November is COPD Awareness Month, the perfect opportunity for our Florida aging care specialists at American, Advocate, Douglas and Whitsyms In-Home Care to share the information seniors and their families need.

What Is COPD?
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive condition caused mainly by tobacco smoke, although air pollution and lung infections such as pneumonia can also lead to an increased risk for contracting the disease.

What Are the Symptoms of COPD?
Initially, symptoms may be so mild they may not even be detected, but as the disease progresses, the following signs become more severe:

• Coughing, especially coughs that produce a lot of phlegm
• Wheezing, squeaking, or whistling sound during breathing
• Tightness in the chest
• Shortness of breath, exacerbated by physical activity

Additionally, someone with severe lung damage may also develop swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet, reduced muscle endurance, and/or weight loss.

It’s imperative to see a doctor as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

How Is COPD Treated?
While there’s no cure available for COPD, there are ways to slow the progression of the disease:

• Most importantly, someone with COPD needs to quit smoking, and to avoid secondhand smoke and other pollutants.
• Medications to ease symptoms, such as wheezing and coughing, may be prescribed.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation helps those with COPD learn better coping mechanisms, including how to conserve energy and recommended lifestyle changes.
• Supplemental oxygen may be prescribed as well if blood oxygen levels drop.

As the experts in senior care throughout Florida, our referred care providers are available to help those with COPD live the best life possible. Let us help with accompanied transportation to medical appointments and procedures, encouragement to adhere to recommended exercise plans, meal planning and preparation, and the companionship seniors need to alleviate loneliness and isolation, which can lead to depression and other serious health concerns, especially for those battling a chronic disease such as COPD.

Reach out to us today for more information about our referred care providers and the difference we can make in the life of a senior you love.

• American In-Home Care – Serving North, Central, and West Coast of Florida
• Advocate In-Home Care – Serving Southeast and Southwest Florida
• Whitsyms In-Home Care – Serving Southeast and Southwest Florida
• Douglas In-Home Care – Serving Treasure Coast

State of Florida License and Registration Numbers: 30211518, 30211651, 30211295, 30211390, 30210978, 30211293, 30211382, 30211504, 30211733, 30211535, 30211531, 30211710, 30211709, 30211045, 5661

The post Learn About COPD and How to Help a Senior You Love Live with This Condition appeared first on Advocate.

It can also be more difficult for seniors to bounce back from cancer treatments, so it is incredibly important to practice preventative and proactive healthy habits rather than waiting until reactive medicine is necessary.

Do you know someone that has breast cancer? American In-Home Care and our sister companies offer the best in home care services in Florida.

Early Detection is Everything

When it comes to breast cancer, especially in aging women, early detection is extremely important because there is a greater chance to treat the cancer while it is in an early stage. The first step is to regularly self-examine your breasts so that you know what is normal, and can be aware of any unusual symptoms.  Changes in how your breast feels or appears could be signs that something is off. The second step is being proactive if you do notice an abnormality. Do not hesitate to schedule an appointment to see your doctor for an exam or a screening if something feels off. Even if it ends up being nothing, it is better to get it checked out professionally as soon as you notice it.

The biggest issue for senior patients with breast cancer is their unwillingness to come forward to speak to a doctor about potential issues. Doctors suspect that this unwillingness to proactively come forward and talk about abnormalities or issues stems from a generational conservative attitude about keeping health issues private, as well as many seniors assuming that issues could be side effects of other illnesses or medications that they have.

Raising Awareness

A combination of awareness, early detection, and improved treatment options are doing  wonders to spread hope and change across communities. The good news is since the dawn of the 21^st century, there has been a significant decline in deaths caused by breast cancer. Studies are suggesting that these numbers will continue to decrease thanks to initiatives and awareness from people across the nation.

However, it is important to remember that early detection is the biggest factor in lowering the mortality rate of breast cancer, and the number of aging patients that seek proactive medical care for breast cancer is far too low. So, be sure to encourage regular breast exams among the women that you love, and also reassure them that having a proactive relationship with their doctor can be life saving!

American In-Home Care and our sister companies Advocate, Douglas, and Whitsyms always refer qualified, screened care providers for home health care in Florida and surrounding areas that are compassionate and ready to help with services like transportation, assistance with activities of daily living, and companionship. Contact us at 1-844-505-0004 to schedule your free in-home consultation to discuss which care options are right for you and your family.

