Where we’re kicking off the autumn months, we at Rainbow Home Care are proud to raise awareness for Know Your Numbers Week – running across 7 – 13th September.
For many in the UK, high blood pressure is a silent danger; due to the fact that, often, there are no obvious symptoms. Even so, over time, it can substantially increase the risk of serious – often life-threatening – health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
Of course, as we get older, it becomes more important than ever to keep an eye on our hearts and keep track of our blood pressure – even more so when someone is also living with other health conditions or taking medication/s.
Any family in the UK that is currently supporting an older relative should make sure that they are regularly checking their loved ones blood pressure as part of a wider picture of improving wellness at home. In addition to this, having access to professional home care in Hertfordshire can ensure that there is ongoing practical support and resources that can make managing health routines far easier.
Why Managing Health Gets Harder With Age
As get older, we’re bound to be at increasing risks of different medical conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, heart problems or other long-term conditions and, as a result, we may end up taking one or more kinds of medication to regulate blood pressure.
For anyone, managing medications can be a lot to remember:
- When to take them
- How to take them
- How much medication to take
- Whether to have them with food
- What you can / can’t have while on them
It can be frustrating.
Not to mention when there need to be changes in medication – which add a whole other layer of complexity to the situation. If a certain kind doesn’t work, or if a new medicine is introduced, or timing has to change for another. Whether it’s a loved one, or their family, that’s keeping track of medications and any changes, it can go from manageable to challenging very quickly.
This is where private home care can offer more than help with everyday tasks. Having a regular, professional routine in place can provide a greater level of reassurance and practical support for medications and overall wellbeing, while supporting your loved one in remaining comfortable and independent in their own home.
Understanding ‘Should’ vs ‘Does’
Most families know that routine health checks, monitoring and taking medication as prescribed is very important.
As unusual as it sounds, the real challenge stems from turning ‘I should’ into ‘I have’.
A missed tablet might seem like an unremarkable thing, and a forgotten blood pressure check may not feel urgent, but when these lapses happen frequently, it can take an otherwise innocuous, one-off mistake, and turn it into something far more serious.
External factors like memory changes, fatigue, mistaking one medication schedule for another, or simply having too many other things to think about can all contribute negatively. What’s worse is that these missteps can often go unnoticed.
A domiciliary care Hertfordshire service can help bridge that gap by providing consistent support in the person’s own home.
How a Care Visit Helps Keep Things on Track
Setting up regular care visits can really help keep things like this on track, while being purpose-built around the individual – not just adhering to some cookie-cutter checklist.
As part of our on-boarding for care for your loved one, our carers can readily provide friendly reminders for timings of taking medication, supporting with an already established routine, or report on anything that may seem out of the ordinary.
And that observation can be invaluable.
Whether its medication that has been left untouched, or your loved one is feeling more tired than usual, or struggling with committing to a previously loved hobby – a carer can easily record and communicate these concerns to yourselves and to other appropriate channels; helping families and healthcare professionals stay informed.
Of course, care workers cannot replace doctors, nurses or other allied healthcare professionals, and they should not be diagnosing or changing medications themselves. Ultimately, their role is to provide immediate, practical support; helping to identify any changes that may require familial attention or further medical escalation.
For families, knowing that someone is regularly visiting can provide an extra layer of reassurance.
When to Consider More Bespoke Support
There is no ‘one size fits all’ method for care; the right level revolves entirely around the person’s circumstances.
For someone who is generally independent, but needs some help with managing their medication, appointments and daily routines, home care through scheduled domiciliary visits can prove the best fit.
Regular visits can also provide companionship and practical help with other aspects of everyday life, making it easier for someone to continue living safely and confidently at home.
For those who have more complex needs – possibly because of one or more health conditions, significant issues with mobility, or a need for round-the-clock support – live in care may be more appropriate.
The most critical thing is not simply the amount of care, but whether the routine provides enough in terms of consistency of care for the individual to safely manage their medical issues and maintain as much independence as possible.
Know Your Numbers - And When a Little Support Can Go a Long Way
The best way to make the most of Know Your Numbers Week this year is to think, not only about your loved ones blood pressure and heart health, but also to think about their wider health routines.
If remembering medications, keeping appointments or maintaining regular health routines is becoming too difficult – you don’t have to handle it alone.
A trusted home care agency can help build a visit routine around the person’s needs, providing practical prompts and a familiar face while supporting independence at home.
Talk to Rainbow Home Care about a visit routine built around health monitoring and medication prompts. Contact us today, and find out more about how we can help you.
