When Is It Time For Hospice Care?
When caring for a loved one, it can be hard to determine when is the right time for hospice care. Sometimes family members delay getting help that would benefit a loved one out of fear that turning to hospice care means giving up. However, hospice care is just the opposite.
Hospice care focuses on giving hospice patients the best quality life possible by meeting each patient's physical, emotional, spiritual, and other specific needs. In fact, many caregivers quickly come to realize that hospice care is an amazingly beneficial healthcare service for both patients and their loved ones.
When it comes to deciding when to get hospice care, the best answer is "As soon as possible," since hospice care offers many advantages for both patients and caregivers. There are several signs that can indicate it is time to begin hospice care. Keep reading to learn how to tell when it is time for hospice care.
What Is The Patient's Life Expectancy?
A person, regardless of age, is eligible to receive hospice care after a physician certifies that the person's current life expectancy is six months or less. If the hospice patient lives longer than six month, he or she can still be eligible for hospice care as long as their physician continues to document their eligibility.
Furthermore, since hospice care professionals specialize in end-of-life care, it's a good idea to seek their help during the first stages of a terminal illness. This will allow hospice nurses and staff members to ease a patient's pain and improve their quality of life as possible, for as long as possible.
If a patient has a terminal illness but is not in the final six month stage, it is possible for the patient to benefit from palliative care. Later, the patient can switch to hospice care once he or she meets the general requirements.
Are You Noticing A Decreased Quality Of Life?
Hospice workers strive to ensure each patient receives the highest quality of life as possible. This means that hospice nurses will make sure their patients aren't suffering from any pain or distress. It also means making sure patients are able to spend time with their loved ones in a comfortable environment of their choice. The earlier a patient is able to get hospice care, the sooner the patient can get the medication, supplies, and support they need to maintain their comfort, dignity, and peace of mind.
Is There An Increase In Hospital Visits?
Frequent trips to the hospital are often a warning sign that it's time to consider hospice care. While it's normal for aging relatives to see the doctor more often, it's not a good sign for someone to spend more time at the hospital than they do at home.
As mentioned earlier, hospice care specializes in improving a patient's quality of life. This includes making sure patients are getting the care and support they need in a place where they are most comfortable. For many people, this means getting health care assistance in the privacy of their own home than in a sterilized hospital bed.
Patients who receive hospice care at home are able to focus on enjoying their remaining time with their loved ones instead of having to constantly travel back and forth between home and a hospital bed. Furthermore, patients and caregivers alike will not feel overwhelmed by hospital bills. Fortunately, most hospice care providers except many forms of insurance, including Medicare and Medi-Cal.
Are You Noticing Signs Of Caregiver Burnout?
Caring for a dying loved one is a difficult and emotional process. Caregivers can easily succumb to caregiver burnout. Especially if a caregiver is not able to get the support and assistance they need.
Caregiver burnout is a constant state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. Furthermore, caregivers can start to exhibit signs of anxiety and depression. It is not uncommon for burned out caregivers to lose their positive outlook on life and succumb to a more gloomy, downtrodden viewpoint.
Since caregivers are constantly caring for a loved one, they can find it difficult to pry themselves away long enough to attend to their own needs. This can cause damaging effects to a caregiver's health.
Common symptoms of caregiver burnout include:
- Lost of interest in favorite activities
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Change in appetite
- Unusual weight loss or gain
- Weakened immune system
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Dependency on sleep medications
- Irritability
- Feeling hopeless and/or helpless
- Emotional, mental, and/or physical exhaustion
Thankfully, hospice care can give caregivers the much needed rest they deserve. Hospice nurses and staff members can alleviate duties the caregiver would normally be in charge of. This gives them time to take care of their own unique needs.
How Do You Begin Hospice Care?
Are you noticing any of the signs mentioned above? It may be time to get hospice care for yourself or your loved one. Do you live in Monterey County or in Hollister. If so, you are elgiable to recieve hospice care from VNA & Hospice. Their team members are available 24/7 to ensure all citizens get the quality hospice care they deserve. Simply contact VNA & Hospice at 831-375-9882 to take the first step.
5 Essential Benefits of Hiring an Outside Agency
When you're seeking care for elderly loved ones, you have several different options to explore. One of those possibilities is to work with an outside home health care agency. Considering the benefits of doing so can help you to understand why looking more into this option is a useful step.
Services Tailored to Your Family's Needs
A home health agency can help your loved ones to receive the services that they need. Individuals who enroll in a home health care program are quite diverse as are their needs. Therefore, a representative can sit down with you and your family to determine what services are the most appropriate for your loved one. Also, these services can be set up on a schedule that makes sense.
In other words, your loved one might require care around the clock. Your relative might need supervision for a few hours per day while the rest of the family is out. Furthermore, you might be attending work, school, grocery shopping and other tasks. Another benefit here is that home health care agencies might offer services that you didn't even know existed. By speaking with a representative, you can learn about a host of possibilities that can significantly better the life of your loved one.
