How Families Can Cope With the Decision to Put Their Loved Ones in a Skilled Nursing Home
As your loved one’s primary caregiver, you are responsible for their health and wellness. You must make difficult decisions and consider all options about your loved one. This places pressure on you to make the best choice for this person who depends on you. The decision to place your loved one in a skilled nursing home is never easy, especially when you have been caring for your aging, sick, or injured loved one for a long time. However, a nursing home may be the best choice for your loved one to receive the care and support from a professional care team designed to help them reach their health goals and achieve the highest quality of life possible. Let’s discuss some tips to help families cope with the decision to put their loved ones in a skilled nursing home.
1. You Did Not Cause Your Loved One’s Decline in Health
When you take care of someone full-time, it can be easy to blame yourself for their condition. No matter the cause of your loved one’s decline in health, know that you did not cause this. Whether they are recovering from surgery or an injury or are living with a serious illness like Alzheimer’s, it’s important to remember that their health would likely continue to worsen whether you remained as their primary caregiver or had professional help.
2. Professional Care is a Next Step
Depending on your loved one’s health condition, they may require a professional level of care to address their unique needs. A skilled nursing facility conducts thorough assessments to determine whether a potential resident can benefit from their expert care and support. If ordered by their doctor, your loved one will be admitted to one of these long-term care facilities that provide skilled nursing care and regular monitoring. Indeed, a skilled nursing facility will help your loved one receive the care necessary to regain their independence and function. Additionally, allowing the experts to take the reins can help you avoid burnout as a caregiver and give you the time and energy to focus on your own life.
3. Accept that You Are Doing the Best You Can
Being the family caregiver for your loved one is a major responsibility. You have to make difficult decisions about things you do not have experience with and handle situations that don’t have a right or wrong choice. After you make a decision about your loved one’s health, you must accept the results no matter what they are. This can mean several new immediate changes or maintaining the same care for weeks or months. Remember that you have a challenging, yet rewarding job. You can only do the best you can with the information, resources, and time you have. It’s not giving up on your loved one if you realize you require professional help.
4. You Have to Live Your Own Life
When taking care of your loved one, it’s a good idea to remember that you can only do so much. Some things are out of your hands. If your family also helps care for the loved one, there will be times when people do not agree with your decisions. Remember that you are trying your best, but cannot allow the situation or others to prevent you from living your own life too. Indeed, you have to make time for yourself to avoid the dreaded burnout.
5. Determine the Best Options for Your Loved Ones
Your loved one may not be keen on the idea of moving to a skilled nursing home. After all, this means giving up their independence and the comfort of their own home. This can be an emotional time for your family as you debate on what’s the best option for them. You may feel guilty about considering the idea, but these facilities are designed to help patients regain their function and independence. Indeed, your loved one will have access to the care, support, and professional therapy services necessary for them to meet their goals. These facilities will motivate your loved one to do their best, just like you have done as their caregiver.
6. Allow the Skilled Nursing Home to Do Their Job
After your loved one’s doctor has ordered skilled nursing care and they have been approved to move to a local facility, it’s important to research the facility. Check out their website to learn about their services, visiting hours, location, and contact information. Encourage your loved one to look at the site with you, so they can see what the facility looks like and what it offers them. When they know what to expect, you will find that your loved one will be more willing to consider the transition from their home to a skilled nursing facility.
Once your loved one has moved in, take this time to accept that the facility will be the main provider for now. You will still be able to visit them, ensure they are receiving quality care, and bring special items to remind them of everyone that loves them. By allowing the nursing home to do their job, this will give you more time to focus on your life, such as work, hobbies, and relationships.
We hope you found these tips helpful if you are deciding whether to put your loved one in a skilled nursing home. Use online reviews from other families and patients that share their experiences with a reputable skilled nursing facility you are looking at. This will provide you with valuable insight into whether a specific nursing home is the best option for your loved one. While the skilled nursing facility will provide the primary care and support, your loved one will still need you to play an active role in their recovery. Contact Liberty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services to learn more about our short and long term rehabilitation services and find a facility near you across North Carolina.
Tips for Staying Connected to Your Loved Ones in a Skilled Nursing Facility
At Liberty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services, our patients in our skilled nursing facilities benefit from staying connected to their loved ones. This helps our patients feel loved, valued, and not so alone. If your loved one is currently living in a nursing home, you may not be sure of the best ways to stay connected, especially during the pandemic. Some people find that nursing homes are stressful because they aren’t sure what to say or do. For your loved ones, these family visits are a special opportunity to bond, catch up, and stay connected with the family. Consider these easy tips to help stay connected with your loved one living in a skilled nursing facility.
