The season of giving and delicious goodies is upon us! Seeing the smiling faces of loved ones gathered around the festively decorated dinner tables is something most of us envision all year.
To get the most out of every holiday occasion, it’s best to balance health and fun. Time away from our typical routines can sometimes cause our healthy habits to fall by the wayside. When that happens, we risk developing illnesses that can lead us to miss the events we’ve anticipated for so long.
With a little prep in advance, you can make it all work and feel your best, too. Here are some tips to stay healthy while you celebrate:
Make Your Meals Merry but Mindful
There’s no need to skip your favorites. Enjoy your holiday meals by being thoughtful about what’s on your plate. Try smaller portions of higher-calorie foods or sugary goodies to savor the season without sacrificing health.
Add some green veggies when you can and keep water handy to stay hydrated, choosing it over sugary or alcoholic drinks when possible. If you have a drink, make sure it’s safe with any medications you take. If you’re unsure whether or not it’s safe to drink alcohol with your medications, it’s best to verify with your doctor or pharmacist.
Stick to Your Medication Routine
Amidst the holiday hustle, it’s easy to forget medications. Keep them handy (yet out of the reach of kiddos), set reminders on your phone, or use a kitchen timer to stay on track. If you have diabetes, make sure to stick to your schedule for blood sugar checks. Staying consistent helps avoid unexpected ER trips and keeps you feeling your best.
Prioritize Rest & Relaxation
The holidays can be energetic, but quality rest is essential. Whether hosting family or visiting loved ones, getting enough downtime is important.
If the little ones wake you up early, offer to read them a bedtime story a little earlier at night so everyone can get a few more winks. Even sneaking in a nap now and again can help you recharge.
Leave some time each day to unwind. Watching your favorite movie or reading a book can refresh your spirit and reduce stress.
Make Time to Move
While taking a breather is great, try to avoid prolonged inactivity. If the weather’s nice, go for a walk or enjoy the fresh air with the family. Movement can also ease digestion, especially when holiday treats are on the menu!
If the weather is poor and you need to move around, consider doing range-of-motion exercises or light workouts indoors. YouTube has many great free options if you need ideas or take a group approach and bring your family to a local yoga class.
Live Well All Year
If you’re struggling to remain healthy at home, CaringEdge may be able to help. Home health services can support those who wish to maintain their health, safety, and independence at home.
Our nursing services can offer IV fluids, medication checks, and even education to you and your family about successfully managing chronic and temporary conditions. If you or a loved one could benefit from home health services, contact us at info@caringedge.com to learn more. A visit to your doctor’s office can be a great first step in getting a home health referral so you can feel your best all year!
Are you one of 38.4 million Americans who have diabetes? That number (from the NIH) includes people who may not even have a diabetes diagnosis!
Typical signs of diabetes are frequent urination, excessive thirst, unintended weight loss, fatigue, slow-healing sores, numbness or tingling, changes to skin, and blurred vision. These symptoms can suddenly occur or possibly be slowly happening for years.
If you’re concerned that you or a loved one has diabetes, it’s important to get checked out right away to avoid complications. A visit to your primary care provider is the best first step to learning about your risks, how to prevent them, or how to manage your condition best if you have it.
While most people think of type one and type two diabetes, four types can be diagnosed. One type of diabetes may even be reversible.
Types of Diabetes
There are four main types of diabetes. Type one, type two, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes. Type 2 diabetes, According to the WHO, is the most prevalent, and it accounts for 90-95% of all cases. Thankfully, more and more information is available on how to manage type two diabetes and possibly eliminate the need to use medications to treat it. Through diet and lifestyle changes, there is much hope for those facing type 2 diabetes.
Living with Diabetes
Successfully managing diabetes takes up a lot of time and energy. For anyone facing multiple chronic conditions, it may feel like a full-time job to stay ahead of possible complications. Improperly managed diabetes can create all kinds of additional symptoms, making the quality of life for those fighting it quite grim.
Long-term effects of unregulated diabetes can cause eye, heart, and kidney damage. Those with diabetes are also at a higher risk of amputations because of nerve damage and circulation problems.
