What Is COPD?

COPD is a chronic lung disease that makes it more difficult for people to breathe. People most often develop COPD from long-term exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke or air pollution. There may also be a hereditary component for some people. COPD involves two main lung illnesses: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. There is no cure for COPD at this stage, but early diagnosis and assistance in managing the condition can improve quality of life.

Spotting COPD Earlier

The best way to spot COPD earlier is to understand the symptoms that point to this condition. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Trouble breathing during activities
• Chronic cough
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Fatigue
• Wheezing or whistling while breathing

If seniors are experiencing even a few of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to talk with their doctors. Screening tests can help to narrow down what is going on so that seniors get appropriate treatment as soon as possible. Doctors ask questions about past medical history, and family history, and then run breathing tests to determine the cause of the symptoms.

COPD Challenges

Seniors living with COPD have a lot of difficulty breathing. But they can also experience reduced physical endurance, which makes daily tasks like cleaning or cooking more difficult. Seniors may also start to isolate themselves without realizing it because they find it more difficult to participate in social activities. They can also experience emotional impacts from the grief and loss of no longer being able to do some of the activities they enjoy doing.

How Senior Home Care Supports Seniors with COPD

Senior home care can be a huge help to people who live with COPD. First, they can help seniors continue to live in a safe and clean environment. Seniors may also need help with activities related to errands, grocery shopping, and meal preparation. This allows them to conserve energy for other activities. Remembering to eat healthy meals and get enough physical activity can also help seniors manage COPD effectively. Because COPD can also be emotionally taxing, it can help to have senior home care providers around who help with practical issues and also offer emotional support.

Aging in Place with Home Care Assistance

Staying in their own homes offers seniors a sense of familiarity and comfort that keeps them feeling secure. With the help of senior home care services, seniors can stay as independent as possible while also getting the specific help they need. Seniors are more likely to reduce hospital visits by having assistance at home to conserve energy and manage symptoms.

Navigating the challenges of COPD can be difficult for seniors. Senior home care providers give seniors the tools and support that they need to age in place for as long as possible.

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

The post Can Seniors Still Age in Place with COPD? appeared first on Attentive Care, Inc..

There are some tried and true home remedies that seniors can try to make the symptoms of viral infections a little more bearable. These home remedies might help:

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is very important when battling a viral infection. Drinking plenty of water, herbal teas, clear broths, and electrolyte-rich fluids can help prevent dehydration and soothe a sore throat. Electrolyte drinks, protein shakes, and warm broth can all help seniors feel better when sick.

Rest

Seniors should prioritize rest and give their bodies the time they need to recover. Adequate sleep and relaxation help the immune system fight the infection more effectively. Naps are also a great way to help the body fight off an infection, especially for seniors who have sleep challenges.

Warm Salt Gargle

A warm saltwater gargle can provide relief for a sore throat. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in warm water and use it as a gargle several times a day.

Steam Inhalation

Inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water or a warm shower can help relieve nasal congestion and ease breathing difficulties. An easy way to keep water warm for steam inhalation is to fill a slow cooker with water and some lavender or peppermint and keep it on low.

Humidifier

Using a humidifier in the bedroom can add moisture to the air, helping to relieve dry throat and congestion during the night.

Honey

Honey has natural antibacterial and soothing properties. A teaspoon of honey in warm water or herbal tea can soothe a sore throat and cough. A cup of herbal tea with lots of honey is a great treat that can help the body fight off infection.

Ginger Tea

Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Seniors can prepare ginger tea by simmering fresh ginger slices in hot water. This can help reduce nausea, soothe the stomach, and provide relief from cold symptoms. Ginger tea with honey is a great infection-fighting drink.

Chicken Soup

Chicken soup has been a traditional remedy for colds and flu for generations. It can help hydrate, provide essential nutrients, and ease congestion.

Steamy Shower or Bath

Taking a steamy shower or bath can help seniors relax and relieve muscle aches and tension. The warm, moist environment can also ease congestion. Use a shower steamer tablet to help loosen up congestion and open the nasal passages.

Salt Inhalation

Some seniors find relief from congestion by using a saline nasal spray or doing salt inhalation. These methods can help clear nasal passages and promote easier breathing.

Vitamin C

Foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, kiwi, and strawberries, can help boost the immune system and may reduce the duration and severity of viral infections.

Garlic

Garlic has antimicrobial properties and may help combat viral infections. Seniors can add fresh garlic to their meals or take garlic supplements after consulting with a healthcare provider.