Medical Services
When enrolling in a program with a home health care agency, some individuals need monitoring. For example, they may have conditions that render them a hazard to themselves. As a result, they are in need of supervision during the day or night. Other individuals are in need of a companion or a person who can help to take them out during the day. Still, other cases require medical services. A home health care agency should have a staff of individuals who are trained in providing medical care. This care could be for a certain condition, or the staff members could help to provide at-home treatment for the clients.
At the current time, your loved ones might not have medical needs that elicit outside assistance. However, you should take into account the fact that situations can change. Selecting a home health care agency means that you are preparing for the future. In the event that your loved one does end up needing medical care in the future, you don't have to switch providers. Instead, you can simply add on services from a provider that they are already familiar with, which can bring a sense of comfort.
Varied Payment Plans
As you are researching options to provide care for your loved ones, you are likely focused on obtaining the highest quality of assistance possible. However, it is difficult to quell the sounds of financial concerns ringing through your mind. Financial worries should not stifle you from receiving high-quality care for your relatives. Home health care providers can help calm some of these fears. Many home health care providers have a variety of payment option that they accept.
For example, you may very well not have the cash to pay for all of the services out-of-pocket. Even if your relatives have been saving for all of their lives, they might not be able to afford the sums either. Therefore, you can speak with the home health care provider about options for going through insurance. In the event that you discover that your relative's insurance is not going to cover the entire amount of the treatment, you should speak further with a representative from the home health care agency. You may discover that payment plans are available so that you can pay off the services on a monthly basis. Doing so can be far less overwhelming than dealing with one huge bill.
Engaging Treatment
As you are researching different options for treatment, you might become worried about the mental and emotional health of your loved ones. In other words, you may have concerns that bringing in a home health care agency could make them feel as though they are incapable of taking care of themselves. This environment is not one that a professional team of providers wants to create, so you can have a sense of confidence that you and the staff members are on the same page.
Also, you can speak about your concerns with the representative. You may discover that many of the clients like spending time with their home health care aides or nurses because they provide a level of companionship. After losing a spouse or when living with family members who have work and school, many elderly individuals become lonely. The home health care provider can make these individuals feel happy and comfortable in their own homes again. They might go for outings, or they may sit inside and play puzzles or games when the weather is chilly.
Professional Reputation
You might feel overwhelmed by the options when you are trying to find home health care providers. In fact, you might have met with some in the past and did not feel comfortable with what they were offering. Fortunately, professional outside agencies are available. Consider the benefits of working with an agency that decades of experience in the field. By doing so, you are getting the chance to hire professionals who know about a host of different scenarios and who are also up-to-date on the latest methods and technologies.
As you are checking out and researching the different possibilities, make sure to look into the reputation of the facility. You may want to speak with your relatives' doctors for recommendations and ask relatives and friends what facilities they have used. When you are reading reviews online, just do so with a cautious eye. Sometimes, people are paid to write fake reviews, so you do not want to fall prey to them. Knowing that professional entities are available can help to encourage you to pursue this route.
When you need to hire assistance for your loved ones, you might feel overwhelmed by the possibilities. What's good to know is that reputable home health care agencies with the right services are available for you.
VNA & Hospice has been delivering Home Healthcare services for people living throughout Monterey and San Benito Counties as well as the southern portions of both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties.
What Is Hospice?
When you or someone close to you suffers from an illness or condition that does not come with any type of cure, you may want to consider a type of care known as hospice care. If you are not familiar with hospice, this is a type of care aimed at assisting individuals who are estimated by their doctor to have six months or less to live. You might be considering obtaining hospice care for a loved one or someone close to you. It's important that you're aware of what this care entails and the types of services provided with it. Additionally, this may include home health care.
What Is Hospice?
Hospice is a type of care that is provided to people who only have a short amount of time to live. The goal of hospice is to make sure that these individuals receive proper care and are as comfortable as possible in the time that they have left. Patients receive individualized care. These care plans can address a wide range of issues that include physical, spiritual, and emotional pain.
Provided assistance is available whenever necessary to the family caregivers of the patient in question. Hospice refers to this as bereavement support. In the event the patient has passed away, availability remains offerable. Most hospices believe that the overall quality of life provided for a person is as important as their length of life.
Types of Services Offered With Hospice Care
Most reputable hospices follow guidelines set forth by Medicare on how to take care of an individual and manage their illness. The myriad of services provided through hospice care include:
- Physical therapy as well as occupational therapy
- Short-term care in a home or inpatient setting
- Short-term care offering a respite to family caregivers having emotional difficulties brought about during care
- Counseling for the patient as well as their loved ones
- Counseling on how to maintain a healthy and effective diet
- The provision of medications for the relief or management of symptoms caused by the terminal illness
- The administration of a wide range of medical equipment that includes bandages, walkers, and wheelchairs
There are also some hospice services available for you to select but aren't covered by Medicare. Something that you should be aware of. Generally, Medicare doesn't cover treatments that can cure your illness or are completely unrelated to that specific terminal illness. Administered care in an emergency room or nursing home is also not covered.
