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How Stress Can Affect Your Parent’s Heart

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As a family caregiver, you’re probably well acquainted with stress. You may experience stress because of your job, financial issues, and your caregiver duties. In the midst of your own stress, you may be unaware that your elderly parent is also affected by stress of their own. Helping them to manage their stress can protect them from a lot of health problems, including heart problems.

Stress and Heart Health

Home Care Statesville, NC:How Stress Can Affect Your Parent’s Heart

There are many things that can cause stress in older adults. Though their responsibilities for work and raising children are over, new causes of stress may appear. Seniors may worry about chronic health conditions, reduced finances because of retirement, and a fear of losing their independence.

According to the American Heart Association, stress may affect some of the behaviors a person engages in. For example, someone who is under stress might eat more than they should or make unhealthy food choices to comfort themselves. Stress can also have an impact on other risk factors for heart disease, like blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Stress causes the body to release a hormone called adrenaline, which leads to a “fight or flight” response. Breathing and heart rate accelerate, and blood pressure goes up. In some situations, that can be a good thing because it lets the body respond quickly to protect itself in a dangerous situation. However, when stress is chronic, the body remains in the “fight or flight” state for long periods of time, which can lead to high blood pressure and damage the walls of arteries.

Tips for Managing Stress

Stress management is an important part of keeping your older family member healthy. There are many techniques and practices that can help to lower blood pressure. Among them are:

  • Meditation: Studies show that meditating not only reduces stress but protects from future stress. People who meditate regularly often respond better to stressors, which can mean their “fight or flight” response isn’t triggered as easily.
  • Positivity: Maintaining a positive attitude can help seniors to accept that there are some things beyond their control, which can cause them to worry less. Positivity may also lead to them managing conditions because they believe things will turn out in their favor.
  • Yoga: Yoga has both physical and mental benefits. It is a combination of poses and controlled breathing that encourages the senior to focus on something other than their worries.
  • Healthy Lifestyle: Eating a balanced diet and getting enough exercise improves overall health, giving the older adult a sense of control and reducing stress.

Home care can assist your aging relative to practice stress management techniques. If the senior takes a yoga class, the home care provider can drive them to it. Home care providers can also foster a positive attitude by reminding the senior of the many things they have to be grateful for, such as caregivers who look out for them. In addition, a home care provider can help improve your aging relative’s lifestyle by cooking healthy meals for them and helping them to be more active around the house.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Statesville, NC, please call the professional staff at Caring at Heart today at (704) 379-7510. Serving Charlotte, Statesville, Ballantyne, Mooresville, Huntersville, Matthews, Concord, Gastonia, Pineville and Indian Trail 

 

Sources

https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/stress-and-heart-health

https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-management-for-senior-health-3144930

https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management

Most Common Signs of Strokes in the Elderly

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Unfortunately, many elderly people have strokes. However, it should be known that a stroke doesn’t always affect everyone in the same way. There are different severity levels of strokes that everyone should know about. This is especially true if you are caring for an elderly person. You should know what signs to look out for in case the person you are caring for has a stroke. It should also be noted that strokes affect people differently based on the side of the brain that has been damaged.

 

Speech Issues and Paralysis

Elder Care Waxhaw, NC: Signs of Strokes

The most serious side effects happen when the brain stem is affected by the stroke. Some of the side effects or symptoms that the person might experience are speech issues and paralysis. If you notice these symptoms in the person you are taking care of, be sure to get them to the hospital right away.

 

Motor Skill Paralysis and Memory Loss

Two other symptoms that may occur as a result of a stroke, no matter which side of the brain the stroke occurs on, are motor skill paralysis and memory loss. If your elderly loved one starts experiencing these symptoms, they may be having a stroke or may have had a stroke. You should have them assessed by a doctor immediately.

 

Behavioral Style Changes

Is the elderly person you are caring for experiencing a cautious and slow behavioral style? Is this different than how they normally act? If so, they may have had a left-sided stroke. You should talk to their doctor or the ER doctor after taking them in. Find out what is going on and go from there.

Is the elderly person you are caring for experiencing an inquisitive and quick behavioral style? This could indicate that they have had a stroke on the right side of their brain.

