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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Act F.A.S.T to Prevent Irreversible Damage from Stroke
(Overland Park, KS - May 13th, 2010) Hundreds of thousands of individuals across America will experience a stroke this year. Still, despite the fact that stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and the number one cause of adult disability, many remain uneducated as to its causes and methods for prevention. Even more alarming is the fact that many individuals fail to recognize a stroke when experiencing symptoms. American Companion Care understands the importance of Stroke Education. We encourage the general public to become more aware about stroke risk factors, methods for prevention and symptom recognition. American Companion Care knows that acting F.A.S.T is the key to reducing the side effects of a stroke.
May is Stroke Awareness Month. As part of a national public education movement American Companion Care encourages F.A.S.T thinking when you are unsure if a loved one has experienced a stroke.
Face- Ask the person to smile. Does one side of his face droop?
Arms- Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech- Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Can he repeat the sentence correctly? Are his words slurred?
**If any of these answers are YES then...
Time is of essence! Call 911 right away or get to a hospital as fast as possible!
Quick Facts about Stroke
Symptoms of a stroke include...
What is a stroke?
A stroke is the result of interrupted blood flow to an area of the brain and can cause brain damage. How a stroke patient is affected depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged. Some people recover completely from strokes, but more than 2/3 of survivors will have some type of disability. Abilities impacted usually include speech, movement, and memory.
How do you reduce your risk of a stroke?
According to the National Stroke Association (NSA), 80% of strokes are preventable through careful attention to these ten steps:
•· Check your blood pressure regularly.
•· Find out if you have atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat).
•· Stop smoking.
•· Drink alcohol in moderation.
•· Know your cholesterol numbers.
•· Control diabetes.
•· Exercise.
•· Eat a lower sodium, lower fat diet.
•· Find out if you have circulation problems.
Life after a stroke
There are ways to make life easier if your abilities are impacted due to stroke.
A stroke can be life-changing and life-altering, however, one can still have a great quality of life. A better name for stroke may be "brain attack." The affects of a stroke depend on the location of the brain attack. An important point to remember is that every stroke is different and thus, each stroke survivor must be treated individually based on their stroke outcome. While every stroke survivor has one thing in common -- obviously, they have suffered a stroke, they are still a unique person -- they have a name, a face, and a personality (and some personalities are more unique than others.)
A stroke may not only affect a person physically and cognitively , but also emotionally and financially as well. While the road to recovery depends on the individual, caregivers play a special and important role. There is so much information and knowledge about stroke now compared to the past Our hospitals are better equipped to deal with the acute care of stroke and start the individual on their road to recovery. Rehabilitation Centers continue that road and help the stroke survivor and bring them to the next level. However, that period after a rehab center, stroke survivors and their families find themselves asking the question: "What Now and What Next?" Fortunately, in Kansas City there is the American Stroke Foundation where stroke survivors can attend and continue on their recovery road. ASF is not a medical facility, but rather a Wellness Center for stroke survivors and their families. Stroke survivors can attend classes and activities to re-build their life. ASF is the only non-profit organization in the United States that is solely dedicated to working hands-on with stroke survivors to empower them to overcome the challenges from their stroke.
Need more information?
American Companion Care offers care for individuals who have suffered from a stroke as well as advice and guidance for friends and family who serve as caregivers. Despite a loss of certain abilities, those living with a stroke may still remain comfortable within their own home with the proper care and assistance.
We urge the public to become educated about strokes and offer ourselves as a helpful resource for all who wish to learn more about the disease.
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About American Companion Care
American Companion Care is proud of being recognized as Kansas City's most responsive in-home care agency and was founded in 2003. Our mission is to give the elderly the opportunity to stay as long as possible in their own homes with warm-hearted, caring companions. Further information can be found on http://www.americancompanioncare.com/.
Additional Resource:
National Stroke Association is the leading national non-profit organization devoting all of its efforts and resources to stroke. NSA provides the most up-to-date information on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and support for stroke survivors and their families. For more information on NSA contact 1-800-STROKES or visit www.stroke.org.
