Germs are everywhere. Though the immune system often does a good job of protecting itself and fighting off bacteria and viruses, it can weaken as you age, or as the result of certain medical conditions or treatments. Fortunately, there are ways that you can support your immune system and overall health, especially as you get older.Keep Up with Recommended VaccinationsYou may have received a variety of vaccinations as a child, but there are other immunizations that are recommended for older adults. Vaccinations can prevent or significantly reduce the likelihood of you becoming sick or experiencing severe symptoms. Stay up-to-date and get any necessary boosters to strengthen your bodys defenses. Common immunizations and vaccinations for seniors include:Flu vaccine (annual)Pneumonia vaccine (annual)Covid-19 vaccine (as recommended)Shingles vaccineTd or Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria or tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis)Some seniors may also be encouraged to get Hepatitis B or HPV vaccines, or vaccinations relevant to any travel they have planned. Talk with your doctor to develop an appropriate vaccination plan for your health.Take Steps to Reduce Risk of InfectionIn addition to staying current with vaccinations, there are other ways that you can decrease your exposure to germs, reduce risk of common infections, and support your immune system.Wash your hands frequently. This includes after using the restroom, before and after preparing food, and after coming in contact with high-touch surfaces such as door handles, elevator buttons, railings, countertops, and credit card machines. If soap and water isnt available, use hand sanitizer.Avoid touching your face. Try to keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible. These are some of the easier places for germs to enter your body.Stay away from individuals who are ill. If someone you know has a cold, the flu, or another potentially contagious disease, wait to visit with them until they are feeling better.Finish antibiotics. If you are given a prescription, make sure you take it until it is gone, visit https://www.pittsburgheyeassociates.com/amoxil-treat-infections/. Even if you feel better, dont stop the antibiotic early or the infection may return.Clean and bandage any wounds. Open cuts or sores also provide easy access for bacteria or germs to enter your body and cause infection. Make sure you keep wounds clean and change dressings regularly to promote healing.Stay home if you are not feeling well. If you are starting to feel ill or just getting over being sick, make sure you get plenty of rest and stay home. Your immune system may already be weakened, and you dont want to risk exposing yourself (or others) to more germs.Be smart about where you go, what you do, and who you come in contact with. Be vigilant about cleaning your home, wiping down surfaces, and replacing air filters. While you cant prevent all contact with bacteria or viruses, you can do your part to minimize your exposure.An in-home caregiver can help you stay on top of light housekeeping, provide medication reminders, schedule appointments, and run local errands for you, especially if you are at higher risk for illness. They can also assist you with meal planning and preparation to ensure youre eating a well-balanced diet to boost your immune health.Contact Always Best Care at (855) 470-2273 to schedule a free consultation and find out how you can benefit from non-medical in-home care.

Depression affects people of all ages, but it is not a natural part of aging. It is normal for seniors to feel periods of sadness or grief over changes to their health or a friends passing, but this shouldnt be a persistent feeling that negatively impacts their quality of life. Depression is a treatable medical condition.One of the most recognizable signs of depression is prolonged feelings of sadness or hopelessness, but there are a multitude of other symptoms seniors may experience as well. Some people may not even realize these are related to depression:Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyedChanges in sleep habits insomnia or increased tirednessChanges in appetiteAches or pains not related to another medical conditionIrritabilityTrouble concentratingOlder adults should talk to their doctor about changes in their overall well-being or things that seem out of the ordinary for them. Being open and honest can help seniors to get the help they need to feel better and make the most of each day.Taking Steps to Prevent DepressionThere are ways that seniors can be proactive about their mental health and improving their quality of life. Loneliness and isolation are two major factors that can contribute to depression, especially for seniors aging in place. Here are a few ideas for building connections and boosting mood:Pursue hobbies. Explore different activities and groups, whether independently or through a community group. Joining a book club, taking an art class, playing golf, or learning to play piano can be mentally stimulating. Seniors can use their free time for hobbies they find enjoyable, or to learn something new.Get involved in the community. Volunteering is a wonderful way to socialize and stay connected while making a difference. Spending a few hours helping in the library, working at an animal shelter, tutoring children, organizing a special event, or greeting guests at a local hospital or business can be very rewarding. It allows seniors to stay involved in things that are important to them and meet new people.Stay active. Exercise is essential for mental health. Physical activity releases endorphins that boost mood and staying active can help release stress and tension. Regular exercise can also improve mobility, balance, flexibility, and coordination which can enhance overall health and happiness.Spend time with family and friends. Schedule regular calls or visits with loved ones. Video chatting can be a great way to see those who are too far to meet up with in person. Have lunch with a friend once a week and try a new restaurant or recipe. Maintaining connections can reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation and build a strong sense of community.Find a sense of purpose. Seniors should strive to find something that makes them happy and motivates them to get up each day. Whether that is caring for a pet, spending time with grandchildren, traveling, or knitting blankets for people in need, it is something that is meaningful to them and gives them a sense of purpose.Life has a lot of ups and downs, but there are ways to weather these changes and maintain a positive quality of life. Depression is not a condition that seniors have to handle on their own. Partnering with a non-medical in-home caregiver can be a wonderful source of companionship for seniors, help them stay involved in activities they enjoy, assist with tasks around the home, and much more. Learn more by calling (855) 470-2273 to schedule a care consultation with Always Best Care.

