Category: Caregivers

7 Tips for Getting the Water You Need

by lachanceWeb

More benefits of drinking water than just quenching thirst. Given that our bodies contain roughly 60% water, maintaining hydration is beneficial to our health. Your body needs water to maintain a healthy temperature, transport nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body, flush out waste, safeguard your organs, and keep your joints flexible. Water is lost by our bodies during routine activity. We must replenish this every day by consuming enough water. Your body will try to cool itself by losing more water while it’s hot outside. You should therefore consume a lot of water during the summer.

What consequences does dehydration have?

If you lose more water than you are consuming, you risk becoming dehydrated. Headaches may result from even minor dehydration. Excessive thirst, weariness, disorientation, and confusion are some more symptoms. Many dehydration symptoms might not show up until you’ve lost a significant amount of water. Being proactive and consuming lots of water throughout the day is your best bet. If you experience confusion or dizziness, seek immediate medical attention. If you’re going swimming, drink plenty of water to prevent cramps.

When is enough water enough?

There isn’t a secret number. Each person has unique demands. It also depends on whether you’re engaged in a sweat-inducing activity or are outside on a hot day.

The bottom line is to hydrate when you’re thirsty and to do so even more so when you’re perspiring. Although the daily recommended amount of water varies from person to person, the general rule is to consume at least 8 glasses of water each day, according to health officials (with a glass being 8 fluid ounces).

To help you drink more water, try these suggestions:

  1. Give your water some taste. Consider adding some fresh fruit, such as lime, strawberries, or lemon. Slices of cucumber and herbs like mint, basil, or lavender can also be used to add flavor.
  2. Diluted sweet beverages. Juice, lemonade, or iced tea can be made sweeter by adding water and a lot of ice.
  3. Rather than soda, choose sparkling water. Don’t want the sugar shock but still want the bubbles? The calories in sparkling water are 0.
  4. Consume foods that are high in water. Cucumbers (96% water), zucchini (95% water), watermelon (92% water), and grapefruit are among the best choices (91 percent water).
  5. Feeling hungry? Drink first. Try some water before you reach for a snack. Your body may have confused being hungry with being thirsty.
  6. Carry a reusable water bottle. And refill it often. Bottles marked with ounces can help you keep track of how much you’re drinking each day. Plus, they’re much better for the environment than single-use plastic bottles.
  7. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after a workout. The American Council on Exercise has some guidelines.

Celebrate 4th of July with Rivers of Hope

by lachanceWeb

It’s already July, which means this 4th of July weekend will be filled with fun, family, and fireworks. But Independence Day might be a little bittersweet for elderly people who have trouble living independently. Age-related challenges can make it difficult for many seniors, particularly those who need in-home care, to completely enjoy the holiday.

Our commitment to our customers’ happiness and our love for this magnificent country go hand in hand. No matter their age or any challenges that come with their senior years, we think all Americans should be able to fully enjoy the Fourth of July. Every July, our caregivers assist in making our Rivers of Hopes clients holidays more enjoyable. We would be honored to assist you in providing the same care for an older family member.

Beat the Independence Day Heat

Nothing says America quite like a backyard 4th of July celebration with close friends and family, cold sodas and hot dogs fresh from the grill, warm summer sun, and red, white, and blue fireworks. However, like with any summertime outdoor event, heat and sun exposure can mount up, especially for elderly people and anyone receiving home care from their loved ones.

Every time you host an outdoor summer party, make sure your elderly loved ones are well-shaded and well-hydrated. Also, make sure they have access to a nice, air-conditioned space where they may relax and cool off.

Make Seniors Comfortable

It’s crucial that senior family members feel at ease if you’re organizing an outdoor celebration. After all, if they don’t have the opportunity to rest and relax a little bit, even the healthiest seniors can experience joint pain or tiredness.

A sturdy, high-quality movable chair can be a godsend for seniors, particularly for those who need in-home care due to physical age-related challenges. “Be sure to have your loved one test his or her chair in advance for comfort and to keep it available for them throughout the event.”

Rivers of Hope 4th of July Activities

Some elderly people simply don’t have the stamina or energy to enjoy a lengthy Fourth of July gathering outside. Others might not feel at ease in a busy, active, and unsettling environment, such as individuals who need home care for memory impairments.

