One such issue that many seniors experience is high blood pressure. High blood pressure puts an enormous strain on the body and can lead to serious complications if not dealt with promptly. You may be wondering how you or your senior care provider can help your senior loved one lower their blood pressure? We have put together five tips for you below!

Regular Exercise

Finding a safe and effective exercise routine can make all the difference in helping your seniors lower their blood pressure. Exercise releases endorphins which are feel-good chemicals that help your senior stay happy and healthy. Exercise also helps to improve heart health, strengthen bones, reduce stress levels, increase energy levels and manage weight more effectively. Exercising in the morning before eating breakfast or exercising in the evening are both great options that will not cause too much strain on your senior’s heart but still provide them with all of the benefits they need!

Fruits & Vegetables

Eating fruits and vegetables daily is an important part of any diet, but it can be especially beneficial for seniors who have high blood pressure. Fruits and veggies contain antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals in the body’s natural aging process. Antioxidants work to purify your senior loved one’s bloodstream reducing their risk of hypertension as well as a number of other serious medical conditions they may be at risk for, including stroke or diabetes type II! A good rule of thumb for seniors is to have at least two servings each day.

Find Ways To Reduce Stress

Stress is one of the biggest causes of high blood pressure among seniors today. How your senior deal with stress is very important. Many seniors find that by getting involved in a new activity or hobby, they are able to reduce their stress levels naturally and effectively. You can also help them out by finding ways you can both relax together, such as going for walks, reading books, watching movies, etc.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Consuming alcohol regularly is a surefire way to put your senior loved one’s blood pressure at risk. Alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure by increasing the heart rate and restricting normal circulation, which in turn decreases oxygen levels throughout the body. If you feel that your senior loved ones’ drinking habits are putting them at an increased health risk, consult their doctor immediately.

Regular Checkups

Getting regular check-ups from qualified professionals is an effective way of ensuring your senior’s blood pressure remains at a healthy level throughout their life! A doctor will be able to assess what lifestyle changes you need to make in order to ensure the long-term health of your loved one, so it’s always best not to wait until there are serious problems before heading down this route.

Senior Care: Conclusion

Staying active, eating fruits & vegetables regularly, finding ways to manage stress levels effectively, limiting alcohol intake, and getting regular check-ups from a medical professional are all great ideas when it comes to helping your senior loved ones lower their blood pressure! Companion care at home providers can help seniors with each one of these tips!

Companion care at home can help your senior family member stay active, eat nutritious meals, find stress relief methods, manage their alcohol intake (if applicable), and if needed, take them to regular check-ups from a medical professional!

Contact us or schedule a visit at one of our offices for more information on how Senior Care at home can benefit your loved one!

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Senior Care in Medford, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Attentive Care Inc. at 1-800-493-5660

Sources:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318716#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/6-natural-ways-to-lower-blood-pressure/

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While the term can be used somewhat loosely (such as a 40-something uncle or grandparent figure), it’s mostly used when referring to a person in their late 60s, 70s, 80s, or older. When that ‘elder’ needs some type of senior care -whether it’s for short-term needs or something a bit longer in duration- home care will tend to be the best option.

This happens to be the case for a range of reasons. Let’s look into a few of the reasons why home care is often best when someone needs what may be referred to as ‘elder care.’

1. Home care often has experience.

This isn’t a blanket statement (meaning every home care provider has experience), but when you hire through an agency, more often than not you will find a care provider who has at least some experience.

When a person is in need and considered ‘elderly,’ the last thing you or anyone else in the family will want are mistakes. You don’t want things being overlooked, missed, or bad choices made, which could put the elder in harm’s way.

Home care aides have often worked with other elderly men and women through the years. They understand what an aging person needs, what is still important to discuss (things that matter when

it comes to quality of life, for example), and how to find the balance between the two, which often takes family members a long, long time to learn.

If you want an elder care option for someone you love that is best, turn to home care.

2. This type of elder care will offer better consistency.

‘Better’ than what? Well, for the most part, it means better than what most family members could provide. While family and the closest of friends are usually most concerned with safety and ensuring their aging loved one is safe, many have other responsibilities as well.

It’s not all about the senior.

Because of that, these family caregivers may not be able to provide a good level of consistency when it comes to being there. The family member might miss a morning because they’re running late for work. Or they may not be able to stop by after work because of a pressing deadline.

That doesn’t tend to seem like a big deal at the time, but as it happens more and more, it puts the senior at risk and erodes confidence and trust in that care provider. Home care will be there when you hire through an agency.

3. Home care can offer flexibility.

That’s not all the time, though, but when you hire through an agency, you should be able to enjoy flexible hours and schedules. Agencies will have a number of caregivers on staff to ‘fill in the gaps’ when necessary.

So, when it comes to senior care needs, turning to home care is one of the best to consider, and these are just a few of the great reasons why.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Senior Care in Medford, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Attentive Care Inc. at 1-800-493-5660

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Your mom and dad have had their COVID-19 shot.

They’re ready to get back out and do things they’ve been unable to do for the past year. You’re a little more hesitant. As the restrictions are lifted, what can your parents do? What shouldn’t they do? Isn’t it still important for them to keep wearing their mask when they’re around others?

Effectiveness of the Vaccine

One thing that’s important to remember is that the vaccine offers protection against the virus, but it’s not guaranteed to be fully protective. If your parents do get COVID-19, the symptoms should be less severe. The vaccine is not 100% effective. Few vaccines are 100% effective. They still need to be careful around others.

Use Care When Gathering

Your parents want to gather, and they should. They need to be careful, though. Instead of attending a big gathering with strangers, they should socialize with others who are taking precautions to avoid the virus.

A family picnic together in the open air where people can spread out is a great idea. Everyone can bring a dish. That prevents others from needing to cook multiple dishes to make sure people have enough food. If someone doesn’t want to cook, they could buy ice for the coolers that will hold the drinks.

Masks Helped Lower the Cases of the Flu and Common Colds

Another thing to consider is how effective mask-wearing was for COVID-19. In a typical year, there are flu cases across the U.S. Mask wearing and social distancing dropped the number of lab-tested positive cases to a total of 1,814 as of May 2021. The 2019/2020 flu season that happened before the pandemic had approximately 38 million estimated cases.

Wearing a mask is simple and made a big difference in spreading viruses that have hit people hard in the past. It’s not a bad idea for your parents to keep wearing their masks when they go shopping or are in a crowded public place.

Keep Washing Hands

Your parents also need to keep washing their hands. It’s a good practice to continue. It stops the spread of germs and can help them avoid viruses, bacterial infections, and foodborne illnesses.

When they wash their hands, they should suds their hands for a full 30 seconds before rinsing their hands. Air drying is best, but they could dry their hands with a clean towel if they prefer using a towel.

Stay Home When You’re Sick

When you’re sick, stay home. Even if you’re the family caregiver and they rely on you, you need to stay home to stop the spread. Talk to a senior care agency about respite care services. While you’re at home getting over the flu or another virus, your parents have the help they need from trained senior care aides. Call to learn more.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Senior Care in Medford, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Attentive Care Inc. at 1-800-493-5660

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm#ILIActivityMap
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/past-seasons.html

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