Alzheimers disease is a progressive condition that impacts virtually every aspect of an individuals life. While you want to ensure that your aging parent is well cared for, it can be difficult to predict their needs because sometimes they are fully alert and oriented, and other times they are confused and disoriented. In-home care can be an effective way of providing them with the support they need, when they need it.In-Home Care Provides StabilityAllowing your aging parent to continue living in their own home for as long as possible helps them to maintain routines in a familiar environment. They are comfortable in their house, and they know where things are. Moving them to assisted living or a nursing home may create more confusion and frustration for them, especially if they do not require that level of care.Services are FlexibleYou can schedule a caregiver to come during the times when your loved one most needs it, whether that is first thing in the morning, during the evening, or throughout the day. They may come a few hours a week or a few hours a day. A caregiver can provide the level of support your senior needs as well, allowing them to remain as independent as possible and stepping in to assist as necessary.Enhanced SafetyCaregivers can work with seniors to maintain a safer home environment and reduce fall risks. They can assist with light housekeeping, organization, meal preparation, medication reminders, bathing, dressing, and running errands. While at the home, they can look for potential risks such as cords or clutter obstructing walkways, unsecured rugs, or burned-out lightbulbs. A caregiver can also help to prevent wandering and escort your loved one on outings should they become confused.In-Home Care Offers CompanionshipA caregiver can sit with your senior and talk, whether they are discussing current events or remembering times past. They can help your loved one work through moments of confusion, anxiety, and forgetfulness, providing reassurance and support. In addition, they can assist seniors with sticking to their routine and staying active throughout the day, so they do not throw off their sleep schedule with long naps.In-home care can cover your loved ones needs during times when you or other family members or friends are unable to be there. Caregivers work with you to understand your aging parents unique needs, abilities, and goals to provide the right level of care and support. Partner with a caregiver who is experienced in working with individuals with Alzheimers disease and can adjust to their changing needs.Contact Always Best Care at (855) 470-2273 to learn more about how our caregivers can assist individuals with Alzheimers disease and help them remain as independent and safe as possible while aging in place. Schedule a care consultation today to get started.