Sleep With Head Elevated

Sleeping with an elevated head can reduce nighttime coughing and congestion. Seniors can achieve this by using extra pillows or a wedge pillow.

Probiotics

Probiotics can support gut health and the immune system. Seniors can incorporate probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir into their diet or take probiotic supplements.

Warm Compresses

Applying a warm compress to the forehead, sinuses, or throat can provide soothing relief from pain and discomfort.

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

The post Home Remedies Seniors Can Try For Viral Infections appeared first on Attentive Care, Inc..

Having a chronic disease not only wears on a person physically as parts of the body either no longer function at all or don’t function the way they should, but it also takes a toll on a person’s mental health as they battle the depression and anxiety that comes alongside it.

These daily affirmations or practices might help your loved one live better with the chronic condition he has.

Stop blaming himself.

Many times those with a chronic illness may feel a lot of guilt about why/how they got the disease or condition that they are trying to manage. That self-loathing can lead to making the conditions worse and can create a cycle of depression and frustration. The shame that is felt often leads to other self-destructive behaviors such as drinking or overeating.

If your loved one seems to blame himself for his condition, remind him that no matter how he got there, no one blames him. Helping him find peace with his condition will help boost his mood, which in turn may help the treatments and therapy he is doing to work better.

Honor his limitations.

If your loved one is someone who has a hard time saying no to others, he might struggle with honoring his limitations and you might need to help him on this. It might mean saying no to going to his second cousin’s 53rd birthday party on the other side of the state because that much traveling will do your loved one more harm physically than the second cousin could ever appreciate. Offer yourself up as the “bad guy” if your loved one needs a bit of help saying no.

Realize his illness doesn’t fully define him.

Your loved one is so much more than his condition or disease. Help him rediscover his passions. He might need to do them differently, but with a little creativity, he should be able to enjoy what makes him uniquely him. For example, if your loved one enjoys cooking, but can no longer hold a sharp knife, having a home care provider help with prepping can allow him to still cook.

Let go of some expectations.

If your loved one’s condition has made it impossible for him to perform certain tasks anymore, help him ask for help and find comfort in that help. A home care provider can assist with many personal care tasks or home cleaning chores without making your loved one feel like he is less of a person because he can no longer do it.

Finally, help your loved one find support groups that are made up of people who are living with either the same or similar conditions. Those support groups can be a great community to help him through the roughest patches.

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

The post Mental Challenges of Living with a Chronic Disease  appeared first on Attentive Care, Inc..

The brain has six lobes:

• Brain Stem (breathing, sleep function, and heart rate)
• Cerebellum (balance and motor skills)
• Frontal (attention and concentration)
• Occipital (vision)
• Parietal (touch and depth perception)
• Temporal (memory and understanding)

When there is an injury to any part of the brain, it causes a traumatic or non-traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries are caused by a blow to the head, while non-traumatic brain injuries are just as dangerous, but they’re caused by things like a stroke, meningitis, tumors, overdoses, etc.

These are the top four benefits of in-home care following a stroke.

Transportation

It’s going to be a while before your dad can drive. He has several appointments each week with his doctor and a variety of therapists. You can take off some afternoons to bring him to his speech, occupational, and physical therapists, but there are appointments you can’t cover. His in-home care aide can drive him around.

Help With Hygiene and Grooming

In-home care aides help your dad with his personal care needs. Following a stroke, he may find it hard to grasp anything. He can’t lift his arm. This makes it hard to hold a toothbrush, floss his teeth, get dressed, shave, or comb his hair.

Have caregivers with your dad each day to help him with his morning routine. He’ll have someone to help him during his shower and when it’s time to dry off and get dressed. His caregiver can brush and floss your dad’s teeth, shave his face, and help him trim his nails.

Meal Preparation

Have a caregiver with your dad each day to cook meals he can manage. His caregiver can cut the pieces small enough so that your dad doesn’t choke. His caregiver can get him beverages as needed and prepare snacks.

Not only will the caregiver cook for him, but the caregiver also builds a shopping list and runs errands. Your dad won’t have to try to get to the store to shop.

In-Home Care Aides Help With Housework

Your dad’s not going to have an easy time walking around his home. His mobility is impacted, and that makes it hard for him to do the laundry, vacuum the carpets, dust, and wash dishes. He can’t change his sheets anymore, but his caregiver can make his bed, change the sheets each week, and fluff his pillows.

Arrange in-home care services by calling our agency and talking to a specialist. You’ll be able to discuss your dad’s current care needs, what his doctors say, and how long it’s expected he’s going to need help with personal care. Talk to our in-home care specialist to learn more.

