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Tag: Home Care Assistance in Clayton CA

Risk Factors for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Posted on by ltcep2023

When a blood clot occurs in one of the deep veins of the body, usually in the legs, it is called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT. A DVT can cause swelling and pain but sometimes occurs without any noticeable symptoms. While there isn’t usually any great risk of blood clots in the legs, the danger lies in the fact that it may break loose and head to another area of the body where it could cause serious issues and possibly even death. It can travel through the bloodstream and get lodged in the lungs, blocking blood flow and causing a pulmonary embolism.

Who is at Risk for Getting a DVT?

A DVT can happen to anyone at any time, but certain conditions and health issues may make having DVT more common. And because your loved one is elderly, his risk naturally increases each decade of his life after 60, compounding the risks listed below.

  • Being Overweight. Obesity increases the risk of developing DVT because of the increased pressure on the veins located within the legs and pelvis.
  • Being a Smoker. Those who smoke increase the risk of developing DVTs because of the damage to how the blood flows through the body due to smoking.
  • Having some cancers and/or going through some cancer treatments. If your loved one has cancer or is currently being treated for cancer, talk to his doctor if it will put him at greater risk for developing a DVT.
  • Having Heart Failure. Because the lungs and heart don’t work as strongly as they would in a healthy person, someone with heart failure may be more dangerously affected by even a small DVT that breaks off.
  • Not Moving for Long Periods. One of the most common triggers of DVT is the lack of movement. International flights where you sit for 8-10 hours at a time can increase this risk. The risk is also increased for anyone who is bed-ridden, or wheelchair-bound.

Home Care Assistance Can Help Seniors Reduce the Risk of DVTs

If you know your loved one is going to be bedridden or wheelchair-bound for a significant amount of time, having a home care assistance provider visit to help stimulate blood flow in the leg and assist with moving around can help reduce the risk of your loved one developing a DVT that could break off and lead to serious consequences. A home care assistance provider can help your loved one stretch out his legs or walk around if that is possible.

A home care assistance provider may also be able to help with lifestyle changes that will have positive impacts on your loved one’s overall health, including reducing his risk for a DVT. A home care assistance provider can help make healthy meals to keep his weight at a healthy level and support him with daily exercise to keep the legs moving and increase the caloric intake he needs each day, so he doesn’t put on more weight. A home care assistance provider can even help if your loved one is ready to quit smoking by providing support and accountability.

Finally, your loved one’s doctor may suggest he wear compression socks to help reduce his risk of developing a DVT. These can be difficult for some elderly people to put on properly: a home care assistance provider can help.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Clayton, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Helping a Senior Cope With Loneliness

Posted on by Craig Bass
Home Care Assistance in Clayton CA

As seniors age, they start losing more people. It’s a natural part of life that can be really hard to understand and cope with. If your senior parent has friends and family that continue passing away, it will be important to help them cope with loneliness. Their friends may die, their partner may die, and this loss can impact you and your thoughts when trying to help your senior mom or dad.

One of the best ways to ensure a senior is not lonely is by hiring home care assistance. This is especially useful when your senior chooses to age in place rather than go somewhere else to age. Home care assistance can help keep seniors routine and be a companion for them every day.

As we become older, we all go through a lot of changes, and many of those changes might leave us feeling lonely. Losing lovers, close friends, and relatives may be traumatic. Visiting others might be challenging if you have mobility issues or other health issues. There are many ways and reasons why a senior can feel lonely. Here are a few ways you can help.

Encourage Using Technology

If your senior loved one is hesitant to embrace new technological advances, the promise of meaningful social connection may be what they need to come on board. Using technology such as mobile phones and tablets built exclusively for elders might simplify the transition and make social media seem more enticing. You may need to sit down with them and show them exactly how to use the devices.

Teach Them a New Hobby

Picking up a new interest, no matter your age may be a terrific way to meet new people and establish satisfying and long-lasting connections. If your senior loved one is caught in a rut, a pastime might help them get out of it. If they had a passion that they used to like, getting back into it might help them relive the sensations they experienced when they were younger. Finding ways to fill up their time every day can help them feel less lonely.

Adopt a Pet

Not all seniors should get dogs, but there are tons of other animals that a senior can take care of even if they can’t go outside much. Adopting a pet may provide a senior loved one with a lifetime friend and companion who will adore them no matter what. Pet ownership has been found to minimize feelings of sadness and loneliness among individuals of all age groups, and caring for an energetic pet like a dog may inspire a senior to obtain the exercise they need. In addition, taking your dog for walks or to the dog park on a regular basis is a great opportunity to meet new people.

Try a Group Activity

Whether it’s group therapy, art class, or workout class, attending group activities can help seniors battle the loneliness they feel. The more they can do on their own, the less likely they are to be lonely and the happier they will live. Home care assistance offers transportation to and from social activities like book clubs, music classes, knitting groups and more.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Clayton, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.