Eligibility For Hospice Care
When attempting to determine whether or not you or someone you know is eligible for hospice care, there are a variety of factors to take into account. In order for you to fully qualify for the services provided through hospice, a standard physician, as well as a hospice physician, will need to certify that you meet the necessary criteria for obtaining these services. The primary criteria require patients requesting hospice care to have a life expectancy that is set at six months or less. In the event that the condition or disease progresses as it's been diagnosed.
In some cases, an individual may live past the original six months. If this occurs, hospice generally extends its coverage. Specifically, if their condition causes the decline in their overall health. If their health improves, and it appears as though the original life expectancy is substantially longer than believed, it's possible for the patient being discharged from hospice. Hospice care remains available in the event of being discharged from hospice but your condition eventually declines again.
Hospice Solely for Cancer Patients?
Many people believe that hospice specifically accepts individuals diagnosed with cancer. This is not always the case. There is a range of additional diseases and conditions that hospice patients may have. This may range from dementia and lung disease to heart disease. Anyone diagnosed with an illness or disease that is life-limiting will likely be eligible for this care.
Is Hospice Provided At Home?
When you are thinking of obtaining hospice care, you may be wondering where provided care occurs. In the majority of situations, it's possible to receive this type of care from the comforts of your own home. The hospice team will be able to assist with a wide range of everyday tasks. This also includes household chores that you may be unable to complete yourself. If you or the individual close to you suffers from a substantial amount of pain, the control and management of this pain can be a priority for the hospice team.
Most individuals want to remain at home in their final days. This is why most hospice services tailor to this expectancy. The hospice team in charge of your care can consist of additional professionals. This may include massage therapists and dietitians, which allows you to obtain the level of care that you deserve. Many of these individuals will also be able to provide you with friendship and companionship. All of which is especially important for people who live alone.
VNA & Hospice has been delivering Home Healthcare services for people living throughout Monterey and San Benito Counties as well as the southern portions of both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties.
5 Important Tips to Help You Select Home Health Care in Monterey
When you were young, your parents cared for you, and the time has now come to care for them. The decision to procure home health care is not always the easiest one. It can indicate to you that your parents are aging. Also, your parents themselves may initially resist this care. Therefore, having all of the tips that you can to make the selection process run smoothly benefits you all.
Choose a Knowledgeable Provider
While it may seem obvious that you select a provider that is knowledgeable in the industry, more important is that you know how to gauge this criterion. When choosing home health care, take a good look at the entity's website. A strong provider is likely going to post resources on its website so that you can read about topics related to home health care.
As you're having discussions with representatives from the agency, note how quickly and efficiently they answer questions. Representatives who have to constantly look up the answer to your inquiries should cause some level of skepticism. You can also gain a sense of how proficient the agency is by reading reviews from families who have used or who are currently using the services. Do exercise caution with online reviews as they could be fraudulent. Instead, find out if the agency has actual references available, or speak with your relatives to see what providers they used.
Look for Different Levels of Assistance
As you're researching providers in home health care, look into the levels of care that are offered. In other words, not all home health care is the same. For some situations, you might need a nurse to live with your ill relative. In other situations, you may need an aide to come to the house for a period of time each day while you are at work. You want to make sure that the facility offers the kind of care that your family needs.
It's also important to choose a facility that offers multiple types of care because your family's needs can change. For example, if your loved one has a degenerative illness, you may need more care and coverage as the ailment progresses. Keeping your relative within the same care system can help to offer a level of comfort during a difficult time.
Select a Program with Medical Care
You may think that your elderly relative needs only a companion right now. Of course, having a companion is extremely powerful, especially for people who are feeling lonely or abandoned. You might consider selecting a program where an aide comes to the home to spend time with your loved one. Regardless of what your relative's current needs are, you must prepare for the future too. In other words, you should select an agency that hires individuals who are trained in medical fields.
Your loved one may have suffered from a medical event or needs someone to administer medications on a regular basis. You would want to have professionals who are trained in these areas there to handle the situation. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you work with a home health care facility that offers medical assistance. When you are speaking with representatives, you will likely need to discuss your relative's specific medical needs.
Review the Experience
Using the latest methods and having current knowledge in the field are both quite important attributes of a suitable home health care provider. However, you also want to ensure that the entity has a strong reputation in the community over a long stretch of time. While you might be able to gauge the short-term success of a new agency, you do not know what the long-term effects are. When you hire an agency that has decades of experience, you can better see the products of the services.
Also, when elderly individuals are aging and are ill, unpredictable situations can arise. At the least, these situations can seem unpredictable to you. Hiring a company with experience in the field means that the staff members are likely trained to handle an array of scenarios. Instead of constantly having to worry about whether or not the nurse or aide will know what to do if a serious situation arises, you can have a strong sense of confidence that the situation will be handled in a smart manner.
