Tag Archive for: Senior health

Benefits of Technology for Home Care

Technology has greatly improved our lives; from making communication and research easier to allowing us to keep track of our health. While young adults are considered the most tech savvy, older generations have started to rely on and appreciate the benefits technology has to offer. New advancements have greatly changed home care in the past few years, for example. The ability to stay connected and stay informed has greatly improved the safety and happiness of many.

Benefits of technology for home care include:

Telecommunication/Video Chat

Telehealth, remote health services, is becoming increasingly popular as it has enabled people to quickly and efficiently be in contact with health care providers. While in-person doctor visits may still be necessary, virtual appointments and consultations can be a great alternative. Telehealth options decrease the wait time for an appointment, decreases cost, and provides extra comfort. The patient can quickly ask questions and receive real-time advice.

Video chat has also had a great impact on the happiness of those who cannot easily travel. Speaking face to face with loved ones has allowed them to easily stay involved in their lives and in turn, decreases loneliness.

Web Resources

The internet can be a great resource for learning tips and answering health questions. Our blog, for example, is a great resource for those needing information on disease/disorder care, home care trends, and safety tips, among other home care topics.

Paperwork

Sorting through stacks of papers, creating a filing system, and even finding a place for all of the medical paperwork can be tedious. Using the computer can help cut back on the paperwork struggle.

Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)

Personal Emergency Response Systems, or PERS, allows a person to call for emergency help by simply pressing a button. This brilliant piece of technology truly provides peace of mind to the wearer as well as their loved ones.

Health Tracking

Tracking health has changed over the years as technology has advanced. Devices can now monitor blood pressure, sleep patterns, heart rate,  water intake, daily activity, etc.

As technology continues to advance Comprehensive Home Care will continue to adjust and improve. Feel free to contact us to see how we use technology to care for our clients, including providing 24/7 phone support at 704.333.5214.

Is it Just a Case of the Blues?

It is common to deal with sleep problems, fatigue, and/or loss of appetite in later years and often they’re written off as causes of aging. Yet for around 8 million adults over age 65, these symptoms could be suggestive of mental illness.

Mental illness in seniors usually goes unnoticed for a variety of reasons. A small percentage of adults age 65 and over who potentially have a mental illness actually receive treatment. There’s a stigma that comes with admitting to and searching for help for mental and emotional concerns. For some individuals, the assumption is that the symptoms of mental illness and aging go together so the signs are dismissed. In other cases, mental illness signs mirror medication side effects. 

Watch for any of the following types of behaviors in a loved one that may suggest a mental illness:

  • Anxiousness
  • Personality or mood changes
  • Changes in the desire for formerly enjoyed activities
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Alterations in eating patterns
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory -loss
  • Depression

If any of these signs are present it’s important to seek medical help. Talk to a primary care physician who can recommend the best medication and/or therapeutic options to consider.

Comprehensive Home Care can also help by escorting the senior to medical appointments and counseling sessions, picking up prescriptions and providing reminders. We can also serve as a caring companion to share in conversations and pick up on any changes that could indicate the necessity for further assistance. Contact Comprehensive Home Care, top providers of the highest quality companion care Charlotte has to offer, by calling us at 704-333-5214 or use our contact form to find out more.

Read about how another condition, insomnia, affects the elderly.

Senior Fitness Tips

Participating in an ongoing fitness plan is challenging at any age. All of us have made excuses for not exercising and aging makes it even more difficult to commit to a fitness plan. Our home care experts want to help you understand the factors that go into building a senior fitness plan.

Consider the following factors involved in senior fitness:


Self-confidence. It’s natural for older adults to become overwhelmed with the idea of achieving fitness goals. Have them start slowly with easier exercises and then progress gradually. Continue to provide ongoing support throughout the program.

Attitude. Attitude is so important when it comes to staying physically fit. If approached negatively it will be so much harder to stick to a fitness program. Choose activities that will be enjoyable and that they will look forward to.

Pain. They should avoid overdoing it and pushing their body to discomfort or pain.