Overland Park, KANSAS, April 8th, 2010 - A diagnosis of cancer is probably pretty high up on most people's lists of fears, even with the knowledge that in today's society, there are sometimes effective treatments. The trouble is that oftentimes the focus of care lies in just treating the cancer rather than the person, and many questions go unanswered or unasked. Will staying at home be possible or are extended hospital stays the only option? What will the treatments be like? Is there a particular diet to follow? American Companion Care hopes to be a helpful resource for care in our community and a conduit to helping people get the answers they seek when faced with cancer.
Cancer affects the lives of many in our local community, and coping with the disease is never easy. There are the natural feelings of anxiety or fear regarding the disease, or guilt for having cancer and causing additional burdens on their loved ones. Some may even become angry at their own limitations while sick, and act resentful towards their caregiver or loved ones. "I always encourage someone with cancer to communicate his or her thoughts and feelings to the ones caring for him or her," said Sheril Herman, Vice President and co-owner of American Companion Care. "Keeping communication open will help a caregiver to understand what help is (or is not) desired as well as relieve some of the emotional pressures that may be building up."
It is equally important to keep an open line of communication with one's doctor. Doctor David W. Bouda, MD, FACP says, "Communication is important because it relieves stress on your part. The more you know, the more likely you are to be successful in treatment and have less side effects."
The process of chemotherapy and radiation treatment can be daunting and confusing, and it is normal to have a lot of questions. To help calm fears of the unknown, find out as much information as possible about the specific treatments and write down questions before an appointment. "Be sure that your information comes from a doctor or staff and not the internet. If you do get information from the internet, bring it so you can discuss it (with your doctor)," says Bouda. The following tips can assist cancer patients in talking to their doctors about chemo:
After a cancer diagnosis, the physician may emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy diet. By eating a healthy diet, a person will go into treatment with reserves to help keep up strength, prevent body tissue from breaking down, rebuild tissue, and maintain defenses against infection. Additionally, people who eat well are better able to cope with side effects and may even be able to handle higher doses of certain treatments. For example, it is known that some cancer treatments are actually much more effective if the person is well-nourished and getting enough calories and protein in his or her diet. Nutrition recommendations after a cancer diagnosis may encourage eating higher calorie foods that emphasize protein, or suggest eating less of certain high-fiber foods because they can aggravate treatment side effects such as diarrhea or a sore mouth.
When healthy, eating enough food to give the nutrients needed is not usually a problem, but during cancer treatment, a person may suffer from lack of appetite due to side effects and simply not feeling well. Under these circumstances, the person should simply try to eat anything that he or she can easily digest. On treatment days, learn the best time to eat and drink for one's body. Dr. David Bouda suggests that in preparation for your first treatment you "eat a non-fatty meal, hydrate, practice positive imagery of success and make sure your doctor provides good anti-sickness medicine." Some people feel better when they eat a little bit before treatment, while others do best when they have nothing to eat or drink beforehand. Additional tips that may help include:
When receiving treatment in the home for cancer, coping with the disease and the life changes it brings can be exhausting. Home care and home health care services may be a good resource to provide some relief. American Companion Care can work with family caregivers and their loved ones with cancer to develop strategies for coping with whatever emotional or practical challenges that arise. If the primary care is done by a patient's family or loved ones, there is risk of caregiver burnout. Arrangements should be made for a caregiver to come in regularly for respite services, so that the primary caregiver can have some time to refresh, even if it's only for a few hours a week.
For more information on helping cancer patients and their families, please contact American Companion Care.
About American Companion Care:
Activities and Communication Tips for a Better Quality of Life
OVERLAND PARK, March 1st, 2010 – Alzheimer’s Disease has been a hot topic in recent headlines, and for good reason. The progressive, degenerative neurological disease for which there is presently no cure affects an estimated 35 million people worldwide – a 10 percent increase over 2005. According to the 2009 World Alzheimer Report, the number of people with Alzheimer’s is projected to double every 20 years, to 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050. Worldwide, the estimated annual economic cost of dementia is $315 billion. Every 70 seconds, someone in the US develops Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. As the more than 77 million American baby boomers begin reaching the age of greater risk, this disease and its effects simply cannot be ignored.
