Month: October 2022

As time rolls on, medical knowledge grows. Recently there’s been research on how air pollution harms the brains of older adults. This in turn contributes to issues like dementia. The actual “reason” hasn’t been nailed down yet, but the correlation remains, according to the National Institute on Aging. In fact, a person who lives where air quality is better can have an extended time before signs of dementia hit, averaging 1.5 years.

There are two types of air pollution that seem to be the main culprits:

• Fine Particulate Matter: Tiny solids and liquids in the air (dirt, dust, soot, etc.)
• Nitrogen dioxide is a byproduct of vehicle emissions, industrial sources, and certain natural events like wildfires.

These pollutants may also impact heart health, which is vital to brain health, too. Over time, the effects accumulate, increasing the risk of mental deterioration. In fact, in 2020 the Lancet’s Commission on Dementia Prevention and Care added air pollution as a risk factor.

The Caregiver’s Role

A family caregiver or a home health aide (like those AmeriBest trains and hires), cannot undo the damage that’s already been done, but they can help with the aftermath.

Assistance with daily living, making sure a person remembers their medication, keeping track of important contact information, and knowing the location of everything in someone’s home are examples. You do not want to keep a person indoors 100% of the time. That’s not healthy and often leads to depression, but you can make their life within the home much simpler and more content.

Tip: To check the quality of air in your region, use AirNow.gov for information. This can help you determine if it’s a particularly bad day for taking seniors out for long hours.

Dementia Home Care Harrisburg PA

At first, some families have reservations about home care, but it is one of the best ways to make your loved one comfortable and at ease, especially with mental impairments. They need familiarity and consistency, but children, grandchildren, or friends may simply not be in a position to provide the level of care necessary for health and safety.

Once you hire a professional team, like the personnel AmeriBest has to offer, you have peace of mind. Aides are trained for both home and community-based assistance. They become part of the family matrix, with two extra eyes and hands so you can take time for handling your own matters with peace of mind.

Our services include personalized care coordination so that your loved one’s entire medical team is on board and regularly informed of any changes that occur. We can answer many of those nagging questions, including about air pollution, while also educating the whole family on how best to keep the individual happy, peaceful, and maintaining their dignity all at the same time.

If you’d like more information about dementia home care Harrisburg PA, don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions or concerns. You can contact AmeriBest Home Care Harrisburg, PA office in one of three ways:

Call: 1800-HOMECARE or 717-545-2920

Email: info@ameribest.org, or

Use our online contact form HERE.

If you’ve been looking for a caregiver home health aide (Harrisburg, PA), you are not alone and you may face hurdles. Throughout the US there is a shortage of family caregivers. As a result, the Health and Human Services Administration has created a National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers.

The strategy includes 150 actions focused on the private sector aimed at supplemental assistance with resources, particularly in long-term care. The RAISE Family Caregiving Act’s advisory panel joined in the effort, along with the public and professionals in the universe of home health care.

Caregivers, be they family members or trained professionals like AmeriBest Home Care Caregivers in Harrisburg, PA, have a critical role in the health and well-being of homebound individuals. Everyone ages and many of us will face a moment when we need assistance. It’s a difficult moment, challenging a person’s sense of individuality and pride. We all need somebody in our corner, and non-skilled caregivers do just that. They keep the company, assist with daily activities that are challenging for the care recipient, and provide invaluable support.

Who’s In? And Who’s Affected?

In this, the ACL (Administration for Community Living) joins in the 2022 strategy by presenting a vision and recommendations to help caregivers. They are gathering contributions and commitments from as many sectors both private and public as possible.

Consider that there are over 50 million people annually who require health assistance to maintain their quality of life. Of those, 70% utilizing home care are aged 65 or over. Many adults would not otherwise have the financial resources needed to maintain physical, emotional, and mental support without efforts such as this.

It is understandable that families WANT to help their aging loved ones, but it’s simply not always practical, or possible! For one, the family rarely has training in handling their loved one’s needs effectively. For another, the busy nature of life means that non-professional caregiving becomes spotty.

Most people caring for someone 50 or over have minimally part-time jobs, and their own core families to care for.

The average number of years family members contribute to caregiving is 5. It’s easy to burn out! This is where a dedicated home health aide agency like AmeriBest steps in as a helpmate. When you don’t want to consign an individual to a nursing home, trained aides in the home are a great solution!

While cost may concern you, Medicare, Medicaid, and various health insurance marketplaces have coverage for home and community-based services, provided by a caregiver home health aide in Harrisburg PA. There are some requirements for coverage, including personal resources and income, which is why it’s wise to work with a navigator who can walk you through the red tape. They make the process easier, as can an agency representative!

The Next Step

When you know your loved one wants to remain in their own house, and you know you cannot give them the time and attention they need for well-being, reach out to AmeriBest Home Care for Services in Harrisburg, PA.

There are several ways to reach us to get your all-important questions answered.

Call us at 1800-HOMECARE or 717-545-2920

Email us at info@ameribest.org

Use our contact page HERE.

Would you like to become a paid family caregiver home health aide in Harrisburg PA?

Please submit your application HERE.