Involve Your Relative
Once you've started to go through all of the options for home health care, you can become quite caught up in the process. In fact, you may forget that you need to select an option that makes sense for your relative. Of course, you are probably cognizant of the individual's physical and medical needs, but you must remember that this individual is a person. Simply being told that home health care will start soon is likely a frightening experience for many individuals. They may feel as though you are taking over their lives.
Work to involve your loved one in the process as much as possible. For example, you can browse brochures and websites of different facilities together. Also, you can talk about what makes sense in terms of services for your loved one. When you speak with representatives, let your relative be present and ask questions. Feeling alienated from the process can have serious consequences. Your loved one might resist the home health care services even more than you originally thought. Ask your relative for opinions on the situation. This person needs to feel comfortable with the home health care situation too.
As you enter onto this sometimes difficult journey, you might feel overwhelmed. You are trying to choose the best care for your relatives, and you want to keep them happy as well. While you should speak with your loved one's doctor about specific medical needs, you do have some criteria to start with. These criteria can help you to narrow down the many options that are available for home health care.
VNA & Hospice has been delivering Home Healthcare services for people living throughout Monterey and San Benito Counties as well as the southern portions of both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties.
Could Your Parents Benefit From In-Home Care?
Aging can cause a variety of physical and mental changes in the body. That is why most people will need home care at some point. Home care allows people to receive the help that they need without leaving their homes. There are a number of telltale signs that one may need home care.
Forgetfulness
Memory loss is a common sign of aging. People who are forgetful may frequently misplace things. They may also have difficulty recalling important information such as times, names and places. Additionally, they may neglect to pay their bills. It is common for people to forget things sometimes. However, it is not normal for anyone to be forgetful all of the time. If your parents have trouble recalling things, then it may be time for them to get home care.
Falls and Unexplained Bruising
Falls are one of the top causes of death in people who are over the age of 65. In fact, half of fatal fall accidents occur in people who are over the age of 75. A fall is a clear sign that one may need home care. Because a fall may occur when you are not around, it is important for your loved one to have around-the-clock supervision.
You will also need to look out for unexplained bruising. This can also be a sign of a fall. It may also indicate that your loved one bumped into the furniture at some point.
Driving is Becoming an Issue
It gets more dangerous for a person to drive as they get older. Seniors are more prone to vision problems. They also have slower reaction times. In fact, the average 65-year-old has a reaction time that is 22 times slower than a person who is under the age of 30. This can make it difficult to make maneuvers.
If your loved one has gotten into an accident, then it is time to consider home care. You may also want to consider home care if your loved one has had multiple traffic violations. Additionally, you should look out for scratches and dents in the car. A home health care provider can make sure that your parents safely get where they need to go.
A Lack of Self-Care
Self-care is essential for staying healthy. Anyone who is neglecting self-care needs home care. Long nails, dirty nails, poor hygiene, body odor and unkempt hair are signs of a lack of self-care.
Not Eating Regularly
People who do not eat regularly put themselves at risk for becoming malnourished. This can put them at risk for developing serious health problems. Home care is needed if your parents are having trouble putting together meals. If you suspect that your loved one is not eating enough, then you should look in the refrigerator.
You may notice that there is not a huge selection of food. You may also notice that there is outdated food.
Mood Swings
It is normal for everyone to have mood swings at some point. However, frequent mood swings may be an indication of cognitive decline. A loss of interest in activities, depression and a loss of energy are some of the signs of cognitive decline.
Missing Medication
It is estimated that 75 percent of seniors take at least one medication. Eighty percent of the seniors who are on medication take more than one. Many people need this medication in order to manage a chronic condition. If your parents are taking medication, then you will need to make sure that they take it properly.
If your parents are skipping doses or taking more than they need, then it is time to call home care. Home health care professionals will make sure that your parents take their medications properly. It is important to note that if medication is not taken properly, then hospitalization or death can result.
A Lack of Home Maintenance
It can become more difficult for one to take care of their home as they get older. If you notice that the home is unkempt, then it is time to get home care. You may notice that the laundry is piling up and the trash is overflowing. You should also pay close attention to the lawn. If the grass is not being mowed and the lawn is not being cared for, then this is a sign of yard neglect.
Not Making Sound Decision
People who are suffering from cognitive decline may become a danger to themselves and others. For example, they may leave the stove on after cooking. They may not know how to make the right decision in an emergency situation.
Mobility is Declining
Mobility problems can easily lead to a fall. You should look out for the signs of mobility problems. This includes things such as going up and down the stairs, dizziness and walking unsteadily.
Being Reluctant to Leave the House
Being reluctant to leave the house is a sign of anxiety or depression. Your parents may not want to visit their family members or friends if they suffer from depression. They may also sleep for long periods of time and lose interest in their hobbies.
Missing Appointments
There are several reasons a person may miss an appointment. They may forget about their appointment. They may not be able to drive to get to their appointment. Additionally, they may not want to go out alone. Home health care workers can make sure that your loved ones make all of their appointments.