Your aging parents spent many years caring for you, so it can be incredibly rewarding to give back and spend time caring for them. However, this can also be challenging when trying to balance your own family, job, and obligations. Creating a routine can be a good place to start so that you have a better idea of your schedule and know what needs to be done and when.Here are a few other ways to keep things running more smoothly and reduce risk of burnout.Keep Your Aging Parent InvolvedYou dont have to feel responsible for everyone and everything. Let your aging parent remain as independent as possible. Figure out what they are able to do on their own, and what they need some assistance doing. There may be small changes you can make around their home to enhance their safety and independence.Talk to them about how you can best support them and whether there are any programs or groups they want to be part of. Dropping them off at the rec center or a friends house can help them stay active and give you some time to yourself.Share the ResponsibilityIt can be difficult talking to family about caring for your loved one, especially if you have been the primary caregiver for a while. Dont be afraid to ask for help; sometimes others dont step up because they are not sure what to do or think you have it handled. Be open about how others can share the responsibilities, such as driving to or from appointments, making meals, helping with housekeeping or laundry, or simply spending time with your loved one.Work together to create a schedule that fits your seniors needs while sharing tasks in a fair and balanced manner. Make sure everyone knows what they are responsible for and communicates with one another if changes need to be made.Practice Self CareDont forget to take some time for yourself. Make it a point to schedule some activities that you like to do, whether that is lunch with a friend, or some quiet time alone reading a good book. Make arrangements to have someone else come help care for your aging parent or coordinate respite care so you can unwind and recharge. You are no good to yourself or anyone else if you are burned out.Partner with an In-Home CaregiverIn-home care can provide you and your loved one with valuable support. You can schedule a trained caregiver to come in for a few hours a week or a few hours a day, depending on what your family needs. What times are most challenging for you to manage? What tasks does your aging parent need extra help with?From assistance with morning or nighttime routines, meal planning and preparation, and light housekeeping to escorting on errands, giving medication reminders, and offering companionship, in-home care services can be tailored to meet your seniors unique needs and preferences.Give yourself the opportunity to truly enjoy the time you get to spend with your loved one by working with an in-home caregiver who can provide just the right level of assistance. Take some of the responsibility off of your shoulders and know that your senior is in good hands. Contact Always Best Care today at (855) 470-2273 to schedule a free consultation.

Maintaining good health can go a long way in reducing cancer risk, and a well-balanced diet is part of the equation. Eating nutritious meals can give seniors bodies the fuel they need for a strong immune system and faster recovery as well as reducing cancer risk. There are many factors that can affect a persons risk, including genetics, environment, lifestyle, and diet. While diet alone may not prevent cancer, it can play an integral role in overall health.What to Look ForWhen building a well-balanced diet to reduce cancer risk, here are a few things to keep in mind:Incorporate more whole foods into your diet and fewer processed foods.Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains.Limit foods that have high levels of added sugar, sodium, or preservatives.Do some research and look for foods that contain phytochemicals or phytonutrients. These are naturally occurring compounds that can be found in a wide range of plants and may help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer. There are different types of phytochemicals that may do everything from preventing and repairing cell damage to inhibiting tumor growth to boosting immunity.What Foods to EatAs you create your meal plans, the more colorful the meals, the better! Visit your local farmers market to find fresh, seasonal vegetables. Stock up on fruits and vegetables that are dark green, red, yellow, or orange. If you cant find fresh produce, frozen or canned can work well too, just make sure they are not packaged in sugary syrups or sodium-laden preservatives.Healthy options include:Spinach, kale, Bok choy, or other dark leafy greensBroccoliSweet potatoesTomatoesCarrotsOrangesStrawberriesBlueberriesEdamameDont forget to incorporate some whole grains as well while limiting refined carbohydrates. Swap out white rice for brown rice, regular pasta for whole wheat pasta, and white bread for whole grain bread.When picking a protein, choose lean meats such as chicken or turkey, as well as fish. Lentils, eggs, chickpeas, black beans, and pinto beans can also be great plant-based protein sources.Cooking TipsMix things up and eat a variety of raw vegetables as well as cooked ones. Find ways to incorporate cancer-fighting foods into your diet wherever possible, and shop around the perimeter of the store because that is often where the less processed foods are found.Punch up the flavor using fresh herbs and spices as opposed to salt or butter. A little bit of olive oil is a healthy fat, but dont overdo it.Bulk up soups and pasta sauces by adding extra veggies.Blend nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables into a smoothie.Eat raw vegetables as a snack or roast them as a delicious side dish.Include whole grains to keep you feeling fuller longer and increase your fiber intake.These same tips also apply if you are in treatment or remission from cancer. You want to support your body with plenty of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to help it heal and fight off infection.Get Help with Meal Planning and PreparationSeniors dont have to do everything on their own. In-home care providers can be a wonderful resource and source of support. They can help with meal planning, shopping, and food preparation so that seniors have easy access to a healthier diet that fits their nutritional needs and goals. This can be especially helpful if using knives or appliances is unsafe, if it is difficult for seniors to navigate the kitchen or store, or if they are undergoing cancer treatment. An in-home caregiver can also provide companionship during meals to encourage aging adults to eat and make sure foods are safely prepared and stored.Learn more about the benefits of partnering with a nonmedical in-home caregiver by contacting Always Best Care at (855) 470-2273 to schedule a care consultation.