Contact the Nursing Facility
One of the best ways to stay in touch with your loved one is to plan a visit. It’s recommended that you contact the local nursing facility to determine when you can visit, for how long, and how often. Every facility has different rules and it also depends on your loved one’s condition and wishes for having visitors. Like anyone, your loved one has good and bad days. It’s important to respect these requests and visit on those good days when your loved one is up for having company.
Due to COVID-19, you will also need to ask about policies for visiting during the pandemic. If you are allowed to visit, you will have to follow specific guidelines to keep everyone at the facility safe and healthy. This will likely include wearing a mask, social distancing, and not visiting if you are sick or have been in contact with someone that is sick. The facility may not be allowing visitors depending on their state’s rules regarding the pandemic. As an alternative, ask if you can schedule a video chat with your loved one via Skype, Google Meet, Zoom, or FB Messenger. It’s likely that the nursing facility will make these special arrangements, so your loved one can stay in touch with you.
Plan Your Visit In Advance
Once you find out the details of the best time to visit, it’s a good idea to plan your visit in advance. This will give both you and your loved one time to prepare and to look forward to this special time together. For many residents, they have the most energy in the morning or after lunch. Since the nursing care team works with your loved one daily, they will know when it’s best to visit. You may be allowed to eat a meal together, which gives you and your loved one something to do during the visit. Indeed, this can make it easier to engage in conversation.
Be Present with Your Loved One
To be present, it may be helpful to set your phone to silent during your visit. This will help you focus on your loved one and enjoy those quiet conversations together. If your loved one notices you playing on your phone or fidgeting with your belongings, they may think you don’t want to be there. Of course, this is far from true but it’s important to be mindful of your nonverbal body language. A positive visit will help your loved one get through those difficult days during recovery and be reminded by those that matter most.
Be Mindful of Your Communication Style
Depending on your loved one’s conditions, they may have trouble hearing you or focusing on you. You may need to adjust your communication approach by talking slower, a bit louder, and possibly repeating yourself. It also helps to talk to them at eye level, which helps them stay engaged with you during conversations. Remember not to get frustrated and be patient with your loved one. This is not easy for them, but having you there to love and support them lets them know they are not alone.
Bring Special Items
Ask the nursing facility about their policies on bringing special items. If allowed, you can bring family photos, a favorite movie, or collectible with you. This is an excellent way to cheer up your loved one and allow them to take a break from their current situation and remember the old days. When possible, you can also bring their favorite recipes that you used to cook together. Find out if the facility allows children and pets to come as they can be a wonderful way to create joy for your loved one. There is something about seeing a child’s smile or hearing their laughter or seeing a dog’s tail wag or listening to a cat’s purr that soothes a person in a way that words cannot. Your loved one will hold on to these memories and be able to share them with their friends and nursing facility staff.
Be Mindful of the Length of Your Visit
When it comes to the length of your visit, every person will be different. Some patients love to have long visits of just being together, while others appreciate shorter, more meaningful visits filled with quiet conversations. During your visit, pay attention to your loved one to see if they appear to be tired or overwhelmed. This may be time to let them rest and wrap up the visit. However, if your loved one seems lively as they share old stories and talk about their experiences at the facility, no one says you have to leave immediately. Of course, be mindful of facility visiting hours. These hours are in place to ensure your loved ones receive the proper care and rest necessary to help them recover and reach their health goals as quickly as possible.
Don’t Let Dementia Intimidate You
If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, it can be challenging to know how to connect with them. You may not know what to say or how to respond to them. There is no exact science to this, but always remember to be patient and positive. It’s possible that they will repeat things and you will have to repeat what you say too. Just take your time and remember that your loved one is happy you are there with them even if they cannot express it verbally. Your loved one will likely be interested in talking about a specific topic, such as fishing or gardening. By knowing what they are interested in, this makes it easier to start up a conversation. The skilled nursing facility may even allow you to spend time together outside, such as visiting an on-site garden.
Include Your Loved One as Part of the Family
While at a skilled nursing facility, your loved one may feel like they are missing out on family time and making memories together. Ask the facility about the possibility of taking them out for a family trip together or to celebrate a birthday party. If this is not possible, remember to take lots of photos and videos and share them with your loved one at your next visit. This will help them feel like they are still an important part of your family even though their living setting has changed. To help motivate them to regain their independence, set aside some precious family photos for their room that they can proudly share with friends and the nursing staff. No matter what their health goals are, having visual reminders of people that love and support them makes a huge difference in their recovery rate and success.
