Learn Ways You Can Improve Your Heart

Home Care in Deerfield, IL – September 29th is World Heart Day

World heart day has been celebrated since it was founded in 2000 with a purpose of informing people all over the world that heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death worldwide. Each year on September 29th this world event takes place to promote the awareness of topics and issues relating to heart health.

The theme for 2014 is “Creating heart-healthy environments.” The purpose is to promote education about reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which are: unhealthy diet, tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol and physical inactivity. Organizations around the world will unite to raise awareness of CVD.

What you can do

  • Make the choice to become healthier
  • Participate in World Heart Day
  • Visit the website at world-heart-federation.org for more information
  • Make it a goal to have a healthy heart
  • Define what dietary changes you need to make to increase the health of your cardiovascular system and then do them
  • Define what changes in your physical activity level you need to do and then do it
  • Encourage your elderly loved one to make heart-healthy choices
  • Get your entire family involved in healthy eating and regular exercise

Heart-healthy habits for the senior adult

  • Know the symptoms of heart disease or an impending heart attack.
  • Reduce heart disease risks by lowering blood pressure levels
  • Lower high blood cholesterol levels
  • Keep diabetes under control
  • Take mediations prescribed to treat chest pain
  • Get plenty of exercise on a regular basis
  • Quit smoking
  • Minimize stress – learn some stress reducing strategies
  • Watch your weight – too many extra pounds steers you in an unhealthy direction
  • Get regular checkups to monitor the condition of your heart

All of these things that are healthy for your senior’s heart are healthy for yours too. Caregivers sometimes carry heavy burdens of responsibility and the stress can feel overwhelming. Don’t let this heavy feeling go on for too long before you do something about it. If you can’t get adequate help from family members then certainly consider turning to home care services to lighten your load. A trained and compassionate caregiver can come in to your parent’s home and help out with the caregiving responsibilities.

Did you know that a caregiver also gives much needed companionship to your senior loved one? Loneliness and isolation can often lead to depression, which is one of the leading causes of mental illness in the senior population. Every person needs human contact, someone to talk to and someone who will listen to them. Everyone needs human touch and someone to spend time with. Being able to reminisce about their life and experiences is a very healing and healthy activity for your elderly loved one.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring home care services near Deerfield IL, -contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our senior care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

Jamie Shapiro