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

The post Four Benefits of In-Home Care Following a Stroke appeared first on Attentive Care, Inc..

Lifespan

The most common criteria involved in qualifying for hospice care involves your senior’s expected lifespan. If her doctor certifies that she can expect six months or less to live, she can qualify for help through hospice. There may be other criteria as well that your senior should consider when thinking about hospice care.

Disabling Difficulty Breathing

People with COPD often have difficulty breathing. But as the disease progresses, your elderly family member is likely to have even more trouble breathing, even when she’s at rest. She may find that she is short of breath at all times, not just after she exerts herself. This can be a sign that she should consider hospice.

Multiple Hospital Stays for Pulmonary Issues

If your elderly family member is finding herself in the hospital frequently because of pneumonia or other respiratory issues, then hospice care is possibly a good choice for her. This type of care can help her to be more comfortable and can also reduce the likelihood that she’ll be readmitted to the hospital. Staying at home can help to reduce her anxiety, which can make a big difference for her.

Low Oxygen Levels in Blood

Another big consideration is the oxygen levels in your senior’s blood. This can be an indication that her COPD is becoming even more severe. Another metric to keep an eye on is the carbon dioxide level in your senior’s blood. If oxygen is low and carbon dioxide is high, that’s a sign that she’s having greater difficulty.

Right-sided Heart Failure

Normal heart operation involves the left side of the heart pumping oxygenated blood through the lungs and the body while the right side of the heart brings deoxygenated blood back to the lungs to pick up oxygen again. Right-sided heart failure means that the right side no longer does its job and deoxygenated blood backs up into the rest of the body. That makes it more difficult for the heart to move oxygen through the body at all.

Your Senior Declines Breathing Assistance

Finally, if your elderly family member has declined breathing tubes and other types of breathing assistance, it may be time for hospice elder care. This type of treatment can feel too invasive to your senior as she’s dealing with the challenges of COPD. Hospice care can help her to be as comfortable as possible in the time that she has left.

A common misconception is that your elderly family member can only access hospice services for six months, but that isn’t the case. If she does have longer, her doctor can recertify her so that she can continue to receive hospice care.

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

The post What Are the Hospice Care Criteria for Patients with COPD? appeared first on Attentive Care, Inc..

The pancreas is an organ that is located behind the lower part of the stomach. About the size of a hand, the pancreas makes pancreatic juices called enzymes. The enzymes break down sugars, fats, and starches. The pancreas also assists the digestive system by making hormones that are chemical messengers that travel through the blood. Pancreatic hormones help regulate blood sugar levels and appetite, stimulate stomach acids, and tell the stomach when to empty.

Both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors can occur in the pancreas. The most common type of cancer that forms in the pancreas starts in the cells that line the ducts that carry digestive enzymes out of the pancreas.

These are the signs that you, your elderly loved one, and the elder care team should watch for and report if noticed so that your parent can get examined as soon as possible.

• Abdominal pain that radiates to the back
• Loss of appetite or unintended weight loss
• Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes
• Light-colored stools
• Dark-colored urine
• Itchy skin
• New diagnosis of diabetes or existing diabetes that’s becoming more difficult to control
• Blood clots
• Fatigue

Many of these symptoms can be linked to other health conditions but a combination of them or having a health history or some of the risk factors for pancreatic cancer may indicate that the pancreas has developed a cancerous tumor. Your loved one’s elder care provider can be a good resource for any new conditions that your parent may be experiencing but isn’t willing to share with family members. Often, symptoms in the elderly can be going on for months or years because of the fear of discussing them or feeling like they’re just being a burden.

As cancer continues to grow and progress, some of the symptoms listed above can cause some serious complications, such as:

Weight loss – Weight loss might happen as cancer consumes the body’s energy. Nausea and vomiting caused by a tumor pressing on the stomach may make it difficult to eat. Your parent’s body might begin to struggle with processing nutrients from food because the pancreas isn’t making enough digestive juices.

Jaundice – When pancreatic cancer causes the liver’s bile duct to get blocked, it can lead to jaundice. Jaundice symptoms include yellow skin and eyes, dark-colored urine, and pale-colored stools.

Pain – A tumor pressing on nerves in your abdomen can cause severe pain.
Bowel obstruction – Pancreatic cancer that grows into the first part of the small intestine can block the flow of digested food from your stomach into your intestines.

If pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, having a team of elder care providers to help your parent as he goes through treatment will benefit both him and yourself.

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

The post Pancreatic Cancer and Its Symptoms appeared first on Attentive Care, Inc..