The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (named 2019-nCoV). For many people that we care for at Home Assist Health, including the elderly and/or those with compromised immune systems, we must take extra precautions even though the American public is believed to be at a low risk at this time. What is coronavirus? Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that range from the common …

Good nutrition for your care receiver helps make care easier. Up to half of all older adults are at risk for malnutrition, that’s why it’s important to make sure those you care for have a healthy diet. It helps prevent muscle loss, supports recovery, reduces risk for re- hospitalizations, and makes caregiving easier. But don’t let this information overwhelm you. Start with just a few small adjustments to your diet. This will help make the natural effects of aging less stressful on the body. …

March 8 – 14 is Sleep Awareness Week, a time to encourage better sleep to increase overall health and well-being. We all know how important a good night’s sleep is to our health. Regular sleep deprivation can increase the risk for many health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, stroke and dementia. Quality sleep for family caregivers is critical as they can especially be at risk for sleep problems, including insomnia (the inability to fall or stay …

For anyone who has availability to attend, we would like to encourage all family caregivers, friends of caregivers, caregiver supporters, members of the community to attend the Family Caregiver Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 5, 2020. There you can serve as an advocate for family caregivers and their care recipients through our advocacy training workshop, hear from state representatives about the legislative process and share your experience as a caregiver. The Arizona Caregiver Coalition will present the David …

LaTanya Sanders is this month’s Caregiver of the Month. She was nominated because while she was at a Members home, there was an accident outside on the corner.  The Member was concerned it was their loved one and asked her to go check.  When she got outside to the accident, a Police Officer was there before the ambulance and needed assistance with multiple people.  LaTanya provided CPR/First Aid to one of the drivers until Fire arrived and saved his life.  …

Seniors are involved in more than 2.3 million accidents in their homes each year. While many seniors prefer to live independently, most homes are poorly designed to meet their needs. Approximately 7,000 adults 65 and older die in such accidents annually. Falls are the number one safety risk for older adults – nearly one third of the senior population falls each year with 70% of falls occurring at home.  Older adults need to take extra safety precautions due to physical …

People tend to only focus on the awesome parts of retirement, but sometimes it may require you to become a caregiver for a loved one. Home Assist Health is here every step of the way to ensure you have all the tools and resources you need. Whether you planned for it or not, we have rallied up advice from our network of caregivers to offer you advice and support along the way. Taking on the duties of being a caregiver …

Did you know that 83.6 million American adults suffer from cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association? Moreover, half of those are age 60 or older.  In honor of American Heart Month this February, we wanted to share some important caregiving tips for those with heart disease. The right care  can improve and save lives. Here are a few key tips: Diet: What goes in affects the body. The best thing to fuel your body is eating plenty of …

Let’s face it, we all snack throughout the day, so why not talk about heart-healthy snaking in celebration of Heart Month in February. Here are 6 on-the-go snacks that can, surprisingly, help your heart. Popcorn: Popcorn delivers polyphenols—antioxidants linked to improving heart health. Gram for gram, popcorn boasts three times more polyphenols than kidney beans (the highest vegetable polyphenol source) and four times more than cranberries (the best fruit source), according to recent research out of the University of Scranton. …

What should I do to protect myself from flu this season? CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this potentially serious disease. In addition to getting a seasonal flu vaccine, you can take everyday preventive actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading …