Interim HealthCare Blog

Avoiding the Burnout

CHritz — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:55:00 +0400

At Interim HealthCare, we understand that taking care of your loved ones is a lifetime investment where you are willing to devote your time. Home nursing services, elderly care and other senior living support services are just an array of options provided by our professional caregivers daily.

Caregiving can take a heavy toll if you don't get adequette support. Caregiving involves many stresses: changes in the family dynamic, household disruption, financial pressure, and the sheer amount of work involved. If you let the stress of caregiving progress to burnout, it can damage both your physical and mental health along with the person you are trying to care for.

With that said, here are few important tips that we at Interim HealthCare always adhere by to prevent caregiver burnout while making sure our senior home healthcare clients always come first.

Hire an agency to provide Respite Care- this can be great for not only you as the caregiver to get some much needed time away, but it also gives the person whom you're providing care to a break from you (and yes they probably need one too!).
Watch out for signs of depression on both sides of the caregiving spectrum. If signs do appear, don't delray in getting professional help when needed.
Open yourself up to technology because you'll be pleasantly surprised by the amount of independence it affords both caregiver and recipient.
Seek emotional support when needed. Nobody is alone and there are others out there in similar circumstances.
Trust your limits. Don't push yourself too hard. Always remember that you have to come first because if you aren't in good health and spirits you won't be able to properly help the ones you love.

Caregivers allow our senior home health care patients to live independently. Remember to thank them for their services. Visit our testimonials to see what current patients say about Interim HealthCare.

When caregiving gets you down

shaskins — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:34:00 +0400

Despite the many rewards of caregiving, it is no secret that it can be stressful both emotionally and physically for the person providing care.

Your feelings may seem to be of the least importance when a loved one is suffering through cancer, recovering from a severe injury or dealing with another type of illness or disability. However, the quality of their life depends on the quality of yours in many ways, so it is important to stay in touch with your emotions and ensure that the challenges of caregiving don't bring you down.

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, caregivers who are looking after someone with dementia are twice as likely to suffer from depression as a person caring for someone without dementia. In addition, research has shown that women experience depression at a higher rate than men, and lack of sleep has been proven to contribute to the condition.

It is important to note that experiencing feelings of sadness, grief or loneliness is normal for caregivers. While caregiving does not cause depression and not all caregivers experience negative feelings, it is normal for the effort of trying to provide the best for someone else to take a toll on your mental and physical well-being.

Negative feelings like these come and go and are not considered depression. However, when the feelings become more intense, long-lasting and cause the caregiver to become easily upset - either crying or becoming angered easily - depression may be on the horizon. Other symptoms to look for include a change in eating habits or unwanted weight gain or loss, a change in sleep patterns, fatigue, becoming easily agitated, thoughts of death or suicide, a loss of interest in people or activities that once brought you pleasure, or chronic conditions that do not respond to treatment. If any of these symptoms last longer than two weeks, you should seek help, whether from a friend, physician or psychologist.

Early attention to symptoms of depression can reduce them and prevent a more serious onslaught. Exercise, a healthy diet and the support of family and friends may help pull some people from a minor state of sadness. Enlisting the help of a mental health professional even if you do not think your symptoms are severe is also a good way to make sure you stay happy and healthy in order to provide the best care to your loved one.

Eating Well After the Holidays

shaskins — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:22:00 +0400

Eating well, especially for seniors, is an essential part of a healthy life and the older you get, the more important it becomes to make the right kinds of food choices. The holidays are a particularly tough time because of all the sweet treats and rich foods that pop everywhere this time of year.

At Interim HealthCare, we encourage all of our in home care clients to make sure they eat as healthy as possible around the holidays and during the rest of the year for that matter. But if you couldn’t resist all those delicious holiday treats, as many of us can’t, here’s our quick guide to get you refocused on the types of healthy foods that should always be at the top of your shopping list.

Whole Grains – these are loaded powerhouse fiber and Vitamin B, which offer better protection against cardiovascular disease, infections and repertory ailments. Look beyond oatmeal and whole wheat bread and try grains such quinoa, which is incredibly high in protein.

Fish – oily fish such as salmon are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight the bad cholesterol that can build up as we age. Just two servings a week can make all the difference in your heart’s health.

Fruits & Vegetables – deep colored vegetables and fruits have more function, which means they’re typically loaded with lots of vitamins and antioxidants. Blueberries, dark cherries, spinach and kale are can’t miss additions to anyone’s diet.