Tips to Manage Your Diabetes
Stay active
Don’t smoke
Eat healthy foods
Follow a diabetic diet
Get regular skin checks
Take care of your feet
Take your medications as prescribed
See your doctor regularly
With age-related conditions or juggling multiple health issues, proper diabetes care can become very difficult. If you’re struggling to manage your care or spending more time in the ER and at the hospital due to complications, home health services could be the missing piece to help you feel like YOU again!
Home Healthcare Offers:
RN visits to review/educate on medications, check vitals, & blood sugars
Dietary consultations & education by a registered dietitian
Coordination of appointments/services at home
Smoking cessation resources
Establishing daily activity/exercise goals
Patient Outcomes Include:
Decrease your risks for additional health complications
Improve your quality of life
Maintain or regain your independence
Reduce hospitalizations/visits to the ER
Get back to feeling like YOU again
Paying for Home Health:
Medicare
Medicaid
Private insurance & private pay
Home health nurses can help you maintain your independence at home in the best way that works for you. With CaringEdge Home Health, YOU are at the center of your care plan, and our goal is to help you achieve your outcomes.
If you’re tired of frequent complications with your diabetes and visits to the emergency room, clinic, and hospital, the convenience of home health might be for you. Take control of your diabetes and health with CaringEdge today!
How do we get from eating an apple a day to keep the doctor away to needing a pill organizer for all of our medications so quickly? “Someday” comes faster than we anticipate!
To combat pain and the effects of aging, multiple prescriptions, along with over-the-counter medications, can be common. However, juggling the medications we’re prescribed may not only feel daunting but can sometimes prove to be dangerous.
Remember that you have a voice as a medical patient or a pharmacy customer. Sometimes, medications prescribed to help us can do more harm than good. When in doubt, always check it out!
Medication Safety Tips:
If possible, use the same pharmacy and doctor (pharmacy or doctor hopping can increase your risk for adverse reactions to medications prescribed to you).
Follow your prescription instructions; never take more medication than prescribed.
Keep a current list of all over-the-counter medications and supplements you use.
Store your medications in a safe place and dispose of them with the help of your local pharmacy when they’re no longer needed or expired.
Watch for medications that look unfamiliar in size or color or if the number of pills you need to take has changed (if you experience an unexpected hospital stay, don’t recognize the pills being given, or are unaware of what’s being provided, ask).
Common Side Effects from Multiple Medications:
Blurred Vision
Bleeding
Bruising
Cognitive Impairment
Confusion
Constipation
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Dry Mouth
Falls
Headaches
Indigestion
Loss of Balance
Skin Rash
Sleep disturbances (insomnia or sleepiness)
Make the Most of Medical Appointments:
See your medical providers as often as recommended or as new needs occur. During your appointment, discuss your medications.
At your doctor’s visit, inform them of any new health issues and all medications you’re taking.
Tell your doctor if you’re experiencing medication side effects or are concerned before starting new prescriptions.
If you struggle to recall important information during medical appointments, bring someone with you to help communicate, or write a list of questions and concerns to bring with you.
Following a medical appointment, you may request a patient summary to be printed or emailed.
Ask for a printed medication list following an appointment to review the information and be sure it’s accurate.
Keep a current medication list (including supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter meds) handy for appts.
If you’re seen in the ER or hospitalized, follow up with your primary care provider or ask your medical team to inform them of any new findings, procedures, or prescriptions.
Tell your doctor about any allergies you have (if appropriate, wear medical jewelry).
As a patient, you are at the center of the team; remember that YOU call the shots.
If managing your healthcare needs is taxing and confusing or you don’t feel you can do it independently, appoint a trusted healthcare decision-maker to help.
Additional Tips:
As a patient, you can refuse treatment and seek second or third opinions if necessary. Be consistent in reporting your needs and concerns, and always be forthcoming about your medications. Consistency is key to managing your healthcare needs and staying safe when taking prescriptions. If you should find yourself struggling to manage your medications or have a new health condition, find out if you’re eligible for home health services.
Medicare typically covers home health services, and sometimes, having a little extra help to get used to dealing with a new medical issue can go a long way, especially if you live alone. Living alone, you may not recognize a medication’s side effects or be able to manage a life-threatening side effect on your own.