 

Vision Issues

Your loved one may also be experiencing vision issues if they have had a stroke. However, this may also be a symptom of many other conditions, so people often have a difficult time determining whether vision issues are a result of a stroke. However, if they are combined with other issues, be sure to get your elderly loved one treated.

 

Issues with Focusing

Is your elderly loved one experiencing issues with focusing? Maybe they are looking off without being able to focus their eyes. They may not be able to focus on your face either. If this is happening, it could be a symptom of a stroke.

These are some of the most common signs of strokes in the elderly. If you or an elder care provider recognize these symptoms in the elderly, be sure to get them medical help right away.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care in Waxhaw, NC, please call the professional staff at Caring at Heart today at (704) 379-7510. Serving Charlotte, Statesville, Ballantyne, Mooresville, Huntersville,Matthews, Concord, Gastonia, Pineville and Indian Trail

 

Sources

https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms/learn-more-stroke-warning-signs-and-symptoms

https://www.webmd.com/stroke/guide/signs-of-stroke

Emotional Toll of Caregiving

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Caring for other people takes a toll on just about everyone. If you are taking care of someone in your family, you might be starting to feel the emotional toll this position takes on you, as well. You might be feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or even resentful. If this is the case, it might be time to hire caregivers to come to take over this position for you, at least part of the time.

Stressed

Caregiver Matthews, NC: Emotional Toll of Caregiving

There are many people who are taking care of others who become stressed. They find the job takes on too much of their time and they don’t have enough time for other things they need to do. When someone is dealing with this much stress, they often don’t know how to relax or get the break they need. If you are in this situation and stress has become a big part of your life, now is the time to hire caregivers to help out.

Overwhelmed
Feeling overwhelmed is very common when taking care of a loved one, as well. You might feel there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done that you need to get done. With your role as a family caregiver and the other responsibilities you have in your life, feeling overwhelmed is natural. However, it isn’t good for you. You can hire professional caregivers to help you take care of your loved one.

Anxious
Many family caregivers become anxious after they have been caregiving for a while. They worry that something will go wrong. Have you been down that road? Feeling anxious all the time because of all you have to do for your loved one. If so, it is time to take a break. You should hire professional caregivers to come take care of your loved one, while you get the break you desperately need.

Depressed
Some people who are in a caregiving position will find themselves feeling depressed. Taking care of someone can take a big toll on someone’s mental health status. It can cause them to stop taking care of themselves and this can lead to depression. If you are feeling depressed, it is time to start taking care of yourself first.

Resentful
Being resentful is quite common amongst people who are taking care of a loved one, too. Do you find yourself resenting your loved one because of all you do for them? If so, let that resentment go and hire professional caregivers to help from here on out.

These are some of the ways that caregiving can take an emotional toll on someone. If you have felt emotionally down because of your caregiving duties, it is time to reach out for help today.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering a Caregiver in Matthews, NC, please call the professional staff at Caring at Heart today at (704) 379-7510. Serving Charlotte, Statesville, Ballantyne, Mooresville, Huntersville,Matthews, Concord, Gastonia, Pineville and Indian Trail.

 

Source
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2791523/
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/caregiver-stress

Is Your Aging Relative Being Overtreated for Diabetes?

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Many people use insulin to help control diabetes. However, did you know that as people age, they may need changes in their diabetes treatment? In fact, some recent studies suggest that many seniors are being overtreated for diabetes and should be reevaluated for a possible reduction in medication.

 

Diabetes Treatment and Age Studies

Senior Care Monroe, NC: Is Your Aging Relative Being Overtreated for Diabetes?

Current medical guidelines suggest that older adults, especially those who are especially ill, may benefit from stepping back their diabetes treatment. However, in one study, researchers found that about 20 percent of seniors over the age of 75 were still using insulin to treat type 2 diabetes. And, almost 30 percent of older adults over 75 with type 2 diabetes who were also in poor health were still using insulin.

In another study, researchers found that even when the doctor suggests treatment changes, seniors may not comply. They found that about 60 percent of people who responded to a survey disagreed with the guidelines suggesting seniors reduce diabetes treatment as they get older. The researchers suggest that older adults may fear changing their treatment because they don’t understand why the doctor is making the changes.

The problem with overtreating diabetes is that it can lead to a dangerous complication called hypoglycemia, which happens when blood sugar drops too low. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include shaking, sweating, dizziness, and confusion. It can also cause an irregular heartbeat and the older adult could faint.

