Common Conditions That Require Oxygen Services

For more information on the author HCR Manorcare Health Services Fort Myers, CLICK HERE.Did you know that the food you eat may affect your breathing? Your body uses food as fuel to power all the activities you do. Oxygen and food work to process the food you consume. The process of changing food into fuel is called metabolism. Carbon dioxide is the waste product produced from this process. Metabolism of carbohydrates produces the most carbon dioxide and fat produces the least. If you have been diagnosed with COPD, consuming a diet with less carbohydrates and more fat might help you breathe easier.Proper mix of nutrients will help you breathe easier. A well-nourished body is better able to handle infections that might result in serious ailments. A healthy weight also helps manage your breathing and lung health. You should work with your health care team to ensure you have a good variety of foods and a healthy diet plan.HERE ARE SOME NUTRITION GUIDELINES TO CONSIDER FOR HEALTHY BREATHING*:Choose complex carbohydrates such as whole grain bread and pasta, fresh fruits and vegetables.Limit simple carbohydrates such as table sugar, candy, cake and regular soft drinks.Eat 20-30 grams of fiber each day. This can be found in bread, pasta, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables.Eat a good source of protein twice a day. This helps keep respiratory muscles strong. Protein includes milk, eggs, cheese, meat, fish, poultry, nuts and dried beans or peas.Choose mono- and poly- unsaturated fats that don't contain cholesterol. Examples are canola, safflower and corn oils.Limit foods that contain trans-fat and saturated-fats such as butter, lard, fat and skin from meat, hydrogenated vegetable oil, shortening, fried foods and cookies.Check your weight regularly. If you continue to significantly lose or gain weight while following a recommended diet, see your health care professional.If assisting a loved one with breathing or other chronic lung issues, offer to help them shop for food. Choose foods that are easy to prepare. Encourage them to rest before eating and to eat earlier in the day to ensure that they eat before they get tired. Avoiding foods that cause gas or bloating will help make breathing easier. Eating smaller meals four to six times a day helps the diaphragm move freely and lets lungs fill easier. Consider drinking liquids an hour after eating to prevent feeling full.While recuperating in a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center such as Heartland or ManorCare, the dietitian will help to create a meal plan to meet nutritional goals and provide education and assistance on continuing this when returning home. Assisted living centers such as Arden Courts memory care communities will also provide a meal plan that meets the residents nutritional goals as well as the desire for independence while eating.*American Lung Association

Are you or a loved one struggling with a CPAP to treat obstructive sleep apnea?The sad truth is that many people who have had CPAP therapy prescribed to treat their obstructive sleep apnea are unable or unwilling to wear their CPAP every night for their entire length of sleep. While some patients are very compliant and use their CPAP faithfully every night as prescribed, there is research that suggests that non-tolerance/non-compliance with CPAP is over 80%. Once prescribed, there is usually little follow-up for these patients and like Supreme Court Justice Scalia, many will die in their sleep with their unused CPAP on the night stand or in the bedroom closet.Oral appliance therapy (OAT) is becoming the primary treatment for mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea when patient preference is taken into consideration. When effectiveness is coupled with actual compliance, the true effectiveness of oral appliances meets or exceeds the effectiveness of CPAP therapy.There are over 100 FDA-approved custom made oral appliances for obstructive sleep apnea and both Medicare and standard medical insurance plans cover oral appliance therapy performed by a qualified sleep dentist.Oral appliances need to be both custom-made and adjustable by the treating dentist over a series of visits with a home sleep test administered after 3-4 months treatment to validate effectiveness.It is important to make sure the dentist is qualified to treat obstructive sleep apnea in that they have one of the following designations:Sleep-Qualified Dentist of the American Academy of Dental Sleep MedicineFellow or Diplomate of the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders DisciplinesOSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) is found in over 92% of stroke patients and may be a primary cause of A-fib. Treating your obstructive sleep apnea can play an important role in the prevention of cardiac deaths and strokes.If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with A-fib, stroke, recent onset high blood pressure or congestive heart failure and have not yet had a sleep study, it is important to request your physician order one right away.___________________________________________Editors Note: This article was contributed by Terry M. Gordon, DDS Dental Director of PA Center for Dental Sleep Medicine and Sleep-Qualified Dentist of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Pennsylvania Center for Dental Sleep Medicine.