Home healthcare services can offer a nurse to visit your home to help you understand your condition, manage your medications, and monitor your vitals to ensure your health. They can also recommend helpful services and safety interventions to keep your home a safe place to be.
We all await milestones in our younger years, like getting a driver’s license or graduating high school. Those are exciting times, but later in life, we can become overwhelmed or perhaps even dread what aging may have in store for us.
The good news is that aging can be enjoyable with the right daily support and healthcare. It’s all about prevention, and outpatient therapy is one of the best preventive measures.
Preventative Therapy
Many people think they have to be recovering from an illness or surgery to qualify, but thankfully, those are not the only reasons. You could be eligible for outpatient therapy if you’re feeling weak, losing balance, or having falls—or even close calls! Therapy can help you work to prevent a fall.
By avoiding a fall, you could be saving yourself from a serious setback. Injuries from falls can result in ER visits, hospitalizations, and nursing home stays. One fall can increase the risk of leaving the home where you’re most comfortable. A therapy evaluation can evaluate your balance and strength and determine if you qualify for outpatient therapy services.
Along with this evaluation, therapists may also visit your home to assess your surroundings and identify any risks that increase your chances of falling. They may recommend making changes to enhance access to areas of your home or small additions like grab bars to keep you safe.
Home Health Services
You may achieve a better outcome by combining home health services and outpatient therapy. Home health offers a registered nurse to visit your home to provide help according to your goals.
If you need education to manage a new diagnosis or an ongoing health condition such as diabetes, home health visits can help you prevent unwanted setbacks. Managing life-limiting health conditions can put significant demands on anyone. The travel time alone to pharmacies and clinics and navigating waiting rooms to get care and consultation can feel like a full-time job. Home health can add a layer of convenience to allow you time to rest and return to feeling better versus going into a clinic setting for every treatment.
From dietary education from a registered dietician to receiving IV fluids under your own roof, home health can be a helpful investment in your future. The more your health is managed or, better yet, stabilized, the less likely you will require frequent clinic and ER visits or hospitalizations.
Prepare For the Changing Seasons
As you prepare for the “ber” months this year (September, October, November, and December), consider what would help you stay well this winter. Cold days, snow, and ice can reduce activity levels. Instead of losing strength this season, think about how adding a home health service or two could help you to maintain or improve your abilities.
Connect with us if you think home health services could be right for you or a loved one. Simply reaching out to discuss concerns and needs is just that; it does not guarantee services, but talking through it can provide peace of mind to know if it might be time. We are also happy to help our patients explore insurance coverage to relieve any worries that home health services will cost too much.
Contact us at info@caringedge.com. We’re here to help those on the road of aging to have peace of mind!
June brings us the longest day of the year, the one with the most light. The Alzheimer’s Association honors The Longest Day to raise awareness and funds in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
Across the globe, there are 55 million people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. As the symptoms progress, it’s important to find the right care, including healthcare services, can help to improve their quality of life.
Many people do not know that Alzheimer’s disease is actually one form of dementia and that it’s the most common. Other examples of dementias include Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Lewy Body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is an umbrella term that describes a group of symptoms. The most common symptom widely known is memory loss. Those with dementia can also suffer from increasing confusion, difficulty problem-solving or doing routine tasks, misplacing things, difficulty speaking, mood changes, and withdrawal from social settings.
As physical and cognitive changes set in as a result of this disease, patients may not be able to safely complete the care they need each day to remain healthy. Many with Alzheimer’s will require 24-hour care and supervision to stay safe. Combining daily support with home healthcare services can help support a good quality of life.
Dietary Consulting (by a registered dietician for diabetes and other conditions)
Care Planning (for short and long-term needs)
Benefits of Home Health for those with Alzheimer’s Disease:
Continuity of Care (nurses and therapists will be the same during treatment)
Education for Patients, Families, & Caregivers
Decreased Anxiety & Depression
Improved Communication
Enhanced Quality of Life
Reduced Hospitalization Rates
Better Management of Symptoms
Improved Overall Health
Maintain Independence
Consistent Routines for Predictability
Safety & Security in Familiar Surroundings
Reduced Travel
Those with Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from routines. Even though they may not recall each day or visit by our providers, continuity of care matters. When the same providers see patients, they can get to know each patient’s patterns to identify changes in their demeanors and abilities.