The post Breast Cancer Awareness in the Aging Community appeared first on Advocate.

National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6^th and runs through May 12^th  - over the course of 7 days, a huge range of events are put on across the U.S. to honor nurses. The celebration ends each year on Florence Nightingale’s birthday, the woman who is credited as being the founder of modern nursing.

For the past 16 years, nursing has been rated the most honest and ethical profession, so this week is when we show appreciation for everything nurses do for us and our loved ones. Hospitals and facilities all over the nation offer special gifts of appreciation to their nursing staff. Nurses are also extremely important to the in-home care industry, and to show appreciation for nurses and all that they do, we are going to share one story that highlights one of these incredible people to help show what makes nurses so special.

The Inspiration of Nursing

Cheryl spent 20 years traveling the world with her husband while he was active duty in the Navy. They had three children during those years - all of which grew up as Navy babies - living in multiple cities and countries, and always on the move. Cheryl cleaned the house, made dinner, took the kids to school. She held a constantly moving home together with the sheer power of her maternal love on a single income, in foreign lands, without her family back home to lean on.

So, what does a woman with so much love to give do when they come back home, after 20 years of being her family's rock? She becomes a nurse of course! Cheryl got her CNA license not long after returning home to Okeechobee, a small town in Florida, and began working at a local nursing home. She supplied compassionate care to every single patient she met, but she realized that her ability to help was being limited by her license as a CNA, she wanted to do more, so she immediately began pursuing her nursing degree. Cheryl had truly found her calling in caring for others.

What Nurses Are Made Of 

Being a mother of 3 while living 45 minutes out of town and holding down a full-time CNA job isn’t easy. Add in nursing school, and it’s a miracle that she managed to make it through, but at no point did Cheryl ever show her stress. The sheer force of will required for a woman to go through the pressure she was going through, all while never missing a single little league game, opportunity to go above and beyond for a patient, or nursing class is staggering. She did it because she is a nurse, and that’s the kind of stuff that nurses are made out of.

One of the single proudest moments of her life, and for good reason, is the day she graduated nursing school. The pay was obviously a huge bonus, especially for a 5-person family, but more than anything she was finally empowered to give even more care to her patients. Cheryl has been a full-time RN for over a decade now, and she has never wavered on her dedication to caring for every single patient that walks through the door of the facility she is in. She has worked at a nursing home, home health company, and the local hospital in various roles including the admin role she is in now.

A Nurse's Love

Cheryl has more cringe-worthy medical stories than anyone probably should, the kind that nurses share like badges of honor. She’s seen enough blood, vomit, and various other fluids to last a lifetime, and dealt with enough people to give a licensed psychiatrist a run for their money. All of these things might make the job seem like a chore, but Cheryl loves her job and loves that she is has worked her way to be the veteran nurse that doctors consistently call on, and other nurses come to for advice. She has worked hard to be where she is today, however, one thing hasn’t changed from the start.

The one constant that has always stood from the moment she decided to get a CNA certification to the dedicated position she holds now, is a nurse’s love. Nobody is beyond saving, and every single patient deserves the type of care that only a nurse can provide. But she is so much more than just a nurse at the local hospital. She’s the medical journal for her entire extended family, the matriarch that everyone comes to for everything from a stubbed toe to a hernia, and everyone’s go to “does this look a rash” person. She is a nurse in the truest form, and an incredible, dedicated, and caring individual.

Thank You Nurses!

Women and men like Cheryl exist in the nursing field all over the world, people that place the wellbeing of others in front of their own. Pulling back-to-back-to-back 12 hour shifts to make sure that their patients get the care they need. As inspiring as her story is, it is one that been repeated a thousand times over by others in her field. It’s not a matter of coincidence that incredible men and women across the world find themselves in nursing. It is a profession absolutely filled with strong, beautiful souls.

The truth is, nursing could not be done by anyone else, so we should thank our lucky stars every day that people with the capacity for this type of compassion exist. This National Nurses Week be sure to thank a nurse for everything they do!

If you or your loved one believe that a certified care provider would be the correct fit for your circumstances, contact us today. We refer qualified, screened, care providers that are compassionate and ready to help. Contact us to schedule your free in-home consultation to discuss which care options are right for you and your family.

