Home Health Care: Tools, Tips, and Strategies for Easier Living

 Home Health Care

If you or someone you love is struggling with a physical disability, then you know how difficult it can be to live at home. But getting the right tools and tips can make all the difference in what you can accomplish and how you feel daily. In this article, we’ll share some of our favorite strategies, as well as provide an overview of the best tools out there to help you stay at home instead of living in assisted living.

Get Moving

Since every individual is different, your plan should be customized to suit your needs. If you have any recommendations about living a healthier lifestyle through home health care we'd love to hear them in the comments below! In our next post, we'll cover ways that you can keep on track with your nutrition at home so stay tuned! 

We’re excited to share some great tips from some of our favorite bloggers including Lori Barreto, who has been an RN for over two decades; Linda Mason who has been an RN for more than twenty years as well; Martha Roberts’s vast experience in many areas of nursing which allows her to write about many topics; Kristin Van Riper who is both an Occupational Therapist and Registered Dietitian.

Eat Well

1. Always keep an eye on your diet. Good nutrition is key to sustaining good health, preventing illness or injury that may require hospitalization or home health care, and keeping your mind sharp. While this sounds daunting, it's not as hard as you might think. Stock up on foods rich in essential vitamins and minerals from all food groups including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein like fish (salmon), eggs (egg whites), turkey (turkey bacon) nuts, and beans. Learn how to read labels on packaged foods. You should look for a variety of healthy options in each of the five food groups while making sure you're limiting processed foods and sugary treats. If eating out, choose entrees that are cooked without added fat or salt; go with grilled chicken instead of fried; order brown rice instead of white rice; opt for a baked potato instead of fries, and avoid fast-food burgers. Try getting exercise 30 minutes per day. Think about adding some easy aerobic exercises into your daily routine such as taking a brisk walk around the block or doing 10 pushups during commercial breaks.

Prepare Meals in Advance

Planning meals in advance can help avoid the extra time required to make a meal. This means preparing more than enough food to eat that night and then another portion of leftovers for lunch the next day. By doing this, you can save time by only having to make one meal per day. Preparing some or all of your meals ahead of time will also help with budgeting since food costs may be lower than what is typically purchased. Cooking larger portions in advance can provide free lunches for work during the weekdays and can last over the weekend as well. You could prepare dishes such as spaghetti sauce, chili, soups, portions of pasta, etc., to have on hand when needed.

Eat Mindfully

A new phenomenon that has been gaining popularity over the last couple of years is meal prepping. Meal prepping is a method of planning your meals so that you are fully prepared with grocery lists, recipes, or ready-made containers. This allows you to spend less time thinking about what to cook each day, instead focusing on other activities such as work or leisure. You also save money by buying only enough food for a week at once, which can be stored in the freezer if necessary. With careful planning and execution, meal prepping can help you eat more mindfully while still saving time and money!

Become More Aware of Pain Medication

It's crucial to remember that many people experience moderate to severe pain. Many of these medications also come with unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, upset stomachs, or a tingling sensation. An over-the-counter option is an acetaminophen (Tylenol), which can help alleviate mild headaches or aches and pains from sore muscles. Be sure to talk with your doctor about all the potential risks before starting any treatment. The good news is there are other ways to manage pain! Try some easy tricks like using a heating pad on the affected area, drinking herbal tea such as chamomile or ginger root tea, having an Epsom salt bath, and getting regular exercise so your body has less time to get stiff or sore.

Staying Positive Is Critical

We're amid winter's chill. It can be hard to remember that it will get warmer again! How do you keep yourself positive through tough times? A favorite technique is to reminisce about how far you've come on your journey. For example, say out loud what things were like at the start of your day-to-day routine six months ago. Compare those moments with where you are now. Focus on what has gotten easier over time or which habits have been replaced by healthier ones. It might seem counterintuitive, but many people find this a useful way to stay encouraged and motivated during challenging seasons. Remembering our victories keeps us moving forward even when we feel discouraged.

Stay Active in Your Community

Too often when people have to stop working they're not able to spend as much time with friends or loved ones. And sometimes they feel isolated in their homes or their communities. The good news is that there are plenty of ways you can stay active in your community. Here are a few ideas. 

-Ask your friends if you can join them for a walk around the block on Wednesday mornings. This will allow you the chance to reconnect and enjoy an exercise routine.

-If you have kids, ask your neighbors if they want to meet up at the park every Saturday at 9 am. You'll be doing something great for yourself while keeping fit and making new friends! Plus, spending time with other parents will help ease any loneliness or isolation you might be feeling.