Here at Freedom Home Care and Medical Staffing, the health of our clients is of the utmost importance.  If you feel you or someone you love is suffering from a chronic disease such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes or a stroke, please contact us. We are here to help and provide tips below on how to manage these diseases.

Arthritis, a joint disorder which causes inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain affects 50 million Americans according to the Arthritis Foundation. It is one of the most common and debilitating causes of disability in the United States. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid are the most prevalent types; however, there are over one hundred forms of arthritis. Knowing how to adapt can make living with this chronic illness less of a daily struggle. Freedom Home Care and Medical Staffing can help by reducing the workload: we can provide a personal assistant to help with laundry and light housekeeping, healthy meal preparation, grocery shopping, and personal care. They can also take the client on daily walks and offer the friendly companionship needed to reduce stress.

In addition, there are lifestyle changes used to supplement and improve the overall wellness of people with arthritis:

• Take care of the joints to reduce further damage. Save the hands. Use the shoulder to push open doors. Shift weight, rather than lift. Avoid gripping tightly. Use gadgets to make tasks easier.
• Exercise relieves pain and strengthens joint function. From walking, yoga, dancing, or playing Wii, maintaining a regular exercise routine promotes overall health and can be fun.
• Lose weight. For every one pound lost, four pounds of pressure is taken off each knee.
• Eat healthy. Increasing calcium intake can lower the risk of osteoporosis.
• Wear correct shoes and insoles, which can reduce pain and pressure on the knees.
• Reduce stress. Laugh. It relaxes the muscles, lowers blood pressure, and causes the brain to release the body’s natural painkillers.
• Rest. Get eight-hours of sleep at night, and nap when needed during the day.

• It is important to track salt intake based on physician recommendations.
• Track your weight at the same time every morning to identify any weight gain.
• Take note of increased swelling in extremities and ankles.
• Report to your MD if you have any increased shortness of breath or coughing.

Identifying a stroke is important, but so is preventing one.  Strokes have many causes, but they are all related to cardiovascular health.  Some signs to keep in mind are to look at the senior’s face. Does one side appear to be drooping?  If they try to smile, does it look crooked?

Have the senior lift both of their arms at the same time.  Does one raise higher or faster than the other?

Have the senior talk to you.  Is their speech slurred?  Does what they are saying not make sense?  Are they unable to speak?

If you have noticed the signs above, you need to act quickly.  Every moment that an area of the brain is not getting adequate blood supply could mean permanent brain cell death.  Call 911 immediately and explain the situation.

Eating right, avoiding salt, and regular exercise can keep the cardiovascular system running smoothly and reduce the chance of having to remember to think FAST.