The post A Nursing Story: Nurses Week 2018 appeared first on Advocate.

Neurological diseases - such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s disease- affect millions of Americans every year, and are particularly common amongst seniors, often (and unfortunately) leading to a loss of independence and lowered quality of life.  However, maintaining a high quality of life after you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a neurological disease is possible, especially with the help of a dedicated care provider.

As April is Parkinson's Awareness Month, we are going to share with you the personal story of Marie, a grandmother, who with the help of a qualified and compassionate care provider, regained her independence and quality of life, even with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

A Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease

Marie began to feel the effects of Parkinson's shortly after her 70^th birthday. At first, she noticed a slight tremor while brushing her teeth in the morning. She used to joke that she would never have to buy an electric toothbrush again. She was still getting around fine, watering her roses every morning, taking her grandkids to theme parks, and living completely independently at home. At this point, Marie didn’t even think of mentioning the occasional tremors to her doctor, she just chalked it up to getting older, and added it to the list of things she refused to let slow her down.

By her 71^st birthday Marie started to feel a little slower and more rigid while she was going about her daily business. But even still, her roses never went a single day without pruning and watering, even though it took her much longer to make it outside. She still attended every single outing and theme park trip with her grandkids as well, she just needed a scooter occasionally. There was still no way to really tell, at least to the untrained eye, that her health had started declining due to Parkinson's disease.

At 72, Marie fell on the way to water her roses. She was going through the same motions she went through every day, but her shuffling gait and the overall muscle tightness she couldn’t shake finally got the better of her. She was in the ambulance within 15 minutes, and at the hospital within 30. She was wheeled out a day later, with the diagnosis of some superficial bruising and strains, with the underlying cause of Parkinson's disease. A diagnosis that was very hard for Marie to accept.

She was a woman that spent her entire life as a matriarch. She worked from age 13 until the day she managed to retire at 60. Marie didn’t know the meaning of the word “quit” and had never allowed life to hold her down. But now, she was facing off against a disease that took her control away - her independence had nearly vanished overnight.

The In-Home Care Decision

For the next month Marie lived with her daughter and grandchildren. Her grandson (now grown) remembers giving up his bedroom for his grandmother Marie to sleep in, but being happy to do it. He recalls that he didn’t really understand what was going on at the time, just remembering being excited that he got to see his grandma every day. He knows now how difficult that month of living in her grandchild's bedroom was for Marie, although she never let her family see her without a smile on her face.

However nice it was for Marie to have the support of staying with her family, her roses needed tending, her shelves needed dusting, and more than anything she needed her independence; to feel strong again. Her children first discussed potentially sending Marie to a Senior Living Community - her response to that discussion is the only time that her grandson ever remembered seeing his grandma cry.

She didn’t want to give up the life she had known and resign herself to a life of dependence for all of her remaining years. She knew that losing her independence by moving into a facility would shorten the amount of time she had to be with her family, and she knew that her quality of life would drop substantially. She wanted to live in the home that she and her husband had built together 40 years prior when they first got married.

After getting the scolding of a lifetime from Marie, her children decided to look into more options. There had to be a way that she could still be Marie, tending her garden and enjoying life with Parkinson's, without moving to a facility and giving up her independence and everything she held dear. Turns out there was: hiring a professional in-home care provider to help her live her life with Parkinson's at age 72 the same way she was living at age 65.

A Cherished Care Provider 

Over the next week, Marie had women and men in white coats and scrubs in and out of her house at what seemed to be a never-ending pace. Finally, she met Jenna, a care provider that was cherished by the whole family, even the grandchildren, as they recall that she gave them Cow Tails. With Jenna’s help, Marie regained her independence and quality of life in her own home.

Jenna helped introduce an exercise program as the first service to restore Marie's health living with Parkinson's. Along with a solid regimen of medication, the exercise and Jenna's dedicated care got Marie moving around the house on her own again within a month. Jenna even helped with some simple remodeling projects around the house to make everything more accessible and safe for Marie. After two months with her professional care provider, Marie was watering her roses every morning again. She was still a little shaky, but she was independent again.

