summer safety, visit www.redcross.org.

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!

Sleep & Good Health

What would you guess to be the most pervasive health problem for the elderly? If you answered sleep, you would be correct. Sleep, or more accurately, lack of sleep is the major cause of poor physical and psychological health for the elderly. Without proper quality of sleep, everyone, especially senior citizens, will suffer from loss in concentration and poor memory. Also, the body’s ability to effectively repair physical ailments and prevent disease are diminished.
More than half of men and women over the age of 65 complain of at least one sleeping problem, and many elderly individuals experience insomnia on a regular basis. Generally, seniors sleep less frequently and experience more fragmented sleeping patterns, spending less time in deep sleep than when they were younger. The following list shows some common problematic habits:

• Irregular sleeping hours.
• Consuming alcohol just prior to bedtime.
• A frequent need to urinate.
• Pain from various ailments, including arthritis, diabetes, etc…
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Napping too much during the day.
• Stress.
• Life changes, such as the death of a loved one, a move, or physical limitations.
• Sleep breathing disorders, including sleep apnea and snoring.

Poor sleeping habits can relate directly to poor health. Caregivers can work with loved ones to reduce the symptoms of poor sleeping habits. Sleep is important to all of us, and is essential to physical health and emotional well being.

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!

Why In Home Care

Many people prefer home care over any other option, and for good reason. We all enjoy being at home, right?  Home is a place of emotional and physical associations, memories and comfort. Though many people are happy in assisted living facilities, retirement communities or nursing homes – and in some cases this is a better option – for others leaving home can be disruptive and even depressing.
There are a variety of different home care options-offering everything from light housekeeping to skilled nursing. Because of the many options that are available, people in all sorts of situations can now make it their first choice. Here are ten reasons why home care is a popular choice:
1)    Independence:  Who doesn’t want independence? This is, perhaps, the greatest plus for receiving care in one’s own home.
2)    Family and Friends:  Unlike the restricted visiting hours at hospitals and nursing homes, home provides a place where family and friends can be close to the person at all hours, whenever needed.
3)    Comfort:  Being at home is simply more comfortable for most people than being in an unfamiliar place. At home, we have all the things we’re accustomed to. Everything is in its place, which in studies has proven to be an effective emotional healer.
4)    Faster Release from the Hospital:  With home care, older adults might be able to go home sooner from the hospital. Since the services of nurses, doctors, therapists, social workers and caregivers can follow patients home, hospital stays can be shortened.
5)    Quick Recovery:  Research has shown that recovery can be faster at home than in the hospital, particularly if there is good quality, skilled home health care available.
6)    Substitute for Hospital or Nursing Care:  In some cases-depending on the severity of an illness or disability – home care can substitute for other forms of institutionalized care, including hospitals, skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
7)    Involvement with Treatment:  Both the person being served and family members can be more intimately involved with the treatment at home-helping to administer medications, working with physical therapy and coaching on recovery.
8)    Morale:  Patients tend to have a greater sense of well-being and overall greater morale when they are in the surroundings of their own home.  Dorothy had it right in The Wizard of Oz – “there’s no place like home.”
9)    Promotes Healing:  Older adults enjoy a much better quality of life which many families have said helped to extend the lives, health & happiness of their loved ones. They are in a familiar environment around their family in both their home and community in which they’ve lived for many years. This is particularly true with individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other related dementia.
10)  Cost:  Depending on the hours needed, home care can be much more affordable than a skilled nursing facility or other institutions.
    Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on Facebook and Google+,  or visit our website at http://www.homecarehuntersvillenc.com .

Hiring a Caregiver

A recent news event in the Statesville, NC area serves as a warning to everyone seeking In Home Care.  The Statesville Record and Landmark newspaper reported that a 21 year-old disabled woman was left unattended by her caregiver.  Neighbors called police when the woman was spotted on a porch by herself surrounded by garbage.  Her caregiver left her by herself and authorities suspect that she had been trying to eat the garbage.  Charges are pending against the caregiver.

To those of us who operate reputable, licensed home healthcare agencies, this is horrifying.  However, it serves as a reminder to everyone to be informed about who you hire to provide care.  Home Helpers is a fully licensed agency, bonded, and insured.  Our caregivers have full background and credential checks before they are hired and then, as our employees, they are under full-time supervision.  We adhere to all government standards and regulations, all to protect our clients.  We don’t want something like this to happen, so always research anyone you consider hiring.

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on Facebook and Google+,  or visit our website at http://www.homecarehuntersvillenc.com .

The Importance of Managing Medications

Did you know:

1)  Almost 30% of all hospital admissions for people over the age of 65 are directly attributable to medication on non-adherence.
2)  125,000 people die each year from non-adherence, twice the number killed in automobile accidents.
3)  Poor adherence with medication regimens costs society more than $150 billion per year.
4)  Nearly $48 billion in annual costs result from unnecessary medication-induced hospitalization.
5)  Approximately 40% of people entering nursing homes do so because they are unable to self-medicate in their own homes.
Home Helpers has had great success helping a number of families with In Home Medication Management.  To learn more about how we can help with Medication Management, Medical Alert systems, other electronic services, visit our web page by clicking here. Then feel free to contact us and we’ll schedule a time to demonstrate the service to you.
Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on Facebook and Google+!

Medication Safety

During a recent seminar on Medication Safety, we had a lively discussion on medication “Best Practices”, and lots of great information came to light.  It was interesting to learn how individuals were deviating from their prescriptions.  We’d like to take this time to share some major points that came to light…

• Always take medications exactly as prescribed.  It was interesting to hear that patients would adjust their own prescriptions based on “feel”.  DON’T DO THIS!  If you think the medication isn’t working properly, call your doctor.

• Take only your medications.  When attendants were asked if they ever “shared” medications, nearly everyone raised thier hand!  Another big No-No!

• Medication cost is always a concern.  If you have trouble affording your medicine, consult your physician or pharmacist. Programs are available to help with this.

• Never store medications in your car (extreme temperatures), the bathroom (high humidity), or combined in one container.  It’s better to store them in a cool, dry cabinet, or in the refrigerator if so instructed.

• All medications have side affects, so always ask your doctor about this.  Also, if you start a new prescription, ask if it will interact with your current medications.

• Expired medications may be ineffective or have unintended side affects.  Dispose of them properly.  Look for drug drops that may be sponsored by hospitals, police departments, etc.

If you’re struggling with Medication Management or know someone who is, call us.  Our staff and products can help simplify this issue, and help you find an affordable solution.

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Visit our web site at www.LKNhomecare.com, or call us today at 704-909-7958.