Home Care for Older Adults With Dementia in Harrisburg, PA

Home Care Assistance for Older Adults With Dementia in Harrisburg, PA

As time rolls on, medical knowledge grows. Recently there’s been research on how air pollution harms the brains of older adults. This in turn contributes to issues like dementia. The actual “reason” hasn’t been nailed down yet, but the correlation remains, according to the National Institute on Aging. In fact, a person who lives where air quality is better can have an extended time before signs of dementia hit, averaging 1.5 years.

There are two types of air pollution that seem to be the main culprits:

  • Fine Particulate Matter: Tiny solids and liquids in the air (dirt, dust, soot, etc.)
  • Nitrogen dioxide is a byproduct of vehicle emissions, industrial sources, and certain natural events like wildfires.

These pollutants may also impact heart health, which is vital to brain health, too. Over time, the effects accumulate, increasing the risk of mental deterioration. In fact, in 2020 the Lancet’s Commission on Dementia Prevention and Care added air pollution as a risk factor.

 

The Caregiver’s Role

A family caregiver or a home health aide (like those AmeriBest trains and hires), cannot undo the damage that’s already been done, but they can help with the aftermath.

Assistance with daily living, making sure a person remembers their medication, keeping track of important contact information, and knowing the location of everything in someone’s home are examples. You do not want to keep a person indoors 100% of the time. That’s not healthy and often leads to depression, but you can make their life within the home much simpler and more content.

Tip: To check the quality of air in your region, use AirNow.gov for information. This can help you determine if it’s a particularly bad day for taking seniors out for long hours.

Home Care for Older Adults With Dementia in Harrisburg, PA

Dementia Home Care Harrisburg PA

At first, some families have reservations about home care, but it is one of the best ways to make your loved one comfortable and at ease, especially with mental impairments. They need familiarity and consistency, but children, grandchildren, or friends may simply not be in a position to provide the level of care necessary for health and safety.

Once you hire a professional team, like the personnel AmeriBest has to offer, you have peace of mind. Aides are trained for both home and community-based assistance. They become part of the family matrix, with two extra eyes and hands so you can take time for handling your own matters with peace of mind.

Our services include personalized care coordination so that your loved one’s entire medical team is on board and regularly informed of any changes that occur. We can answer many of those nagging questions, including about air pollution, while also educating the whole family on how best to keep the individual happy, peaceful, and maintaining their dignity all at the same time.

If you’d like more information about dementia home care Harrisburg PA, don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions or concerns. You can contact AmeriBest Home Care Harrisburg, PA office in one of three ways:

Call: 1800-HOMECARE or 717-545-2920

Email: info@ameribest.org, or

Use our online contact form HERE.

High Blood Pressure Results in Bone Aging, May Accelerate Osteoporosis

High Blood Pressure Results in Bone Aging, May Accelerate Osteoporosis

As people live longer lives, that doesn’t mean the extra time is always healthy. For example, research indicates that high blood pressure can increase the risk of osteoporosis. In turn, it’s reasonable to check for osteoporosis in older patients with hypertension.

What is Osteoporosis?

Over 200 million people worldwide have osteoporosis, with women developing it more frequently than men. Osteoporosis is recognizable by the lessening of bone mass and density. In turn, this reduces a person’s bone strength, creating a greater risk of breaks. The leading cause of hip, spine, or wrist fractures in older men and women is osteoporosis, which many people do not even realize they have until after an accident. Having agency home health aides in Philadelphia can prevent these situations by monitoring an individual and helping with safe movement as needed.

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

Besides high blood pressure, other factors contribute to a person’s risk for developing osteoporosis:

  • Alcoholism
  • Chronic medical conditions
  • Genetics
  • Lack of Vitamin D
  • Medications (steroids and anti-epileptics)
  • Smoking

How Does High Blood Pressure Contribute to Osteoporosis?

