National High Blood Pressure Education Month

Did you know there are waiver home care programs for seniors with high blood pressure? Waiver programs like those AmeriBest of Harrisburg, PA, participate in allow people to get proper care at home for lower costs than in an institution. As you can imagine, having these programs provides great peace of mind to families and patients alike.

May is dedicated to Blood Pressure Education so that you can help your loved ones who are at risk.

What is Blood Pressure

Blood pressure comes from blood pushing against arteries as it moves through your body. Everyone’s blood pressure rises and falls daily. There are two blood pressure measurements

  • Systolic: This number indicates the pressure in your arteries during a heartbeat.
  • Diastolic: This measures pressure in your arteries between heartbeats. 

Normal blood pressure is considered 120 systolic over 80 diastolic. 

What is High Blood Pressure

Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. While your blood pressure may go up with exertion, for example, when it stays up there’s a reason for concern. As your blood pressure rises, the risks of a stroke, heart attack, or heart disease go up. 

When your health care provider, or that of your senior, diagnoses high blood pressure, they can then work on a treatment plan for reducing those numbers. Some providers consider 130/80 high, while others pin it at 140/90.

Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

At AmeriBest Home Care Harrisburg, PA, we believe that remaining informed and involved is vital to the care of your elder. We are a top, in-home caregiver with waiver plans and take great strides to educate our staff, too.

You can begin by learning how to take blood pressure at home if you do not have a caregiver, aid, or nurse. It is the only way to know your blood pressure changes. Remember that high blood pressure is called the silent killer because so many people never know they have it.

There are all kinds of equipment you can buy for measuring blood pressure, and it’s not overly expensive. Beyond that, here are some signs of high blood pressure:

  • Breathing difficulty
  • Chest pain
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Eyes with blood spots
  • Flushing
  • Nervousness
  • Nosebleed
  • Pounding in your ears or chest
  • Sleep interruption
  • Weariness

The longer high blood pressure continues, the more it can damage your arteries. In turn, this leads to heart disease, heart attack, or heart failure. 

Brain & Other Problems

If high blood pressure blocks blood to the brain, the lack of oxygen causes a stroke. Additionally, there is a link between high blood pressure and decreased cognitive functions. Adults with high blood pressure face increased potential for kidney disease, too

Prevention & Management

There are some simple things that help prevent and manage high blood pressure. Encourage your loved one to have about 30 minutes of activity a day. Help them prepare a healthy diet, low in salt and alcohol. And find ways of managing stress. Often, having a waiver home care plan for seniors in place not only decreases your loved one’s anxiety but also your own! Self-care matters. 

Call AmeriBest’s Harrisburg, PA office any time (717-545-2920), email info@ameribest.org, or use our contact form online for further information.

AmeriBest Caregiver Jobs for Home Care in Harrisburg, PA

AmeriBest Home Care is hiring! We are looking for conscientious, empathic people to join our in-home health service team in the Harrisburg, PA area. Whether you’re already a caregiver, or just thinking about moving into this area for your career, we have a lot to offer you, including a positive atmosphere where your efforts not only matter, but we appreciate them! 

Why AmeriBest?

There is a reason AmeriBest ranks among the top home care agencies for nursing and caregiving. We invest in our employees and value their contribution to the dignity of individual clients. With AmeriBest you’ll be part of improving a person’s and family’s quality of life every day. 

Our benefits plan is among the best you’ll find, starting with paid training. We’re not going to just send you into the field and let you fend for yourself. Doing all your tasks well means our clients remain safe and comfortable in their homes. The theme of AmeriBest really boils down to that-providing high-quality, compassionate personal care services to people in our community. 

Our Benefit Plan: A Closer Look

When you are considering a caregiving position, it helps to have points for comparison. The AmeriBest Benefit Plan is outstanding and includes:

  • 401K
  • An app for Daily Pay, giving access to your income any time, anywhere
  • Bereavement and maternity leave
  • Electric timekeeping
  • Life insurance for full-time employees – $15,000
  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance. The basics are covered at 100%
  • Monthly recognition awards for “caregiver of the month”
  • Paid Holidays: 7 a year with time and a half for working any of them.
  • Sign up bonus
  • Supplemental insurance options such as short term disability

You won’t be disappointed. 

