Best COVID-19 Tips and Resources for Seniors with COPD

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Our care team provides top notch care services for seniors with COPD.

Seniors with COPD have had to remain especially vigilant since the COVID-19 pandemic started, because they are likely at both an increased risk for contracting the virus and also for developing more serious complications. A newly released study published by the European Respiratory Journal reported that people with COPD were more apt to be admitted into the ICU, require ventilator care, and succumb to the virus than those without the disease.

And even though the CDC gives suggestions for all of us, as well as those diagnosed with COPD, in order to avoid contracting the illness, such as frequent handwashing, social distancing, and staying home whenever you can, one advisory is particularly a struggle for someone with breathing difficulties: wearing a face covering. The American Lung Association suggests that individuals diagnosed with COPD try a number of different kinds of coverings to discover the one that’s most comfortable, and wear the mask around the house for brief periods of time in order to become more accustomed to the feeling.

Further recommendations include:

  • Continue to take care of your COPD as recommended by the doctor, with modifications to curb your contact with others, such as telehealth appointments and mail-order prescriptions.
  • Boost your body’s defense system with a healthy diet and a lot of rest, and be sure to follow the physician’s recommended plan for treatment.
  • Take proper care of your emotional health to lower anxiety and stress. Switch off the social media and the news and participate in pleasant and gratifying activities instead. And make sure to consult with a mental health professional as needed for assistance with managing stress and combating depression.

Of particular significance for those with COPD is the importance of frequent exercise. According to David Au, MD, professor at the University of Washington Medical School’s division of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine, due to the fact that COPD causes shortness of breath, physical exercise is particularly challenging. He, as well as the Respiratory Health Association, suggest (with physician approval):

  • Strive for at least 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis, at least three times every week.
  • Try leg lifts, marching in place, and arm circles, making use of canned goods or small weights.
  • Go up and down stairs
  • Include yoga breathing exercises.

These resources offer more helpful suggestions specific to COPD issues during the COVID-19 pandemic:

For specialized in-home care for individuals diagnosed with COPD or other chronic conditions, call on Responsive Home Care. Our staff are fully trained and experienced in providing personalized care to help make life safer and much more enjoyable. You may reach us any time at 954-486-6440 and find out why we’re the home care company Ft. Lauderdale, FL families (and other surrounding areas) trust and recommend most. To learn more about all of the areas we serve in Florida, please visit our Service Area page.

Could New Parkinson’s Diagnostic Tests Be Developed Based on Our Sense of Smell?

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Parkinson’s diagnostic tests may be impacted in a surprising way.

You may very well not recognize her by name, but you’ve possibly come across her story. Joy Milne has an especially specialized talent: detecting Parkinson’s disease through her nose. Her gift came to light when she sensed what she describes as an “overpowering sort of nasty yeast smell” in her husband of 10 years. Soon noticing other differences in her husband, such as personality and mood differences, he ultimately sought medical assistance, and after undergoing Parkinson’s diagnostic tests, the disease was confirmed. 

Subsequently, upon walking into a Parkinson’s support group meeting, that exact same scent permeated the room – despite the fact that reportedly only Joy was able to sense it. In fact, she was also able to recognize varied degrees of the scent – some whose scent was weak, while for others, it was more powerful. With both her own and her husband’s medical backgrounds (she a nurse and he a physician), this knowledge was definitely meaningful and called for further action.  

Her story led her to help Tilo Kunath, a Parkinson’s disease specialist at the University of Edinburgh, with the aim of creating a tool to provide earlier diagnosis – and in the long run, treatment – of Parkinson’s.  

While initially doubtful of the probability of Parkinson’s being identified through scent, he was open to further exploration after learning about the results dogs were having in identifying the odor of cancer in individuals. He then developed an approach to assess her talents, by supplying her with a random selection of t-shirts – half of which had been worn by a person clinically diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and half by individuals without the disease – and, her accuracy rate was astonishing. In fact, she missed the mark on only one of the shirts, worn by someone without Parkinson’s, but who was later diagnosed with the disease as well.  

Kunath says, “Imagine a society where you could detect such a devastating condition before it’s causing problems and then prevent the problems from even occurring.” Dr. Thomas Hummel of the Technical University of Dresden’s Smell & Taste Clinic, adds that while the idea is fascinating, there are still a number of questions to first sort out. 

