After Stroke, Ambulance Necessary

Posted on May 9, 2013 by synergyhomecare

Quick intervention is essential after someone suffers a stroke. In fact, it can sometimes mean the difference between life and death, which makes recent findings from the American Heart Association particularly troubling. Research revealed that as many as one in three stroke victims do not take an ambulance to the hospital despite it being the fastest mode of transportation, according to a study published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

The findings are based off an analysis of more than 204,000 medical records from over 1,500 hospitals. Researchers determined that emergency medical services (EMS) were responsible for 63.7 percent of stroke patients’ arrival at hospitals. Furthermore, 79 percent of patients who arrived within two hours of their stroke got there by EMS – with 55 percent undergoing a brain scan within 25 minutes of their arrival at the hospital. Calling 9-1-1 and traveling via ambulance offers a number of benefits.

“The ambulance crew also knows which hospitals in the area have qualified stroke centers,” senior author Dr. Jeffrey L. Saver. “Patients don’t lose time going to one hospital only to be referred to another that can provide more advanced care if needed, whether that’s drugs to bust up the clot or device procedures to remove it.”

Early intervention is a critical component of stroke care because the quicker one gets to the hospital, the sooner treatment can be administered.

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The Five Sudden Symptoms of Stroke

Posted on May 6, 2013 by synergyhomecare

Strokes are one of the leading causes of death in the United States, but they are also a significant source of disability. People who survive strokes often have to contend with mobility issues, cognitive struggles and other difficulties. Stroke recovery care is an essential part of helping victims get back to their previous levels of activity, so it’s crucial to recognize the five earliest symptoms of a stroke.

The symptoms of stroke often set in quickly and without warning. One of the most significant signs is weakness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body. Additionally, sudden confusion or difficulty speaking can be a sign of trouble. The other so-called sudden symptoms include trouble seeing on one side, severe headache, or sudden dizziness. If any of these occur out of nowhere, it’s crucial to call 9-1-1 as soon as possible.

“The good news is that quickly recognizing the signs of stroke and seeking immediate medical care from stroke specialists can minimize the effects of the disease or even save a life,” Dr. Patrick D. Lyden.

An estimated 795,000 people suffer a stroke in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Gene Could Be Key to Alzheimer’s Treatment

Posted on May 2, 2013 by synergyhomecare

Researchers are constantly working toward a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s care, and new findings out of Harvard Medical School may be just that. Scientists there believe they have discovered how a certain gene, known as CD33, can be used to remove the amyloid plaques associated with causing the memory and cognitive problems the disease is known for.

Published in the journal Neuron, the study was focused on analyzing the brain cells of subjects who died from Alzheimer’s as well as others who passed away from different causes. CD33 is important because it is present in brain cells called microglia, which help remove plaques and other debris from the brain. But in Alzheimer’s patients, there is too much CD33, which leads to dead brain cells. Experts say that targeting this gene could be crucial.

“What we discovered is that CD33 is a key switch so when the switch is off, and it is deactivated, there is more clearance of [amyloid,]” study leader Dr. Rudolph Tanzi told Time magazine. “If we can now find drugs that inactivate CD33 it should allow more clearance of [amyloid] by the microglial cells.”

Such findings could have a far reaching impact on the senior community. An estimated 5.4 million people currently have Alzheimer’s, and that figure is expected to increase dramatically in the next few decades.

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Seniors Increasingly Likely to Turn to Therapy

Posted on April 29, 2013 by synergyhomecare

Addressing physical ailments is a key component of senior care, but it’s also important to pay attention to older adults’ mental well-being. In fact, an estimated 6.5 million people 65 and older have depression, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness. Despite this high prevalence, experts have noticed that seniors have become increasingly likely to seek out therapy, according to The New York Times.

When it comes to depression in seniors, a number of factors can play a role. Loss of independence from chronic conditions or managing the side effects from cancer treatments can have an effect on mental health. Feelings of isolation and loneliness may also contribute. Companionship care is often a useful tool, but therapy has proven to be particularly helpful as well, experts say.

“We’ve been seeing more people in their 80s and older over the past five years, many who have never done therapy before,” Dolores Gallagher-Thompson, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford, told the Times. “Usually, they’ve tried other resources like their church, or talked to family. They’re realizing that they’re living longer, and if you’ve got another 10 or 15 years, why be miserable if there’s something that can help you?”

It’s often up to family members to recognize the early signs of depression in their elderly relatives. Symptoms such as a loss of energy, lack of interest in hobbies or increased irritability are all signs.

