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.
