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.

 

What You Need To Know About the Delta Variant

What You Need To Know About the Delta Variant

Turn on the nightly news and you are sure to hear mention of the Delta variant of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus. AmeriBest Home Care is proud to provide PPE, medical supplies, and ongoing support to our caregivers during this difficult time. We go to great lengths to ensure each of our Philadelphia homecare providers is healthy and perfectly safe to be around. Between disinfecting, social distancing, and testing, AmeriBest has implemented extensive measures to protect our team and our clients. 

Recognize the Threat That Is the Delta Variant

The masses ditched their face masks earlier this summer, declaring the pandemic to be over. Unfortunately, those masks will likely be put back on due to the rise of the Delta variant. There is the potential for COVID-19 to morph into even more variants in the days, weeks, and months ahead. 

Delta is a major problem as it is highly contagious. Delta is more contagious than the common cold. Furthermore, Delta is even more contagious than Ebola, SARS, MERS, and influenza. The latest information indicates Delta is also just as contagious as chickenpox. The variant has become the predominant variant in the United States, meaning it is in the Philadelphia community and also surrounding communities. 

Who Is Feeling Delta’s Wrath the Most?

The unvaccinated are in Delta’s crosshairs. Those who have not yet received the vaccine jab are much more likely to suffer serious illness, be hospitalized, and pass away after contracting the Delta variant than those who are fully vaccinated. Though the vaccinated can transmit the Delta variant, the CDC does not believe the vaccinated can transmit other variants.

Delta Might Cause a Hyperlocal Outbreak

Delta has the potential to accelerate the ongoing pandemic as it is highly transmissible. Those living in dense urban areas where practicing social distancing is challenging and those in areas with minimal vaccination might experience a hyperlocalized outbreak. Such outbreaks are likely to be that much more common in areas with low vaccination rates that are surrounded by areas with comparably high vaccination rates. In other words, such hyperlocal outbreaks might generate some COVID hotspots throughout the United States.

Delta Variant

Delta Continues To Reveal New Information

The puzzle of the Delta variant is still being put together by the brightest minds in the medical industry. Scientists are unsure if Delta causes more significant sickness than the original version of the virus. A study conducted in Scotland states the Delta variant is two times more likely to cause hospitalization in unvaccinated people than the Alpha variant. However, other data shows the variant is unlikely to cause the hospitalization of the unvaccinated. 

The medical community is also continuing to learn more about the symptoms of the Delta variant. It appears as though losing the sense of smell and frequently coughing are not as common of symptoms as occur with the original virus. Data stemming from the United Kingdom, where Delta wreaked havoc, shows that headaches, fever, runny noses, and sore throats are the most common symptoms.

AmeriBest Home Care Philadelphia Is at Your Service

If you or a loved one can benefit from home care in Philadelphia, reach out to us today. Our Philadelphia home care agency provides home and community-based services, home health aides, skilled nursing, physical therapy, and more. You can reach us by dialing 215-925-3313.

AmeriBest Home Care

August is National Immunization Awareness Month With the CDC

August is National Immunization Awareness Month With the CDC

The summer is flying by. We are quickly approaching August, meaning the warm temperatures will be around for another month until the fall season gets into gear. August is important in that it is National Immunization Awareness Month. Senior citizens, their caregivers, and other members of the Philadelphia community should be immunized against diseases including the highly contagious coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. However, coronavirus is only one virus you need to be immunized against. The elderly and their caregivers should also be immunized against other diseases with preventative shots.

Sadly, plenty of people have forgotten about these preventative measures or simply ignored them as the pandemic stretched on for well over a year. If you know you are overdue for an immunization shot or if you suspect you might be overdue for such a shot, it is in your interest to meet with your doctor to coordinate immunization, get a physical, and possibly coordinate personalized care.

Vaccines Are Important for Everyone

There is a common belief that vaccination is only important for infants. The truth is immunization through preventive shots is important for individuals of all ages. This means kids, tweens, teens, adults, seniors, and also those who provide care for seniors should be immunized with preventive shots in accordance with the schedule detailed by their personal doctor.

Vaccines Are Important for Everyone

Timely vaccines are important as they play a vitally important role in guarding against serious diseases. Though the vast majority of the diseases that vaccines are available for are unlikely to occur, outbreaks still take place. The bottom line is the experts at the forefront of the medical industry are adamant that vaccines are safe, highly effective, and recommended throughout the course of one’s life. Even if you are a senior citizen living in Philadelphia and received vaccines when you were in your youth or when you were in your early adult years, you can still benefit from vaccines. Meet with your physician to determine which vaccines are ideal for you. Furthermore, anyone who is traveling should also consider whether additional vaccines are necessary. 

Don’t Forget About the Flu Vaccine!

If you are like most people, the coronavirus vaccine is at the forefront of your mind. However, every senior living in or near the greater Philadelphia area should receive the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is typically available toward the end of the summer. Schedule your flu vaccine now and you will rest easy knowing you have done your part to prevent coming down with the flu this fall or winter. 

Reach Out to AmeriBest Today

Home care in Philadelphia should not bust your budget. If you have a loved one, friend, or other important people in your life who could benefit from home care, encourage them to reach out to AmeriBest today to find out more about our unique services. You can reach our Philadelphia home care providers by phone at 215-925-3313. We can also be reached by email at info@ameribest.org.

AmeriBest Home Care

Caregiving Improves Quality of Life for Both Women and Men

Caregiving Improves Quality of Life

There is a common misconception that women are better caregivers than men. In reality, men are just as capable of providing exemplary care as women. In fact, caregiving proves mutually beneficial for the patient as well as the individual providing care. A recent study shows men who provide care for others are less likely to commit suicide. 

About the Study

The researchers who conducted the study included men who provided care to family members. These men lived in nearly two dozen different countries during the study. The suicide rates were lower in nations where men provided more family care, regardless of whether that care was for adults or kids. This means there is an inherent benefit to performing family care work. The benefit is so strong that it reduces the chances of suicide. This is an important finding as researchers had typically focused on areas of employment as potential factors that influence suicide rates. 

Most people errantly assume the lack of income or economic success is the sole cause of male suicide. However, as the study noted above shows, simply providing care to others, regardless of their age or unique condition, appears to lower the risk of male suicide.

Additional Study Details

It is particularly interesting to note the study also higher unemployment rates did not link to an elevated suicide rate in men in nations where men took on more care-oriented roles. However, in nations where men reported less involvement in providing care, the elevated unemployment rates were tied to an increase in the suicide rate. 

The mere fact that the female suicide rate did not significantly increase as more women entered the workforce in the past century is proof that providing care is mutually beneficial to caregivers and those receiving care. Women have maintained their roles as the primary caregivers in spite of the fact that most now have part-time or full-time employment. 

Caregiving Improves Quality of Life

Caregiving’s Latent Benefit Is Becoming Quite Clear

Caregiving clearly provides both men and women with an important connection to fellow human beings, be it those in their family or those who are a part of the larger community. People are quietly craving for meaning in life and new connections. The dependence on others gives one meaning and a reason to continue moving forward with life, reducing the chances of suicide, and also helping the caregiver feel that much more fulfilled. 

If you are looking for a job that provides you with the opportunity to give back to others, consider becoming a caregiver. Working as a caregiver gives your life that much more meaning and helps you obtain a sense of satisfaction from work.

Get Home Care in Philadelphia Through AmeriBest

Do not suffer through your injury, illness, old age, or other challenges in silence. If you can benefit from home care or if you know someone who can – contact us today. You can reach our Philadelphia home care services providers by phone at 215-925-3313 or by email at info@ameribest.org

AmeriBest Home Care