We hope you found these tips helpful for visiting your loved one living in a nursing facility. By following these tips, you will find that your visits are more enjoyable, meaningful, and less stressful. At Liberty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services, we offer skilled nursing facilities across North Carolina and South Carolina to help meet your loved one’s specific health goals. Learn more about our skilled nursing, short term rehabilitation, assisted living, and outpatient services designed to meet your needs.
What Does a Certified Nursing Assistant Do?
At Liberty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services, our certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide valuable daily care and support to patients. CNAs play a key role in helping patients achieve their health goals and living the best quality of life possible. If you or a loved one is considering short or long term rehab care at one of our facilities in NC or SC, it’s important to know what certified nursing assistants do and how they will positively impact your daily life. Keep reading to discover what CNAs do.
What Does a Certified Nursing Assistant Do?
A certified nursing assistant helps patients in a variety of ways, such as with activities of daily living (ADLs) and other basic health care needs. CNAs typically work with the patient’s healthcare team, including physicians, nurses, and other certified nursing assistants. Indeed, this is necessary to provide the best care and support for every patient. Since every job is different, the specific types of jobs will vary based on the patient population and where someone works. For CNAs that work in a nursing home or long term residence, they will likely work with patients that are recovering from an injury or surgery or living with an illness or disability.
Join Liberty’s Team as a Certified Nursing Assistant
If you love helping people and want a fulfilling career in the healthcare industry, consider becoming a certified nursing assistant. Since patients will continue needing assistance as they recover from an injury or surgery and regain their independence, the demand for CNAs in long-term care will continue to rise. Aside from the positive impact you will have on patients and their families, Liberty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services also offers competitive pay, flexible scheduling, a 401 (k) retirement plan, referral bonuses, and much more.
What Is Outpatient Therapy?
Whether you or your loved one are recovering from an injury or surgery, outpatient therapy is an excellent option. At Liberty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services, outpatient therapy is available at all of our North Carolina facilities. By receiving the same physical, occupational, and/or speech therapist, our outpatient care makes it easier to transition from inpatient care to a patient’s prior living setting. Continue reading to discover what outpatient therapy is and how it may be a good fit for your or your loved one’s individual health needs.
What Is Outpatient Therapy?
Outpatient therapy is for patients that need an individual treatment plan that may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Each patient’s treatment plan is designed to help patients maximize their outcome and quality of life. This plan will focus on helping patients overcome functional, physical, and/or communicative challenges. Unlike inpatient therapy, patients will return home in between their therapy sessions. Patients will continue their exercises on their own at home as per their doctor’s instructions. Indeed, this is different from inpatient therapy in which patients stay at a rehab facility and receive nursing care, meals, and support from a dedicated, caring staff.
When Do Patients Need Outpatient Therapy?
Outpatient therapy is beneficial for a wide range of health concerns. One of the most common reasons patients receive outpatient therapy is because they are about to have surgery or just came out of surgery. Other reasons include treating:
- Balance issues
- Chronic pain
- Difficulty with walking
- Communication difficulties
- Memory difficulties
- Reduced range of motion and strength
- Swallowing difficulties
- Traumatic injuries
Additionally, outpatient therapy can help improve patients’ everyday life. Perhaps a patient would like to start a new exercise routine or go on a special trip with their grandchildren, but is struggling due to certain medical or balance issues. This type of therapy can help patients achieve their individual goals and enjoy the highest quality of life possible. Indeed, our expert therapists can offer the support, training, and tools necessary to help patients overcome their challenges.
Is Outpatient Therapy Right for You?
Like any therapy treatment, it’s important to talk with you or your loved one’s doctor first. Your doctor will determine if outpatient therapy is a good option based on your specific health needs and goals. If the answer is yes, your doctor will refer you to an outpatient therapy facility near you. Here at Liberty, we are dedicated to helping our patients live better lives by overcoming their challenges and living the highest quality of life possible. We love helping our patients successfully achieve their goals through our supportive therapy programs. Contact Liberty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services today to find out more about our outpatient services offered across North Carolina.
Speech Therapy
Have you ever heard of speech therapy? Isn’t that just for people “who can’t talk right”? No, speech therapy is more complex than you realize! The field of speech-language pathology (also known as speech therapy) is made up of nine domains with the most common being: speech, expressive/receptive language, swallowing, and cognition. Speech therapy is one of the therapeutic services provided by Liberty Healthcare Rehabilitation Services for our residents in independent, assisted, and skilled living settings.