VNA & Hospice has been delivering Home Healthcare services for people living throughout Monterey and San Benito Counties as well as the southern portions of both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties.
Is It Time For Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a specifically designed health care plan for people living with a grave illness. The primary goal of palliative care is to improve the patient's and the patient's family's quality of life. Palliative care workers and staff members do this by addressing the unique physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of each of their patients.
However, while palliative care comes with many benefits, it can be hard for some people to determine when is the best time to begin palliative care. Unlike hospice care, there is not time limit or requirement to become a palliative patient. Any person with a serious illness over the age of twenty-one who meets the home health homebound criteria is able to benefit for palliative care.
Wondering what the signs are that indicate it is time to consider this beneficial healthcare service? Keep reading to learn all the important signs that it is time to receive palliative care.
You're Noticing A Decrease In Your Quality Of Life
If you're noticing you no longer enjoy the life you are living, it could be time for a change. Not receiving the right amount of medical care can cause illness symptoms to increase to the point where you no longer enjoy even your favorite activities.
Luckily, palliative care can give you the resources you need to take control of your remaining time and live a high quality life.
Your Pain Keeps Increasing
If the symptoms of your illness continue to worsen, it could be time to seek palliative care. After all, palliative care can address and alleviate the following symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Bladder problems
- Labored breathing
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
- Delirium
Thankfully, someone can start palliative care at any stage of their illness. In fact, you can start palliative care as soon as you receive a diagnosis. The sooner you start palliative care the better. After all, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and pain can all begin very early on in your diagnosis. The sooner you being your palliative care, the sooner you can alleviate the negative, painful symptoms of your illness.
Your Caregiver Is Feeling Overwhelmed
Many caregiver selfishly devote their time and energy to care for an ailing loved one. However, sometimes caregivers become so focused on taking care of their patients that they forget to take care of themselves.
In fact, caregivers are often reluctant to say anything negative about their experience due to fear that others will view them in a poor light or simply because they don't want to burden others with their troubles. However, if caregivers are not taking proper care of themselves they can end up damaging their own health in the long run.
Without proper support and assistance, caregivers can quickly experience caregiver burnout. Caregiver burnout is a state of being where the caregiver is feels completely physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. It can also lead to caregivers feeling depressed with a general sense of hopelessness.
Fortunately, palliative care helps takes a huge amount of stress off of caregiver's shoulders. If your primary caregiver seems to be more irritable, gloomy, or overwhelmed, it could be time to consider additional support. Not only will this make things easier for your caregiver, it will also give you many benefits to enjoy as well.
You Want Additional Advice About Medical Procedures
Palliative nurses and team members can be your go-to team when it comes to choosing the medical procedures best suited for you. One of the goals of palliative care is open and honest communication to ensure every need of the patient is met. This includes letting your palliative care team know what type of treatment you wish to have or what type of health goals you currently have.
Palliative care team members can help you understand the risks of medical produces you are considering as well as the procedure's chances of success. Throughout the duration of your palliative care experience, your palliative nurses will be there to help you. This ensures that you and your loved ones are never left in the dark when it comes to your health status.
You Need Additional Therapy and Support
Palliative care does more than provide primary medical care. This is because the average palliative care team includes more than just doctors and physicians. Your palliative care treatment can also include massage therapists, speech therapists, and more. Remember, palliative care does not necessarily mean end-of-life care. Some patients end up leaving palliative care and continue to live for many wonderful years.
Palliative Care Providers In Monterey
You've decided palliative care is the best option for your situation. But, how do you become a palliative patient? If you live within Monterey County you can get exceptional palliative care from VNA & Hospice. Simply call 831-375-9882 to arrange for palliative care services. Their experienced team members are available to help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How To Survive Flu Season
Do you know the most effective ways to prevent this year's horrible flu? Keep yourself and your family safe from the dangers of the flu this winter by following our helpful guide. Keep reading to learn useful tips to help you survive the flu season.
Strengthen Your Immune System
One of the best things you can do to protect yourself from the flu this winter is to make sure you have a strong and healthy immune system. After all, your immune system is one of your most powerful defenses when it comes to fighting off the flu virus. Keep your immune system strong by following these easy steps:
1.) Avoid Stress
Recently, studies have proven that stress can diminish your ability to stay healthy, especially during flu season. Anything you can do to get rid of stress would be helpful for your immune system. De-stressing can be something as simple as enjoying a hot cup of tea or taking a short mediation break after a busy work day. It can also mean watching your favorite movie or enjoying a nice dinner with friends. There are many different ways to relax. What's important is that you find a method that works best for you and that you practice that method every day to get rid of any stress that may creep up in your life.
2.) Make Sure You're Getting Enough Rest
It turns out our parents were right by giving us a bedtime when we were young. When a person consistently gets at least seven to eight hours of sleep a night, they are more likely to have a stronger immune system. This is because when you sleep your body has the opportunity to repair cells and maintain your immune system.
