Caring for seniors at home is one of the most selfless and rewarding commitments family members can undertake. It allows family caregivers the opportunity to spend quality time with the senior in their care, often leading to a stronger bond than ever before. However, it can also raise some concerns and challenges that can best be addressed by enlisting help. At THE MEDICAL TEAM, we partner with families to provide the safe, trusted, highly skilled care that allows family caregivers the chance to maintain a healthy life balance while knowing their loved one is well cared for. Yet it often takes time before both the senior and his or her family caregiver feel comfortable with the idea of in-home assistance. Here are common questions than can arise: Shouldn’t I be able to handle my … [Read more...] about Hiring In-Home Help: A Guide for Family Caregivers
Caring from a Distance: Home Care Tips for Long-Distance Caregivers
The world has become increasingly mobile, and it’s no longer the norm for extended families to remain together in the same communities. Career choices, preferred climates, and other factors often lead adult children to start new lives hundreds or even thousands of miles away from their childhood homes. Unfortunately, difficulties can arise as parents age and caregiving from a distance becomes a challenge. If you live at a distance from an older loved one there are a number of strategies you can implement to ease the burden of long-distance caregiving. THE MEDICAL TEAM, a provider of home health care solutions, offers the following suggestions: Plan ahead. Proactively planning for future needs is the best way to reduce stress and effectively manage those needs when the time comes. … [Read more...] about Caring from a Distance: Home Care Tips for Long-Distance Caregivers
Top Tips for Diabetes Self-Management
Those with diabetes know that staying on top of the disease requires patience, persistence, and endurance. With 29 million Americans diagnosed, and likely as many as 86 million more in the pre-diabetic stage, we can all benefit from learning what it takes to keep the disease under control. Educate yourself. Knowledge is power, and learning as much as possible about diabetes, the most recent research findings and treatment options, and recommended lifestyle changes is crucial. Keep a record book. This can be as simple as a file kept on the computer or in a notebook that documents A1C, cholesterol, blood pressure and other readings by date. Sharing this with the doctor at each appointment makes it easier for him or her to provide the best possible care. Form a network of support. … [Read more...] about Top Tips for Diabetes Self-Management
Working Toward a Stress-Free Heart
Life is full of stressors, and high levels of stress have been linked to a number of health concerns, particularly for the heart. The good news, however, is that taking steps today to reduce and better manage the stress in your life can help protect your heart and improve your overall quality of life. THE MEDICAL TEAM offers the following tips: Stay connected. Sharing life with others is so crucial for older adults who may find themselves spending a lot of time alone. When family and friends live at a distance, seniors can utilize technology, such as Skype, to recreate the feeling of a face-to-face visit. And although it may seem like a lost art, writing letters and cards is still a great way to stay in touch as well. But nothing can replace in-person contact. Help seniors stay … [Read more...] about Working Toward a Stress-Free Heart
Helping Seniors Stay Flu Free
As we kick off the New Year and resolve to make lifestyle changes to improve our health, one of the top resolutions on our list should be to steer clear of coming down with the flu – particularly for seniors, who are more susceptible to complications from the flu. At THE MEDICAL TEAM, our goal is to help seniors remain as healthy and well as possible, especially during flu season. Keep these flu facts and prevention strategies in mind: Is it the flu, or just a cold? While flu and cold symptoms share a lot of similarities initially – running and stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, fatigue – flu symptoms escalate to include fever that can last for several days, muscle aches, worsening cough and shortness of breath. The flu can also lead to more serious health concerns such as pneumonia and … [Read more...] about Helping Seniors Stay Flu Free
Helping Older Adults Beat the Winter Holiday Blues
The holiday season truly feels like a wonderful time of the year for so many people, but for some older adults it can bring about feelings of wistfulness and loneliness. Loss of loved ones, physical challenges, and remembrances of seasons past can dampen the holiday spirit for seniors. Fortunately, we can all help brighten the lives of our older loved ones. THE MEDICAL TEAM’s in-home senior care experts offer the following suggestions to bring joy to this year’s winter holidays for seniors in your life: Host a decorating party at the senior’s home. It can be difficult for a senior who lives alone to manage holiday decorating. At the start of the holiday season, bring family and friends together at the older person’s home. Coordinate a potluck lunch or order in a festive holiday … [Read more...] about Helping Older Adults Beat the Winter Holiday Blues