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Reducing
Avoidable Hospitalizations Due to UTIs
Urinary tract infections
(UTIs) remain a significant driver of care complications and hospital
admissions each year in the United States, especially for older adults.
As the second most common type
of infection, UTIs are very common in the U.S. In fact, about 10 in 25 women
and 3 in 25 men will experience UTI symptoms during their lifetime. In older
adults, UTIs are the third leading cause for hospitalization for infection and
impact many home health care patients each year.
Further complicating the
picture for this patient population is the fact that symptoms of a urinary
tract infection in older populations often present atypically, especially in
those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. To avoid costly hospital stays,
it’s important to follow current evidence-based practices to identify and
manage UTIs in elderly populations.
Common UTI
Symptoms
Common risk factors for UTI in
older adults include previous history of UTI, multiple comorbidities, exposure
to infectious pathogens (more common in long-term care facilities), reduced
immunity (common with aging) and urinary catheter use. Of identified
infections, Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common cause.
Monitoring for the following
signs of UTI in older adults can support proactive diagnosis:
Classic UTI
Symptoms
Because UTIs affect different
parts of the urinary system, symptoms might present differently:
·
Infection in the kidneys can come with back or
side pain
·
Infection in the bladder can come with pelvic
pressure, lower belly discomfort and frequent, painful urination
·
Infection in the urethra can come with burning
during urination and possible discharge
·
In cases of severe infection, fever and chills,
nausea, vomiting, and abnormal urine odor can be late symptoms.
·
For some older adults, these classic symptoms
might be harder to recognize because of a suppressed immune response.
UTI Symptoms Specific to Older
Adults
For older adults, symptoms
might also include:
Mental status changes like
confusion or unusual behavior
·
Incontinence
·
Agitation
·
Lethargy
·
Falling
·
Urinary retention
·
Decreased mobility
·
Decreased appetite
How to Avoid
UTIs in Elderly Populations
Late signs of UTI are cause
for alarm, with 25% of sepsis cases attributable to UTIs. Some tips for helping
prevent UTIs in vulnerable populations include:
1. Understand common risks in
older adults.
A person’s health history can
reveal a lot about their likelihood of experiencing a UTI. For example,
diabetes can impact the immune system’s response to defense against germs.
Bladder incontinence—common in older populations—can also increase the risk of
a UTI.
2. Encourage adequate fluid
intake.
Research supports increasing
hydration (if not on a fluid restricted diet) as a strategy for reducing risk
of UTI. Staying hydrated can also help improve immune response.
3. Avoid urinary tract
irritants.
Coffee, alcohol, highly acidic
foods and carbonated soft drinks are common urinary tract irritants that should
be avoided during a UTI. However, if someone is prone to UTIs, it’s best
practice to avoid these irritants in general.
4. Encourage proper hygiene.
In addition to taking daily
showers, regularly changing underwear and washing clothes consistently, those
who require incontinence briefs should change several times a day.
5. Avoid urinary catheters.
Catheter-acquired urinary
tract infections (CAUTIs) are a significant source of infection and related
healthcare costs each year in the United States. Initiatives to reduce the use
of catheters have shown large reductions in the rate of infection.
Reducing
Avoidable Hospitalization
If a UTI does occur,
partnering with a home health provider that prioritizes a strong evidence-based
UTI protocol can help ensure patients avoid hospitalization. At Amedisys, our
UTI protocol includes advanced molecular testing for rapid identification of
urinary pathogens with more accurate results and targeted treatment
recommendations. In addition to proactive management of UTI symptoms, our
nurses provide education on proper hygiene, symptoms of UTI to watch for and
measures to prevent UTIs. This includes support for coexisting conditions that
increase the risk of UTI, with resources like our home health diabetes care
program to help patients lead healthier lives.
To help prevent UTIs in your
patients, we created a resource highlighting just what you need to know so that
you can do your job more efficiently. Download and print out a copy of Reducing
Avoidable Hospitalizations Due to UTIs.