To ensure you sleep peacefully each night, consider doing the following each night:
- Limit your amount of screen time before bed. This includes cellphone, computer, and television usage.
- Avoid caffeine after noon. For the average person, it takes four to six hours to metabolize caffeine. If there is any remaining caffeine in your system when you try to go to sleep it can block a sleep-promoting chemical in your body from working. This can keep you tossing and turning all night.
- Keep the thermostat between 62 and 70 degrees. Studies show people tend to stay asleep longer in rooms within this temperature range.
- Eat sleep-promoting foods like cheese, nuts, and grains.
- Block out any bothersome noise with noise cancelling devices or with a white noise machine.
3.) Exercise And Eat Healthy
While it's great to take your vitamins every day, it's important to remember that the best way to get the nutrients you body needs is by eating healthy food. Eating an ample amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as maintaining a balanced diet is a great way to give your body the nutrients and vitamins it needs to be strong and healthy.
You can make your immune system even stronger by making sure you get at least thirty minutes of moderate physical activity a day. This can be in the form of walking, cycling, swimming, or jogging. No matter what your age is, there is a friendly exercise activity available for you to try.
4.) Get Your Flu Shot
One of the best ways you can protect yourself from the flu is to get a flu shot each year. In fact, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), states that this is the best way to avoid catching the flu each year.
Make sure you ask your local health care provider about the available flu vaccines in your area. If you live in California's Central Coast, VNA & Hospice provides the flu vaccine at their Walk-In Clinics.
The CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine in mid-autumn, right before the flu season officially begins. However, you can get the flu vaccine at any point. Remember, when it comes to your health, it's better late than never.
Protect Yourself From Germs
You can increase your chances of avoiding the flu this year by protecting yourself from germs. Increase your chances of staying healthy by practicing these simple habits:
1.) Always Wash Your Hands
It's crucial that you wash your hands properly after using the restroom, before eating, or after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose. Proper hand washing means you need to wash your hands for at least twenty seconds. That's about the same amount of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" in your head twice. Remember, these twenty seconds can make all the difference when it comes to keeping germs out of your body.
2.) Keep Your Work Area Clean
Make sure you wipe down your work area every so often, especially if you work in an office setting. Desks, keyboards, and phones can quickly become a germ hot spot if they are not properly sanitized.
No one wants to catch the flu. By following the steps listed above, you can strengthen your immune system and fight off germs. This will help increase your chances of avoiding the flu this winter.
6 Things Every Woman Needs To Know About Heart Disease
Ladies, did you know heart disease is the number one killer of women? If you have high cholesterol or blood pressure that is above average, you can face a greater risk of developing heart disease. However, the hear's health is complicated and there are many other factors that can negatively impact your heart's health.
To ensure your heart stays as healthy as possible, VNA & Hospice has compiled a list of useful information that can help you avoid heart disease. Keep reading to learn six things every woman needs to know about heart disease.
1.) Every Woman Can Be At Risk
When it comes to heart disease, every woman can be at risk, even thin women. There's no denying that being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for heart disease. However, there are many women who are thin but still carry risk for heart disease. These thin women who are still at risk usually have high blood pressure or an elevated cholesterol.
This cause of this can vary. It could be from genetics. If high blood pressure runs in your family, you too are more susceptible to heart disease. Another reason is from having high amounts of visceral fat. Visceral fat is the body fat stored deep inside your abdomen, near your pancreas, intestines, and liver. This particular type of fat can be dangerous to women because it secretes an inflammatory substance, cytokines, which is toxic for your heart.
2.) Good Sleep Is Essential
Sleep deprivation does more than make you feel tired and cranky in the morning. It can also damage your heart's health. Sufficient lack of sleep can raise levels of cortisol and cytokines which in turn can increase your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. All of this can lead to the development of heart disease.
Women who get five hours of sleep or fewer each night usually have 50 percent more calcium in their coronary arteries than women who get at least seven hours of sleep each night. However, this doesn't mean you can sleep in until noon every day. Studies also show that too much sleep can also be bad for women's hearts. In fact, women who sleep for nine hours or more each night had 72 percent more calcium in their coronary arteries than women who slept seven hours.
However, it's important to note that what matters more than how much you sleep is how well you sleep. Make sure you are doing everything in your power to get a good night's sleep each time you go to bed. You can achieve this by eating sleep-promoting foods and limiting screen time and caffeine intake before bedtime.
3.) The Fitter You Are, The Better
The fitter you are, the better chance you have of preventing heart disease. This is especially true for women in their forties. Women who are in great shape in their forties are 37 percent less likely to have a stroke after the age of sixty-five.
Fortunately, it's never too late to start exercising. Research has shown that inactive women who increase their physical activity after the age of forty-five can reduce their risk of heart failure by 22 percent. Grab your spouse or a group of friends and enjoy the outdoors together. Not only will you make great memories, you'll also be doing your heart a favor.