Get in touch with Rivers of Hope, if you or an aging loved one are considering hiring a Home Care Services in Fall River, MA, call the caring staff at Rivers of Hope today at +1 (508) 857-0629. Providing Independent, Dependent, and Companion Care Services in Brockton, Boston, Braintree, Avon Randolph, Abington, and the surrounding areas. riversofhopes.com

5 Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy This Valentine’s Day

by lachanceWeb

Besides February revolving around Valentine’s Day, it also happens to be American Heart Month, so there’s no better time than now to focus on treating your heart right. The best way to prevent things like stroke and heart disease isn’t complicated or hard — it’s simply to eat a balanced diet. Here are five quick and easy ways to start eating better for your heart.

1. Cook with beans and legumes.
Beans and legumes are nutritional powerhouses, whether you select chickpeas, lentils, or black beans. Beans and lentils can help satiate hunger, lessen post-meal blood sugar swings, feed the beneficial bacteria in our digestive tracts, and reduce cholesterol.

2. Add an avocado.
Despite the fact that avocados are high in fat, the bulk of these lipids are unsaturated fats, which are good for your heart. They can even help lower bad cholesterol when consumed as part of a healthy diet, according to a recent study. So go ahead and have that avocado toast, a smoothie with a few slices, or a chocolaty Valentine’s Day dessert with a few slices — and feel good about that second helping.

3. Be mindful of salt.
Too much salt in the diet has been associated with a higher risk of heart disease in studies. When cooking, you can reduce the amount of salt you need by adding other flavors, such as garlic and freshly ground pepper, to your cuisine.

4. Love your berries.
The compounds that contribute to the deep pigmentation of blackberries, cranberries, raspberries, and blueberries can improve the elasticity of arteries, which in turn may benefit blood flow to the heart. Berries are also known as one of the best sources of antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Tip: Strawberries and raspberries make a regular appearance around Valentine’s Day, due to their red hue, but they aren’t always the sweetest and juiciest at this time of year since they’re out of season. Instead, reach for frozen, which is a great substitute.

5. Eat chocolate!
This is an easy one — especially since it’s Valentine’s Day. A little bit of dark chocolate (one to two ounces) may help lower blood pressure, and therefore contribute to a healthy heart.

A New Year’s resolution list can help caregivers make positive changes.

by lachanceWeb

We either love them or avoid them, but no matter what our stance on New Year’s resolutions, there is something incredibly refreshing about stepping into a whole new year, providing us with a clean slate and the chance to make any modifications we want to improve total well-being or to accomplish a brand new goal or dream.

For family caregivers, New Year’s resolution lists tend to be particularly significant, mainly because they affect not merely the caregivers themselves, but their senior loved ones. It’s important, however, to keep resolutions sensible. Resolving, for instance, to get a full eight hours of sleep each night, while caring for a family member who has problems with sundowning issues in Alzheimer’s, could be setting yourself up for disappointment.

Try instead to think about one of the following resolutions especially developed with family caregivers in mind:

  1. I shall reach out for help and support, and take assistance when offered.
  2. I give myself permission to say “no” to requests to prevent dealing with more than I am able to handle.
  3. I will make my own health (both physical and mental) a priority, making sure that I set up and keep medical-related checkups and appointments.
  4. I will remind myself that self-care is not selfish, and that by taking good care of myself, I’m able to take better care of my loved one.
  5. I will take note of my energy level, and make a plan in order to avoid allowing myself to reach the point of exhaustion, burnout, or depression.

 

Starting with a no-cost in-home consultation, we will listen to the particular needs and challenges of your loved one, and develop a customized plan of care to fulfill those needs, through many different services such as:

  • Help with personal hygiene, dressing, ambulation and transfers
  • Running errands, such as buying groceries and picking up prescriptions
  • Accompanied transportation to medical appointments and enjoyable outings
  • Light housekeeping and laundry
  • Meal planning and preparation, according to any prescribed dietary plans
  • Engagement in conversations, reminiscing, games, and exercise, along with other pastimes that are of interest to the older adult
  • And many others