Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults
Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults
Heart disease is America’s No. 1 killer, but a significant number of these deaths are preventable. The American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that 43.7 million Americans age 60 and above have one or more types of cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease, heart attack, stroke and heart failure. About two-thirds of cardiovascular disease deaths occur in people age 75 and older.
Aging can cause changes in the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease. To help prevent cardiovascular disease nationwide, February is designated as American Heart Month. A federally established annual event since 1964, American Heart Month is an important reminder to work with friends, family and senior loved ones to keep everyone’s heart healthy.
The older people get, the harder it can be to oversee all aspects of health and well-being. Oftentimes, seniors need encouragement and respectful supervision to make the right choices to improve their heart health. Right at Home has found that people with cardiovascular disease benefit from staying in the familiarity of their own homes with the help of a professional caregiver. Individuals with cardiovascular disease or who are recovering from a heart attack or stroke need careful monitoring to prevent further complications.
Right at Home caregivers can assist cardiovascular disease patients in a number of ways:
- Ambulation.Having an adult home care professional assist the patient with mobility is both a safeguard and a relief to the patient and their family.
- Dietary intake. Cardiovascular patients are typically placed on a diet low in sodium, fat and cholesterol, and they may need help shopping for and preparing appropriate meals and snacks.
- Medication reminders. An in-home caregiver can remind the patient to take medications and can run to the pharmacy for prescription refills or to pick up additional medications.
- Personal care. Many heart and stroke patients feel weak and struggle with bathing, dressing, eating and using the bathroom. A trusted in-home caregiver can provide an extra hand with these daily tasks.
- Home management. Because of decreased energy and mobility, people with cardiovascular disease may need help with cleaning, laundry, errands and a number of regular routines including pet care.
- Rehabilitation. At-home caregivers can provide the patient with transportation to rehab appointments and can monitor the patient’s compliance with prescribed activities to do at home.
- Follow-up with physician. Adult home care providers can drive cardiovascular patients to and from medical appointments, help record the physician’s suggestions, and communicate changes in the patient’s condition to the family.
In addition, Right at Home offers clients a disease management program to help monitor symptoms and promote self-care. Right at Home caregivers are trained in specific health conditions; are prepared to recognize warning signs of heart attack, stroke and other illnesses; and can seek medical help, which is often the difference between life and death. Right at Home’s comprehensive disease management program is tailored to help with the following diagnoses:
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), commonly known as heart attack
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Cerebral vascular accident (CVA), commonly known as stroke
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Parkinson’s disease
- Pneumonia
- Hip or knee replacement
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Caregivers that refer a friend receive $150 for every Caregiver they refer once their referral has worked for Right at Home for 90 days.