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Eating Fish for a Longer Life

Posted on April 25, 2013 by synergyhomecare

Fish have long been recognized as one of the healthiest foods for seniors thanks in large part to the presence of omega-3 fatty acids, and now new research from the Harvard School of Public Health sheds light on just how true that is. Scientists discovered that adults 65 and older who had more fish such as salmon and albacore tuna in their diet increased their lifespan by an average of 2.2 years.

The findings were published recently in Annals of Internal Medicine and are based off an extensive analysis of 16 years’ worth of data on more than 2,700 seniors. After looking at the levels of omega-3 in the participants’ blood, researchers determined that those with higher levels enjoyed a 27 percent lower mortality risk as well as a 35 percent lower chance of dying from cardiovascular disease. The results underscore the important role meal preparation plays in caregiving.

“Our findings support the importance of adequate blood omega-3 levels for cardiovascular health, and suggest that later in life these benefits could actually extend the years of remaining life,” said lead author Dariush Mozaffarian.

Omega-3s are present in more foods than just fish. Beans, nuts and leafy green vegetables are all substantial sources of the vital nutrient, according to U.S. News and World Report.

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Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Posted on April 25, 2013 by synergyhomecare

April is recognized across the country as Parkinson’s Awareness Month and for those responsible for the care of a loved one with the condition, it may serve as a good time to evaluate how they provide care. This is especially true when it comes to looking at their living environment, as there are many small changes Parkinson’s care providers can make to help their loved one live more independently.

For starters, caregivers should pay attention to areas of the home that they may not always recognize as potential hazards. Floor rugs are particularly important to inspect because Parkinson’s patients often experience issues with mobility, so the rugs should be tacked down to help reduce the risk of tripping. Furniture should also be arranged in such a way that makes it easier for someone with Parkinson’s to get around the house, especially if they require the use of a walker or wheelchair.

Aside from safety, there are other concerns for Parkinson’s care providers. For instance, patients will want to retain as much independence as possible, so it’s important to implement changes around the house that make activities of daily living easier. Making kitchen drawers easier to open is a good first step, as is adding grab bars to the bathroom and looking for adaptive handles for objects like toothbrushes and other essentials.

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Coconut Oil May Help Manage Alzheimer’s Symptoms

Posted on April 24, 2013 by synergyhomecare

Alzheimer’s care has many different facets. Everything from providing memory boosting activities to making adjustments around the house play a role, and diet can have an impact as well. Coconut oil in particular has attracted a great deal of attention when it comes to managing the condition, as experts have long found it could even treat other diseases such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis.

There has been a significant amount of anecdotal evidence supporting the benefits of coconut oil, and experts say it is not all that surprising given that it stimulates the production of so-called ketone bodies. The compounds are important for a number of reasons, especially because they can help serve as an energy source for brain cells when there is a surfeit of glucose – one of the leading causes of Alzheimer’s.

“All of these traditional foods and oils have benefits. Our society wouldn’t have survived if they were taking something that was bad for them,” Dr. Carolyn Dean told AgingCare.com.

The benefits of coconut oil highlight the fact meal preparation can play big role in Alzheimer’s care. Other foods and nutrients have shown similar promise including vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids.

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7 Great Ways to Provide Post-Hospital Care

Posted on April 10, 2013 by synergyhomecare

Having a loved one in the hospital can be very stressful, and repeat hospital stays can make your caregiving experience seem like an emotional rollercoaster.  Bringing your loved one home is a relief, but it can cause a lot of worry. You may wonder how you will provide the same quality of care given by doctors and nurses. What will you do in case of an emergency? When do you call medical professionals? What will all of this cost?

Your concerns are shared by many hospitals across the country. Medicare recently started penalizing hospitals with high readmission rates, so many healthcare professionals are concerned about keeping patients hospitalized until they are well enough to go home as well as ensuring high quality care in the home.

So what can you do to keep your loved one at home and ensure their well being? Here are seven actions that can make the difference between continuing recovery at home and returning to the hospital.

Monitor Medication

Hospital discharge papers seem to come with a stack of prescriptions. If taken as directed, these medications will most likely aid health and recovery. However, coming home from the hospital often includes decreased mobility. Sometimes the medications themselves cause people to become disoriented. These and other side effects contribute to over and under dosing of medication. You can be the scheduler, organizer and reminder of medications, which greatly reduces the risk of incorrect dosing.