Our eyes are incredibly precious, yet its easy to take our vision for granted until problems arise. Lets focus on proactive steps to maintain and improve our eye health. Here are some tips to keep your vision in top shape: Schedule Regular Eye Exams: One of the best ways to safeguard your vision is by scheduling regular eye exams. Comprehensive eye exams can detect vision problems early on, allowing for prompt treatment and prevention of further complications. Make it a priority to see your eye doctor at least once a year, even if you dont currently wear glasses or contact lenses. Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays: Just like your skin, your eyes can be damaged by the suns harmful UV rays. Whenever youre outdoors, especially on bright, sunny days, wear sunglasses that offer UV protection. Look for sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to shield your eyes from potential damage. Give Your Eyes a Break from Screens: In todays digital age, many of us spend a significant amount of time staring at screens, whether its for work, leisure, or staying connected. Prolonged screen time can lead to digital eye strain, characterized by symptoms like dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches. To reduce eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. Eat a Balanced Diet: Nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining eye health. Incorporate foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants, such as leafy greens, colorful fruits and vegetables, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, and nuts and seeds. These nutrients can help protect against age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts. Practice Good Eye Hygiene: Proper eye hygiene is essential for preventing eye infections and irritation. Wash your hands frequently, especially before touching your eyes or handling contact lenses. Follow your eye doctors recommendations for contact lens care, including proper cleaning, disinfecting, and storage. Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can contribute to dry eyes, so be sure to drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day. Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily to keep your eyes and body hydrated. Get Plenty of Sleep: Adequate sleep is crucial for overall health, including eye health. During sleep, your eyes receive much-needed rest and replenishment. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to help reduce eye fatigue and maintain optimal visual function.By incorporating these simple yet effective tips into your daily routine, you can help protect and preserve your precious eyesight for years to come.Your eyesight is irreplaceable, so take care of your eyes today for a brighter tomorrow!
For home health providers, connecting with the right audience can be challenging in a competitive digital landscape. Families and caregivers searching for reliable services often turn to online platforms to find trusted senior care options. Free senior care listings on seniorsbluebook.com are an invaluable tool to enhance home health provider marketing, increase visibility, and attract potential clients without breaking the bank. In this blog post, we will explore five key benefits of utilizing free listings and how they can transform your marketing efforts. 1. Increased Online Visibility Being listed on seniorsbluebook.com is an excellent way to highlight your business. With detailed profiles and accurate contact information, families searching for home health providers in your area can find you quickly and easily. Tip: Ensure your listing includes relevant keywords, such as "home health provider marketing," to maximize search engine optimization (SEO). 2. Build Trust and Credibility A presence on reputable senior care listing platforms establishes your business as a trusted and reliable option. Listings often allow providers to include customer reviews and testimonials, which can significantly influence the decision-making process for families. Best Practice: Encourage satisfied clients to leave positive reviews on your listing to build credibility. 3. Cost-Effective Marketing Free listings (like the ones found on seniorsbluebook.com) provide a budget-friendly way to promote your services. Unlike paid advertising campaigns, free listings require little to no investment while delivering measurable results. This makes them an excellent choice for home health providers looking to expand their reach without overspending. Tip: Combine free listings with other marketing strategies like social media and email campaigns for maximum impact. 4. Reach a Targeted Audience Senior care listings cater specifically to families and caregivers actively searching for home health providers. This targeted audience ensures your marketing efforts are focused on reaching the right people, increasing the likelihood of generating quality leads. Tip: Keep your profile updated with accurate information about your services, specialties, and availability to attract the most relevant inquiries. 5. Position Your Business for Growth Free listings are an excellent starting point for building an online presence. They help establish a foundation for future growth, whether you are looking to expand services, explore premium listing options, or invest in advanced marketing strategies. By leveraging free listings, you position your business for sustained success in the competitive senior care market. Additional Tips for Maximizing Free Listings Add High-Quality Images: Highlight your team, facilities, or services with professional photos to make your listing more appealing. Use Keywords Strategically: Incorporate terms like "home health provider marketing" to improve search rankings. Monitor and Update Regularly: Keep your listing current to reflect changes in services, contact information, or availability. Engage with Inquiries Promptly: Respond quickly to questions or messages from potential clients to build trust and increase conversion rates. Free senior care listings are a powerful and cost-effective tool for home health providers to enhance online visibility, build trust, and connect with the right audience. By taking advantage of these platforms, you can position your business for long-term growth and success. Whether you are just starting or looking to expand your reach, free listings provide an easy and effective way to stand out in the crowded senior care market. Seniors Blue Book is here to help home health providers maximize their marketing potential with free listings. Join our platform today to highlight your services, engage potential clients, and take the first step toward greater visibility and success. Visit Seniors Blue Book now to get started!