Professional in-home care, and a dedicated care provider allowed Marie to live in true happiness during those years. Jenna didn’t do everything for her, instead of she created an environment where my grandma could thrive. Although Marie has since passed, her grandson shares that he knows his grandmother Marie was happy that she got to live her life, post-Parkinson's diagnosis, on her own terms, and he fully credits Jenna, their dedicated and compassionate care provider, for giving Marie that opportunity.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, like Marie, we can help. We refer qualified and compassionate care providers that can help with many different services to help your loved one feel safe and happy at home. Contact us to speak with a Client Care Liaison for more information 1-844-505-0004.

For more information about neurological diseases, please see our posts about ways to Lower Risks for Alzheimer’s, Increase Dementia awareness, and exercise regimens for people with Parkinson’s.

The post A Grandmother's Diagnosis with Parkinson's Disease appeared first on Advocate.

While the first paragraph paints a pretty bleak picture of heart disease, it’s not actually as black and white as the numbers make it appear. Why is that? Because roughly 80% of ALL heart disease is entirely preventable with a proactive approach to heart health and proper education. In the other 20% of cases, heart disease is caused by genetics or other uncontrollable factors, but even those with genetic predispositions towards heart disease can minimize, and sometimes prevent issues related to their hearts.

What Causes Heart Disease?

Heart disease can include problems like heart failure, heart arrhythmia, and heart attack, and is defined by the heart beating ineffectively, causing poor circulation.  High blood pressure is a major contributor to heart disease, and actually causes most cases. Essentially, the higher your blood pressure is, the harder your heart has to work to effectively pump blood throughout your body. Sustained high blood pressure puts your heart through such significant stress that it often begins presenting symptoms that are irreversible if ignored.

Another major factor in developing in heart disease is atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup. Plaque buildup causes your artery walls to thicken and stiffen, which actively inhibits blood flow to your organs and tissues. Like high blood pressure, atherosclerosis is avoidable because it is typically caused by controllable factors like an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, being overweight, or smoking.

A portion of the population with heart disease and issues related to heart disease receive it through unavoidable genetic issues. However, even those with genetic predispositions towards heart disease can minimize, and sometimes prevent issues related to their hearts. It is also important to note, that the number of uncontrollable cases is much smaller than the number of heart disease cases that are entirely avoidable due to diet and lifestyle choices.

So how can you minimize or prevent your chances for developing heart disease by lowering blood pressure and plaque buildup? Follow these heart health tips:

Do More Physical Activity

Physical activity is a major focus of American Heart Month every year, and for good reason. Sedentary lifestyles mixed with dietary issues have led to a steadily growing global weight issue. While many people can lead happy and healthy lives no matter what their weight, studies have shown that being overweight drastically increases your chances of suffering from heart disease.

Exercise helps strengthen your heart against the every day wear and tear involved in serving as the center of your entire circulatory system. The more efficiently it can pump blood, the less likely it is that your heart will develop chronic issues. You don’t need to be an Olympic athlete to improve your heart health either, just make conscious decisions to be physically active in your everyday life.

Here are some tips for adding more physical activity into your everyday life:

• Long dog walks (this is great for your pup’s health as well!)
• Move around the house while you’re on the phone.
• Exercise in place during at least one episode of your favorite show at night.
• Park further away from the store and walk the longer distance.
• Take the stairs; skip the elevator.

Eat Heart Healthy

In a previous blog post on Preventing High Blood Pressure we mentioned the importance of a heart healthy diet for avoiding serious diseases, including heart disease. In that article diet and exercise are described as the closest you can come to a “magic solution” in relation to heart health. It is incredibly rare for anyone that is active and enjoys a healthy diet to experience heart related issues.

What does eating heart healthy really mean? Number one: reduce sodium intake. Sodium accounts for the majority of issues related to high blood pressure. An average American eats 3,400 mg of sodium every single day, that’s 1,100 mg higher than the FDA suggested daily average - which many say is too high already. One meal at a fast food restaurant is more than enough to place you well over your daily value of sodium.

Another important item to cut out is sugar. We know, sugar is the painful one to let go, everyone loves sugar; and it seems like nearly everything has sugar and sodium in it nowadays.  The USDA found that the average American eats nearly half a pound of sugar a day on average, that’s 150 pounds of sugar every year. Wow. But it’s easier to believe when you consider you can’t even eat something like a hamburger without taking in several grams of sugar. Sugar hides in most processed foods, and increases blood pressure, and has even been found to cause the liver to dump more harmful fats into the blood stream.

