When someone you love has been diagnosed with dementia, it can be overwhelming. Questions need to be answered, decisions need to be made, and educational resources are crucial to understanding how the disease will progress, what to expect, and how to best help the senior.While theres a preconceived notion that nursing home care is inevitable for someone with dementia, there is actually a viable alternative in many cases: respite care from a referred care provider at American, Advocate or Whitsyms In-Home Care. Respite care services allow seniors to remain at home, where theyre most comfortable. And they allow family caregivers the opportunity for regular breaks from providing care something that is critical to their own health and wellbeing.Here are just a few reasons that care at home for someone with dementia is preferred:Routines are important for those with dementia, to help minimize confusion and disorientation. Respite care at home allows seniors to follow routines they are already accustomed to with the familiarity of family caregivers.Respite care services are highly personalized according to each persons specific needs and challenges. The referred care provider will follow the family caregivers lead, with the added benefit of being able to provide recommendations for creative solutions to the any difficulties or issues being faced.Skilled dementia care providers understand how to ensure a calm, soothing environment for someone with dementia. They know, for instance, never to argue with someone with dementia or try to correct the person. They can also incorporate music, art, and other types of meaningful activities into each day to enhance quality of life.Continuing to live at home alleviates a particular type of stress for someone with dementia known as transfer trauma. Transfer trauma in dementia is common, resulting from relocation and leading to a greater chance for the senior to wander and to feel anxious, isolated, and depressed.The benefits of respite care services extend to family members as well. The stress associated with providing dementia care for a loved one can quickly lead to health concerns such as caregiver burnout and depression. These conditions can also negatively impact the senior who is receiving care.Family members need to ensure plenty of time for their own self-care, for relaxing, enjoyable activities, to spend time with family members and friends, and to take care of other obligations. Respite care can be arranged on a regular, consistent basis whether just a few hours once a week or every day, and even overnight.At American, Advocate and Whitsyms In-Home Care, were pleased to refer care providers who can help through:Companionship for conversations, reminiscing, and other meaningful activities to enhance cognitive functioningEvaluation of overall health and wellbeingPersonal hygiene assistance such as showering/bathing, getting dressed and using the bathroomMedication managementMeals and eatingAnd moreWeve been the trusted choice for respite care services in Florida for decades, with a family of brands located throughout the state. To learn more, contact the location nearest you:American In-Home Care  Serving North, Central, and West Coast of FloridaAdvocate In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest FloridaWhitsyms In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest Florida

September is Healthy Aging Month, an awareness campaign designed to bring attention to the many positive aspects of growing older. While growing older does have many benefits, its important for older adults to take charge of their overall mental and physical health and wellness. Making healthy aging a priority, rather than an afterthought, helps older adults remain active and independent.To help ensure that older adults prioritize healthy aging, the Florida care experts at American, Advocate and Whitsyms In-Home Care share these 10 tips:1. Prioritize fall prevention. Incorporating exercises that focus on balance and strength are critical for reducing the chances of a fall. Each year, older adult falls result in a variety of medical emergencies, but with a focus on exercises that build leg strength and balance, the risk of falls can be significantly reduced.2. Walk more. Regular walking helps older adults stay active and mobile. Whether walking to the store, at a local mall, around the block or at a nearby park, walking is something that can be done almost anywhere. Walking is a great form of exercise that is easy on the joints, strengthens muscles, increases flexibility, and provides a number of mental and physical health benefits. Figure out the average number of steps taken per day by using a smartphone or activity bracelet and then make a commitment to increase this number a little bit each day.3. Socialize. Maintaining friendships and connections throughout aging helps maintain mental and physical health. Scheduling a regular lunch with friends, volunteering at a local non-profit, participating in a book club at the library, or inviting family over for dinner are just a few examples of the ways in which older adults can maintain connections to people and their community, and to bring purpose to life.4. Vaccinate. There are a number of vaccines physicians recommend for adults 65 years and older. They include: an annual flu shot; pneumonia; shingles; COVID-19; and Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap). Speak with a physician to discuss individual medical history and for recommendations on vaccinations.5. Request a medication review. Schedule an appointment with a physician for a medication review to go over the prescribed and over-the-counter medications being taken. Ask the physician to identify any medications that may decrease cognitive function, make one groggy, or increase fall risk. Work with the physician to determine if medication doses can be decreased, if there are other medications available that may have fewer side effects, or if any can be safely stopped.6. Create (or update) a personal health record. A personal health record (PHR) is a centralized location where all important medical information is kept. A PHR provides an accurate picture of an older adults health and can help ensure better and safer medical care. A PRH can help older adults quickly get the care needed in an emergency situation, a second opinion, or provide a new member of the older adults medical team with needed health information.7. Review (or create) an advance healthcare directive. An advance directive is a legal document that details how medical decisions should be made on ones behalf if they are incapacitated. This provides a guide for loved ones and the healthcare team to honor ones wishes. Since peoples preferences regarding their medical care may change over time, its important to revisit an advance healthcare directive frequently and update if needed.8. Review (or create) advance financial planning. It is often assumed that if an older adult were to become incapacitated and unable to manage their finances that his or her spouse would take over responsibility. In fact, this is not possible without a durable power of attorney that covers finances. Ensuring that this legal document is in place provides peace of mind for both the older adult and their family members.9. Make and keep medical appointments. As people age, it becomes more important than ever to make and keep regular wellness exams and schedule routine screenings. Whether an annual physical, a quarterly medication check, an annual eye exam, a mammogram, a colonoscopy, or other preventative measures, making and keeping these appointments helps older adults remain proactive in their healthcare.10. Plan for long-term care. When asked, most older adults would choose to age in place remaining in the home, neighborhood and community they love. With the help of referred care providers from American, Advocate and Whitsyms In-Home Care, this is easier than ever before. Offering a variety of medical and non-medical in-home care services that help older adults remain active, independent and engaged throughout the aging process, the referred care providers bring peace of mind to seniors and their families.To learn more healthy aging tips and for additional information on the wide variety of in-home care services offered by referred caregivers throughout Florida, reach out to your local office at American, Advocate, or Whitsyms In-Home Care.American In-Home Care  Serving North, Central, and West Coast of FloridaAdvocate In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest FloridaWhitsyms In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest Florida

While the holidays are exciting, fun, and joyful, they can also be hectic and stressful. It can be easy to put aside the things we do to take care of ourselves, the little me time we spend to reset and recharge. You may feel like you dont have time or just cant be bothered, but its important for us, especially during this time of year, to engage with the things that center us mental, physically, and soulfully.According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 38% of people feel increased stress levels during the holidays, and only 8% of people say they feel happier. Financial concerns, work pressures, deadlines, loneliness, family dynamics, travel, organizational frustrations, and expectations all mount during the holiday season. These things can put a strain on anyone. This is why its so important to take care of ourselves during the holidays. MindIf you dont already practice meditation, it is a great way to reduce stress and practice mindfulness. Meditation can offer you perspective and recognize your negative thoughts and behavior, allowing you to let them go. It helps increase your level of calm and take a break it also helps you mentally reset and find your center. The great thing about meditation is that there are several ways to practice it, making it an easy, flexible exercise you can do anywhere. You can do a meditative dance, a walk, yoga, drawing, or just sit quietly with your eyes closed. Dont know how to meditate? No problem, there are tons of meditation apps out there that can help you find the practice that works best for you (Insight Timer, Calm, Headspace). If youre religious, remember that prayer is also a form of meditation. If you already meditate regularly, maintain your practice throughout the holidays, maybe even increase it, if you feel the need. BodyYou probably saw this one coming, but exercise is a deeply important way for us to practice self-care. It allows us a physical release from the stresses of the holidays and it helps increase your energy levels.This doesnt mean you have to be hitting the gym every day, it can be as simple as a walk around the park with your friends, maybe park a bit further out from the store while grocery shopping, or take the stairs instead of an elevator. A regular walk can help stave off depression and anxiety, while boosting a sense of wellbeing. Regular exercise will also help you sleep better at night and get better rest. Again, there are many ways your exercise can look: yoga, dancing, swimming, tai chi, etc. Its important to find the things that work for you and maintain the practice throughout the holidays.SoulWe know its a bit chillier this time of year, but spending time outdoors does wonders for the soul (as well as your mind and body). Research shows that just two hours in nature a week can have positive effects on your soul.  It allows you to reconnect with nature and the earth, as well as offer a sense of verve and liveliness that can get lost when we spend too much time insulated in our homes and shopping centers. It offers you a moment of mindfulness and can provide us a moment to practice gratitude and release negative thoughts. So find a park that you like, or your favorite trail to walk along and breathe in that fresh air, listen to the trees and leaves, and feel the breeze on your face. You may have noticed some similarities and overlap between these three practices, and that shouldnt come as a surprise either. The mind, body, and soul are all interlinked, and whats good for one is usually good for the other, and has a ripple effect through your overall wellbeing. We know that what is actually self care can often look and feel self-indulgent, but its not. As stated by the International Self-Care Foundation: Self-Care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness. It is a broad concept encompassing hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (type and quality of food eaten), lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure etc), environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.) socio-economic factors (income level, cultural beliefs, etc.). So find the different ways self care looks for you, and maintain your practices throughout the holidays. You wont regret it.