4.) Depression Can Be Harmful For Your Heart
A 2016 study presented at the North American Menopause Society's annual meeting revealed that women with depression face a greater risk of developing heart disease. This is especially true for middle-aged women. Elements of depression, like loneliness and isolation can increase stress hormones which in turn can raise blood pressure and increase inflammation.
Women who suffer from depression are also less likely to exercise, eat well, or take their medications. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression such as sadness, anxiety, or irritability that lasts for more than two weeks, ask your doctor to screen you for depression during your next physical.
5.) Your Health During Pregnancy Can Be Revealing
Make sure you are paying attention to your health during your pregnancy. If you notice a development of high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, or preeclampsia during the course of your pregnancy, you're at a greater risk of developing heart disease. This remains true even if the symptoms disappear after you give birth. It's important that you keep your primary healthcare physician in the loop. This will allow her to give you frequent cardiovascular health screenings to make sure everything is working properly.
6.) Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
Did you know that almost 38,000 American women under the age of fifty have heart attacks each year? Unfortunately heart trouble symptoms are not always easy to isolate from other common ailments, such as panic attacks or indigestion. However, it's vital you watch out for any of these symptoms. When it doubt, call 911. It's always best to play it safe, especially when it comes to your health.
- Tingling sensation down one or both arms or legs
- Jaw pain
- Extreme fatigue
- Tightness, pressure, heaviness, or squeezing sensation in chest or back
- Shortness of breath
- Racing heart
- Dizziness or lightheartedness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Keep Your Heart Healthy
Heart disease is no small matter. However, by following learning more about the causes and prevention of heart disease, and by seeing your primary healthcare provider on a regular basis, you can enjoy a happy and healthy heart for many years.
Hollister Hospice Care And Palliative Care: What You Need To Know
Located within the bustling hub of San Benito County, Hollister is a charming city full of opportunities for both the young and old. Originally established by a humble group of farmers and ranch hands, Hollister is now one of the largest cities in California's Central Coast. One can always find tourists and local citizens enjoying the beautiful, historical sights that Hollister has to offer.
As the city of Hollister continues to grow, so does it's aging senior population. If you or an aging loved one are like most senior citizens of Hollister, you probably want to spend your golden years in the private comfort of your home. Unfortunately, aging at home can be difficult without the necessary aid of home health care services. Luckily, the elderly population of Hollister has a variety of resources to choose from.
One of the best home health care providers on the Central Coast is Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice (VNA). For years, VNA's exceptional staff of health care professionals has been providing phenomenal health care services to the citizens of Hollister. Their two most popular forms of home health care are hospice care and palliative care.
If you know an elderly loved one whose health is declining, or if you are a senior citizen yourself who wants to live a quality life at home, palliative or hospice care are great, affordable options. However, deciding which option works best for your unique situation can be tricky. Fortunately, VNA has created a helpful guide to make things easier for you. Keep reading to learn more about hospice care and palliative care, as well as the useful benefits they each provide.
What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice care is a type of end of life care that focuses not on curing but, on providing each patient with compassionate support and customized health care. It can take place in numerous areas and is available to anyone, regardless or race, gender, religion, or illness.
At VNA Hospice, patients and their families are able to collaborate with a team of health care specialists to create a personalized plan of care. This not only helps meet all of the patient's unique needs, it also helps ease the stress many family members and caregivers face when looking after someone who is terminally ill.
What Are The Benefits Of Hospice Care?
Hospice care provides patients with a number of benefits. Here are some of hospice care's most noteworthy benefits:
1.) You Can Age In The Comfort Of Your Home
One of the most common misconceptions about hospice care is that patients need to be in the hospital to be eligible. However, this simply isn't true. While hospice care can take place at the hospital, it usually happens elsewhere. For example, most patients choose to receive hospice care in the comfort of their homes or in a nursing facility. In short, hospice care happens at whatever location the patient would like it to.
2.) You Can Enjoy Personalized Care And Support
Hospice care does so much more than just meet the health needs of each patient. When a patient chooses to get hospice care, they are giving themselves the option to have all of their needs taken care of.
For example, at VNA Hospice, a group of health care professionals will collaborate to make sure each patient's unique physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs are addressed. All of this is done to ensure the patient enjoys the highest quality of life possible.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is also a form of specialized health care. It focuses on providing pain relief and personalized support for patients and their families. Palliative care is usually provided by a team of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, and more. It can also be helpful for patients who need additional help at home but, do not meet all of the requirements needed to receive hospice care.
What Are The Benefits Of Palliative Care?
Like hospice care, palliative care also boasts an impressive number of benefits. In fact, some patients who receive palliative care choose to also receive hospice care as the severity of their illness increases. These patients like that they have the ability to start their care plan much earlier with hospice care. Here are some of the most useful benefits patients receive from palliative care:
1.) You Don't Have To Worry About Time Restrictions
Unlike hospice care, where patients are generally only eligible if they are terminally ill or are within six months of death, palliative care can begin at any time. No time restrictions means you can receive palliative care as early as you like. The severity of your illness or it's current stage will not limit your eligibility for care.