Who provides speech therapy?
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are trained experts in communication sciences and disorders. SLPs are required to earn graduate degrees, complete 400 clinical hours, pass a national exam, complete a clinical fellowship year, and be certified at state and national levels. A SLP is trained to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat communication and swallowing disorders. SLPs are trained to provide therapy services for the full range of human communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages, including those in our aging adult population.
How do I know if I need speech therapy?
As we age, our brains change. This can affect the way that we communicate, swallow, and think. SLPs are part of the interdisciplinary medical team that are involved in the care of the aging population. If you go to the hospital for a stroke or a broken hip, you may be recommended for speech therapy. What? How does breaking my hip mean I might need speech therapy?
Speech therapy also addresses memory, safety, thought organization (planning), and sequencing tasks. If you now require a walker after surgery, but have never used one before, it may be beneficial for a SLP to help assist you in adjusting to safely using one.
SLPs are also commonly involved in the care of individuals with a variety of diagnoses including dementia, mild cognitive impairment, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke injuries, cancer, and COVID-19.
Swallowing disorders are often present in the populations listed above, and speech-language pathologists are trained to address and manage swallowing disorders. The medical term for difficulty swallowing is dysphagia. Dysphagia can occur when there are deficits in the ability to feel food or liquids, the ability to move your mouth, or coordinate movement of muscles in your throat, in any of the phases of swallowing (oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, or esophageal). Swallowing problems can cause dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss, and even pneumonia.
What are some red flags? When should I seek out a referral for me or my loved one?
Red Flags for Swallowing Disorders:
- Unintentional and unexplained weight loss
- Prolonged chewing and swallowing
- Fatigue when eating
- Painful swallowing or feeling that food liquid “gets stuck”
- Coughing or choking on liquids / “getting strangled”
- Coughing or choking on solids
- Recurrent chest infection or pneumonia
- Heartburn or acid reflux
Red Flags for Cognitive, Speech, and Language Disorders:
- Becoming short of breath when speaking
- Reduced ability to communicate wants and needs
- Difficulty pronouncing speech sounds
- Reduced language and speech skills due to a neurologic event such as a stroke
- Difficulty in remembering appointments and taking medicine
- Reduced confidence in verbal abilities and engaging in social conversation
If you are concerned at all about any of the red flags listed above for you or a family member, talk to your doctor about a referral to the speech-language pathologist. Early intervention can help!
At Liberty Healthcare Rehabilitation Services, our speech-language pathologists are key members of the rehabilitation team designed to provide a positive rehabilitation experience for patients and their loved ones. They are involved with the interdisciplinary care model. Contact us today to learn more about our speech therapy and other services.
How to Reduce Your Risk for Dementia
In previous articles, we looked at what dementia is and how it’s diagnosed, as well as the early signs and different stages of dementia. While there is no known cure or way to completely prevent dementia, there are several tips to reduce your risk for developing dementia. Let’s take a closer look at those tips now.
1. Regular Physical Activity
Numerous studies link regular physical activity to reducing your risk for dementia. From a medical perspective, exercise triggers neurochemicals and a boost in neurons in the brain. In turn, this helps improve your mood, cognitive development, and memory. There are several options for exercising, which gives you an opportunity to explore different activities until you find something you enjoy. A good goal is to exercise for at least two and a half hours a week, which can be spaced out over several days for short durations. Remember that some exercise is still better than none at all, which poses health risks to your mental and physical health.
Exercise Ideas:
- Joining a fitness club
- Pilates
- Riding a bicycle
- Stair climbing
- Strength training
- Water aerobics
- Yoga
2. Eat Healthy
Eating healthy, balanced meals can help reduce your risk for dementia. Additionally, eating healthy can prevent cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. An example of a balanced meal contains fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Healthy Tips:
- Eat four to five portions of fruit and vegetables daily
- Eat protein twice a week, such as lean meats, fish, beans, and eggs
- Eat healthy grains, such as whole grain bread and pasta, as well as potatoes
- Limit your sugar and sodium consumption
- Limit your saturated fat consumption
- Drink enough liquid daily, such as water, sugar-free drinks, and low fat milk
3. Drink Moderately
Like most things in life, moderation is important. When it comes to drinking alcohol, it’s best to drink small amounts. Drinking excessively increases your risk for developing dementia. It’s recommended to drink less than 210 milliliters of alcohol a week, which is shown to be the ideal amount to reduce your risk for dementia. This is slightly over 8 ounces of liquid.