Meat – focus on lean meats such as skinless chicken or turkey, which supply your body with great protein and vitamin B-12, but minus a lot of the heart-clogging fats. Remember portion control when eating meat as well. A little can go a long way.

Dairy – this is an incredibly important food group for our senior home care clients or anyone as they get older. Calcium needs are high for seniors and you can’t get any other foods with as much calcium as dairy. Milk actually does the body good and is essential for good bone health. Just stick to low fat when you can.

Foods to Keep Your Bones Healthy and Strong

CHritz — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:28:00 +0400

Our bones remain fairly healthy and strong through young adulthood. The problem is that as we hit middle age, they start to thin out. For women, this process can even accelerate after menopause.

At Interim HealthCare, bone health is a major concern of many of our in home care patients. Seniors in particular are at special risk when it comes to bone health, but the good news is that you can put the brakes on bone degeneration and one of the best lines of defense in this battle is your diet. Whether you require home healthcare or still live on your own, eating the right foods can give you peak bone mass and boost your bone density no matter what your age is.

Got Milk?
Calcium is the cornerstone to good bone health. Adults up to age 50 need Adults up to age 50 need 1,000 milligrams per day. Beginning at age 51, women need 1,200 milligrams every day, and when men hit 71, they need to be there too. A single 8-ounce cup of milk, whether skim, low-fat, or whole, has 300 milligrams of calcium. So do like your parents always told you and drink your milk! So we recognize knocking back a glass or two of milk is not for everyone, but did you know a cup of yogurt has at least as much calcium as an 8-ounce cup of milk? And 1 ounce of Swiss cheese has nearly as much. Even if you're lactose intolerant, yogurt and hard cheeses are low in lactose or try products that are lactose-reduced or lactose-free because eliminating lactose from milk and dairy foods does not affect the calcium content.

Sardines
Milk or dairy products are not the only way to get a healthy dose of calcium. All those little fish bones in sardines have just what you need and eating 3 ounces of canned sardines delivers a little more calcium than a cup of milk.

Veggies
Calcium is plentiful in many vegetables, especially the dark leafy greens such as bok choy, Chinese cabbage, and kale, among others. Collard and turnip greens are another great source of calcium as well.

Soy
Half a cup of calcium-enriched tofu contains as much as 861 milligrams of calcium, but calcium is not the only mineral that gives you leg up. New research suggests plant-based chemicals called isoflavones strengthen bone density as well.

Safeguard Yourself this Flu Season

CHritz — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:27:00 +0400

The arrival of winter signals many things--the holidays, the New Year and unfortunately for tens of thousands of Americans, the onset of flu season. The flu is unpredictable and how severe it is can vary from one season to the next depending on many things such as:

- Which influenza virus is spreading

- How much flu vaccine is available

- When the vaccine is available

- How many people get vaccinated

- How well the vaccine is matched to particular strains of influenza viruses

Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu. This includes seniors, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease.

Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.

At Interim HealthCare and for our thousands of patients who receive our in home senior care, the single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. While there are two types of flue vaccines (flu shots and nasal spray), seniors 65 and older should receive a high-dose vaccine, which is injected usually in the upper part of the arm. This vaccine was first made available during the 2010-2011 season.

About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that help protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines however will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.

Yearly flue vaccines should begin in September or as early as the vaccine is available. While a flu vaccine can help protect seniors in the long run, you should always take everyday preventative actions including covering coughts, washing hands often, and avoiding people who are sick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, it's estimated that 90 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths and more than 60 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations in the United States each year occur in people 65 years and older. This is because human immune defenses become weaker with age, which means influenza can be a very serious disease for seniors.

National Hand Washing Week

CHritz — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:01:00 +0400

Did you know that less than 2/4 of Adults in the United States wash their hands after using the restroom? This fact is alarming to us at Interim HealthCare and to the safety of our senior home care patients. According to the Center for Disease Control, "the most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands." Our caregivers want to ensure that during the holiday season you and your loves ones stay sage and free of infections or germs. This week from December 4th through 10th has been declared National Hand Washing Awareness Week during this week we thought it was best to explain to you why hand washing is important and how you can properly wash your hands.

Why is Hand Washing Important?

Did you know that 1 in 3 E. coli outbreaks is caused by poor hand washing by food preparers?
Did you that hand washing is the single most important factor in preventing infections?
Dod you know that cutting vegetables on the same board used to cut meat contaminates the vegetables?

6 Main Rules of Hand Washing

Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, cleaning up after your pets, or handling money.
Wash your hands when they're dirty.
Always wash your hands before eating.
Don't cough or sneeze into your hands.
Refrain from putting your fingers in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Avoid touching people and surfaces with unclean hands.

