Helping Your Elderly Loved One Have Better Quality of Life

Posted in Elderly Care in Headland AL, Home Care in Headland AL |

July 22, 2020

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As people age, they might start feeling as if they are too much for their loved ones. This might cause them to feel down or depressed. It is important that you help your elderly loved one to feel better. There are numerous ways that you can help them to have a better quality of life as they age.

 

Homecare in Headland AL: Better Quality of Life

Homecare in Headland AL: Better Quality of Life

 

 

Treating Their Depression

One of the most important ways to help your elderly loved one have a better quality of life is to get their depression treated. Depending on the cause of their depression, there are various treatment options available. Your elderly loved one might need medications, therapy, lifestyle changes, more companionship, or a combination of all these things.

 

Encourage More Interaction with Others

If your elderly loved one has started isolating themselves because they feel they are too much for their loved ones to take care of, talk to them. Let them know that you care about them and that you want to help. It might even be beneficial to hire home care providers for your elderly loved one. This may help them have a better quality of life because they won’t feel they are as much for their loved ones to care for.

 

Regular Exercise

Research shows that regularly exercising can help people to have a better quality of life. If your elderly loved one isn’t exercising enough at this point, you can help them create an exercise routine and schedule. Before doing so, however, it might be a good idea to have them see their doctor. The doctor can let them know what types of exercises are safe. From there, a plan and routine can be created for your elderly loved one in regard to exercising.

 

Going Outdoors More Often

Studies have shown that being outdoors can help to improve people’s mental state. If your elderly loved one is feeling down, getting them to go outdoors more often could help them to start feeling better. Just being outdoors for 20 minutes a day could be enough to help your elderly loved one feel happier, more content with their life, and less stressed.

These are some of the many ways that you can help your elderly loved one to have a better quality of life. Depending on what they are feeling and how they are doing, some or all of these tips might not work. However, if they don’t, you can always schedule your elderly loved one an appointment with their doctor or a therapist to further explore what is going on. These professionals can help your elderly loved one to start feeling better.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Homecare in Headland, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

What Causes Pericarditis?

Posted in Caregiver in Headland AL, Homecare in Headland AL, Senior Health |

January 8, 2019

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Pericarditis is a heart condition that occurs when the sac that surrounds the heart, called the pericardium, becomes inflamed. The inflammation may cause chest pain as well as other symptoms. It can be acute, with symptoms coming on suddenly, or chronic, coming on gradually and lasting for a long time. Many times, pericarditis is mild and does not require treatment. However, it can be more severe and require medication or even surgery.

 

Homecare in Headland AL: What Causes Pericarditis?

Homecare in Headland AL: What Causes Pericarditis?

 

About Pericarditis

The pericardium is comprised of a few layers. Pericarditis occurs when the layers become swollen. The swelling of the layers leaves less room for movement between them, so they may rub together. When they do, the person may experience sharp chest pain. The pain can be so severe that the person may think they are having a heart attack.

 

Pericarditis Causes

Many times, doctors aren’t able to find the cause of pericarditis. They may refer to the condition as idiopathic (having an unknown cause) pericarditis. They may also call it viral pericarditis, assuming that it is caused by a virus attacking the body. However, pericarditis can also occur because of other conditions.

Some other possible causes of pericarditis are:

 

Heart Attack or Surgery: The layers of the pericardium can become irritated because of damage to the heart caused by a heart attack. Having heart surgery may also cause the pericardium to become inflamed.

Inflammatory Disorders: Conditions that cause systemic inflammation, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, may also cause inflammation in the pericardium.

Medications: Rarely, certain medications may cause pericarditis as a side effect.

Trauma: If the chest or heart have been injured, such as in a car accident, pericarditis may occur.

Other Conditions: Some other medical conditions can cause pericarditis, too, including cancer, AIDS, kidney failure, and tuberculosis.

 

Pericarditis Symptoms

Not everyone with pericarditis will experience the same symptoms. Some possible symptoms are:

  • Sharp chest pain that occurs in the center of the chest or off to the left side. The pain is often worse when the person breathes in.
  • Trouble breathing while laying down or reclining.
  • Heart palpitations.
  • A low fever.
  • Feeling weak, tired, or ill.
  • Coughing.
  • Swelling in the abdomen or legs.

If your aging relative develops pericarditis, elderly care can help them while they recover. An elderly care provider can remind the older adult to take medications prescribed to relieve symptoms and treat the underlying cause. An elderly care provider can also allow the senior to rest while they manage household chores, such as cleaning, doing dishes, and preparing meals. Elderly care providers can also monitor the older adult for changes in symptoms that may indicate a need for additional medical care.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Homecare in Headland, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

Sources

http://www.heart.org/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/

https://www.webmd.com/