As we age, maintaining our health becomes more and more important, and blood pressure is one of the main issues that seniors should be concerned about. If left untreated, high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can cause major health problems for them.
Antihypertensive medications, or blood pressure medications, are essential for regulating blood pressure and avoiding any issues that might arise. However, some seniors might balk at taking their blood pressure medications for a variety of reasons. Additionally, some may simply forget.
Either way, it’s essential to help them understand why they need to be consistent with their blood pressure medicine, and home care providers can help.
Why Does Blood Pressure Matter?
High blood pressure raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and other health issues because it can strain the heart, arteries, and other organs over time. Unfortunately, seniors with high blood pressure might not have any symptoms, which is why hypertension is known as the “silent killer.”
With this in mind, it’s important to ensure seniors are consistent with their medical appointments, even if they feel fine. Home care providers and loved ones can make sure seniors keep and attend their appointments, whether they’re in person or through telehealth.
What Does Blood Pressure Medication Do?
Blood pressure medication’s main function is to widen the arteries, which reduces cardiac strain and enhances blood flow. By taking their medication consistently, seniors benefit from a lowered risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other life-threatening consequences.
How Does Home Care Help?
With so many medications and other changes seniors might be faced with, remembering to take their medications—or take them on time—might be challenging. Home care professionals can help seniors set reminders to take their medications and encourage them to use pill organizers to keep everything organized.
In addition, if seniors take their medications with another habit, such as brushing their teeth, it can be easier to remember. Also, home care can explore side effects with seniors and remind them to talk with their medical team if they have concerns.
The Significance of Healthcare Provider Participation
It takes a team to ensure seniors are as healthy as possible. That team includes loved ones, home care providers, physicians, nurses, and seniors themselves. Seniors should feel comfortable talking with any member of this team about their concerns.
In doing so, they get the answers they need and better understand how blood pressure medicine benefits them. Not only that, but medical professionals can create customized treatment plans, taking into account pre-existing diseases and other medications.
For seniors, controlling blood pressure through medicine is more than just keeping an eye on metrics; it’s about maintaining their independence, health, and standard of living. Seniors can greatly lower their risk of hypertension and live longer, healthier lives by understanding the value of blood pressure medicine, following doctor’s orders, and taking an active role in their healthcare.
It’s vital for home care providers and loved ones to support them in this to ensure they continue to enjoy good health.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in San Diego, CA, please contact the caring staff at A Passion for Care today. Call (858) 798-5005
A Passion for Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Bernardo, Encinitas, Oceanside, Rancho Santa Fe, Point Loma, and surrounding areas.
Sources:
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/hypertension-what-you-need-to-know-as-you-age
- https://greatergoodhealth.com/patients/managing-blood-pressure-what-seniors-need-to-know/
- https://www.homeinstead.com/location/347/news-and-media/why-monitoring-blood-pressure-matters-for-seniors/
Making the transition to a completely new industry brought the opportunity to learn and grow, which continues still today. Pat studied Gerontology in San Diego State University’s certificate program and became licensed as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), a Home Health Aide (HHA), and completed the California Certification Program for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCCFE) as a Certified Administrator. She presented workshops at Aging in America Conference four years in a row and served as Chair of the San Diego Regional Home Care Council 2019-2020 and was the education board member for several years. More recently, Pat became a Certified Senior Advisor and was a San Diego Business Journal “50 over 50 2022 Women of Influence Honoree”.
Pat and her husband Roland have lived outside San Diego in the San Pasqual Valley for over three decades. She has two children who are grown professionals and three grandchildren. Pat enjoys traveling to, and visits from, family and friends throughout the year. While at home in San Pasqual Valley, she and Roland enjoy peaceful views and exploring the surrounding valleys.
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