National Public Health Week runs from April 3rd to the 9th. This year’s theme is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Public Health.” Each day focuses on a different public health topic. The goal is to raise awareness on health topics, like skilled nursing care, and help all people better understand how to take steps to improve their health or ask for help if it’s needed.
- April 3 – Community
- April 4 – Violence Prevention
- April 5 – Reproductive and Sexual Health
- April 6 – Mental Health
- April 7 – Rural Health
- April 8 – Accessibility
- April 9 – Food and Nutrition
Not all of those topics will apply to your aging mom, but some of them will and it’s important to have a conversation about things like mental health (anxiety and depression), rural health if she lives in the country, accessibility if she has a disability that makes it hard to get adequate care, and food and nutrition if she lacks certain nutrients.
Problems Your Mom Likely Faces With Aging
Here are two facts to keep in mind. First, 60% of adults in the U.S. have one chronic health condition. The most common chronic health conditions are arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, lung disease, Alzheimer’s, obesity, and stroke. Second, 40% of adults have two or more chronic health conditions.
It’s not unusual for your mom to have multiple health conditions. She may struggle with managing her symptoms or caring for herself after a hospitalization or surgery. It’s important that she is supported by her family and by skilled nursing care.
Start With Diet and Exercise
A large percentage of older adults do not get enough protein, B vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, or calcium. This impacts health in many ways. A diet that’s lacking in calcium can lead to thinning bones, which increases the risk of falling and fracturing a bone in the fall. Protein is important for muscle health, and the heart is a muscle so it’s important.
Your mom should work with a dietitian if she’s struggling to eat balanced meals. If she’s experiencing malnutrition, she may need to quickly improve her levels of minerals and vitamins through IV fluids or injections.
If your mom has a hard time with mobility, look into physical therapy services at her home. She can learn exercises and techniques that help her build strength and balance as she improves her stamina and endurance.
Skilled Nursing Care After a Surgery
When your mom’s chronic condition requires surgery, she shouldn’t go home until nursing support is arranged. She’ll need help with incision care, medication administration, and health checks. Skilled nurses can check and rebandage incisions and notify your mom’s surgeon if signs of infection are present.
If there are problems with a healing incision, the nurse is there to administer IV antibiotics to stop the infection quickly. Your mom won’t have to return to the hospital when she has skilled nursing care.
If you or someone you know needs Skilled Nursing Care in Granite Falls, MN, contact Adara Home Health. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve. Call us at (888) 660-5772 for more information.