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Author: ltcep2023

Seven Tips for Dealing with A Gout Flare Up

Posted on by ltcep2023

Gout is a form of arthritis. It occurs when there is a build-up of uric acid in the blood which then leads to inflammation of the joints. A person can have sporadic random acute flare-ups that just affect one joint or they can have chronic gout with repeated flare-ups to multiple joints.

What Causes Gout

Gout occurs when there is too much uric acid in the body because either the body is creating too much uric acid or isn’t able to get rid of it. Uric acid is a waste product that the body makes as it breaks down purines. While purines do naturally occur in the body, these chemicals can also be found in certain foods such as liver, anchovies, dried beans and peas, and beer.

When uric acid levels are too high, they may form crystals in the fluids around the joints. These crystals lead to the joint becoming inflamed, swollen, warm, and painful. The most common joints affected are the big toe, knee, and ankle. The pain is often sudden and starts in the middle of the night, waking the person up. It is described as being severe and throbbing. While it usually goes away on its own within a day or so, it can make your loved one very miserable and unable to perform certain duties while the attack is happening.

Tips For Dealing with a Gout Flare-up

Most people who have their first gout flare-up will have another within 6-12 months. Learning how to manage it and reduce the painful symptoms of a gout attack is important for your loved one to get back to normal as quickly as possible. Talk to him about meeting with a doctor to prescribe medications to help during the attack. He can also try some at-home techniques that may help speed up his recovery time.

  • Take the recommended medicine right away. If your loved one has prescribed medication, he should follow the dosing instructions. If he’s taking over-the-counter pain relievers, he should avoid aspirin and stick with ibuprofen or naproxen.
  • Ice it. Throughout the attack, he should repeatedly ice the area to help reduce swelling. If it occurs in an area he has a hard time reaching, he might need help.
  • Call the doctor. His doctor may want to see him again if it’s repeatedly happening to help develop a different plan.
    Push hydration. Staying fully hydrated helps push the uric acid out of the system so your loved one should drink lots of non-alcoholic drinks to flush it out and find relief.
  • Keep the area elevated when resting.
  • Avoid any beer. Since beer has a high purine content, your loved one should consider eliminating beer from his diet to reduce the risk of uric acid buildup.
  • Get a cane, walker, or crutch to help with walking during a flare-up and reduce the pressure on the affected area.

Senior Care for Gout and Arthritis

Your loved one may get to a point where he cannot do some of the needed home activities on his list because of recurrent gout flare-ups or chronic arthritis pain. A senior home care provider is a great resource for those who need a little extra help around the home. Talk to a senior care provider about what services they can offer your loved one to help him manage his home while managing his gout.

If you are considering senior home care in Summerlin, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616

How Does Home Care Assistance Help with Diabetes Management?

Posted on by ltcep2023

Managing diabetes effectively over a long period of time involves adopting multiple strategies, especially for seniors. When seniors are battling other health issues, too, this can feel really complicated. Home care assistance can make it easier for seniors to make some headway in keeping their diabetes under better control.

What Is Diabetes Management?

Diabetes is a complicated health issue that can lead to serious complications like nerve damage, kidney problems, and vision loss. Keeping blood sugar levels under certain levels significantly helps to prevent these complications. For so many seniors, keeping diabetes controlled means making some changes to their daily activities, including diet and physical activity. Home care providers can be a huge help for seniors as they adopt these changes.

Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels

Monitoring blood sugar levels involves testing glucose levels with a monitor. Taking these readings at the right time of the day, such as first thing in the morning or after meals, is a big part of getting accurate information. Elder care providers can help seniors to remember to test their blood sugar when they’re supposed to, which helps healthcare providers have accurate information.

Maintaining a Balanced Diet

Eating the right foods helps seniors keep their blood sugar under better control. This typically means eating foods that support stable glucose levels, like lean proteins, healthy fats, and a combination of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. That might not be how seniors are used to eating, though, which means they’re making a big adjustment. Home care assistance can help with cooking healthy foods and making sure that seniors eat at appropriate times.

Incorporating Regular Physical Activity

Exercise is surprisingly helpful in controlling blood sugar levels. Remembering to move more might be difficult, though, particularly if seniors are used to being more sedentary. Home care providers can help seniors make exercise a regular part of their daily routines and watch for signs seniors might be overdoing it.

Managing Stress

Stress is devastating for all sorts of chronic health issues, including diabetes. When seniors have support and companionship, they’re less likely to feel stressed and anxious on a regular basis. Having home care assistance available also gives seniors someone to talk to when they’re feeling frustrated or upset about managing a chronic health condition like diabetes.