Why Become a Personal Caregiver?

Let’s face it, some careers are not for everyone. But if you love working with people and have a natural nurturing ability, being a home care aide may be the ideal choice. As a home care assistant you:

  • Provide comfort and companionship to individuals in need.
  • Keep the individual and family connected medically and with the community.
  • Can grow your career. Training is only one step along the path. You can specialize!
  • Enjoy flexibility. You create your schedule in tandem with AmeriBest HR, one suitable to your situation. 

Plus, your individuals and their families appreciate your help. Unlike many jobs where you never hear “please” or “thank you,” the people you work for are grateful for the relief you provide.

Job Opportunities

There are three positions in Harrisburg, PA for which we always seek exceptional applicants:

  • Personal Care Assistant
  • Registered Nurse
  • Speech Therapist

In any of these jobs, you provide consistency, knowledge, and skills that are so important to individuals needing extra help at home. Plus, your career profile doesn’t have to stop with one niche. We encourage career development and provide paid training for things like CPR, signs of abuse, and sound nutrition practices.

Ready to Apply?

You can fill out an application right now, online. Alternatively, call 717-545-2920 or email info@ameribest.org. 

Get paid for caregiving with AmeriBest Home Care

Are you a compassionate personal caregiver in Harrisburg, Pa, or an empathic private duty home care aid in the Philadelphia area? Or, perhaps you’ve been thinking about a career in-home health services, and are passionate about helping people? At AmeriBest Home Care, we are always looking for people like you. 

AmeriBest ranks among the top home care agencies and in-home nursing services serving the Philadelphia area. We offer you the best-PAID training, flexibility, and career opportunities, coupled with impressive benefits. We are hiring people who want to support families and individuals who require assistance for their wellbeing and improving their overall quality of life. 

Time and again, we see caregivers finding great satisfaction in their work. You are helping people, offering companionship, and providing comfort. At AmeriBest we know company success begins with employee satisfaction and success. 

Benefits of Being a Home Health Aide

If you are not already a home care assistant, you may wonder if the job is really right for you. There are several fantastic benefits of becoming an in-home caregiver.

  1. Appreciation: When a family finally has an aide in place, the whole house sighs in relief. These people are often stressed, worried, and over-extended. An extra pair of keen eyes and skilled hands is a blessing, and people show their gratitude. 
  2. Flexibility. Agencies work with your personal schedule so you can work as much (or little) as you wish. Once you have a caseload, you work with the patients and family for a suitable schedule.
  3. Growth Potential: The healthcare industry as a whole is always growing and changing. You will learn a lot from your experiences on the job, plus any training an agency like AmerBest offers. 
  4. Rapport: Personal aids become an extension of the family. You have a chance to really know your patients in ways that hospital workers can’t. 
  5. Specialization options: Is there one type of situation/patient you prefer? You can ask for assignments fitting that goal, if available.

Employment Opportunities:

We are always on the lookout for outstanding

  • Registered Nurses
  • Speech Therapists
  • Personal Care Assistants. 

Think of your services from the client’s point of view. They don’t want to go into a facility where nothing’s familiar and strangers are constantly passing through. Being at home provides the consistency people crave. It’s reassuring. Working for AmeriBest in any of our programs means your individual’s dignity remains intact. Our clients know each person on our team is respectful, knowledgeable, and dependable. 

Career Development

We not only provide 100% paid training but want to invest in your continued growth as a caregiver. You can get courses in:

  • CPR
  • Fall risks
  • Heart disease management
  • Hoyer lift use
  • Nutrition
  • Recognizing abuse

And much more!

