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4 Tips For Long-Distance Caregivers

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Being a local caregiver is already a demanding situation: being a long-distance caregiver even more so. If you already have long drives for work, errands, and other appointments, being a long-distance caregiver can be especially difficult. Here are 4 tips for long-distance caregivers to make your life a little easier.

Create A Local Caregiver Team

You can’t always be there to give care when you are a long-distance caregiver. In addition, you can’t do it alone. Having some local caregivers to help out is crucial in your role as a long-distance caregiver. This can be done by keeping in touch with local agencies, neighbors, yard service members, house cleaners, and more. 

Be Realistic About What You Can And Can’t Do

This goes along with your local caregiving team. You can’t fulfill every role, so being realistic about what you can and can’t do is important. If you aren’t realistic about what you’re able to do, you will end up not giving the quality care you’re aiming for. If you focus on the tasks that can be done long-distance, you’ll find you can still be a vital part of the caregiving process. This can include things like handling finances, scheduling appointments, calling doctors, and more.

Make The Most Of Each Visit

Since you can’t be there all the time, making the most of each visit is very important. First and foremost, make sure your visits are fun and full of love. That is why you do what you do. In addition, make sure to check for any work that needs to be done while you’re there. Leaky faucets, yard work, and so on. You can also use this time to meet any local caregivers and service providers, such as neighbors, yard care workers, and more. Checking in with them will also help make the most of each visit. 

Stay Connected

Just because you’re a long-distance caregiver doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected. Regular phone calls or face-time calls make a huge difference in staying connected. This is great for keeping spirits high. Other ways to stay connected can be scheduling phone meetings with doctors, calling neighbors to check in, and more. You might not live right next to each other, but it does not have to always feel that way.

The Perfect Place For Your Loved One

Do you have a loved one in need of assisted living? Courtyard Manor promises you the peace of mind you deserve. We guarantee safety and compassion you can’t find anywhere else. Our goal is to see a smile on your loved one’s face, every day. Contact us today for a free assessment.

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Managing Heart Disease in Seniors

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Managing Heart Disease in Seniors

According to the American Heart Association, about eighty percent of people with coronary heart disease are 65 years old or older. What are the causes of heart disease? The leading causes of heart disease are congenital heart defects, high blood pressure, stress, and diabetes. Health behaviors like physical inactivity, a poor diet, smoking, and binge drinking are heart disease risks. Heart failure is the most common cause of hospitalization for adults over the age of 65 and costs the nation an estimated 32 billion a year. However, seniors who modify their lifestyle can reduce the risk of hospitalization. Here is how managing heart disease in seniors can avoid grave situations. 

Symptoms of Heart Disease

It is crucial to understand the early detection of heart disease in seniors since the symptoms are hardly noticeable. This is why regular checkups with your local doctor are essential. Get in touch with your doctor right away if you feel any chest pain, pressure, or discomfort. Additionally, Inform your doctor if you have experienced the following:

  • Pain, numbness, or tingling in the shoulders, arms, neck, or back
  • Shortness of breath when active or at rest 
  • Chest pain during physical activity that gets better when you rest
  • Lightheadedness
  • Confusion
  • Headaches
  • Cold sweats
  • Nausea/Vomiting 
  • Fatigue 
  • Swelling in the legs 
  • Reduced ability to exercise

How to Manage Heart Disease

Be More Physically Active

Speak with your doctor about the type of activities that would be good for you. Aim to get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. It is best to do some form of physical activity every day. It doesn’t have to be done all at once. Start with physical activities that you particularly enjoy—for example, brisk walking, dancing, bowling, bicycling, or gardening. Especially, try to avoid spending hours every day sitting or laying down. Get up and move! 

Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking will benefit your heart and blood vessels. Among those diagnosed with coronary heart disease, stopping smoking dramatically reduces the risk of a recurrent heart attack and cardiovascular death. In many studies, this risk reduction has been fifty percent or more. Smoking only damages your artery walls. It is never too late to benefit from stopping smoking. Quitting smoking can be difficult, but it is possible. In fact, millions of people have successfully quit smoking and remain nonsmokers. If you are having trouble quitting smoking, ask your family and friends for support in your effort to quit smoking. 

Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet

Another step to managing heart disease in seniors is to have them eat a diet rich in heart-healthy foods. Try to pick foods that are low in trans and saturated fats, sugar, and salt. As we get older, we become more sensitive to salt, which can cause swelling in the legs and feet. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and foods high in fiber, like those made from whole grains. You also can find more information on the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. The DASH diet is a lifelong approach to healthy eating designed to help treat or prevent high blood pressure (hypertension). Balancing the calories you eat and drink with the calories burned by being physically active will help you maintain a healthy weight. 

Manage Stress

Stress is one of the leading causes of heart disease. Learn how to manage stress, relax, and cope with problems to improve your physical and emotional health. Consider activities such as a stress management program, meditation, physical activity, and talking things out with friends or family.

While heart disease remains the number one killer in America, more and more people are more aware of the risks and start to follow a heart-healthy lifestyle. When you begin to apply the following to your life, you will manage your heart disease or even prevent it effectively. If you are still unsure of how to go about it, speak with your doctor. 