Creating a Safe Living Environment

When seniors live with diabetes, it’s more important than ever for them to maintain a safe living environment. Diabetes can affect how quickly seniors heal after injury, for instance, so it’s important to reduce the risk that seniors sustain injuries. Clear pathways, good lighting, and grab bars are the basis of home safety for aging adults.

Living with diabetes doesn’t have to mean that seniors can’t enjoy their lives. Home care assistance can offer them the support they need to make healthy lifestyle choices and know that they’ve got a safe environment in which to age in place. Home care providers also offer emotional support that seniors can rely on as they learn to cope with a serious condition like diabetes.

If you are considering home care assistance in Las Vegas, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616

Halloween Luncheon – So Much FUN!!!

Posted on by ltcep2023

🎃👻 The Golden Heart team gathered for a spook-tacular Halloween luncheon filled with fang-tastic fun! From ghoulish grins to ghostly goodies, we devoured treats, shared tricks, and had a frightfully good time. 🕸️🖤 #GoldenHeartGhouls #SpookySeasonFun #HalloweenLuncheon #TeamSpirit

 

Halloween Pumpkin Contest Winner

Posted on by ltcep2023

After a spooktacular showdown of creativity and spirit, we are thrilled to announce the winner of the 1st Annual Golden Heart Senior Care Pumpkin Decoration Contest! With an impressive 80 entries that showcased some truly gourd-geous talent, it was no easy feat for our judges.

But without further ado, the crown (and the pumpkin) goes to… Donnie Johnson, 8 years old from Henderson, his mom is a nurse 🥳🍂

Donnie’s pumpkin was a dazzling display of artistry and originality, standing out among a sea of carved creativity. We’re still trying to figure out how he managed to make a pumpkin look so dapper!

A huge round of applause to all our talented participants—each entry was a testament to the spirit of fun and community. Your pumpkins brought joy and laughter to all!

Stay tuned for more exciting events, and congrats again to Donnie for being our pumpkin king! 👑🧡

Happy Halloween, everyone! 🎃✨

Working with our Partners – Alzheimer’s Association and the Cleveland Clinic

Posted on by ltcep2023

Golden Heart Senior Care is proud to provide educational information to the residents of Sun City Summerlin. Golden Heart partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association and the Cleveland Clinic by presenting “Caring for the Caregiver.” This seminar presented useful information to family caregivers on how to cope with the daily challenges of being a caregiver.

How Animals Help Seniors Improve Quality of Life

Posted on by ltcep2023

Pets can absolutely light up a home. They bring joy, comfort, and a best buddy to the people who love them and care for them. For seniors, having a pet can make a huge difference in their overall quality of life. The benefits that pets provide to most homes can be transformative for aging adults. Combining pets and other solutions, like home care, can offer seniors more of the support they need to make their lives happier and healthier.

Emotional Benefits of Pet Companions

Pets offer the people who love them unconditional companionship and love. People form deep emotional bonds with their pets. These bonds are especially valuable for seniors who are living alone. Having a pet gives seniors a sense of purpose and offers joy every single day. There are routines involved in caring for a pet, too, which become a big part of a senior’s daily life.

Reducing Loneliness and Isolation

Seniors who live alone are more likely to isolate themselves, which can then lead to loneliness. Having a pet offers companionship, but it also offers a way for seniors to connect with other people. Pets are great conversation starters and can attract the attention of other people. Seniors with pets are more likely to talk with other people who also have pets, which helps them to forge new bonds with other people.

Encouraging Physical Activity

Seniors who embrace physical activity are in a better position to hang onto mobility, strength, and general well-being. Having a pet gives seniors a reason to stay active. They may take dogs for walks, for instance, and play with other pets in more active ways. Home care providers can offer support to keep seniors focused on remaining as active as possible, too, especially if seniors have spent a lot of time being more sedentary.

Boosting Cognitive Function

Caring for a pet requires attention to details and problem-solving skills. These are areas that seniors may not be exercising as much as they used to because of the changes they’ve experienced in their lives. There are feeding schedules to work out, health issues to monitor, and often training considerations as well. All of this can help seniors to be more mindful and present, too.

Supporting a Healthy Home Environment

Often if seniors are depressed or feeling detached from the world around them, their home environment can start to suffer. Home care services can help seniors to stay on top of tasks that are becoming more difficult to manage. But having a pet in the house can also inspire seniors to want to make the house as safe and healthy as possible. This can be a great idea to consider for seniors who need to remove clutter and obstacles, because they want to make sure their pets have a safe and healthy home, too.

Having pets around promotes both physical and emotional health benefits for aging adults. Adding home care services to the mix ensures that seniors have the help they need to keep their households running smoothly.

