Charleston senior experts Contrary to popular belief, many eye disorders affect women significantly more than they affect men. Interestingly, many of these disorders occur or worsen as women age. Fortunately, many of these problems can be mitigated and almost all can be cured. Since April is National Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, the senior care experts at Already HomeCare have compiled the top five eye problems aging women face and how to mitigate and cure them. 1. Dry Eye Syndrome As the name suggests, Dry Eye Syndrome is a problem rooted in the increasing dryness of the eye. In essence, the eye does not produce tears in quantities sufficient to keep the eyes moist. While it does occur in men, women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with it, particularly post menopausal women. This is due to the changes in estrogen and progesterone levels on the eye. Prevention is rather easy and involves: Protecting the eyes from direct contact with blowing air. Giving your eyes some rest by blinking for a few minutes every hour. A healthy diet Avoid smoking Use eye drops in case of severe dryness While there is not “cure,” women can acquire temporary or surgically permanent plugs in the corners of their eyes. These plugs work by significantly slowing tear drainage. 2. Glaucoma As one of the leading causes of blindness, Glaucoma is a problem that unfortunately affects millions of women every year. Moreover, glaucoma is a problem costing U.S taxpayers almost $2 billion a year. While both men and women are likely to experience open-angle glaucoma, women are more likely to be diagnosed with closed-angle glaucoma up to 400% more. As women age, dryness in the eyes, primarily due to hormonal changes, cause irritation and increase eye pressure. As a result, women may experience stinging pain in their eyes, blurry vision and, at times, nausea. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this problem. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the symptoms and reduce the chances of occurrence. The best thing to do is keep your eyes moist and get an eye exams at least once a year. This will help with the prognosis of Glaucoma. 3. Cataracts When women complain about cloudy vision, chances are that they are complaining about cataracts, a disorder that becomes common the more you age. This is due to protein clumping in the lens. In many continents, particularly African and Asia, 75% of all cataract patients were women. This is usually due to childcare responsibilities, poor diets and obesity. Preventive measures can be taken to reduce the risk and/or delay its onset that include, but is not limited to: Consuming a varied and healthy diet Wearing sunglasses Daily exercise While the contributing factors are know, the actually cause is not. As such, the only “cure” available to women is cataract surgery. During this surgery, the lens is removed and replaced with an implant, known as an intraocular lens. 4. Macular Degeneration Macular degeneration affects over 11 million people in just the U.S alone. Age-related macular degeneration is the most common type and is yet another eye disorder that affects mostly women, primarily due to their higher life expectancy. It is characterized Preventing age-related macular degeneration is virtually similar to preventing cataracts. Improving your diet, exercising regularly and protecting your eyes with sunglasses are the best preventive measures. While the exact cause of age-related macular degeneration may be unknown, treating it remains relatively the same. It involves keeping the eyes moist, taking zinc supplements and using powerful antioxidants. 5. Diabetic Retinopathy As the name suggests, this eye disorder is brought on by diabetes. The blood vessels in the eye can be damaged because of diabetes and can bleed as well. While it may be an issue that affects men, the chances of its occurrence during pregnancy are high, particularly for pregnant diabetic women. The rapidly changing glucose and blood pressure levels can weaken the retina and cause severe problems. In fact, it may even cause blindness. As women age, the chances increase. The easiest method of prevention is for women to keep their blood sugar and pressure levels in check. This involves quitting smoking, reducing fat consumption and daily exercise (light during pregnancy). Moreover, eye examinations every trimester is mandatory in order to protect a mother’s vision. Charleston caregivingWomen face a slew of different problems primarily due to hormonal fluctuations. As they age, these fluctuations become more pronounced and the changing levels become stable changes. While there are ways to solve or “cure” many of these eye disorders, preventive measures are the easiest way for women to avoid these problems altogether. Moreover, having regular eye exams completed will help women isolate problems earlier, making treatment easier. To learn more senior care tips from the experts at Already HomeCare, please call 843-631-4214. We are here to help you and your family live healthy and happy. ...read more

Going to the doctor's office can often be a hectic procedure that requires a significant amount of waiting and an in-and-out session with the doctor. While it is important for doctors to maximize their time and efficiency in order to help the most people in one day, it is equally important that senior citizens come prepared for their appointments. To help you get the most out of your doctor visits, the senior care experts at Already HomeCare have compiled six tips that will help you get the most out of your doctor appointments. Bring and Take Notes During the week leading up to the appointment, jot down any symptoms you have recently experienced. This list will make sure you do not accidentally forget any details about your health status during the appointment. Furthermore, make sure to write down any pressing questions you may have. Now you won't have to think of anything on the spot. Also important during any type