Correct Way of Washing Hands

Wet hands with warm water and use soap.
Rub your hands together, making sure to scrub all areas.
Rub for a minimum of 15 seconds or sing "Happy Birthday."
Rinse throughly, then dry hands on a clean towel.
Turn faucet off with the towel, not hands, to keep away from recontamination.

It's important to wash your hands every day. If you were you need extra assistance with common tasks around the house visit our testimonials to see what current patients say about Interim HealthCare.

How to Start a Discussion on Home Care

CHritz — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:27:00 +0400

Ok, so you've identified there are some warning signs that your parents might be in need of some additional help at home but how do you start the discussion with your parent?

One of the most threatening things to a senior is the possiblity that they may have to leave their home. However, what they typically don't know is that there are non-medical home care services to assist them with activities of daily living (light housekeeping, transportation, bathing/grooming, etc.)

Talking to your parent can be awkward and intimidatng for some. We suggest to begin by being home with them. If you can sit down in person with them and have a calm conversation with them by talking to them about your feelings and concerns based particular issues you've noticed. Ask them their thoughts and feelings based on what you've just addressed. Don't be aggressive or patronizing to them as this will only make them become defensive. If they are agree ask them for their ideas for solutions.

If they are in complete denial or refusing to admit they need help, you'll be facing a bigger challenge. Stand tall and start by telling them you want them to retain their independence but you just want them to be safe. By accepting assistance it doesn't mean you need to leave your home. Explain to them that there are home care companies, such as Interim HealthCare, that can come to the home to help.

Try not to get into an argument or start listing all the things you see as indicators that they need help. This will just ultimately turn them against you and make they not want to continue the discussion. It's best to stick to a few examples and if you see the conversation is going in the wrong direction then it's best to come back to it at a later time. Many seniors need some time to think about it or if they are in denial they need time to notice it for themselves.

While talking with them continue to reassure them that this isn't a discussion about how to move them out how their home, but a way to find a solotion that will allow them to maintan their independence while ensuring their safety. It doesn't hurt to look into the possiblity and learn about what types of senior care services are avaliable to them. Make sure to continue to ask them for their feedback, their recommendations-make sure they feel like they are in control of the outcome. As always keep in mind how you would feel in the situation was in reverse.

Additional tips to consider for start the discussion include:

Begin early and plan ahead
Choose the right time and place
Make it inclusive
Keep it simple
Offer options, not lectures
Be respectful, not patronizing
Ask for help from a Physician or some else respected by your parent.

Remember, once you've seen the warning signs, it's important to start talking with senior parents sooner than later.

Warning Signs Your Parents Might Need Help At Home

CHritz — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:59:00 +0400

Does Mom or Dad saying "Everything's just fine, no need to worry about me" sound familar? Most parents do not want to let on that something isn't right to their kid-even when their kid is an adult with kids of their own or they are just in denial. Denial is common in seniors because admitting they need help is like saying they can't take care of themselves anymore. Typically, they are embarassed and don't want their kids to feel the burden of having to help out, or are afraid of having to move out of their home into a facility.

For those who live away from their parents, the holidays are one of the few times they get to see their family members. However, the holidays present a perfect opportunity to evaluate the needs of your aging parents. Now, just because they can't physically do some of the daily activities of life doesn't mean they have to be moved into a nursing home or other facility, it just means that it's time to consider how you can help them remain safe while keeping that much needed independence they want. Home care services are a great way to allow your parents to stay in their home where they are most comfortable.

We understand that our parents might not want help at first, but it's important that they remain safe, so while the burden of caring for them doesn't have to fall on your the burden of recognizing it's time to seek help does. The following are some warning signs to look out for while visiting over this holiday season:

Health

A noticeable decline in a chronic condition such as Diabetes, Alzheimer's or COPD
Forgetting to take medications (look for bottles filled with pills, or empty ones which were never refilled)
Changes in mood-drastic mood swings

Personal Appearance

Unpleasant body odor
Infrequent showering & bathing
Decline in grooming habits (hair not groomed, clothes not on properly or not washed or ironed)
Difficulty with balance or walking
Weight loss
Unexplained burses
Confusion or forgetfulness about regular activities or tasks

Home Life

Dirty house, extreme clutter
Piles of dirty laundry
Smell of urine in the house
Spoiled food
Stacks of unopened mail or newspapers
Late payment notices
Unexplained scratches or dents on their car
General loss of interest in activities or hobbies

While we understand that accepted home healthcare can be a huge decision in our senior clients lives with your help it can become one of the best decisions you can make as a family to insure their safety. Take the time to learn if your loved one is capable of living independently by having them take our free Independent Living Assessment at www.independentlivingassessment.com.