Not having to travel or schedule transportation is very helpful for anyone, but for those with dementia, it’s even more beneficial! Those with dementia cannot easily take transport alone or even attend a medical appointment on their own to report their needs effectively.
When healthcare providers see patients right where they live, each visit is more efficient. A combination of regular and routine on-site healthcare gives those with dementia a wraparound level of support to set them up for better outcomes.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed or suspected of having Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, check in with us! As you plan for the future, we can help. Reach out to us at info@caringedge.com today for a consultation!
To all the women rolling up their sleeves to make the world a better place, we celebrate YOU this month! It isn’t news to us that women can do all things, and we’re honoring one of ours who keeps getting it done.
This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating Angela Hilleshiem, one of our selfless leaders who has helped inspire many. Angela is the president, CEO, and founder of All Care Health Solutions, CaringEdge, and president and CEO of One Source Home Health and Hospice. These home health organizations serve over 1,000 patients every day across Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
About Angela:
Angela started her career as a CNA when she was 17 before becoming an RN. Once she got her degree, she quickly moved into a management role as an assistant director of nursing. She enjoyed her leadership role back then so much that she’s remained in leadership.
Today, she has 40 years of experience in healthcare. In the almost two decades she’s spent working in senior living, she has overseen the operations of 137 assisted living facilities and 25 skilled nursing facilities.
Angela’s love for people doesn’t stop when she’s off the clock. She also serves as board president for the Alice Foundation, a nonprofit program that provides temporary custodial care, short-term basic living expenses, transportation, advocacy, medication expenses, assistive devices, utilities, appliances, and companionship to those with chronic diseases and life-threatening illnesses. Angela is also a member of the Idaho Health Care Association board. When she’s not helping others, Angela spends as much time as she can with her daughter.
Building Success:
As it’s often said, great leaders aren’t just born; they’re made. Angela explained that the secret to her success has been surrounding herself with like-minded colleagues who provide care with purpose. She said, “Care is at the forefront of what we do. You can teach a job; you cannot teach or change a personality. A good, honest steward can be taught the job. Everything is possible through education. You have to empower those who work with you to be great. Showing them that what they do is important and matters helps everyone to be able to offer patient care.”
Aside from growth across her organizations, retaining staff has also been a significant success even during challenging times; “We’ve had some excellent key leaders here since we started. It’s not about being at the top; it’s about seeing what everyone else has built. It really isn’t about me; it’s about the people and their growth. The patient care has been extraordinary. We’ve seen incredible outcomes, which comes back to what we do as leaders. It’s been awesome for me to see how people are a part of the solution,” Angela continued.
Role Models:
While Angela has learned from many colleagues and mentors, she credits her parents with the most significant impact. “There have been so many people who have touched my life in so many ways. My parents, specifically, were genuinely encouraging. They always told me I could do whatever I wanted.”
Angela added, “My dad didn’t want me to fall into normal, traditional roles. He said it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female; gender roles should be out of the equation. He taught me how to work hard—I am usually the first person here and the last to leave. My dad was a strong role model.”
Work/Life Balance Thoughts:
A hot topic today is how to balance work and life. Angela has a clear point of view about managing successful businesses and not feeling bogged down; “Love your work so it doesn’t unbalance the rest of your life. It has to do with your passion and finding your purpose so you’re fulfilled at work and at home. What matters to me is being there to help people. Helping others fills my bucket. If I am doing what I love, it doesn’t feel like work because it’s not about the hours.”
Advice For Those Beginning their Careers:
Angela explained, “If anyone else can do it, you can, too. It’s a lot of hard work. Starting is the hardest.”
She also explained that showing yourself grace is important; “Don’t be your worst critic. Love yourself. Love what you’re doing, and go for it. Don’t get in your head. As women, we’re our own worst critics. If you love yourself, others will love who you are, too.”
If you’d like a career with meaning and purpose, consider home healthcare. You’ll help patients live their best lives and learn from some truly outstanding leaders. Click on the links below to learn more:
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