How to Prevent & Treat Joint Pain Most of us never think about our joints until they start to hurt. As we age, we lose strength and flexibility in our tendons and ligaments. As our joints get tighter, it may become harder to move. The cartilage between our bones of the joints also starts to break down; this leads to inflammation and osteoarthritis, the most common joint disorder. Taking care of your joints can help reduce joint pain and stiffness. Five Tips to Keep Your Joints Healthy 1. Stay at a healthy weight. Carrying extra body weight puts strain on thejoints, especially the knees. On the flip side, being underweight can lead to a lackof muscle, which helps keep your joints strong and stable. Aim for a healthy weightbased on your height and body type. 2. Exercise every day and make sure to warm up before and cool down after.You may think it's better to limit exercise if your joints are hurting, but regularmovement and exercise is one of the best ways to prevent and help joint pain.Exercise strengthens the muscles around joints, helping to take pressure off them.If you have joint pain, stick to low-impact activities like biking, swimming,and walking. The more you move, the more likely youll keep moving without painand stiffness as you age. It's also important to stretch before and after you exercise to loweryour risk of straining joints and muscles. Just five minutes of stretching beforeexercise to warm up your joints and five minutes after to cool down will helpprevent workout injuries. 3. Add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet. A Mediterranean diet richin fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and healthy fats reduces joint pain. Addthese other anti-inflammatory foods to your grocery list: Tomatoes Olive oil Green leafy vegetables, like spinach, kale, and collards Nuts like almonds and walnuts Fatty fish, like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines Fruits, like strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges 4. Make sure you're drinking enough water. Your bodys cartilage thatcushions your joints is made up of 80% water. When you get dehydrated, yourbody starts pulling water from other sources, including cartilage. This leads to jointpain and a greater risk of injury. 5. If you smoke, it's time to quit! Smoking is a risk factor for everything, fromheart and lung problems to cancer and joint pain. Smoking increases inflammationthroughout the body. This makes it harder for your body to heal if you injure yourjoints. To quit smoking, seek support and a treatment plan from your Primary CareProvider. His or her phone number is on the back of your Viva Medicare ID card. Contact Viva Health to find out more about Medicare Plans in the Alabama area. Call 800-633-8472 to find out more!
Whether youre recovering from surgery or illness, or living with an ongoing condition like diabetes or heart problems, Amedisys Home Health Care in Brewton is here to help. We can help you recover, manage your condition and live as independently as possible. Following the plan of care developed with your doctor, our home health care team can deliver the care you need where you need it most: at home.With Amedisys Home Health Care in Brewton, youll work with an experienced team that understands the challenges youre facing and is passionate about helping you get better. You and your family will have peace of mind knowing youre being cared for by highly trained, carefully screened home health care professionals.
Whether youre recovering from surgery or illness, or living with an ongoing condition like diabetes or heart problems, Amedisys Home Health Care in Foley is here to help. We can help you recover, manage your condition and live as independently as possible. Following the plan of care developed with your doctor, our home health care team can deliver the care you need where you need it most: at home.With Amedisys Home Health Care in Foley, youll work with an experienced team that understands the challenges youre facing and is passionate about helping you get better. You and your family will have peace of mind knowing youre being cared for by highly trained, carefully screened home health care professionals.
Amedisys Home Health in Mobile provides in-home health care for people managing chronic illness or recovering from a surgery or injury. We make visits to patient's homes in cities throughout Mobile County. These include Mobile, Theodore, Semmes, Grand Bay, Saraland, Wilmer, Eight Mile, Irvington, Prichard, Satsuma, Dauphin Island and other communities within about 50 miles of our care center. Call us at (251) 380-0492 to find out if we provide home health care in your area.