AmeriBest Benefits in Brief

Quality workers deserve quality benefits. We respect your efforts with suitable compensation, time off, and insurance. You’ll receive

  • Daily Pay option: You can transfer your earnings any time through an Ap that also tracks your hours.
  • Discount plan for LifeMart
  • Holidays: 7 paid holidays; time and a half for working holidays
  • Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, and basic medical covered at 100%
  • Life insurance policy: $15,000, free to full-time employees
  • Monthly caregiver awards
  • Year end bonus 
  • 401K

At AmeriBest you have the security of knowing you’re working for one of the top five, most stable caregiver agencies in all of Pennsylvania. Apply today, contact us for more information, or email: info@ameribest.org

Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month with the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America – Caregiving for Someone with MS 

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Month takes place in March of every year. During this time, many organizations including AmeriBest Home Care Agency in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, PA, shine a light on the struggles faced by people living with MS. In order to care for your loved one, you may find having a caregiver home health aid improves the individual’s quality of life. It also helps to learn as much as you can about how MS manifests and what you can do to make your life, or that of a loved one, better. 

An Invisible Disease

To look at a person with MS, you might never know there was anything wrong with them. The symptoms often remain invisible, and not everyone is vocal about their situation. Some days they may have a flare-up, and a week or month later the symptoms subside. It’s not a contagious condition. Researchers aren’t fully aware of the triggers for MS and continue seeking answers. 

MS A Closer Look

When a person’s immune reaction damages protective sheaths around nerves in the brain, Multiple Sclerosis begins. 

When MS appears it’s often in a young adult. Nonetheless, Multiple Sclerosis is age “blind”-it can be diagnosed at any time. There are various signs of MS, including

  • Visual changes or problems
  • Numbness
  • Bladder or digestive issues
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or joint pain

Multiple Sclerosis is rarely fatal. While new medications exist to help control the frequency of MS symptoms, there is no known cure. 

Worsening Progression

For some with MS, their condition continues to progress with more severe symptoms. As Multiple Sclerosis advances, it severely impacts every aspect of a person’s life, often shortening it by up to 7 years. Some families find it hard to help such individuals alone. 

That’s where caregiving for someone with MS can use helping hands, namely by seeking a top home care agency in their area. AmeriBest ranks highly among Home Health Aide Services in Harrisburg, PA, for our dedication, the quality of our care, and our compassionate aids. 

Consider the difficulty of attending to the safety and well-being of an individual who

  • Cannot talk or walk
  • Struggles with breathing
  • Experiences spasms or tremors
  • Has balance problems, creating a fall risk
  • Develops paralysis or partial immobility
  • Illustrates difficulty with swallowing
  • Show signs of memory loss

While not all people with severe MS develop all of the symptoms, these represent the range of potential problems ahead. 

Coping & Helping

There’s no question that people with MS and their families experience ongoing stress, worry, fear, and sometimes guilt. As you understand what a person is experiencing, you can find the best possible course of care, one where you’re supported too. From providing transportation to medical appointments and medication reminders to helping with everyday chores, a home caregiver aid is a support unit. 

You don’t have to try to do everything by yourself. Reach out to the professionals at
AmeriBest Home Care by filling out our contact form or by email: info@ameribest.org. You can also call one of our two offices: 

Philadelphia, PA 215-925-3313 

Harrisburg, PA 717-545-2920

or 1-800-HOMECARE

American Heart Month: What is it and How to Observe it?

Every February, AmeriBest Home Care of Philadelphia and Harrisburg, PA, joins with many other organizations, physicians, nurses, in-home care workers, and families alike to observe American Heart Month every February. Why? Because over 600,000 people die annually from heart disease in the United States alone. Heart disease shows no preference for age, gender, or ethnicity. However, the following factors impact your risk:

  • Alcohol consumption
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Inactivity 
  • Poor diet
  • Smoking

If you have been thinking about caring for your loved one at home due to their heart health (combined with other matters), there are ways to give them heart-healthy habits and choices. In addition, you and your family can become advocates for raising awareness about heart disease by first learning about it. This is part of what American Heart Month is all about. 