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is my risk for heart disease?
  2. What is my blood pressure?
  3. What are my cholesterol numbers? (These include total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.) Make sure your doctor has checked a fasting blood sample to determine your cholesterol levels.
  4. Do I need to lose weight for my health?
  5. What is my blood sugar level, and does it mean that I’m at risk for diabetes?
  6. What other screening tests do I need to tell me if I’m at risk for heart disease and how to lower my risk?
  7. What can you do to help me quit smoking?
  8. How much physical activity do I need to help protect my heart?
  9. What’s a heart-healthy eating plan for me?
  10. How can I tell if I have a heart attack? If I think I’m having one, what should I do?

Emma Mastel - KARMA Jack Digital Marketing Agency

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Healthy Foods for Fighting Diabetes

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An estimated thirty-three percent of adults aged 65 or older have diabetes. Research shows that making a few changes to your diet, such as eating more produce, fewer refined carbohydrates, plenty of lean protein, and more ‘good’ fat helps improve blood-sugar control and cuts the risk of diabetes-related complications. Don’t assume that only one or two of these foods on this list will transform you. You need most of these foods because together, they represent a new approach to eating and a healthier lifestyle. Every time you go to the store from now on, take this list of foods with you. If your favorite store has a delivery service, sign up and automatically get your groceries every few weeks! Here is a list of healthy foods for fighting diabetes in seniors.

Healthy Foods for Fighting Diabetes

Avocados

Avocados are fantastic to have in your kitchen since they have less than one gram of sugar, few carbohydrates, a high fiber content, and healthy fats. Avocado consumption is also associated with improved overall diet quality and weight loss. Try it on some toast for breakfast; you might love it! 

Beans

Beans are cheap and super nutritious. Beans are a type of legume-rich in B vitamins, beneficial minerals (calcium, potassium, and magnesium), and fiber. They also have a very low glycemic index, which is vital for managing diabetes. Beans also help prevent diabetes.

Berries

Berries are full of fiber and antioxidants. The red and blue varieties also contain natural plant compounds called anthocyanins. Scientists believe these may help lower blood sugar by boosting insulin production. Put some in an easy-to-grab location or freeze a handful to use as ice cubes in your water.

Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the most nutritious vegetables to consume. A half-cup of cooked broccoli contains only 27 calories and 3 grams of digestible carbs, along with essential nutrients like vitamin C and magnesium. In addition to this, studies show that those with diabetes have found that eating broccoli sprouts help lower insulin levels and protect against cellular damage. Broccoli is another excellent source of lutein and zeaxanthin, essential antioxidants that help prevent eye diseases. 

Eggs

Eggs provide fantastic health benefits. Eggs are known to decrease inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels, and modify your LDL (bad) cholesterol’s size and shape. One study found that eating a high-fat, low-carb breakfast of eggs could help individuals with diabetes manage blood sugar levels throughout the day. Just be sure to eat the whole egg. The benefits of eggs are primarily due to nutrients found in the yolk rather than the white. 

Fish

Some people consider fish to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Salmon, sardines, herring, anchovies, and mackerel are excellent sources of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which have significant heart health benefits. Regularly getting enough of these fats is vital for people with diabetes, who have an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Fish is also a great source of high-quality protein, which helps you feel full and helps stabilize blood sugar levels. 

Flaxseeds

Also known as common flax or linseeds, flaxseeds have a high content of heart-healthy omega-3 fats, fiber, and other unique plant compounds. A portion of their insoluble fiber is made up of lignans, which may help decrease heart disease risk and improve blood sugar management. Flaxseeds are also very high in viscous fiber, which improves gut health, insulin sensitivity, and feelings of fullness. 

Leafy Greens

Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are good sources of many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C. They are low in calories and carbs and high in nutrition. They also have a low glycemic index, so they’ll help keep your blood sugar under control. 

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is a wonderful dairy choice for those with diabetes. Eating certain dairy products like Greek yogurt help improve blood sugar management and reduce heart disease risk factors, perhaps partly due to the probiotics it contains. Studies also indicate that yogurt consumption may be associated with lower levels of blood glucose and insulin resistance. So enjoy some greek yogurt with berries on top! 

Nuts

Another great food to fight diabetes is nuts as they are perfect for snacking and putting in salads. All types of nuts contain fiber and are low in net carbohydrates, although some have more. Studies on various nuts have shown that regular consumption may reduce inflammation and lower blood sugar, HbA1c (a marker for long-term blood sugar management), and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Extra-virgin olive oil is perfect for managing blood sugar levels and high triglyceride levels since it is unrefined. It contains oleic acid, a type of monounsaturated fat that has been shown to improve glycemic management, reduce fasting and post-meal triglyceride levels, and contain polyphenols. Polyphenols reduce inflammation, protect the cells lining your blood vessels, keep your LDL (bad) cholesterol from becoming damaged by oxidation, and decrease blood pressure. Try to utilize it more in your cooking and enjoy the benefits! 

Whole Grain Bread

Eating white bread is very unhealthy as it is highly processed flour and contains sugar. If you consume plenty of it (including bagels), then switching to whole grain bread may improve your insulin sensitivity. One study showed that those who increase their intake of whole grains, the greater their insulin sensitivity and blood-sugar stability. Be careful. You do not want to mistake brown bread, or even multigrain, for whole grain. You want to make sure the word ‘whole’ is in the first ingredient. 

All in all, when diabetes is not well managed, it increases the risk for other serious diseases. By eating healthy foods that help keep blood sugar, insulin, and inflammation manageable can dramatically reduce your risk for complications. Remember, the most crucial factor in fighting diabetes is following an overall nutritious, balanced diet.

Emma Mastel - KARMA Jack Digital Marketing Agency