The most likely explanation is that changes in blood pressure alter the blood supply to the bones. This may stimulate an inflammatory reaction. A 2021 study indicates when coupled with age-related issues, high blood pressure has a negative impact on bone health.

How to Decrease the Risk of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is not an assured outcome as people grow older. It’s not a “normal” part of the aging process. You have the means of improving your bone health or that of a loved one.

High Blood Pressure Results in Bone Aging, May Accelerate Osteoporosis

There are ways people can reduce their risk of osteoporosis, including

  • Limited Alcohol consumption
  • Eating foods high in calcium and vitamin D
  • Staying physically active

You can also keep an eye on your blood pressure. If you are unable to do so, hiring a reliable agency for home health aids in Philadelphia is one step toward ongoing vitality. AmeriBest ranks among the best companies in the area because of our diligence and constant awareness of a person’s changing medical status.

Home Healthcare for Individuals with Fragile Bones

Once Osteoporosis sets in, it can become dangerous. Fragile bones are prone to everything from hairline cracks to full fractures with far less pressure or impact than one might expect. It’s vital that a home care provider, like AmeriBest Home Care in Philadelphia, create a care plan, coordinating with the individual’s medical team.

Many agencies offer physical therapists that can come into the home, making the client more comfortable. A well-trained aide can educate the family and client both on safety issues and awareness. They can do light housekeeping, clear all walkways, help with daily exercise protocols, and prepare healthy meals. Offering services that contribute to injury prevention is an essential goal.

If you’re looking for an agency that can help meet the needs of a loved one with osteoporosis, look no further. AmeriBest has professionals at the ready, as we are one of the best agencies for home health aides in Philadelphia.

There are various ways you can reach out with your questions:

Use our online CONTACT FORM

Call: 1800-HOMECARE or 215-925-3313

Emai: info@ameribest.org

We look forward to being of service!

High Blood Pressure Results in Bone Aging, May Accelerate Osteoporosis

The Best Agency for Home Health Aides in Philadelphia

We are now hiring HHAs in Philadelphia.

Why AmeriBest? We invest in our employees through great benefits, continuous training, constant support, and healthy company culture. Join us today!

The First (EVER) National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers

caregiver home health aide in harrisburg pa

If you’ve been looking for a caregiver home health aide (Harrisburg, PA), you are not alone and you may face hurdles. Throughout the US there is a shortage of family caregivers. As a result, the Health and Human Services Administration has created a National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers.

The strategy includes 150 actions focused on the private sector aimed at supplemental assistance with resources, particularly in long-term care. The RAISE Family Caregiving Act’s advisory panel joined in the effort, along with the public and professionals in the universe of home health care.

Caregivers, be they family members or trained professionals like AmeriBest Home Care Caregivers in Harrisburg, PA, have a critical role in the health and well-being of homebound individuals. Everyone ages and many of us will face a moment when we need assistance. It’s a difficult moment, challenging a person’s sense of individuality and pride. We all need somebody in our corner, and non-skilled caregivers do just that. They keep the company, assist with daily activities that are challenging for the care recipient, and provide invaluable support.

caregiver home health aide in harrisburg pa

Who’s In? And Who’s Affected?

In this, the ACL (Administration for Community Living) joins in the 2022 strategy by presenting a vision and recommendations to help caregivers. They are gathering contributions and commitments from as many sectors both private and public as possible.

Consider that there are over 50 million people annually who require health assistance to maintain their quality of life. Of those, 70% utilizing home care are aged 65 or over. Many adults would not otherwise have the financial resources needed to maintain physical, emotional, and mental support without efforts such as this.

It is understandable that families WANT to help their aging loved ones, but it’s simply not always practical, or possible! For one, the family rarely has training in handling their loved one’s needs effectively. For another, the busy nature of life means that non-professional caregiving becomes spotty.

Home Care Assistance for Anxiety and Depression in Elderly

Most people caring for someone 50 or over have minimally part-time jobs, and their own core families to care for.