Heart Disease 101

The term “cardiovascular disease” (CVD) is often used synonymously with “heart disease.” Both are umbrella terms covering everything from congenital heart defects and heart rhythm problems to the most common form of heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is a hardening and narrowing of the arteries going to the heart, leading to stroke and heart attack. And while all that sounds frightening, the good news is that many deaths can be prevented with proper care. The earlier, the better. 

Signs of Heart Disease

CVD often goes hand in hand with old age. At AmeriBest, we work with seniors, giving them ways of strengthening their circulatory system. The first step is teaching families and individuals the signs of heart disease so prompt medical treatment occurs:

  • Chest pain (or pressure in the chest)
  • Feeling constantly tired or exhausted
  • Nausea and vomiting regularly
  • Palpitations
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakness

Preventing Heart Disease

Home health aid services like those AmeriBest Home Care provides help you monitor heart health, but that’s only one part of the equation. There are great ways to keep a person’s heart in shape. Think of healthy habits like a daily vitamin supporting wellness. 

By making minor changes, you can get on the road to improved heart health. Start with increasing activity levels. Don’t go from zero to one hundred—small, progressive steps matter. About two and a half hours of moderate activity a week is all it takes. If your loved one has physical limitations, AmeriBest’s outstanding caregivers can help develop a safe routine.  

Next, think about diet. Limit saturated fats, salt, and meats with high-fat content. Stress fruits, whole grain, nuts, and vegetables. Look into the Mediterranean diet for ideas.

Monitor yourself or your loved one. When you go for a check-up, talk with the physician about blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol. There are medications specifically designed to target these two risk factors. And, people may not have to take them forever if they make suitable lifestyle choices. 

Finally, get more rest and avoid stress factors. Both support your immune system and improve both mental and emotional well-being.

Need Help?

If you’re in the Philadelphia or Harrisburg, PA area and have a loved one who needs more support than you can provide, reach out to us, asking about home care services. As a professional home health care agency, our staff provides compassionate and insightful assistance. Feel free to contact us HERE any time with your questions. 

January: National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve of the eye. Usually, it happens once fluid accumulates in the front area of the eye. This additional fluid increases the eye’s pressure and damages the optic nerve.

Caregiving for someone with glaucoma

The following tips might help to promote eye health and control high eye pressure:

  • Consume a healthy diet. Consuming a healthy diet may help to maintain your health; however, it will not prevent glaucoma from growing worse. Several nutrients and vitamins are critical to eye health, which includes antioxidant vitamins A, E, and C; selenium; copper; and zinc.
  • Safely exercise. Routine exercise might decrease eye pressure within open-angle glaucoma. Speak with your physician about a suitable exercise plan.
  • Restrict your caffeine. Consuming beverages that have large quantities of caffeine might raise your eye pressure.
  • Frequently sip fluids. Only drink moderate quantities of fluids during any given time within the course of a day. Consuming one or more quarts of any liquid within a brief time might temporarily raise eye pressure.
  • Sleep with an elevated head. Utilizing a wedge pillow that keeps the head raised slightly, around twenty degrees, has been proven to decrease intraocular pressure when sleeping.
  • Take all prescribed medication. Using eye drops or other medicines as prescribed may help to obtain the best possible outcome from treatment. Be certain that you use the drops precisely as prescribed. Or else, the optic nerve damage in your eye might grow worse.

Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve of the eye. Usually, it happens once fluid accumulates in the front area of the eye.

Alternative medicine (discuss with your medical provider!)

A few alternative medicine approaches might help your health overall; however, none is an efficient remedy for glaucoma. Speak to your physician about their potential risks and benefits.

  • Herbal remedies. A few herbal supplements, like bilberry extract, have been claimed to be remedies for glaucoma. However, more studies are needed to show their effectiveness. Do not use herbal supplements in replacement for proven therapies.
  • Relaxation methods. Stress might trigger acute angle-closure glaucoma. If you are at risk of that condition, figure out some healthy ways to cope with your stress. Meditation and additional techniques might help.
  • Marijuana. Studies show that marijuana can lower eye pressure in those who have glaucoma, yet only for 3 – 4 hours. Other traditional treatments are more effective. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, marijuana is not recommended to treat glaucoma.