Reference
https://www.webmd.com/pets/dogs/best-dog-breeds-for-seniors

If you are considering home care in Las Vegas, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616

The Emotional Benefit of Hobbies

Posted on by ltcep2023

With age, preserving emotional health is equally as important as physical health. Hobbies have an important role in improving seniors’ emotional well-being by offering a sense of purpose, enjoyment, and connection. Seniors can overcome feelings of loneliness, tension, or anxiety by engaging in enjoyable activities that increase their self-esteem and cognitive performance. With the help of companion care at home, seniors can explore what hobbies might interest them as well as learn about the emotional benefits of each.

Creative Writing and Journaling

Writing provides a therapeutic outlet for feelings and memories. Whether seniors want to journal about their daily lives or express themselves creatively, the act of writing down their ideas can provide emotional relief and mental clarity. Writing about prior events, feelings, or goals can help seniors reflect on their lives, process unresolved emotions, and possibly discover new perspectives. For seniors who enjoy storytelling, writing fiction or poetry can be a fun and creative method to explore their inner world.

Emotional Benefits:

  • Promotes self-expression and creativity.
  • Offers emotional relief and relieves stress.
  • Improves memory and cognitive performance.

Gardening

Gardening is not only a terrific physical activity but also a relaxing and emotionally satisfying hobby. Plant care may be soothing, allowing seniors to connect with nature while also feeling accomplished as they see their garden grow. Additionally, the practice of caring for living things fosters patience and mindfulness, which can help to reduce anxiety and increase relaxation.

Emotional Benefits:

  • Reduces stress and promotes calmness.
  • Gives a sense of purpose and duty.
  • Promotes a connection with nature and the outdoors.

Arts and Crafts

Painting, knitting, and other forms of crafting allow seniors to express their creativity while focusing on something enjoyable rather than worrying about their health, money, or anything else. In essence, it gives them a chance to “get away” for a small amount of time. Art can also be a great way to communicate emotions that are difficult to put into words, providing an outlet for dealing with stress. Since this is a broad category, companion care at home might offer suggestions, or seniors can try a few things to narrow down what they might like best.

Emotional Benefits:

  • Promotes self-expression and creativity.
  • Reduces anxiety and promotes relaxation.
  • Gives a sense of accomplishment and promotes confidence.

Volunteering

Volunteering allows seniors to contribute back to their communities while developing a sense of purpose and belonging. Volunteering, whether it’s mentoring younger people, assisting a local charity, or attending community events, provides social connection and a sense of accomplishment. This isn’t what normally would be expected when thinking about hobbies, but it does provide seniors with a way to spend their time that is emotionally satisfying.

  • Emotional Benefits:
  • Enhances sense of connection and purpose.
  • Social contact reduces feelings of loneliness.
  • Increases self-esteem and happiness.

Enjoying a hobby can be an effective way for seniors to maintain their emotional health. Writing, gardening, art, and volunteering are all activities that not only help reduce loneliness and stress but also bring joy, purpose, and a sense of success. Companion care at home and loved ones can encourage seniors to try new interests or revisit old ones, resulting in a more fulfilling and balanced life.

Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andreaanderson/2023/09/14/hobbies-seem-to-have-universal-mental-health-benefits-for-the-elderly/
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230911/Hobbies-protect-older-people-from-age-related-decline-in-mental-health-and-wellbeing.aspx

If you are considering companion care at home in Henderson, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616

Great Time At Las Ventanas!

Posted on by ltcep2023

What a fun filled day at Las Ventanas celebrating Health and Wellness. We had a great time with all the residents. We were happy to meet Russ Mast, VP – Las Ventanas. We want to say a big “Thank you” to Yvette Duarte, Executive Director – Las Ventanas, and Xena Stamm, Resident Services Coordinator – Las Ventanas.

5 Strategies for Reducing Depression in Seniors

Posted on by ltcep2023

The likelihood of loneliness and depression increases with age, which can present serious obstacles to mental and emotional health. A number of things, including losing loved ones, health problems, and fewer social connections, might make these emotions worse. Seniors can, however, actively address these problems and have happy, connected lives if they are equipped with the appropriate strategies and have support from home care.

Keep Socializing

While it might be difficult, especially at first, it’s important for seniors to keep up with social ties. Home care and loved ones can encourage seniors to maintain regular phone conversations, video chats, or in-person visits with friends and other family members. Additionally, they may enjoy meeting new people by attending community events, going to the senior center, or even volunteering.

Focus on Physical Activity

Exercise has been shown to elevate mood and reduce depressive symptoms. This is thanks to the rush of endorphins, which are naturally occurring mood enhancers that are released during exercise. Engaging in social activities such as walking, swimming, or senior-specific group exercise courses might help counteract loneliness by fostering social connection. This is also good for seniors’ overall health, as they should shoot for 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days a week. While they may feel shy starting out, home care can help them take the first steps.

