When an older family member has a heart attack, their life can change drastically. To prevent a second heart attack, they’ll need to make changes to the way they eat and to other parts of their life that affect their health. They will also require some help upon returning home from the hospital since the road to recovery can be a long one.
One way to ensure your older family member has all the help they need after a heart attack is to hire elderly care. If you’re uncertain how elderly care can help, here are just 4 of the many things elderly care can do for a senior who has had a heart attack.
#1: Transportation to Cardiac Rehab
It is unlikely the older adult will be able to drive for a while after having a heart attack. However, they will need to attend cardiac rehab appointments and other follow up appointments. An elderly care provider can drive the senior to their appointments as well as to other places they might need or want to go, such as their place of worship, the grocery store, or the post office.
#2: Emotional Support
You might think your aging relative will bounce right back for having a heart attack, but that probably won’t be the case. Having a heart attack is a major life event that can leave a person shaken and frightened. A fear of having another heart attack can make them afraid to be alone or unwilling to move around much. The presence of an elderly care provider can ease those fears because your loved one will know they have the assistance they need should an emergency occur. In addition, an elderly care provider can serve to distract the older adult and keep their mind off their worries.
#3: Assist with Lifestyle Changes
The doctor will recommend making lifestyle changes to prevent another heart attack. Lifestyle changes will include a change of diet as well as exercise and stress management. An elderly care provider can cook heart-healthy meals and encourage the older adult to be as physically active as possible. In addition, an elderly care provider can help to relieve stress by offering reassurance and a sense of safety.
#4: Help with Daily Activities
After a heart attack, there may be some time where the older adult isn’t quite up to doing some of the daily activities necessary to keep their house running. Cleaning may be too strenuous, and they won’t be able to lift heavy objects for some time. An elderly care provider can keep the house clean, carry groceries, do laundry, and even assist with pet care.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Elderly Care in Rahway, NJ, call the caring staff at Helping Hands Home Care today at 908-418-4299. Providing Home Care Services in all of Northern and Central NJ, including Clark, Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, Edison, Elizabeth, Mountainside and the surrounding areas.
Sources
Webmd.com
Heart.org
Health.clevelandclinic.org
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