Are you or your loved one experiencing glaucoma?

Once you receive a glaucoma diagnosis, you are possibly facing long-term treatment, routine checkups to slow down and prevent vision loss as much as possible. You might need some care and support in your home because of glaucoma or its treatment. At AmeriBest Home Care our home care professionals are committed to offering quality comprehensive personal care services to valued members of our community. We offer Philadelphia home care services in a respectful and dignified manner. Your home care provider will help with every non-medical issue that arises. Also, they can help you follow your doctor’s orders. Call an AmeriBest home health care provider today at 215-925-3313 to find out how we can be of help to you or your loved one to stay independent at home!

COVID Mandates for Healthcare and Home Care Workers 

Philadelphia senior citizens and residents of other age cohorts will be happy to learn the city has achieved a comparably high vaccination rate for healthcare industry workers. Government officials at the federal level highlight Philadelphia’s vaccine mandate for its elevated vaccination rate. The high rate of vaccination among the city’s medical industry personnel is especially important now that the highly contagious Omicron variant of the virus is rearing its ugly head.

About Philadelphia’s Vaccination Mandate

The city of Philadelphia issued a coronavirus vaccine mandate as the summer drew to a close. The mandate has lead to nearly every single hospital employee in the greater Philadelphia area being fully vaccinated against coronavirus. Furthermore, the city’s health department reports more than 95% of the city’s nursing home employees are fully vaccinated against the virus. This statistic is especially striking when juxtaposed with the comparably low 75% vaccination rate of nursing home employees throughout the rest of the country. 

However, it must be noted the definition of “fully vaccinated” has the potential to change as time progresses. It is quite possible only those who receive a booster shot will be considered fully vaccinated by the time winter comes to an end. At the moment, more than 75% of all Philadelphia residents are fully vaccinated, meaning they have at least two vaccine shots. Though this percentage is lower than that of those who work in local hospitals and nursing homes, it is still an encouraging sign. 

Why Philadelphia’s Vaccine Mandate is so Important

Pennsylvania has one of the nation’s highest rates of hospitalization stemming from coronavirus infections. The state’s intensive-care units are struggling to provide care for individuals who require intubation and other forms of assistance. Sadly, nearly 400 individuals were hospitalized in early December in Philadelphia alone. Phila.com’s city data shows the city’s hospitalization trend is moving in the wrong direction as a mere 200 were hospitalized within the city’s limits prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Philadelphia’s high vaccination rate is the elevated employee retention rate. The vast majority of local Philadelphia hospitals and nursing homes retained nearly the entirety of their staff despite the vaccine mandate. The Pennsylvania Health Care Association reports that of the city’s 47 nursing homes, an average of seven individuals departed their posts as a result of the vaccine mandate. 

It is clear that Philadelphians are willing to put their self-interest and political differences aside for the greater good. However, it is slightly disturbing to learn that merely 40% of the hospitals in the United States have vaccine requirements. This low nationwide percentage is a large part of the reason why transmission rates are climbing with no signs of slowing down as the Omicron variant continues to wreak havoc throughout Philadelphia and beyond.

AmeriBest Home Care Philadelphia is a Call Away

AmeriBest’s home care team is here to help you and your loved ones live with dignity. If you or a family member need or want home care assistance and you live in the greater Philadelphia area, reach out to us for more information about our service. You can contact our home care team by phone at 1-800-HOMECARE. You can also contact us by email at info@ameribest.org or online through our convenient contact form.

Do Your Parents Need Home Care Help? Be Mindful of These Signs

Do Your Parents Need Home Care Help Be Mindful of These Signs

Your parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle in Philadelphia might be in need of home care assistance yet too proud to ask for help. You can do your part to ensure your loved one lives with dignity by keeping an eye out for the common signs seniors display when in need of care. If you notice any of the signs detailed below, do not hesitate to ask for assistance from our Philadelphia and Allentown home care providers.