2.) You Can Have Complete Flexibility In Your Treatment Options
Since palliative care does not have any time restrictions, it is easier for patients to get exactly what they want. Patients and their families are able to develop a personalized care plan that fully encompasses the patient's needs. In addition to receiving the same type of care and comfort hospice patients get, palliative patients can also try life-prolonging therapies.
Being able to start palliative at any time allows the patient to fully gage his or her pain limits and comfort needs well before their illness progresses. This extra time makes it easier for everyone involved to decide what treatments would be most beneficial to the patient.
Want To Learn More About Hospice Care and Palliative Care?
Even though end of life care can be a difficult topic to discuss, it is important that loved ones and family members discuss their wishes before it is too late. Knowing one's wishes will be followed even at a time when one cannot express them can be a huge stress relief for many senior citizens. Choosing hospice care or palliative care for yourself or loved ones does not mean you are giving up hope. It means you are choosing to have you and your elderly family members fully live a high quality life to the best of your individual abilities.
To learn more about the benefits of both palliative and hospice care, please contact Visiting Nurse Association at 831-703-8444. One of their nurses will get back to you as soon as possible to answer all of your questions.
5 Warning Signs Your Elderly Parents Need Home Health Care
Even as an adult, you still care about your parents. It's natural to want to do what's best for them. For many people, it can be hard to accept that their parents may need additional help at home. This is especially true for all matters related to home health care. After all, when it's highly likely that if your elderly parents do need help, they will be the last ones to admit it.
One reason for this is parents fear that admitting they need help will lead to a lack of freedom. However, home health care focuses on helping patients enjoy a safe, high-quality life with as much independence as possible. Local Monterey County home health care providers, like Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice (VNA), strive to provide exceptional care to patients and their families throughout the Central Coast.
In fact, many home health care providers offer a diversity of help, including occupational therapists, who can help your parents age comfortably in their homes and home health aides who can provide daily living support. All of these benefits reduce the levels of stress many aging parents face and provide much needed support to overwhelmed family members.
Studies show that almost 90& of Americans would prefer to age within their homes. However, in order for this to happen, they need to get the proper support they maintain their independence and meet their physical and mental needs. Therefore it is up to you to make sure your parents are getting the additional support they need at home. Keep a sharp eye out for these five warning signs your elderly parents need home health care.
1.) Their Appearance Is Disheveled Or Sloppy
Is your father starting to wear the same clothes over and over again? Does your mother's hair look greasy and unkempt all of the the time? These signs of poor hygiene are more than just a potentially embarrassing social situation. If your parents are having noticeable trouble bathing, grooming, or dressing themselves, it is time to seek home health care assistance.
After all, poor hygiene can mean living in an environment full of harmful bacteria, germs, molds, and a whole host of harmful elements. If your parents are unable to maintain their hygiene, they could be putting themselves in an unsafe atmosphere where their health is at risk.
2.) Their Eating Habits Have Changed
It's normal for weight levels to fluctuate, especially if one is a picky eater. However, if you notice your parents are consistently loosing weight then it's time to check-in with them and see how things are going. Their rapid weight loss could be a sign that they are no longer able to properly feed themselves.
Also, burn marks on your parents or burnt pots and pans could be warning signs that your parents are having a harder time than usually preparing their meals. If the fridge, cupboard, and pantry have more cobwebs than food it is highly likely that your parents need help not only preparing and eating their food, but also require assistance purchasing their food.
When it comes to the health of senior citizens, one of the most beneficial things you can do is make sure they are consistently eating a well-balanced diet. If you are noticing any signs that your parents are struggling to eat, reach out to a local home health care provider to see what options are available to ensure your parents get the nutrition their bodies need.
3.) Their Behavior Isn't The Same
It's normal for everyone to act out of the ordinary from time to time. However, it could be a red flag if you are noticing an alarming amount of changes in your parents' behavior. If your parents seem to lack their usual drive to accomplish goals, have dwindling motivation, or have a difficult time keeping up with returning your phone calls, it is time to schedule an appointment with a home health care nurse.
4.) Their Way Of Thinking Is Changing
Is your mom or dad's sense of reasoning deteriorating? Do they suffer from consistent memory lapses? Are they often confused or frequently misplacing things? These are all warning signs that your parents' cognitive abilities are changing. If you've answered yes for any of the above questions, it's important that you speak to your parents' health care provider to express your concerns. The sooner your parents get effective home health care, the better the chance of success mental restoration is.
5.) They Have Unexplained Bruising Or Injuries
One of the most noticeable warning signs that your elderly parents may need home health care is unexplained bruising or injuries. This could be the result of common accidents associated with old age, like falls. Home health care services can teach your parents how to avoid accidents while painting a full life. They can also install safety features in your parents' home, like non-slip floors and grab bars, to create a safer living environment.