Because many in our local community are affected in some way by Alzheimer’s or dementia, American Companion Care is helping raise awareness of the enormous impact of this increasing epidemic. The disease can take a physical, emotional and mental toll on patients, families and caregivers. As communication skills fade for a person with Alzheimer’s, caregivers often find it frustrating to support the person’s sense of self while trying to minimize skills that may be compromised due to the disease.
“With Alzheimer’s, a daily routine is essential,” said Natalie Schneider, President of American Companion Care. “Activities that are done regularly, even at the same time every day if possible, may help establish routine and increase the person's sense of stability. Following structured activity ideas that involve and interest the person w/ Alzheimer’s will help minimize the disturbing behaviors associated with the disease,” such as agitation, anger, frustration, depression, wandering or rummaging. Schneider offers the following structured activity ideas for helping Alzheimer’s patients experience a better quality of life:
Because Alzheimer’s gradually diminishes a person’s ability to communicate, it is important to help people with dementia express their thoughts and emotions, as well as help them understand others. Here are some tips to help in communication and understanding:
If you fear someone you love may be showing signs of dementia or early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, American Companion Care recommends a memory screening. Though a memory screening is not used to diagnose any particular illness and does not replace consultation with a qualified physician or other healthcare professional, it is a good first step towards diagnosis and treatment. For more information about memory screenings in the local community or dementia and depression in older adults, please contact American Companion Care for a free assessment by calling 913-390-6300 or visit us on the web at www.americancompanioncare.com.
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About American Companion Care: American Companion Care is proud of being recognized as Kansas City’s most responsive in-home care agency and was founded in 2003. Our mission is to give the elderly the opportunity to stay as long as possible in their own homes with warm-hearted, caring companions. Further information can be found on www.AmericanCompanionCare.com
Summary: When it comes to exercise, a little goes a long way toward maintaining independence for seniors.
Exercise at 80
A Little Goes a Long Way Towards Maintaining Independence
OLATHE, KS – January 6th, 2010 – A healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and fitness is highly emphasized in today's society, but when it comes to the frail elderly, exercise and fitness are not necessarily health topics that come readily to mind. However, the benefits of even moderate exercise for seniors are so great that it should not be overlooked. Recent studies suggest that senior citizens who exercise – even if they didn't exercise when younger – tend to live longer, healthier, happier lives. This is due in no small part to a renewed or strengthened ability to perform daily activities independently and better fight through illnesses.
While some physical weakness may be a part of the natural aging process, functional decline is often the result of a sedentary lifestyle. The National Institute on Aging released startling statistics after a physical health study performed on elderly aged 75 and older that demonstrated the desperate need to improve the fitness health of frail seniors. The study revealed that 40 percent of those studied could not walk two blocks; 32 percent could not climb 10 steps; 22 percent could not lift 10 pounds; and 7 percent could not walk across a small room.
"There are some common misconceptions about physical activity and seniors that need to be addressed," said Natalie Schneider, Owner of American Companion Care, "I've heard it all – frail adults are unable to exercise, or it's not wise or safe to start an exercise program, or that there are no benefits that the frail elderly can gain from fitness. While it is always important to consult a physician before starting a new exercise regiment, the truth is that debilitation can oftentimes be minimized with regular exercise."
Besides the obvious benefit of increasing muscular strength and endurance which deteriorate through inactivity, the Office of Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services note that fitness can effectively produce many physiological benefits, including improving circulation to reduce high blood pressure, improving joint flexibility and range of motion, and improving respiratory ability and efficiency.
Exercise can help to prevent falls and fractured hips in the elderly. This is especially significant because 50 percent of seniors who fracture a hip never walk independently again, and many die from complications. Exercise also can fight the effects of brittle bones from osteoporosis by strengthening bone mass. Additionally, resistance training can increase strength in the knees and ankles, which will also help to prevent falls.
Exercise encourages a healthy digestive system. Regular activity naturally increases a poor appetite, which is a common problem with inactive seniors. Healthier appetites lead to healthier eating habits. Healthier eating habits lead to alleviation of digestive and bowel function issues common among the elderly, which in turn helps with sleeping difficulties.