Coming Home After a Hospital Stay: Non-Medical Support in NampaComing home from the hospital can feel like a relief.But for many older adults, discharge is not the end of recovery. It is the beginning of a new phase that can include fatigue, weakness, medication changes, follow-up appointments, mobility challenges, meal preparation, and a temporary need for more help around the house.Families often discover that the senior is medically ready to leave the hospital but not quite ready to resume normal life independently.An adult child may be able to stay for a day or two. A spouse may help with meals. Neighbors may check in. But once everyone returns to work and regular routines, important gaps can appear.For seniors and families in Nampa, Idaho, non-medical home care can help bridge those gaps.Assisting Hands Home Care provides non-medical support in the Nampa area, including personal care, companionship, meals, light housekeeping, transportation, medication reminders, and transitional support after a hospital or rehabilitation stay. Seniors Blue Book identifies transitional care as one of the services available through the local Assisting Hands network.Why the First Days at Home MatterHospital care is structured.Someone brings meals.Medication schedules are monitored.Staff are available to help a patient get out of bed.A call button is nearby.Once the person returns home, much of that structure disappears.The older adult may suddenly have to manage:Getting dressedPreparing mealsWalking safely through the housePicking up prescriptionsRemembering new medication instructionsFollowing discharge paperworkScheduling follow-up appointmentsKeeping the home reasonably organizedThe person may technically be home, but they may still be recovering.That is an important distinction.Non-Medical Home Care Is Different From Home HealthFamilies sometimes confuse non-medical home care with home health care.They serve different purposes.Home health may involve skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, wound care, or other clinical services ordered by a physician.Non-medical home care focuses on everyday activities and practical support.Seniors Blue Book explains that non-medical home care may include bathing, dressing, meals, light housekeeping, transportation, medication reminders, and companionship. It can also be useful for people recovering from surgery or a hospital stay who are not yet ready to manage daily life completely on their own.A senior may receive both services at the same time.For example, a home health nurse might visit to monitor a medical condition while a non-medical caregiver helps with meals, dressing, transportation, and household routines.Why Transitional Care Can Be HelpfulRecovery rarely follows a perfect schedule.Someone who felt relatively strong in the hospital may become exhausted after walking from the bedroom to the kitchen.A spouse may realize that helping with transfers is physically harder than expected.A daughter may discover that Dad cannot safely prepare meals while using a walker.A son may notice that Mom is confused by new discharge instructions.Non-medical transitional care can help families respond to those realities.Assisting Hands published service materials include post-surgery care and broader personal assistance such as meal preparation, medication reminders, housekeeping, errands, personal care, and respite.Transition Tip: Before discharge, ask the hospital team what the senior will realistically need help with during the first week at home. Medically stable does not always mean fully independent.Start With the Discharge InstructionsHospital discharge paperwork can be confusing.A senior may leave with:Several new medicationsDiscontinued medicationsNew diet instructionsMobility restrictionsTherapy appointmentsSpecialist referralsFollow-up visitsWarning signs to watch forFamilies should review the paperwork carefully and identify which tasks are medical and which are practical.A non-medical caregiver cannot replace a nurse or physician, but they may help reinforce the daily routine built around those instructions.For example, a caregiver may provide medication reminders, prepare meals consistent with the familys instructions, help arrange transportation, and stay with the senior while they move through the home.Meal Preparation Can Support RecoveryRecovery takes energy.But cooking can be one of the first tasks that becomes difficult after hospitalization.A senior may experience:FatigueReduced appetiteDifficulty standingLimited use of an arm after surgeryMobility restrictionsPainWeaknessAssisting Hands includes meal preparation among its non-medical services in the Nampa area.That support can make it easier for the senior to focus on recovery rather than deciding how to prepare every meal.Families should communicate any physician-directed dietary restrictions clearly.Personal Care May Temporarily Require AssistanceSomeone who normally bathes and dresses independently may need short-term help after surgery or hospitalization.A walker, brace, pain, weakness, or restricted movement can make routine tasks difficult.Assistance may be needed with:BathingDressingGroomingToiletingMoving around the houseGetting in and out of bedAssisting Hands lists personal care and grooming among its Nampa services.Temporary help can allow a person to recover without turning every personal-care task into a physical struggle.Light Housekeeping Can Reduce StrainRecovery is usually not the right time for vacuuming or carrying laundry baskets.Yet household tasks continue whether someone is recovering or not.Non-medical support may help with routine chores such as:LaundryDishesBed linensLight cleaningTidyingTrashGrocery-related tasksAssisting Hands service materials include housekeeping as part of its broader support model.This kind of help is not about keeping the house perfect.It is about reducing unnecessary physical strain.Transportation Can Become a Major ChallengeFollow-up care frequently begins soon after discharge.The senior may need to visit:A primary care providerA surgeonA specialistPhysical therapyOccupational therapyA pharmacyA laboratoryFamilies may not always be available for every appointment.Transportation support can reduce the burden.Current Seniors Blue Book information for Assisting Hands lists transportation among available non-medical services.Families should discuss whether the caregiver can remain during the appointment and what transportation arrangements are available locally.Medication Reminders May Be Especially Useful After DischargeHospitalization often changes medications.A person may return home with new