Safe Drinking Tips:
- Keep track of how much alcohol you drink every week
- Replace drinks with alcoholic-free drinks
- Have friends and family join you, so you maintain your goals
4. Connect with Others
Humans are social creatures that need to be around other people. This doesn’t mean you have to be an extravert to connect with others. Studies show that maintaining strong social connections as people age can reduce the risk for cognitive decline and dementia, such as Alzheimer’s. Due to the current pandemic, it has become challenging to safely meet other people face-to-face. Social isolation is not healthy for anyone and it may increase your chance for developing dementia. Thanks to social media, phones, and video chat apps, it has never been easier for people to reach out to their friends and families on a regular basis. These strong social connections help keep the brain active and healthy because you are listening, talking to, and interacting with others.
5. Knowledge is Power
Did you know keeping your mind active helps prevent your risk for cognitive decline and dementia as you age? It turns out that receiving more education in early life has a positive, lasting impact on your brain. A Southern California professor named Lon Schneider found that as people learn, this increases the “cognitive reserves” in their brain, which makes people more resilient to health issues, including dementia. Apparently, knowledge really is powerful!
Tips to Keep Your Mind Strong:
- Connect with friends and family on a regular basis
- Do crosswords, puzzles, or sudoku
- Learn a new hobby or language
- Play board games, card games, or video games
- Read engaging books
6. Reduce Head Trauma Risks
Studies show that there is a link between serious head trauma injuries and an increased risk for cognitive decline later in life. If the injury involves loss of consciousness, that risk increases even more. Luckily, there are safety tips people can follow to reduce the risk for head trauma injuries. When you are driving or riding in a vehicle, always wear a seatbelt when the vehicle is in operation. Always wear a proper fitting helmet when playing sports and riding a bike. At home, you can do things to minimize the chance for falling and becoming injured. This includes removing loose rugs and clutter from the home, as well as installing better lighting both indoors and outdoors. Indeed, these safety tips can help avoid head trauma injuries and thus, reduce the likelihood for getting dementia.
7. Quit Smoking
Among other health issues, smoking can increase your risk for developing dementia. This may be due to the chemicals in tobacco, which causes inflammation in the body. In turn, this inflammation can affect the blood vessel functions and circulation of blood within the body. As a result, this causes someone to be more susceptible to having a stroke or bleeding in the brain. If you smoke, it’s never too late to stop smoking. Older adults that quit may significantly reduce their risk for dementia. In today’s modern age, there are several options to quit smoking, including medications, nicotine patches and gums, and therapy.
8. Hearing Loss
Since hearing loss is socially isolating, this means people are less likely to hear and talk to others. This lack of social engagement makes it more challenging to maintain an active and healthy mind. When older people have hearing issues and do not use hearing aids, this increases their risk for dementia. It’s recommended that people avoid excessive loud noises whenever possible because this is an effective way to prevent hearing loss. For those that already have issues with hearing, it’s important to talk with their doctor to get their hearing tested and use a hearing aid, if necessary.
As you can see, there are numerous benefits to reducing your risk for dementia. Aging is a natural process that everyone experiences. We hope these tips help you reduce your risk for developing cognitive decline and serious conditions like dementia. Contact us today to learn more about our liberty healthcare services designed to meet your individual goals.
Top Tips for Stroke Prevention
In last week’s article, we discussed what a stroke is and the warning signs. It’s also important to know how to do your part to prevent a stroke, especially when over 795,000 Americans have a stroke each year. There are helpful ways to reduce you or your loved ones risk of having this serious medical condition. Keep reading to check out the top tips for stroke prevention.
1. Eat Healthy
One of the best ways to reduce your risk for a stroke is to eat healthy. A healthy meal consists of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and seafood, and whole grains. You can take it a step further to eat foods that can lower your blood pressure levels and prevent high cholesterol, which reduces your chances of having a stroke. This includes foods that are low in sodium, saturated and trans fats, sugars, and cholesterol, while consuming more foods that are high in fiber.
Healthy Food Choices:
- Beans
- Dark chocolate
- Fish
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Nuts
- Whole grains
2. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise has several health benefits, particularly with reducing your blood pressure and helping you maintain a healthy weight. It’s recommended that adults exercise for two hours and 30 minutes a week, while children and teens should exercise for an hour a day. This is a realistic health goal because you can break up the exercises into short durations each week. For example, you can do 30 minutes a day or 15 minutes twice a day. To help gain the most benefits, try to reach a level where you are breathing hard, but can still talk.