The average number of years family members contribute to caregiving is 5. It’s easy to burn out! This is where a dedicated home health aide agency like AmeriBest steps in as a helpmate. When you don’t want to consign an individual to a nursing home, trained aides in the home are a great solution!

While cost may concern you, Medicare, Medicaid, and various health insurance marketplaces have coverage for home and community-based services, provided by a caregiver home health aide in Harrisburg PA. There are some requirements for coverage, including personal resources and income, which is why it’s wise to work with a navigator who can walk you through the red tape. They make the process easier, as can an agency representative!

The Next Step

When you know your loved one wants to remain in their own house, and you know you cannot give them the time and attention they need for well-being, reach out to AmeriBest Home Care for Services in Harrisburg, PA.

There are several ways to reach us to get your all-important questions answered.

Call us at 1800-HOMECARE or 717-545-2920

Email us at info@ameribest.org

Use our contact page HERE.

Would you like to become a paid family caregiver home health aide in Harrisburg PA?

Please submit your application HERE.

Home Care Assistance Against Anxiety and Depression in Elderly

Home Care Assistance for Anxiety and Depression in Elderly

In determining the best agency home care near Philadelphia, PA, one major consideration is whether or not your loved one belongs to a minority with unique needs. Studies show that racial and ethnic minorities experience higher rates of anxiety and depression, especially during the pandemic. With this in mind, it’s important for mindful home care agencies like AmeriBest to create a supportive environment to allay worries, loneliness, and any sense of isolation. The after-effects of the pandemic aren’t going away any time soon.

Isn’t Depression Normal?

People think that it’s normal for the aging community to feel depressed. It’s not. Rather aging adults are at higher risks for depression, and minorities even more so.

Signs of Depression

You may think of depression as being like a case of the blues. It’s far different. Depression ties into chemical imbalance and brain wiring. It’s treatable. But it’s easy to miss the signs. That’s where the best agency home care professionals are trained to watch for certain things including:

  • Intense pessimism
  • Feeling guilty for no reason or hopeless
  • Ongoing irritability and restlessness
  • Being tired all the time
  • Having no interest in beloved activities
  • Mental distraction
  • Sleeplessness
  • Digestive troubles

Older minority adults usually have one chronic health issue (80%). So, there’s the assumption their melancholy stems from not feeling good. This is why depression and anxiety often go untreated. Even the individuals themselves think their mental state has to do with illness, so they may not seek treatment.

The Role of Socialization

The CDC reports that social isolation greatly affects depression among marginalized aging adults. Feeling alone is not pleasant. But when you hire a home health care aide, there is another presence in your loved one’s life-someone on whom they can depend and who will be around regularly. The difference this makes is substantive.

Home Care Assistance for Anxiety and Depression in Elderly

Best Agency Home Care Near Philadelphia

AmeriBest Philadelphia is here to help you with your questions and concerns about finding the right assistance for your loved one. Our results are why AmeriBest Home Care is one of the top agencies in Philadelphia. Caregiving is challenging and often puts a strain on family relationships. Reach out for help before you feel overwhelmed.

AmeriBest knows how important it is to keep the lines of communication open. We work with the entire family (or those who wish to be involved). We also work with your loved one’s entire healthcare team so everyone is on the same page.

Our staff provides individualized services. There are no “cookie cutter” solutions with home care, and we aim to personalize care plans attentively. Your home care team will always remain up to date on best industry practices for maintaining high-quality services, including:

  • Care coordination
  • Familly education and awareness
  • Housekeeping
  • Meal preparation and nutritional monitoring
  • Med minders (and monitoring)
  • One-on-one interaction
  • Personal care and hygiene assistance
  • RNs
  • Social workers
  • Therapists
  • Transportation to medical appointments

You can contact us in several ways:

  • AmeriBest Home Care’s online information form HERE
  • By phone: 1800-HOMECARE or 215-925-3313
  • Email: Info@ameribest.org

We look forward to answering your questions and helping with your journey.