prescriptions while still having older medication bottles in the house.That can become confusing.A non-medical caregiver can provide reminders according to the established medication schedule, but medication management that requires clinical judgment should remain with qualified health professionals.Families can help by creating one current medication list and removing outdated instructions from the active routine after confirming changes with appropriate providers.Family Caregivers Need a Recovery Plan TooA hospital discharge can suddenly transform family schedules.An adult daughter may take several days off work.A spouse may sleep poorly because they are listening for movement overnight.A son may commute back and forth several times each day.The family may be able to maintain that pace temporarily.The question is whether they can sustain it.Non-medical home care allows families to divide responsibilities.A professional caregiver might cover mornings while family handles evenings.Another family may use care on weekdays when adult children are working.The arrangement does not have to be all or nothing.Nampas Growth Makes Flexible Home Care Increasingly RelevantNampa continues to grow quickly.The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the citys population at 120,384 in 2025, representing approximately 19.9% growth from its 2020 estimates base. About 14.5% of Nampa residents are age 65 or older.That means a significant number of local households are navigating aging, hospital recovery, family caregiving, and long-term care decisions.As the population grows, flexible services that help older adults transition safely back home become increasingly important.Transitional Care Can Be TemporaryOne advantage of non-medical home care is that the level of help can potentially change as recovery progresses.A senior may initially need daily support.After several weeks, they may need only occasional help.The care plan can be adjusted based on:StrengthMobilityPersonal-care abilityFamily availabilityTherapy progressOngoing health needsAssisting Hands offers care ranging from shorter visits to more extensive support, and Seniors Blue Book notes that the Nampa office provides non-medical services around the clock depending on the care arrangement.Transitional Care Can Also Reveal Longer-Term NeedsSometimes a hospitalization exposes challenges that existed before the medical event.The family may realize that the senior was already struggling with meals.Memory problems may become more obvious.Mobility may have been declining for months.The spouse may already have been overwhelmed.In those situations, short-term transitional support can become an opportunity to reassess the larger care plan.The family may decide to continue non-medical home care.They may increase services.They may begin exploring assisted living.The important thing is to make decisions based on the seniors actual needs rather than automatically returning to the old routine.Questions to Ask Before the Senior Comes HomeWhat Can the Senior Safely Do Alone?Ask specifically about walking, bathing, toileting, dressing, and meal preparation.Will Someone Need to Be Present at Night?Some people are most vulnerable during nighttime bathroom trips.What Equipment Is Coming Home?There may be a walker, wheelchair, oxygen equipment, or another device.Who Is Responsible for Medical Follow-Up?Identify the physician or provider handling post-discharge care.What Is the Family Able to Do?Be realistic about work schedules, distance, and physical ability.What Tasks Could a Home Care Agency Handle?Knowing these gaps before discharge makes arranging care much easier.Choosing Non-Medical Home Care After HospitalizationFamilies should ask the agency:Can care begin quickly after discharge?What is the minimum visit length?Are weekend visits available?Can caregivers assist with bathing and dressing?Is transportation offered?Can caregivers prepare meals?Is overnight or 24-hour support available?Can services be reduced as recovery improves?How are caregivers matched with clients?Current Seniors Blue Book information identifies the Nampa Assisting Hands office as serving clients with non-medical care ranging from companionship through full-time support, with specialized services that include stroke recovery and transitional care after hospital or rehabilitation stays.Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning and Elder LawShould powers of attorney be reviewed after a hospitalization?A major hospitalization can be a good reminder to review legal planning. Families may want to make sure financial and health care powers of attorney are current and that the appropriate people know where the documents are located.Does needing help after hospitalization mean someone needs guardianship?No. Temporary weakness or the need for personal assistance does not automatically affect legal decision-making capacity.What is conservatorship?Conservatorship generally involves court-appointed authority over another persons finances or property. It is a legal process and is separate from helping someone during recovery.Should estate planning change if the senior can no longer live independently?Possibly. Changes in health, housing, assets, and long-term care needs may justify reviewing existing documents with an Idaho attorney.When might an elder-law attorney become useful after hospitalization?An elder-law attorney may help with powers of attorney, estate planning, long-term-care planning, Medicaid questions, guardianship, conservatorship, and other legal issues that can become more relevant after a major health event.Making the Return Home More ManageableHospital discharge should not be treated as the moment when every support disappears.For many older adults, recovery continues for days, weeks, or months at home.A little help with bathing, meals, mobility, housekeeping, transportation, and daily routines can make that transition easier for both the senior and the family.For Nampa and Canyon County families, Assisting Hands Home Care provides non-medical services that can support older adults returning home after hospitalization, surgery, or rehabilitation.The current Nampa office is listed at 16080 N Idaho Center Boulevard, Suite 101, Nampa, Idaho 83687, with 208-442-8588 as the contact number.Families can learn more and connect with the local team through the Assisting Hands Home Care Nampa listing on SeniorsBlueBook.com.The goal of transitional care is simple: help the older adult move from hospital to home with enough practical support to recover safely, maintain dignity, and avoid placing the entire burden on family caregivers.