Physical Activity Ideas:
- Dumbbell strength training
- Joining a fitness club with friends
- Pilates
- Stair climbing
- Walking
- Water aerobics
- Yoga
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight
It’s no surprise that obesity can lead to several health risks, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. These health concerns then increase your risk of having a stroke. Since each person has unique health needs and goals, it’s recommended that you talk to your primary doctor about creating a health plan to help you maintain a healthier weight. As little as losing 10 pounds can reduce your stroke risk.
Tips for Maintaining a Healthier Weight:
- Eat an appropriate amount of calories based on your health needs, activity level, and current BMI (body mass index).
- Make physical activity a part of your regular routine. Do something you love, which will make it likely to become a new healthy habit.
4. Drink Moderately
Like anything in life, moderation is key. Studies show that drinking one alcoholic drink a day may help prevent strokes. This benefit goes away once you start drinking more than two drinks per day, which significantly increases your risk for having a stroke. The key takeaway here is to either drink a little a day or avoid it altogether.
Drink Tips:
- Having one glass of alcohol a day is healthy and safe, as long as your doctor approves based on your health needs and current medications.
- Red wine is an excellent option that contains resveratrol, which is good for your brain and heart.
- Just like with food, watch your drink portions. A standard drink is 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of liquor.
5. Quit Smoking
Aside from stroke prevention, quitting smoking is important for your overall health and well-being. When you smoke, this increases clot formation by thickening your blood and increasing the amount of plaque buildup in your arteries. Since it’s not easy to quit smoking, talk with your doctor about the best treatment options to safely stop smoking.
How to Stop Smoking:
- Don’t give up. Most smokers need several attempts before they can permanently stop smoking.
- Have a support system to help you get through this difficult time.
- Use a variety of options to quit, such as nicotine pills or patches, therapy, chewing gum, or medications.
6. Lower Blood Pressure
Having high blood pressure significantly increases your risk for having a stroke, especially if it’s not treated. It’s important to talk with your doctor about how to monitor and treat your blood pressure levels on a regular basis. For most people, having a blood pressure level that is less than 120/80 is ideal. Please note that some people have higher levels due to medications they take or from dizziness when standing.
Tips to Lower Blood Pressure Levels:
- Lower your consumption of high sodium foods. It’s best to eat no more than 1,500 milligrams of salt daily. This is around half a teaspoon.
- Eat more polyunsaturated and monounsaturated foods.
- Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy every day, along with fish a couple times a week.
- Try to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
- If you smoke, take the steps to quit.
As you can see, there are several ways to help reduce your risk for having a stroke. While there is no option to completely prevent strokes, these tips can help reduce your risk for several health issues. Always talk with your doctor about your specific health needs and what you can do to live the best quality of life possible. Contact Liberty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services to learn more about expert services designed to meet your health goals.
What Is a Stroke and What Are the Warning Signs?
Each year, over 795,000 Americans have a stroke. A stroke is a serious health condition that needs immediate medical care, whether it’s a person’s first or subsequent stroke. Strokes are one of the leading causes of long-term disability. Like any medical condition, it’s important to know what a stroke is and what the warning signs are. This can end up saving you or your loved one’s life. Let’s take a closer look to learn more about this serious condition.
What Is a Stroke?
Also known as a brain attack, a stroke takes place when blood flow to part of the brain stops or when a blood vessel inside the brain bursts. This causes the brain cells to begin to die within minutes because the blood flow needed to get oxygen to the brain is blocked. Strokes can impact the entire body and can lead to permanent brain damage, long-term disability, and even death. Any person showing signs of a stroke needs immediate medical attention.
What Are the Main Types of Strokes?
There are three main types of stroke, which include:
- Hemorrhagic stroke: this is caused by a ruptured blood vessel.
- Ischemic stroke: this is caused by a blockage in the arteries.
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA): also called a mini stroke, this is caused by a temporary blockage in the arteries. Unlike ischemic strokes, mini strokes don’t cause lasting damage. However, they do increase a person’s likelihood for having a stroke.
Immediate Medical Care is Essential
When a person is having a stroke, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) indicates that receiving emergency medical help within the first hour helps prevent the person from becoming permanently disabled or dying. You or your loved one may be hesitant to call 9-1-1, especially if only one of the warning signs are visible. However, stroke is a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical care. The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association (ASA) recommend that people receive a drug that dissolves blood clots within the first 4.5 hours of showing stroke warning signs. By receiving immediate medical attention, people are more likely to recover and avoid having long-term disability.