Enjoy Hobbies and Interests

It’s easier to socialize when there are a group of like-minded people in the setting. With this in mind, seniors should be encouraged to seek out ways they can enjoy their hobbies and socialize at the same time, such as with a quilting group, book club, or gardening club. The same goes for their interests. If they like music, they should attend the local concert in town. The more they branch out of their comfort zone, the more their depression subsides.

Consider Getting a Pet

A quick cure for loneliness or depression is to add a pet into the mix. Pets offer company, reduce feelings of isolation, and promote exercise—especially if they’re a dog that needs frequent walks. However, it’s important to keep seniors’ budget and physical capabilities in mind when considering if they should get a pet and what type. If it is determined that owning a pet won’t work, they may enjoy volunteering at a shelter instead.

Engage Mentally

Feelings of depression can be avoided by keeping the mind active. Reading, solving puzzles, playing games, learning a new language, and engaging in other cognitively stimulating activities might help divert the mind from unpleasant thoughts. For seniors, they should schedule time each day to engage their minds. Even better? Home care and loved ones can encourage them to continually try new things, which not only keeps them engaged but also reduces boredom.

Seek Professional Advice

Even with the best of intentions, depression symptoms can occasionally linger. In these situations, getting expert assistance is essential. Senior-specific counseling, therapy, or support groups can offer invaluable coping mechanisms for depression and loneliness. Also, with the rise in technology, many therapists now offer virtual appointments, which can be easier for seniors.

Senior depression and loneliness can be avoided with a proactive strategy that incorporates mental, physical, and social stimulation. By utilizing the tips above and getting support from home care and loved ones, seniors can actively work to reduce these feelings and improve their overall health and well-being.

Sources:
https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/depression/depression-in-older-adults
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/depression-in-elderly

If you are considering home care in Summerlin, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616

The Impact of Lifestyle Choices on Bone Health

Posted on by ltcep2023

With age, the importance of maintaining bone health increases, especially since seniors’ quality of life can be greatly impacted by osteoporosis and other bone-related disorders. Although bone density is influenced by genetics, bone health can be significantly impacted by lifestyle decisions. With this in mind and home care assistance by their sides, seniors can incorporate some of the following tips to ensure they’re doing all they can to maintain the health of their bones.

A Good Diet Provides Energy for Strong Bones

When exploring bone health, seniors should take a look at their diets and consider the following advice:

  • Calcium and Vitamin D: The development and maintenance of bone density depend heavily on calcium. For this reason, foods high in calcium, such as dairy, leafy greens, and fortified cereals, should be a goal for seniors. Also, the absorption of calcium requires vitamin D. Seniors can keep their vitamin D levels in check by eating foods like fortified milk and fatty fish and by spending time in the sun.
  • Balanced Diet: Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains promotes bone density and general health. Also, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good sources of magnesium and phosphorus, which are also beneficial to bone health. With home care assistance, seniors can try new recipes and ways to fix foods to enjoy a more well-rounded diet.
  • Stay Hydrated: It’s critical for seniors to stay hydrated for general health, which includes bone health. Sufficient hydration promotes the absorption of vital nutrients and preserves the health of bone structures.

Strengthening Bones Through Exercise

Weight-bearing exercises, such as running, dancing, and walking, help in the development and maintenance of bone density. Additionally, seniors can increase bone density and strengthen the muscles that surround their bones by lifting weights or utilizing resistance bands. Strength training also improves coordination and balance, which reduces the risk of falling. Last but not least, seniors should be encouraged to work on their flexibility as well. This can be done by incorporating balancing exercises such as yoga or Tai Chi. Also, exercises for flexibility can increase general mobility and lower the chance of injury.

The Dangers of Smoking on Bone Health

Smoking weakens bones and raises the risk of fractures by reducing bone density and compromising blood supply to the bones. However, for seniors who have smoked for many years, giving up the habit is often easier said than done. Seniors struggling with smoking should be encouraged to talk with their medical team.

Managing Chronic Illnesses

Bone health can be impacted by long-term illnesses like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Not only that, but the medications used to treat certain conditions may also affect bone density. If seniors are dealing with chronic conditions, it’s important for them to talk with their medical team about regular bone density tests.

The Indirect Effect on Social and Mental Health

Physical well-being is influenced by social relationships and mental health. Depression and stress can have a detrimental effect on one’s general wellbeing and amount of physical activity. By promoting an active and satisfying lifestyle, social interaction and stress management can also positively impact bone health indirectly.

Age-related changes in lifestyle have a big impact on bone health. Seniors should take proactive measures to promote their bone health by concentrating on the tips and tricks above. With home care assistance and support from their medical team, they can make any necessary changes and give their bone health a boost.

Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/bone-health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7909112/

If you are considering home care assistance in Summerlin, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616