New blog post courtesy of Carol A. Clark, Publisher/Editor of Los Alamos Daily Post and courtesy of the Center for Disease Control.
Depression is a real but treatable mental illness and not a normal part of aging. However, older adults are at an increased risk for experiencing depression. If you are concerned about a loved one, offer to go with him or her to see a health care provider to be diagnosed and treated.
In 2016, the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office estimated that the opioid epidemic has claimed the lives of over 600 people just in Cuyahoga County. That’s more than double the 2015 death toll due to opioid overdose.
Homecare professionals – nurses, home aides, social workers, counselors and other home health professionals – are in a very unique position to help curb this staggering statistic. Early intervention may be possible for many patients who suffer from opioid addition with the help of homecare professionals.
Sometimes caregivers need a break -- for their own well-being and for that of the loved ones they care for. Respite care is a good option to give caregivers a hand and prevent burnout. Find out how it can help.
Did you know that 62% of family caregivers pay for a loved one’s Alzheimer’s care out of their own savings? In the United States, Alzheimer’s disease affects more than five million individuals and families. Although the disease is not a normal part of the aging process, it continues to grow in line with the aging population. As families face the emotional and financial stresses associated with Alzheimer’s, it has become imperative that caregivers begin to plan for the future.
When a loved one has suffered a heart attack or undergone a heart bypass, concern is understandably high. Will he have another heart attack? Was her surgery successful?
In Cuyahoga County, 50% of the clients admitted into the state psychiatric hospital are readmissions. Many of these individuals were unable to access care to achieve optimal health and independence. Rather, they were forced to turn to the hospital systems to receive treatment, continuing what is known as the “Revolving Door Syndrome.” To prevent the reoccurring cycle, community agencies joined forces in hopes of closing the gap for care and created the Bridge Program.
Most caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia share this near-constant fear: In a moment of confusion, their loved ones might walk away from home and family and never find their way back.
When a senior friend or family member stumbles over a word or loses their keys, it is easy to dismiss it as the natural effects of aging. But those small missteps may signal a serious problem. Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, is mostly associated with the elderly, but early-onset of the cognitive disorder can affect people as young as 40.
For some women, the first several days home following the birth of a new baby are filled with some of the most profound moments in life. They are also some of the most overwhelming.
When loved ones have a serious medical condition or are living with chronic disease, their family caregivers tend to focus only on what can impact physical health, keeping an eye on healing wounds, monitoring vital signs and assisting with mobility. But as patients age, it’s important to consider their mental health as well.
The family physician may have said that your grandmother is showing signs of dementia. Does that mean she has Alzheimer’s? Not necessarily.
For people with mental illness, Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio’s mental health home care team is a vital component to overall wellness.
Caring for an ailing loved one at home is a challenge under any circumstances. But those who care for individuals with mental illness often bear a particularly heavy burden.
A stroke occurs when the blood flow in a patient’s brain is disrupted because of a blood clot or broken blood vessel. Depending on the location of the clot or bleed in the brain, the effects can range from slight vision loss to total paralysis.
An elderly family member or neighbor seems different lately. Is she just having a bad day, or is it something more? Amy Silbaugh, Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio’s manager of clinical development, said there are several warning signs that a senior might be at risk and in need of help.
When patients are discharged from the hospital with orders for home healthcare, they are presented with a list of services and agencies and told to choose one.
With advances in medical technology, many major surgeries have become routine procedures done on an outpatient basis. But just because a patient returns home the day of surgery doesn’t mean his need for help is any less significant.
Nearly 500,000 Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), meaning 10% to 20% of the country experiences the ‘winter blues’. The change of seasons brings cold and flu season, but as well an onset for depression. While individuals living in particular geographical regions are more prone to SAD, this type of depression can affect almost anyone.
Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio has been providing home healthcare in the community for more than a century. In that time, it has become the organization that physicians trust when they are looking for providers to manage their patients’ care at home.
When you think of Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio, you may think of home healthcare following surgery or hospitalization for a major medical issue. You may not know about how VNA of Ohio can help people with mental illness.
When a family member or friend has mental illness, life can be filled with anxiety and a feeling of helplessness. Is he taking his medication? Is she being honest about her condition? Is his behavior putting him at risk?
Whether you are new to caregiving, or have provided long-time support for a loved one, caregiver burnout (also known as caregiver fatigue) can strike at any time. Learns ways to prevent burnout, and what to do if you are feeling burnt out.