What Are the Warning Signs?
The warning signs of a stroke come on suddenly with little warning. Indeed, it’s important to know what to look out for, so you can be prepared. Knowing the stroke warning signs can save you or your loved one’s life and help prevent serious long-term effects, such as disability, brain damage, and loss of speech.
Act F.A.S.T
The National Stroke Association recommends using the term “FAST” to recognize common warning signs of a stroke.
- Face: A person’s face will droop or have an uneven smile.
- Arms: A person will have numbness or weakness in their arm. If you aren’t sure, ask the person to raise their arms - if their arms drop down or aren’t steady, this is a warning sign.
- Speech difficulty: A person will find it difficult to speak. If you ask the person to repeat a simple phrase and their speech is slurred, they may be having a stroke.
- Time: When a person is showing signs of a stroke, it’s important to act fast. Remember to also keep track of when the warning signs began. This will help the medical team provide the best treatment based on when the stroke symptoms started.
Other Symptoms include:
- Difficulty walking
- Fatigue
- Numbness in limbs
- Vision issues
Remember to always call 9-1-1 if you or a loved one are showing signs of a stroke. Even if a person only has one or two symptoms, it’s crucial that you seek immediate medical help. A person that receives quick medical help has a greater chance of making a full recovery.
At Liberty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services, our expert staff is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to meet your specific health needs, such as recovering from a stroke or major surgery. Contact us today to learn how we provide the best quality care and support you deserve to regain your independence, function, and achieve the highest quality of life possible.
What You Need to Know About Arthritis
Did you know that over 54 million adults and 300,000 children live with arthritis? Despite the significant number of people with arthritis, there is still a lot of misunderstanding regarding this term. Arthritis refers to joint pain or joint disease, which can be any of the over 100 different types of arthritis conditions. Let’s take a closer look at some helpful information for those suffering from arthritis, which is a great way to raise awareness for Arthritis Awareness Month in May.
What Are the Main Types of Arthritis?
There are four main types of arthritis, which include degenerative, inflammatory, infectious, and metabolic.
Degenerative Arthritis
Degenerative arthritis is when cartilage wears down, which causes bones to rub against each other. This process leads to pain, swelling, stiffness, and a reduction in strength overtime. The most common type of arthritis in this category is osteoarthritis. To help prevent degenerative arthritis, it’s recommended that you stay active, maintain a healthy weight, avoid injury and repetitive motions, and talk to your doctor about treatment options for pain.
Inflammatory arthritis is when a person’s immune system does not work properly and attacks the joints with excessive inflammation. This inflammation can lead to joint erosion and damage to internal organs, eyes, and other parts of the body. A common example is rheumatoid arthritis. Since this type is linked primarily to genetics and environmental factors, it’s recommended that individuals talk to their doctor early on when they experience excessive joint inflammation. Treatment options will focus on pain management, improving joint function, and helping to prevent further joint damage.
Infectious Arthritis
Infectious arthritis refers to a type of arthritis caused by a bacterium, virus, or fungus that enters the joint and causes joint inflammation. For example, salmonella, shigella, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and hepatitis C can all cause this type of arthritis. Treatment options include receiving antibiotics to clear up any joint infection, but this doesn’t always work for chronic cases that were not detected early on.
Metabolic Arthritis
The last main type of arthritis is metabolic, which occurs when a person’s uric acid levels are too high. Uric acid is formed when the body processes purines, which are found in human cells. As the uric acid builds up, this can lead to needle-like crystals in the joint. These crystals create spikes of severe joint pain and can even cause a gout attack. If acid levels are not lowered, this can cause a person to have chronic pain and even become disabled.
Now that we’ve discussed the main types of arthritis, let’s discuss some key information you should know about arthritis.
1. Arthritis Can Affect Your Daily Life
Since arthritis causes joint inflammation, the associated pain can vary from mild to severe depending on what you do, your type of arthritis, and other environmental factors. You may experience swelling, stiffness, and even loss of motion, all of which can impact your everyday life.
2. There is No Cure for Arthritis
Currently, there is no cure for arthritis. For many people, there are effective treatment options to better manage their arthritis. This may include pain-relief medications, physical therapy to improve strength and regain function, and surgery for those with ongoing hip and knee issues. A patient’s doctor may recommend some lifestyle tips to help as well, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and if they smoke, stop smoking.
3. Weather Can Affect Your Arthritis Symptoms
Did you know it’s true that weather can affect a person’s arthritis symptoms? When the atmosphere’s pressure changes rapidly, this can cause a joint flare up. To manage these flare ups, a patient may want to use a cold pack, take ibuprofen, and perform some simple stretches to deal with the weather changes.
