Heart surgery is complicated and so is the recovery period. When a loved one is recovering from heart surgery, there are some emotional aftereffects due to the frustrating lifestyle changes that he or she is suddenly forced to make. These changes are not only difficult for the heart surgery patient, but can be hard on the caregiver as well.

Additionally, the patient may not be able to do the same activities as before the heart surgery. Here are a few other things of which to be aware:

• Expect your loved one to have actively changing emotions and possible fears of death.
• Allow time to adjust and be sure to express how both you and your loved one feel.
• Support your loved one in making necessary lifestyle changes to prevent a recurrence or complication.
• Make future plans and help your loved one start “living” again.
• Accept that your roles may be temporarily reversed.
• Take the time to simply listen.

Heart surgery is frightening for the patient and his or her loved ones, so it’s no surprise that emotions can run high. When you need a little help caring for the ones you love, Visiting Angels home care of the San Francisco Bay area will be there to help. Contact us in Alameda County at (510) 284-0000 or in Santa Clara County at (408) 735-0977 for more information.

Certain people face risk factors for heart conditions, such as aging, gender (typically male) and heredity that cannot be avoided or changed. However, there are some major risk factors that can be easily treated or controlled with these ABCs.

Avoid tobacco: If you smoke; quit. If someone in the household smokes, he or she should be encouraged to quit. It’s tough, but it’s tougher to recover from a heart attack or stroke or to live with chronic heart disease.

Be more active: Be physically active every day. Research has shown that getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity on 5 or more days of the week can help lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and keep weight at a healthy level.

Choose good nutrition: A healthy diet is one of the best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. The food eaten (and the amount) can affect other controllable risk factors such as cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure and obesity. Prepare heart-healthy meals that are low in fat and cholesterol and rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.

The care professionals at Visiting Angels of the San Francisco Bay area are skilled and experienced at helping seniors make smart and healthy heart decisions. For more tips on how to protect your heart or to discuss how Visiting Angels can make home care the best care for you or your loved one, contact us in Alameda County at (510) 284-0000 or in Santa Clara County at (408) 735-0977.

As we age, healthy eating habits become increasingly important. However, because of certain health issues and restrictions, many older people have trouble eating well. Luckily, the Food and Drug Administration offers some solutions to several common problems that keep seniors from eating a balanced diet.

Trouble Chewing:
For seniors who cannot chew food well, meats and fresh fruits and vegetables can be a problem. The FDA suggests the following substitutions:

• Canned fruits and fruit juices instead of fresh fruit
• Mashed or cooked vegetables instead of raw veggies
• Ground meat, eggs, milk, cheese yogurt and other dairy products as opposed to hard-to-chew steaks or chicken breasts
• Cooked cereals, rice, bread pudding and soft cookies as opposed to sliced bread

Lack of Appetite:
Older seniors who live alone sometimes feel lonely at mealtimes, which can lead to a loss of appetite. They may also not feel up to making a meal just for themselves, or the medication that they take might make food taste bad. For these issues, the FDA suggests:

• Eating with family and friends.
• Joining group meal programs offered through local senior citizens programs.
• Talking to a doctor about whether or not medication might be a problem.
• Contacting a local home care agency such as Visiting Angels to have a companion prepare and participate in making meal time a social activity.

Visiting Angels in the San Francisco Bay area specializes in enhancing the independence and sense of freedom for our aging clients. Providing personal care services, transportation, medication reminders, meal preparation, and much more, Visiting Angels makes home care the best care. Contact us today to find out more; in Alameda County at (510) 284-0000 or in Santa Clara County at (408) 735-0977.

Holidays should be times for relaxation and joy, but sometimes, rather than the anticipated enjoyment, they become overly stressful, creating tension and unhappy times. With a little thought and pre-planning, however, those stress factors can melt away for a more enjoyable time for all.

• Include frail elderly family members in holiday preparations and activities only to the extent they are willing or able to participate.
• A large noisy party with many people may be too much stimulation for a frail senior or a person with dementia.
• Be cautious with decorations and noise. For example, candles are dangerous around elderly persons who have mobility and memory problems. Background music, even holiday music, can be distracting if the senior has a hearing impairment.
• Help seniors stick to their regular medication schedule. Also, pay attention to their alcohol consumption during holiday parties and gatherings. Alcohol can interfere with medications.
• Let certain seniors know that you appreciate their legacy and tell them you’re happy they’re with you.
• Challenge yourself to match the tempo of your frail elderly relatives or friends. The holidays are a great time to slow down instead of speed up.

Sometimes spending time with senior friends or family members over the holidays uncovers a need for extra care at home, whether the need is for a few hours a week or several hours a day. For tips on how to open the conversation about home care or to learn more about Visiting Angels’ home care services, contact us in Alameda County at (510) 284-0000 or in Santa Clara County at (408) 735-0977.

Sources: About.com Senior Living, Suite 101

Enjoy a safe holiday with seniors in their home or yours, and consider certain safety issues.

Decorating

• Use colorful paper garlands strung high instead of breakable objects placed within reach.
• Remove anything a frail elderly person may stumble over.
• Replace candles with bright centerpieces of fruit or flowers.

Lighting

• Make sure all locations are properly lit, including doorways inside and out. Dim holiday lighting can hide tripping hazards and make it harder for seniors to see their way around furniture.
• Add a night light between the guest bedroom and the bathroom.

Be Aware of What’s on the Floor

• Keep floors clutter-free.
• Keep outdoor walk areas clear of rocks and tools.
• Arrange furniture so that people can easily move around it (especially low coffee tables).
• Add a non-slip pad underneath any throw rugs on floors in bathrooms or hallways that tend to be slippery, or simply remove the throw rugs completely.
• Keep rambunctious pets from running about when a senior guest is walking through the house.
• Designate a special area for children to play with their new toys when seniors are visiting.

Sometimes spending time with frail seniors over the holidays uncovers a need for extra care at home, whether the need is for a few hours a week or several hours a day. For tips on how to open the conversation about home care or to learn more about our home care services, contact Visiting Angels in Alameda County at (510) 284-0000 or in Santa Clara County at (408) 735-0977.

Sources: Associated Content, American Foundation for the Blind

Preparation is the key to any successful outing—and a day out with a frail elderly person should never be spontaneous. The first task must be to vet the activity to ensure that it is suitable for the elderly person.

Consider:

• the amount of walking involved, and if there is parking nearby
• if the destination is flat or has hills or stairs to climb
• if there is wheelchair access (if appropriate)
• whether there is cover and shade
• whether there are toilet facilities
• whether there are chairs or benches available in case the elderly person needs a rest
• if there is cell phone coverage

Holiday Outing Ideas
Take a leisurely family drive to look at the local city holiday lights. If it is possible and received warmly, invite the senior to your house to decorate. Help your elderly loved one attend a holiday party especially for seniors at a local senior center. Sometimes there will be a special music feature and/or games. Attend local and community plays. Besides the local theater, stage house or ballet, affordable plays and performances done by elementary schools, junior highs and high schools are just as entertaining and more affordable.

Visiting Angels in the San Francisco Bay area specializes in enhancing the independence and sense of freedom for our aging clients. Providing personal care services, transportation, medication reminders, meal preparation, and much more, Visiting Angels makes home care the best care. Contact us today to find out more; contact us in Alameda County at (510) 284-0000 or in Santa Clara County at (408) 735-0977.

Sources: eHow, Elderly Care Tips