Alterations in Physical Appearance

Be particularly mindful of your loved one’s personal aesthetic. Even a slightly diminished personal appearance is an indication of a senior in need of assistance. Significant weight loss or weight gain is also a sign that his or her nutritional intake should be addressed with the assistance of a meal preparation assistant. 

Furthermore, if you spot bruising and the senior refuses to explain how those bruises occurred or cannot remember how they occurred, it is an indication that he or she suffered a fall. If your parent or other loved one has an odor, it is a sign that he/she failed to bathe properly and should be provided with home care that helps with mobility, bathing and personal grooming.

Mobility Limitations

A senior who fears the challenge of getting in/out of the shower or bathtub or a senior who does not want to get out of bed due to pain when moving, is in desperate need of a home healthcare assistant. The installation of grab bars along with a shower seat will certainly help yet it will not be enough in and of itself. A home care specialist who provides ongoing care and mobility assistance will help your loved one make the transition from bed to the bathroom, into the living room and possibly even outside.

Do Your Parents Need Home Care Help Be Mindful of These Signs

Mood Alterations and Forgetfulness

Though identifying depression in senior citizens is not easy, those who pay close attention to their parent or other loved one will be able to identify changes in outlook and demeanor that indicate depression. Money woes, health issues and the lack of friendships negatively influences mood. If your loved one is more irritable, lacks energy or no longer has interest in the activities he or she enjoyed in prior years, it is a sign of depression.

If you notice alterations in your loved one’s memory, an increase in forgetfulness or the mismanagement of medication, it is an indication of dementia. There is also a chance your family member is suffering from both depression and dementia at the same time. 

Assistance from a home care provider will lift your loved one’s spirit, give him/her something to look forward to and also prevent a spiraling depression that leads to suicidal thoughts. Home care service also provides invaluable reminders pertaining to medication, ensuring your family member takes his or her medication at the scheduled times every single day without exception.

AmeriBest Home Care is Here to Help

If you recognize the signs detailed above that indicate your parent needs home care, contact our Philadelphia home care specialists today. You can reach our home care providers by phone at 1-800-HOMECARE or by email at info@ameribest.org

Do Your Parents Need Home Care Help Be Mindful of These Signs

National Cholesterol Education Month With the CDC

National Cholesterol Education Month With the CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated September as National Cholesterol Education Month. Cholesterol levels are often neglected as most people don’t want to make the dietary and life changes necessary for optimal health. However, the longer your cholesterol level remains elevated, the greater your chances are of suffering a serious health problem. Let’s take a quick look at why everyone living in and near Philadelphia should do what they can to keep their cholesterol level at a healthy level.

A Brief Explanation of Cholesterol’s Importance and Potential Harm

Cholesterol is a perfectly natural part of biological functionality. If cholesterol were not present, the human body would not be capable of creating healthy cells. However, there is good and bad cholesterol. The good variety, high-density lipoprotein, known by the acronym of HDL, assists in the elimination of the bad cholesterol from the body. Bad cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, referred to with the acronym of LDL, causes plaque to form in the arteries, heightening the chances of vascular problems, heart disease, clots, and even heart attack or stroke.

When Should Cholesterol Be Checked?

In an ideal world, cholesterol will be checked much sooner than it actually is. The average person living in Philadelphia waits until there is a serious health problem to address a cholesterol problem. Some people refuse to go to the doctor, meaning they don’t even know their cholesterol is high.

Adolescents and kids should have their cholesterol levels gauged by a medical professional. Those age 20 on up should have their cholesterol level checked once in every 4-6 years. However, those who have a high risk for cardiovascular disease due to genetics or lifestyle flaws (hamburger and fries, anyone?) should have their cholesterol checked every couple of years or even annually.

National Cholesterol Education Month With the CDC

Cholesterol in the Context of Race

Did you know that African-Americans are much more likely to have higher cholesterol levels than members of other races? In particular, African-American men are likely to have elevated cholesterol. This comparably high level is the result of a unique form of a gene found in African-Americans.

Tips To Keep Your Cholesterol Under Control

The most important thing you can do to keep your cholesterol at a healthy level is practice mindful eating and maintain a healthy diet.