4. Injuries Can Put You at Risk for Arthritis
If you injured your knee at a young age, this can make you six times as likely to develop arthritis in your knees by the time you reach age 65. For those with hip injuries, this makes you three times more likely to develop arthritis. However, regular exercise at all ages is still more beneficial than the risks of injuries.
5. Children Can Have Arthritis Too
When you think of arthritis, you may not realize that children suffer from arthritis too. Nearly 300,000 children have arthritis in the United States. Studies show that girls are more susceptible to arthritis than boys.
6. Exercise Is Beneficial
Those that perform regular exercise can better manage their symptoms compared to those that are mostly sedentary. With so many options to exercise, there is bound to be an activity for everyone based on their interests, health goals, and needs. For example, a short walk or water aerobics are excellent ways to move the body and better manage pain related to arthritis.
We hope you found this article helpful, which discussed different types of arthritis and some interesting facts you may not have known. Here at Liberty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services, we are dedicated to providing high-quality short and long term care designed to meet your individual health goals. Contact us today to learn more about our services or find a facility near you.
What Are the Early Signs and Different Stages of Dementia?
In a previous article, we looked at what dementia is and how it’s diagnosed. This week, we are going to take a look at the early signs and different stages of dementia. Keep reading to learn what to look out for and what to prepare for if your loved one is diagnosed with this disease.
Early Signs of Dementia
Before we look at the early signs of dementia, it’s important to know that every senior’s diagnosis and progression of stages and symptoms will be different. Each senior’s medical history, current health, genetics, and personality can contribute towards the type of dementia and symptoms they may develop.
Early signs of dementia are often not noticed because the symptoms are subtle.
Common Symptoms include:
- Forgetting things
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Losing track of time
Different Stages of Dementia
Stage 1: No Cognitive Impairment
During this stage, your loved one’s mental function is normal. They are not experiencing any symptoms of cognitive impairment.
Stage 2: Extremely Mild Cognitive Decline
For stage 2, the symptoms can vary between normal memory problems or early signs of dementia. Normal memory problems are those that most seniors experience, such as forgetting dates or not being able to remember something as fast as they used to. Early signs of dementia are less noticeable to a senior’s loved ones and doctors.
Very mild symptoms may include:
- Not being able to remember certain names or phrases
- Not being able to remember where they placed important items, such as their phone or keys
Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Decline
Once a senior hits stage 3, this is usually when symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease become more noticeable to loved ones. While these symptoms will not have a significant impact on their daily life, it’s helpful to know what to look out and prepare for:
Mild symptoms may include:
- Reduced work performance
- Reduced ability to concentrate and stay organized
- Repeatedly ask the same questions
- Struggles with difficult tasks and problem-solving
- Struggles with driving or becoming lost
Stage 4: Moderate Cognitive Decline
By stage 4, this is typically considered early dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms of moderate cognitive decline are now noticeable. It’s recommended that your loved one talk with their doctor about how to manage their symptoms and live the highest quality of life possible.
Moderate symptoms may include:
- Denial
- Not responsive
- Reduced socialization with others
- Struggles with daily tasks
Stage 5: Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline
During stage 5, it’s likely that your loved one will need some assistance with routine tasks like dressing or cleaning the house. Depending on their needs, they may choose to receive help at home or to move into a safe, supportive senior community.
Moderately severe symptoms may include:
- Being confused
- Forgetting personal information and current events
- Decrease in mental sharpness
- Struggling with problem-solving tasks
Stage 6: Severe Cognitive Decline
This stage is referred to as middle dementia or moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease. Stage 6 is when your loved ones will most likely require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, eating, or toileting.
Severe symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
- Finding it difficult to recognize loved ones
- Increased feelings of paranoia
Stage 7: Extremely Severe Cognitive Decline
By stage 7, this is considered late-stage dementia or severe Alzheimer’s disease. Your loved one will likely no longer be able to care for themselves.
Extremely severe symptoms may include:
- Severe motor impairment
- Severe communication impairment
- Reduced or lack of ability to speak or walk
As you can see, there are several stages of dementia with various symptoms. While every senior’s symptoms will vary, it helps to know what to look for and expect. It’s always recommended to talk to your loved one’s health care team about how to help your loved one be more comfortable and receive the care and support they deserve. Contact Liberty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services based in Wilmington, NC today to learn how we can meet your loved one’s specific health goals.