The USDA also found that Americans eat nearly 75 pounds of added fats and oils every year, and the ratio of healthy vs unhealthy fats consumed has gone in the wrong direction in the past several years, which can contribute to inflammation. Good fats are important to our health and should be consumed regularly - these fats are known as omega-3 fats and can be found in fresh fish and nuts and olive oils. Bad fats are called omega-6 fats and can be found in processed oils that coat many processed foods such as french fries, chips, burgers, etc. Diets that are disproportionately high in omega-6 fats cause plaque buildup and inflammation in major arteries, and leads to weight gain which can cause more problems related to heart health.

The guide below is a quick and easy reference point for a heart healthy diet.

Do Eat

• Fresh fruits (NOT fruit juice)
• Fresh veggies
• Fish (omega-3 supplements are also good)
• Nuts and Beans
• Natural Oils (Olive, Coconut, Sesame) NOT vegetable oil or peanut oil

 Do Not Eat (In Excess)

• Saturated Fats
• Vegetable Oil and/or Peanut oil
• Sodium
• Fatty Red Meats
• Sweets
• Junk food i.e. chips, french fries, anything you can buy at the gas station convenience store
• Soda/Alcohol

The most important message you should take away from American Heart Month is that you can take control of your heart health, and you can start today! You don’t have to start running marathons and shift your diet overnight, but do swap out a Big Mac for homemade fish tacos, and start taking the stairs and parking farther away at work, and you’re well on your way to a healthier heart.

If you or your loved one could use help preparing a heart healthy diet and getting active, consider bringing a qualified care provider into your home. American In-Home Care always refers qualified, screened, care providers that are compassionate and ready to help with services like meal preparation, diet monitoring, recording vital health data, and mobility assistance. Contact us at 1-844-505-0004 to schedule your free in-home consultation to discuss which care options are right for you and your family.

The post Your Heart, Your Health: American Heart Month appeared first on Advocate.

In fact, we love our nurses so much that, according to a Gallup poll, we rated them as the most honest and ethical professionals for 15 years in a row. They are with us from the moment we are born through our last days, cheering us through our joys and helping us through our sorrows.

Nurses Week 2017 Theme

We may not thank our nurses for all of their hard work as often as we should, but take advantage of the opportunity to show the special health care providers in your life that you care from May 6-12 week during National Nurses Week 2017. The theme for this year’s annual appreciation week is “Nursing: The Balance of Mind, Body, and Spirit,” in recognition of this year’s American Nursing Association theme of the “Year of the Healthy Nurse.”

These themes recognize a common irony among nurses: Although they spend most of their time caring for others, nurses often have a hard time caring for themselves. Studies have shown that nurses suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, are at a greater risk of acquiring tuberculosis and blood-borne pathogen infections, and have more occupational allergies than the general public. In addition, one study found that they have an 8% higher rate of depression than at the general population. In A Daybook for Nurses, author and doctor Sharon Hudacek sums up this irony, saying, “Bound by paperwork, short on hands, sleep and energy… nurses are rarely short on caring.”

 How can we help our nurses?

Luckily, many hospitals, doctors offices, and other healthcare outlets are starting to recognize the importance of providing stress-relief and holistic health practices for nurses at work, like Tai-Chi and yoga classes during lunch breaks, on-site farmers markets, and professional support groups. These benefits aim to not only improve the health and well-being of individual nurses, but the quality of care they are able to provide their patients.

National Nurses Week is one more way that nurses’ hard work is gaining recognition. If you have a special nurse or caregiver in your life, help them achieve balance of mind, body, and spirit by providing them some caregiving of their own. Pamper them with a gift card for a massage, offer to bring a home cooked meal or meal-prep (like a jar of various beans and spices for a healthy just-add-water soup), or sit down and have an open conversation with them about what their needs are and if there’s anything you can do to help meet them.

 It’s never too early or too late to tell your caregivers how much you appreciate them!

If your loved one needs a regular caregiver, including live in care Orlando nursing services, consider bringing a qualified care provider into your home. American In-Home Care always refers qualified, screened, care providers, included Registered Nurses, who are compassionate and ready to help. Contact us at 1-844-505-0004 to schedule your free in-home consultation to discuss which care options are right for you and your family.

The post Celebrating Nurses Week 2017 appeared first on Advocate.