 

Lifestyle Changes for Controlling Diabetes
If your aging relative’s doctor has suggested they reduce their diabetes medications and your loved one is worried about the change, they could take other steps to control diabetes that do not involve medicine, such as these lifestyle changes:

• Eat Healthier: While the senior may already be eating a fairly healthy diet, when medications are changed, it may be a good time to take a look at where improvements might be made. Make an appointment with a dietician to review the senior’s diet and find out what kinds of changes might help.
• Increase Physical Activity: If the older adult isn’t currently meeting the suggested guidelines of 30 minutes of exercise on at least 5 days of the week, increasing their physical activity will help to keep blood sugar under control.
• Keep Doctor Appointments: When treatment is changed, the doctor may need to see the older adult more frequently for a while to make sure the changes are working.
• Keep Stress to a Minimum: Stress causes blood sugar levels to increase.

 

Senior care can help older adults to make changes to their lifestyle to enhance changes in treatment. A senior care provider can follow the dietician’s guidelines for healthy meals to prepare foods that will help with blood sugar control. Senior care providers can also drive older adults to their medical appointments to ensure they are able to attend checkups. In addition, having a senior care provider to help and check on them regularly can reduce an older adult’s stress levels.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care in Monroe, NC, please call the professional staff at Caring at Heart today at (704) 379-7510. Serving Charlotte, Statesville, Ballantyne, Mooresville, Huntersville, Matthews, Concord, Gastonia, Pineville and Indian Trail.

 

Sources
https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20190925/older-diabetics-may-be-getting-too-much-insulin#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-management/art-20047963
https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-lifestyle-tips

What to Do When Your Senior Feels Unsafe at Home

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If your senior parent or loved one has expressed concerns about their safety while alone in their home, or you have similar worries for them, you may be wondering how you can help them and keep them safe.

There are things that you can do to help eliminate accidents and ways to ease their mind so that they can remain independent in their home for as long as possible.

Here are some ways to make your senior feel safer about being alone at home:

Enlist the neighbors.

Elderly Care Statesville, NC:What to Do When Your Senior Feels Unsafe at Home

If your senior has concerns about being alone at home, talk to their neighbors about the situation. If they have a neighbor they can trust, ask them to check in once a day, and give them ways to reach you so that they can report anything suspicious or worrisome to you promptly. They say it takes a village, so let the village help out if your senior needs assistance with elderly care at home.

Install cameras.

Another way to make your senior feel better while home alone is to install cameras around the home. These days, cameras are easier to install than ever, and you can get a live feed streamed right to your cell phone or computer so you can keep an eye on Mom or Dad wherever you go. It’s a great way to keep a watchful eye on people coming and going to and from the home, as well as being able to see your senior parent and ensure they are always safe.

Enable communication.

One of the most important things for a senior home alone is having the ability to call for help. Consider getting them a smart watch, which they can use to call for help when away from a phone and may even be able to detect hard falls and alert an emergency contact. There are also alert devices that seniors can wear and press a button to call for help. Whatever you decide works best for your parent getting elderly care at home, make sure that they understand the procedure and how to use it in an emergency.

Sweep for hazards.

Walk through your parent’s home with the intention of looking specifically for dangerous hazards. Check handrails on stairs and look for tripping hazards. Make sure that hallways and bathrooms are well-lit and keep chemicals and products that could be unsafe for consumption out of reach or remove them altogether. Remove rugs that can move and cause your senior to trip, and if they need assistance with walking, be sure they can reach their mobility device and understand the ramifications for not using it.

Hire help.

Probably the best way to make a senior feel safe at home is to hire help. When a senior needs elderly care at home, you can hire professional and compassionate caregivers to come in and provide care and companionship to your senior on the days and during the times that make the most sense for your family’s needs. Knowing that your senior isn’t alone and that there is someone there to help prevent accidents and falls and alert you to any emergencies can give you and your senior parent the ultimate peace of mind.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care in Statesville, NC, please call the professional staff at Caring at Heart today at(704) 379-7510.Serving Charlotte, Statesville, Ballantyne, Mooresville, Huntersville,Matthews, Concord, Gastonia,Pineville and Indian Trail.

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