Lets Get Heart Smart February Is American Heart MonthBy the time you read this, the reported deaths from COVID-19 and its variants in the U.S. will be close to 900,000. As staggering as that statistic is, its 400,000 short of the number of Americans killed by Heart Disease in the same time period. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women of most racial and ethnic groups.Lets not allow the topic to overwhelm the fact theres a miracle inside your chest. Weighing about as much as a grapefruit, the heart is a powerful pump that drives five to six quarts of blood to every microscopic part of your body every second. And if it fails for even a second, the body is very unforgiving. Even though its the one piece of machinery driven by the brain, we tend to treat the heart like a kitchen appliance that we take for granted. Rarely serviced, rarely cleaned, and overworked until it burns out. Although heart bypass and transplant have become routine since the pioneering operations in the 1960s, its not like replacing the coffee maker you neglected too long. One Thing at a TimeThe better way to treat your heart with the respect it deserves is to start with changing just small habits. That way, youll avoid the relapse from trying to change everything at once and falling back to unhealthy heart habits inside of a month. The most obvious: if youre a smoker or heavy drinker, work on that first. Imagine a small team of remodelers arriving at your heart to do a makeover. The first thing theyre going to say is, Well, we cant do anything with the plumbing until we clear the smoke.Look for Help During Heart MonthQuitting smoking and reducing alcohol is never easy, but this is probably as good a time as any during the year to start a cessation program with help. February is American Heart Month, so youre likely to be reminded frequently of heart health and offered tips on modifying your routine to help your heart and prolong a happy life. If you only look to one place, trust the American Heart Association www.heart.org. Prediabetes and Heart DiseaseWhats your blood sugar level? If you dont know, you should find out from your doctor if youre not already monitoring it yourself. You could be pre-diabetic without knowing it or showing any symptoms. Theres a good chance you could avoid becoming diabetic and reverse your pre-diabetic blood sugar to normal with relatively little change to your diet and a slight increase inyour activity. Diabetes has long been linked to heart disease, but recent studies suggest that reversing prediabetes is also linked to fewer heart attacks and strokes. [Reversing Prediabetes linked to fewer heart attacks, strokes, heart.org, Jan. 26, 2021.]While youre at it, get your cholesterol tested and routinely monitor your blood pressure.If youre worried you might be at risk for heart disease, ask your doctor to perform a simple cholesterol test to let you know if youre at risk and should adjust your diet. Home blood pressure monitors are not expensive, theyre digital, and theyre easy to use. Blood pressure stations are common in supermarkets now, and you can also check your weight and pulse. Womens Heart HealthWhy the emphasis on womens heart health? The American Heart Association tells us that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year about one woman every minute. They devote an entire website to womens heart health: Go Red for Women (www.goredforwomen.org). Here are just a few of the common misconceptions about womens heart health:Myth: Heart disease is for men, and cancer is the real threat for womenFact: Heart disease is a killer that strikes more women than men and is more deadly than all cancer forms combined. While one in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, heart disease is the cause of one out of every three deaths.Myth: Heart disease is for old peopleFact: Heart disease affects women of all ages. For younger women, the combination of birth control pills and smoking boosts heart disease risks by 20 percent. Heart defects are more common than you might think: 1.3 million Americans alive today have some form of congenital heart defect and at least nine of every 1,000 infants born each year have a heart defect. Even if you live a completely healthy lifestyle, being born with an underlying heart condition can be a risk factor.Myth: I run marathons no way I could be at risk.Fact: Factors like cholesterol, eating habits, and smoking can counterbalance your other healthy habits. You can be thin and have high cholesterol. The American Heart Association says to start getting your cholesterol checked at age 20. Earlier, if your family has a history of heart disease.Age and Heart HealthMany things, like wine and most people, grow better with age. The heart, however, takes more tending than a glass of fine wine. Avoid things that weaken your heart beyond the normal aging process. These are the usual suspects: smoking and tobacco use, lack of exercise, diet, alcohol, overeating, and stress. Some preexisting conditions you cant control: irregular heartbeat, congenital (inherited) heart defects, sleep apnea (although this may be a product of obesity or alcohol consumption).Viruses and MyocarditisMyocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle mostly caused by a virus, including COVID-19, and can lead to left-sided heart failure. The left ventricle of the heart is the part that pumps oxygen-rich blood back to the body. This valve tends to stiffen with age. Thats one of the many reasons why age combined with a preexisting condition puts you at greater risk of death from COVID-19. Even survivors of the novel coronavirus infection can sustain permanent heart damage. All people must protect themselves and others from COVID-19 by observing precautions, not just because of its immediate lethality but also because of its impact on the heart, known and unknown.How to Start with Your HeartThe factors involved in heart health and the onset of heart disease are many, varied, and complicated. But the common preventions (listed here, from the Mayo Clinic) are simple. You probably already know them by heart, so to speak:Not smokingControlling certain conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetesStaying physically activeEating healthy foodsMaintaining a healthy weightReducing and managing stressThose may seem like six significant challenges, especially if you take on all six. But you should notice something else about them. Almost every one of them can affect the other five. So, if you pick one, youll find it easier to take on the next one. People who quit smoking usually discover that they have more energy within the first week, and exercise becomes easier. A little exercise and switching out one unhealthy food will help with weight, stress, blood pressure, and diabetes. Easy does it, especially if youre 65 and older. Youve spent a whole life learning one way. You can take your time. Learn to enjoy your healthier heart. But start today.First, Get a Checkup!Most of the questions this article has raised in your mind (Whats my blood sugar level? Whats my blood pressure? I used to smoke am I at risk?) can all be answered in a single doctors visit with simple lab work done a few days before. Schedule it now, before you start a program of exercise and diet. And schedule a regular exam per your doctors recommendation. Relieving the stress of not knowing will be a good start on your way to a healthier heart.