Disabilities. Older adults with physical or cognitive impairments can and should stay active within their ability level. Ask their doctor for a referral to a personal trainer or physical therapist who can create a specialized fitness program.

Fear of Injury/Balance Problems. Utilize a variety of different assistive products to improve safety.

Financial Issues. Exercising doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Walking and other simple activities can be effective with little to no cost.

Illness or Fatigue. Workouts should be tailored to match their energy level and the intensity can be increased over time.

The key to ongoing success with a fitness program is to make sure the senior is comfortable and feels safe with the plan. If any pain is felt in muscles or bones following an exercise the intensity can be decreased. Make sure to check with their doctor if the pain or discomfort continues and/or intensifies. Comprehensive Home Care will work with your loved one’s doctor to develop a safe fitness plan to help build strength, independence, and quality of life. Contact us at 704-333-5214 for more senior fitness tips and to learn about our home care services.

Check out Exercises for the Elderly to find the best exercises for your loved one.

How Do I Know if My Loved One Might Benefit from Home Care?

As time goes on, you may notice your loved one is not quite what they used to be. There are countless reasons why there may begin going through changes. These changes can seriously affect your loved one’s ability to live alone. In this case, they may truly benefit from home care.

Here are some things to consider when deciding if home care is the right move to make for your loved one:

When they are becoming more forgetful.

While forgetting something every now and then can be okay, when your loved one is constantly forgetting, it is a rise for concern. Even if it is small things like checking the mail, you may want to start paying more attention. When they are forgetting to throw out old food, forgetting appointments, and other similar things they should not continue living by themselves.

If they seem to not be taking care of themselves.

When a loved one seems to not be properly taking care of themselves, this is another rise for concern. This may mean that they are either struggling to do or just forgetting to do simple tasks.  By turning to a home care specialist you will have peace of mind.

If they can no longer drive safely.

When you start to notice their car getting more dents and scratches, it may be a sign that they are struggling behind the wheel. This is not only putting themselves at risk but other people as well.

When you are starting to get worried about your loved one’s well being have a conversation with them or their doctor and see what the cause could be. Comprehensive Home Care can also ensure they are getting the proper care from professionals who know what to do. Contact Comprehensive Home Care to get a free home assessment and learn more about the services we offer.

Check out Is It Just a Case of the Blues? Mental Illness in Seniors Is More Common Than You May Think to read about a condition that would benefit from the use of a home care specialist.

Benefits of Laughter in Aging

Studies show that a positive attitude can greatly improve the quality of life. The benefits of laughter in aging, specifically, are numerous, from lowering blood pressure to reducing stress and anxiety.

Read on to learn the benefits of laughter in aging:


Improves memory. Research on the effect of humor on the memory capabilities of the elderly has yielded positive findings.

Reduces stress. Laughter is vital in reducing the level of cortisol hormones in the brain and thus relieves stress. This effectively raises the quality of life.

Reduces risk for heart attacks and strokes. Laughter also increases the heart rate and enhances blood circulation which is beneficial for better oxygen intake. These health effects have been linked with a reduction in the risk of heart attacks and stroke.  

Lengthens life expectancy. Laughter has also been found to lengthen the lives of the elderly. Studies show that developing a sense of humor over several years can have a positive effect on the general well-being of elderly individuals and thus lower the mortality rate. 

Improves emotional state. Laughter raises dopamine and endorphins levels in the brain, which creates a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction. Laughter plays a role in the emotional and physical health of seniors suffering from chronic conditions, as well. Those exposed to humor for up to 12 weeks were in a better emotional condition for up to 26 weeks. 

While it is important to create a humorous environment for the elderly to harness the health benefits; it is important to ensure that the jokes are positive. Comprehensive Home Care caregivers appreciate the importance of humor on the health status of seniors. Contact us here or call us at 704-333-5214 to see how our professionals can add positivity to your loved one’s care.

Another benefit to your loved one’s health is having a fitness routine. Check out Senior Fitness Tips to learn more.