Susceptibility to illness greatly increases with age; thus, a particularly important benefit of exercise for the frail elderly is an increased ability to fight off illness. Stress can deplete a senior's natural ability to ward off sickness; however, exercise improves the autonomic nervous system's ability to tolerate stress. Exercise can also enhance the immune system with a significant increase in serum immunoglobulin.
In addition to its physiological benefits, there are also many psychological benefits of exercise for the elderly. Exercise helps the elderly maintain a sense of autonomy over their aging bodies. Instead of feeling like victims to the aging process, they can take control with a regular exercise program and make progressive steps towards improving their physical health. Exercise has also been shown to channel energies into healthy and productive activity, which helps to reduce anxiety and tension and fight depression, as well as alleviate frustration, loneliness and hopelessness. Furthermore, it produces an increased sense of independence, which helps to foster self-esteem.
There is also evidence that exercise produces an enhancement of cognitive abilities. Improving circulation increases the amount of oxygen brought to the brain, enhancing mental alertness. Studies have also shown that non-strenuous physical exercise can help the elderly improve memory retrieval and visual-motor performance.
To receive these numerous benefits of exercise for the frail elderly, it does not take a large time commitment. The initial frequency of an exercise routine can be as short as 6 minutes, repeated throughout the day. Documented benefits in frail elders have resulted from as little as 30 cumulative minutes of exercise a week! The real commitment comes with a mental pledge to "keep at it." Creating a routine for specific exercise times each day helps foster a longer-term commitment to the exercises.
Incorporating moderate activity and exercise into daily routine can be a challenge for some frail older adults, but there are many available resources to help with this important part of care. An exceptional home care agency provides caregivers who understand how to work gently with seniors to encourage activities that help regain strength. American Companion Care also offers resources to improve fitness and examples of simple exercises that improve strength and flexibility. For more information about encouraging exercise and activity for the elderly in our local community, please contact American Companion Care.
Document: Jan 2010 Press release - Exercise at 80.pdf
Web Site: http://americancompanioncare.com/documents/Jan 2010 Press release - Exercise at 80.pdf
Summary: Informative article by Natalie Schneider, CMC, about ways to avoid caregiver burnout.
CAREGIVERS NEED CARE TOO
Caregivers of a family member in need often get pulled into circumstances slowly. I have heard many times "One day I just realized I spent most of my time helping or thinking about what I needed to do for her. It all started by going to the grocery store for her and now I am with her almost everyday."
Caregivers don't even realize how much time they spend with the loved one in need of assistance. The opportunity to help one you love is an honor. To help you keep that proper perspective there are proactive steps you should take to protect yourself from burnout which can lead to a deterioration of one of the most precious relationships you've had in life.
Consider these ideas to avoid caregiver burnout:
You will need a support network to provide respite care for you. Family members, friends or a caregiver agency are all good choices. Find what works for your situation and remember caregivers need care too.
Natalie Schneider CGCM has worked with the elderly for over a decade as a registered nurse and as a geriatric care manager in the Kansas City metropolitan area. She owns and operates American Companion Care Kansas City's most responsive agency. For more information regarding elderly senior management you may contact her via email at natalie@americancompanioncare.com.
Document: CAREGIVERS NEED CARE TOO November 2009.doc
Summary: Why using a caregiver agency is the right choice.
DON'T DO IT YOURSELF:
WHY USING A CAREGIVER AGENCY IS THE RIGHT CHOICE TO MAKE
Many families of seniors try to manage care for their loved ones either by doing the job themselves or taking on the task of finding their own caregivers. I have been in this industry for many years and I can tell you from experience it may sound easy and worth the time spent and money saved but that has not been the case for most family members I have spoken with. There are many reasons why recruiting, hiring, training and managing caregivers is better left to the professionals. Taking on the role of caregiver management can become consuming and truly interfere with your daily life and peace of mind.