Prevent Falls

Laying in a hospital bed can weaken limbs, which leads to instability when walking. While arm and leg strength can be rebuilt, many people try to walk around the house before they are ready to do so, which leads to them falling. Falls lead to broken bones and other complex conditions which require hospitalization. Being there to support your loved one when they are walking, getting up and sitting down will prevent them from falling. Better yet, installing grab bars in bathrooms and hallways as well as ramps in the place of steps will also help. By taking these precautions, falls will most likely happen less often and be less severe.

Fix Healthy Food

Preparing healthy meals gives your loved one the nutrition they need to recover. For seniors, high protein meals will encourage muscle growth and strength. Low sodium and low fat foods are also good. Fill up on fruits and vegetables, which are loaded with micro nutrients like vitamins and minerals. If your loved one does not have an appetite, try to fix their favorite foods to encourage them to eat.

Keep a Care Journal

Keeping a record of your loved one’s meals, medications, and physical and emotional status is a great way to stay on top of their overall well-being. With the many things going on in your life, having a journal for reference lets you keep track of progress and plan for the future. Also, the more you can tell a nurse practitioner or a medical professional about your loved one’s health, the better care they will be able to suggest or provide. Keeping a care log is an activity we highly encourage our caregivers to do in order to report back to families and coordinate home care.

Stay on Top of Appointments

Follow-up appointments with doctors, wound dressings, and physical therapy can all be part of the post-hospital regimen. Be sure to provide transportation to appointments outside the home and confirm that other professionals will be coming to visit.

Coordinate Social Activities

In the hospital, you and your family member probably talked to many people: nurses, doctors, interns, other patients, other caregivers, therapists, and specialists. Social interaction of any kind keeps minds sharp and can contribute to better moods. After coming home, there are usually fewer people to talk to. If other family members do not live close by, invite friends and neighbors to visit your loved one. Take advantage of online communication like Skype to help your loved one keep in touch with their favorite people living  far away.

When in Doubt, Call a Doctor

When it comes to your loved one’s well-being, taking preventative action is much better than risking another heart attack, stroke, fall, or other emergency. If you are concerned, call a doctor or a nurse practitioner for advice and guidance. Be sure to refer to your care journal.

SYNERGY HomeCare is partnering with many hospitals to become part of their discharge and care continuity programs. We know that caregiving involves many people, and we are here to help you, your loved one and medical professionals. Our caregivers can provide medication reminders, fall prevention, safety suggestions, healthy meals, and care logs to better assist you and your loved one with life after the hospital.

Posted in Caregivers, caregiving, Family Caregivers, Health, Health Professionals, Helpful Tips, Home Care, Hospital Readmission, Seniors | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Overcoming Senior Resistance to Home Care

Posted on April 10, 2013 by synergyhomecare

Home care can be a big help to seniors and their families. Skilled professionals can assist older adults with activities of daily living, while their loved ones can be offered some peace of mind. Despite the benefits, sometimes seniors may be resistant to welcoming a new person into their house, but there are some steps that family members can take to make the transition as easy as possible.

Most importantly, family members should make sure to communicate their elderly relative’s specific needs to the home care agency. For instance, having to manage multiple chronic conditions would require a different level of care compared to someone who only needs help with things like homemaking and meal preparation. Though communication with the home care agency is critical, loved ones also need to have an open discussion with their parent or grandparent.

Family caregivers need to clearly demonstrate to their loved ones how professional help can improve their well-being. For instance, highlight the fact that having someone to assist cleaning up around the house can reduce their risk of suffering from a fall. Family members also should involve their loved ones in the decision-making process at every step of the way.

Welcoming someone new into one’s home is always a change, but helping seniors become more accepting of it could improve their health.

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Heading Outside for Spring

Posted on April 10, 2013 by synergyhomecare

With spring in full swing, most people are itching to get outside and enjoy the warmer temperature and longer hours of daylight. However, for seniors, heading outside can be more important than simply stepping out after a long winter stuck inside. Whether it is walking around the neighborhood, gardening or anything in between, spending time outdoors offers a host of health benefits, and caregivers should take steps to encourage their loved ones to do so.

For starters, walking outdoors can help seniors relieve stress. In fact, a 2012 study published in the journal Landscape and Urban Planning found that walking through parks and other woodland areas tended to reduce anxiety among its participants. Not only that, but any level of physical activity boost endorphin levels in the brain, which are tied to an improved mood and a boost in self esteem.

While there are certainly benefits to heading outdoors, sometimes seniors may be hesitant to walk out the front door due to concerns over mobility or other health issues. The best way to allay some of these fears is to ensure a companionship care provider or family member goes with them. Having someone can encourage them to stride confidently and enjoy the benefits of getting outdoors.

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