Happy Thanksgiving from Interim HealthCare, stay tuned to next week's blog post when we will go over how to begin the discussion on home care.

Know the Facts: COPD Awareness Month

CHritz — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:21:00 +0400

Have you felt a shortness in your breath recently? Or are you wheexing more and more? Even if you're not a smoker you can be affected by Chronic Abstructibe Pulmonary Disease, more commonly known as COPD, which is a long-term lung disease that refers to both chronic brochitis and emphysema. More than 12 million people annually have been diagnosed with the disease. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States and causes seriously, long-term disability that can restrict people & especially seniors from the most basic tasks around the house such as vacuuming or even washing your hair. Thinking that because you have never smoled that you're in the clear? Think again! One out of every Six people diagnosed with COPD has NEVER SMOKED!

It's important to be able to recognize the symptoms of COPD since an additional 12 million people likely have COPD but aren't aware they are experiencing the symptoms. In honor of November as National COPD Awareness Month we at Interim HealthCare have provided you with the symptoms that indicate you may be experiencing COPD and the best ways to take action to fight the disease.

Symptoms of COPD include the following:

Constant cough, sometimes called "smoker's cough"
Shortness of breath while doing activities you used to be able to do
Excess sputum production
Feeling like you can't breath
Not being able to take a deep breath
Wheezing

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms talk directly to your doctor as COPD symptoms develop slowly and gradually worsen overtime. If you provide care to an aging parent take note of these symptoms and be sure to discuss them with their physician. If you think you or a loved is experiencing signs of COPD or has been diagnosed here are four ways you can take action.

Quit Smoking

To prevent additional damage to your lungs the best thing you can do is quit. To assist you in quitting there are many online resources and news aids available from your health care provider.

Avoid Exposure to Pollutants

Try to avoid being exposed to things that could irritate your lungs, such as dust or strong fumes. When possible its best you avoid places where the air quality is poor or places where there might be cigarette smoke.

Maintain Regular Visits to your Physician

We recommend that you visit your doctor or health care provider for routine check ups. It's important to make a list of your symptoms and include activities you can no longer participate in due to shortness of breath.

Take Precautions with Proper Vaccinations

During the flu and H1NI seasons its critical to avoid crowds. Remember to wash and sanitize your hands as its one of the best ways to safegaurd yourself against getting sick. Due to increased risks of becoming ill with these strains of the flu it's important to receive vaccinations annually.

Taking the proper steps in protecting those affected by COPD is important which why we, Interim HealthCare, developed a Living with COPD program. Our in-home caregivers are skilled in helping patients, in the comfort of their home, better understand their disease, recognize triggers and what to do to manage it. Remember, education is the key by learning more about this disease you can find out how you can breathe better and prevent this serious lung disease from reducing the quality of your lifestyle.

And remember, if you or a loved one suffers from a chronic illness like COPD, diabetes or Heart Failure we have programs that can help.

American Diabetes Month: Tips to Take Control

CHritz — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:18:00 +0400

While there are several forms of diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes is the most common and prevention is one of the keys to making sure you keep the disease at bay, especially if you'reat increased risk for diabetes because of family history or if you're overweight.

Making a few lifestyle changes now can help you avoid long-term complications of diabtes down the road such as nerve, kidney and heart damage. Below are a few helpful tips from our in home care experts about how you can take control now.

Exercise

Physical activity is good for you no matter what. It can help you loose weight, lower your blood sugar and boosts your sensitive insulin to keep your blood sugar within a normal range. A combination of aerobic exercise and resistance training will produce the best results.

Fiber

It can definately help you by improving your blood sugar control, lowering your risk of heart disease and can lead you on a path to weight loss by helping you feel full. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds.

Whole Grains

Refined sugars are not good for you and research shows that whole grains may reduce your risk of diabetes and help maintain blood sugar levels. Breads, pasta and cereals all fall into this category.

Eat Right and Loose the Extra Weight

Skip the fad diets because while they may help you loose weight at first, their effectiveness in diabetes prevention is not documented nor are their long-term effects. Remember portion control and to make the best choices possible. Every pound you loose can improve your health.

Here at Interim HealthCare, we care for patients who have diabetes on regular basis. It's never too late to start with dibates prevention. It can be as easy as eating healthier, becoming more physicially active and losing a few extra pounds. And remember, the best time to get started is today!