The first benefit of using a caregiver agency is that they will solve problems for you. Having a deep roster is invaluable. If the caregiver you are depending on can't make it to work when scheduled what will that do to your day, week, or longer? Agencies have a roster of caregivers and therefore can provide you with backup before you even know you need it. A good care agency doesn't have just one or two backup plans, they have many. The agency you work with should guarantee their services; if they won't keep looking for the right caregiver then that is not the right agency for you. Your agency should be able to fill your shift with an appropriate caregiver within an hour. This is what you are paying for; an open shift is their problem not yours.
Another benefit of letting an agency do the hard work is, the flexibility to change you schedule as needed. When working with an agency, it is easier to make schedule changes because one call is all it takes. If you need additional shifts, your agency is just a phone call away, and the scheduling department will get the hours staffed promptly. Along those same lines, if the needs of your situation changes to a different level of care one call does it all as the saying goes. Life changes often come quickly and sometimes without warning. Your time is valuable and like most of us, you probably have a lot on your plate already. Do you have the time to drop everything to find someone to come in and help your senior with a moments notice?
Agencies have valuable experience with evaluating and matching a client's needs and a caregiver's strengths. Clearly not every client situation is alike and not all caregivers have the same skills to offer. Agencies have the resources to choose from many caregivers who may be suitable for the position but often, family members in charge of finding the right caregiver may not have those resources at their disposal.
Safety is another benefit to working with an agency. No caregiver should enter your home until a thorough criminal background check is complete. Each caregiver should also be bonded and have liability insurance. This is the responsibility of the agency to guarantee the caregivers are thoroughly covered for your peace of mind. When hiring your own caregivers this is often overlooked and regarded as not important. This may be because of cost, or because the family member is already overwhelmed with the screening process recruiting a qualified caregiver, or maybe because the family member doesn't know where to start with a background check and proper licensing and bonding. A proper background check along with proper liability insurance is too important to overlook.
The most rewarding benefit of hiring an agency is to remove you from the "gopher" and "problem solver" positions. The agency should take on those roles and responsibilities. If you have the proper agency in place to run the errands and solve the problems the relationship you have with your senior will not have to change. The time you spend together will be relaxing and enjoyable not filled with to do lists and complaints of the day. That is reason enough to stay away from the Do It Yourself model if finding care for your senior is your responsibility.
It is true that working through an agency is more expensive. At first glance, it seems as if finding your own care isn't that hard and shouldn't be much of a problem. To a degree that is true. Finding a caregiver who works alone isn't hard. The difficult part is finding the qualified caregiver when you need the care along with maintaining a schedule that works for both of you. Through the years I have met family members who tried to manage care for their seniors without success. They were exhausted and at their wits end from trying to keep caregivers working for them. When my agency was hired I could see the frustration just melt away within the first day.
Document: Nov DDIY.doc
Summary: NE Johnson County Chamber of Commerce names American Companion Care the Small Business of the Year for 2009.
Document: Press Release - pdf NEJOCO SBOTY 09.pdf
Summary: Informative artricle about managing the risk of falling for seniors as well as helpful safety tips to minimize the risk of falling.
MONITOR THE RISK OF FALLS
11/20/2009 Natalie Schneider, RN, CMC
As babies develop you can notice significant changes from one day to another. It is not uncommon for a baby who is crawling one day to get up the following day and start walking. Conversely as seniors age the signs of decline are very subtle often they go unnoticed unless there is a significant event such as a stroke. If you notice your senior is exhibiting any of these signs or symptoms listed below, it may be time to consider taking action to avoid a serious injury caused by a fall.
If you notice any of these problems consult with a physician for direction in care. There are many resources available to help with decreasing your seniors fall risk. Take advantage of them and keep your senior healthy! Fall Prevention:
Natalie Schneider, RN CMC, president and founder of American Companion Care- Case Management, is a certified geriatric care manager who works in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Her passion is to keep seniors healthy and safe. Natalie strives to help the seniors she works with to maintain the highest quality of life as possible. To contact Natalie for permission to reproduce this article or to schedule an assessment, you may email her: Natalie@americancompanioncare.com or please call 913-390-6300.
Document: Fall prevention Article 97-03 doc.pdf
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