of appointment is strategic note taking. If you do not have somebody else to write for you or you do not feel relaxed enough to write yourself, record the entire appointment. Smartphones loaded with voice recording applications, tape recorders, or electronic recorders would all do perfectly. Be sure to ask the doctor's permission before recording any appointment. Ask Questions About Any Treatment Plan Asking questions is going to be the only way you can learn about any particular treatment plan. Do not be afraid to ask questions, even if they are embarrassing. Remember that you are the most responsible person when it comes to your own health. Get A Personal Copy of Test Results Any time you have lab work done at the doctor's office, be sure to ask for a personal copy of the results. Not all doctors keep a complete profile of results ordered by other doctors. Keeping a complete personal medical profile is the only way to ensure any new doctor has the full picture. Bring these results with you to any appointment where the doctor may not have all the results. Do Some Research on the Doctor Before scheduling or attending the appointment, do some research on the doctor. Nobody wants a doctor that they don't feel comfortable with. Make sure to see if there are good online reviews for the doctor you are about to see. However, do not be scared if you see a bad review. Take everything with a grain of salt. On the other hand, sometimes it is good to see that other seniors have had positive interactions with the same doctor. Repeat Back to the Doctor Most doctors have a very special vocabulary for all of the different procedures and diseases they may diagnose any given day. Sometimes this vocabulary goes over the head of most patients. Therefore, repeating back to the doctor whatever he/she says can help make sure you actually understand what is being said. This method gives the doctor the opportunity to correct any miscommunication and can help reduce confusion. Show Up Early To Your Appointment This last tip should be a given. However, some people believe that the correct time to show up for their appointment is the time stamped on their reminder card. All patients should arrive about 15-20 minutes before the time they are scheduled for. New patients, or those seeing a particular doctor for the first time, may want to arrive even earlier for the extensive paperwork process. For more senior care tips to learn more about Already HomeCare, please call 843-631-4214. When it comes to Charleston senior care, we are your source for expert guidance and compassionate caregiving. ...read more

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, an estimated 12 million adults are currently diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and it is estimated that another 12 million may be living with the disease without even knowing it. It’s also worth noting that COPD usually strikes in middle-aged adults, with smoking as a primary risk factor. Consistent exposure to occupational dusts and chemicals also presents a high risk factor. One of the first warning signs of COPD is mild coughing with clear sputum, usually after waking in the morning. Other symptoms may also crop up with this progressive disease, including coughing that produces excessive mucus, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness. While there is no cure for COPD, Already HomeCare caregivers are in-home care experts that help those  who are afflicted with the management of this disease. 10 In-Home Care Tips to Manage Common COPD Symptoms Living with COPD can be a challenge, but there are some steps you can take at home to manage and ease symptoms, cutting the risk of complications and improving quality of life. 5 Steps to Improve Home Air Quality for Symptom Relief The most important step a person can take to reduce COPD symptoms is to stop smoking. 85-90% of COPD deaths are caused by smoking. Because people with COPD are very sensitive to indoor air pollution, it is important to purify the air at home. Ventilate the home by opening windows and running exhaust fans. However, when outdoor air quality is poor or dust levels are high, keep windows closed. Reduce exposure to household chemicals such as paints, varnishes and cleaning products and limit the use of fragrant sprays, air fresheners, scented candles and perfumes. Minimize dust mites by washing bed linens weekly, keeping floors clean and removing dust-collecting clutter from the home. Install an indoor air filtration system. Make sure it has a HEPA filter and beware of systems that generate ozone but claim to filter the air. 5 Steps to Improve Diet for Symptom Management For a person with COPD, breathing burns ten times more calories than it does for a person without COPD. Eating larger meals early in the day when energy is highest will help a person gain the most calories and nutrients possible for the day. Fatigue sometimes stops a person with COPD from eating before he/she gets the calories and nutrients needed. Eating the most nutritious foods first ensures a healthier diet, even if a meal is not entirely eaten. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help a person with COPD meet daily caloric needs and feel less full, making it easier to breath. Preparing meals sometimes uses up so much energy that a person with COPD then doesn’t have enough energy to eat the meal. Instead, have a family member, friend or agency like Already HomeCare help with grocery shopping and/or meal preparation. Sodium can cause water retention, which makes it harder to breathe, so it is best to avoid foods that have more than 300 milligrams of sodium per serving. No-salt spices including garlic, oregano, basil, curry, onion, parsley, rosemary and lemon juice are all good alternatives. To learn more about Already HomeCare or to schedule a free in-home consolation with one of our in-home care experts, please call us at 843-631-4214. We are here to help you or your loved one live a healthier and independent lifestyle. ...read more