Do not eat mindlessly in front of the TV or computer! Read food ingredient labels when shopping for groceries. Zero in on food products that do not contain trans fats. Trans fats elevate cholesterol and even damage the heart if consumed in excess or at a high frequency.

It will also help to prepare food the right way. Cut the fat and skin off from fish and meat prior to cooking it. This approach maximizes your protein intake while minimizing the amount of fat consumed. Instead of deep fat frying or breading your food, opt to poach, bake or broil it. Choose a healthy cooking method and you will have done your part to minimize your fat consumption, ultimately keeping your cholesterol in check.

Establishing a consistent workout routine also helps to lower your cholesterol. Exercise on most days of the week to feel the difference. Weight management also helps.

Quit smoking – within just one year of quitting, your risk of heart disease will be half that of a smoker!

Drink alcohol in moderation – surprisingly enough, moderate use of alcohol is linked with higher levels of HDL (the “good”) cholesterol.

Get Assistance With AmeriBest Home Care of Philadelphia

We are eager to provide you or your loved one in the greater Philadelphia area with assistance. Our home care services are held in high regard by our local community. Give us a call today at 215-925-3313, reach out to us via email at info@ameribest.org, or contact our team online to find out more about how we can help improve your quality of life with expert home care.

 

National Recovery Month With Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

National Recovery Month With Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

September marks the start of the Philadelphia Eagles’ season yet this month is also quite important for those struggling with substance abuse and those who have recovered from addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA for short, has designated September as National Recovery Month. This is the time of year when we raise awareness about substance abuse in seniors.

Risk Factors of Substance Abuse in Seniors for their Caregivers

Most people living in the greater Philadelphia area and beyond assume substance abuse is primarily a problem amongst teens, twenty-somethings, and other young adults. The truth is senior citizens are just as vulnerable to developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol as others. In particular, senior citizens dealing with chronic pain have a tendency to abuse pain relief medication, alcohol, and additional substances.

Risk factors include:

  • Being white
  • Having higher income
  • Living alone
  • Losing a spouse
  • Retiring unexpectedly/being laid off
  • Having chronic pains
  • Being disabled
  • Having a history of mental illness or substance abuse

If you notice the senior in your life requires more medication than they used to, drinks alone, or is secretive about drinking, it is a sign that he or she needs professional substance abuse counseling.

How To Support Someone in Their Recovery Effort

An elderly individual or any other person struggling to stay sober is in need of help yet unwilling or unsure of how to ask for it. You can help in subtle ways. Do not immediately resort to an intervention with a substance abuse counselor. A forced intervention is a last resort. 

Instead of performing a forced intervention, start by educating yourself about the problem. Get a sense of whether the individual’s use of a particular substance is harmful to him/herself or others. If you don’t know much about substance abuse, read up on the subject on the web or at your local library. Do not persuade your loved one to completely abstain from the substance in question right away. Encourage gradual weaning off of the substance for incremental progress that eventually leads to sobriety. 

Ask for Professional Assistance

National Recovery Month With Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Most attempts at “do it yourself” (DIY) sobriety do not work. Even if a family member or friend provides support, the person with drug dependence will likely need professional substance abuse counseling. All sorts of groups from Alcoholics Anonymous to Nar-Anon for those addicted to illegal and prescription drugs are ready and willing to help. Nudge your loved one in the direction of such a counselor. 

Consider attending counseling sessions with the senior, caregiver, or other friends/family member if he or she needs additional support in the quest for sobriety. In some cases, simply discussing the addiction with a professional counselor builds momentum to the point that the person with drug dependence is willing to take the next step toward returning his/her life to normal.

Coordinate AmeriBest Home Care Service at Your Home

If you need assistance with the challenges of daily living, contact our Philadelphia home care services providers today. Our caring team provides extensive home care services.  This service liberates current care providers to return to normal living. If you live in the greater Philadelphia area and need home care assistance, reach out to us today at 215-925-3313, send us an email at  info@ameribest.org or contact us through our convenient online contact form.