Parkinson’s disease, in conjunction with a variety of other chronic health issues, can be more successfully managed through the help of in-home senior care and dementia care in Hollywood, FL and the surrounding areas from Responsive Home Care. Give us a call at 954-486-6440 to find out if our services are available in your area and to learn more about how we can help you. 

Lower Blood Pressure with One Small Change to Your Drinking Water

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happy senior couple outsideGreat news for the more than 116 million Americans fighting hypertension – and, for the rest of us who’d like to prevent it. Recent research shared in the Journal of the American Heart Association links magnesium and calcium to lowered blood pressure, and it could be as easy as adding these minerals to drinking water to lower blood pressure.

The surprising results of the study revealed that those who drank salinated water, compared to those who drank freshwater, experienced lower blood pressure levels – believed to have been from the positive benefits of calcium and magnesium outweighing the negative impact of the sodium.

And while the resulting lowered blood pressure readings were small, Dr. Robert M. Carey, professor of medicine at the University of Virginia shares, “I think it’s pretty clear from many different studies that a small reduction in blood pressure, done consistently, can have a major impact in reducing cardiovascular disease and stroke.”

While further research is needed, this proactive approach would change the way hypertension is currently managed – by preventing it, rather than waiting until a diagnosis and then making lifestyle changes. It’s also important to note that at this time, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics does NOT recommend the use of vitamin/mineral supplements for chronic conditions, but instead advises following a nutrition-rich diet to obtain them naturally when possible.

For those diagnosed with heart disease or any other chronic disease, Responsive Home Care can help by planning and preparing nutritious meals, encouraging a more active lifestyle, providing transportation to medical appointments, and so much more. Contact us at 954-486-6440 to find out how we can help a senior you love achieve a healthier way of life! To learn about all of the areas that we serve, please visit our Service Area page.

Chronic Disease Diagnosis: It’s Not Giving Up to Get Help

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Portrait of tender mother daughter momentIn Isaac Asimov’s opinion, “The easiest way to solve a problem is to deny it exists.” It’s a common feeling for a number of family caregivers when their loved one is diagnosed with a chronic condition, such as dementia. And even though this may generate some measure of comfort in believing that life can go forward like it always has, if only we refuse to admit this new reality, the truth is that acceptance is extremely important to obtaining necessary support.

It’s understandable for a family member to wish to accomplish everything possible independently to provide the care a senior needs. Nevertheless, frequently within the denial lie feelings of guilt, helplessness, and in many cases incompetence in the ability to “fix things.” And there are certainly major benefits to be attained – both for the senior and his or her family members – by dealing with the situation head-on, like the opportunity to savor time together, and also to learn about successful methods to deal with any issues being faced now or once the condition progresses.

AARP shares some practical things to consider for families struggling to acknowledge a loved one’s diagnosis:

  • It is possible to be TOO positive. Keeping up an upbeat disposition is great, but may actually be harmful if not tempered with a dose of reality. Many times people diagnosed with a chronic disease discover relief in speaking freely and honestly about exactly what they are experiencing, and acceptance is vital to delivering opportunities for such discussions.
  • Acceptance is not giving up. Instead, acknowledging your loved one’s condition opens the door to understanding practical strategies to regulate the condition, and to obtain the supportive services that will enable the greatest possible quality of life.
  • Treasure the time you have with your loved one. Letting go of denial permits you to shift your focus to establishing a brand new normal. There’s something freeing about removing the elephant in the room, permitting an unencumbered closeness with your senior loved one.
  • Allow others to help. Confronting a hard diagnosis in a loved one can be an overwhelming undertaking, so it’s important for family caregivers to make sure sufficient time is available on a consistent, regular basis for self-care. Accept any help offered by family, friends your religious organization, etc., or get in touch with an expert home care agency like Responsive Home Care. Understand that you are able to provide the best care for your loved one when you’re in good health, physically and emotionally.

Finding a dependable care partner is key. Responsive Home Care, a top provider of elder care Sunrise, FL families trust, can deal with some of the more mundane facets of care, so you can spend quality time with the older adult you love. Call us at 954-486-6440 for an in-home consultation to find out more.