The body changes with age, and for many seniors, this means they need a dedicated focus on heart health for more than just their physical health. The cardiac muscle disorder known as cardiomyopathy can have a significant impact on one’s emotional and physical health. This blog post will examine the often-ignored relationship between cardiomyopathy and the mental health of seniors, focusing on the subtle effects this cardiac ailment may have on their emotional and psychological state. Understanding the connection can help the home care team better care for seniors in need.
Comprehending Cardiomyopathy
A class of illnesses known as cardiomyopathies damages the heart muscle, making it more difficult for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. Cardiomyopathy comes in three different forms: dilated, hypertrophic, and restricted, each with its own set of difficulties. Cardiomyopathy in seniors can cause symptoms like exhaustion, breathing difficulties, and leg swelling, to name a few.
The Physical Cost of Cardiomyopathy
The physical consequences of cardiomyopathy can have a major impact on seniors’ mental health issues. A general decline in quality of life may result from ongoing weariness and insufficient physical activity. Seniors may start to feel frustrated, helpless, and alone when they discover they are unable to participate in activities they once enjoyed. When this happens, the home care team needs to encourage them to step out of their comfort zone and find joy again.
Chronic Disease and Emotional Well-Being
Seniors who have a chronic ailment such as cardiomyopathy may have a rise in their mental health problems. Anxiety and despair might result from the burdensome nature of managing symptoms, and medications, and attending doctor appointments regularly. Further affecting mental health is the anxiety of unexpected cardiac episodes or the disease’s progression, which can lead to a persistent undercurrent of worry.
Social Exclusion and Being Alone
Cardiomyopathy-affected seniors may find that their physical limits or fear of aggravating their symptoms cause them to retreat from social interactions. Being alone and socially isolated are known risk factors for mental health issues, and seniors’ anxiety and hopelessness may worsen due to a lack of social interaction. To guarantee a comprehensive approach to patient care, it is imperative to address these emotional components of cardiomyopathy.
The Function of Support Systems and Home Care
Given the mental health difficulties linked to cardiomyopathy, family members, the home care team, and medical professionals must provide both emotional and physical assistance. Seniors who have a good support network can manage the psychological effects of their illness. For elderly individuals with cardiomyopathy, fostering open communication and offering tools for mental health support can have a big impact on their general well-being.
Cardiomyopathy affects seniors’ mental health in a significant way and is not just a physical condition. Loved ones and the home care team can raise seniors’ overall quality of life by recognizing and treating the emotional implications of having this cardiac illness. By adopting a holistic strategy that integrates medical attention, psychological assistance, and community involvement, seniors with cardiomyopathy can more effectively manage obstacles and enjoy satisfying lives. Increasing awareness of the relationship between seniors’ physical and mental health is essential to developing a comprehensive view of well-being among the aging population.
Sources: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6016051/
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services near Wilton CT, please call and talk to our friendly and dedicated staff. (203) 744-8380
Home Care Advantage provides quality Non-Medical Home Care for seniors and families in Danbury, Bethel, Easton, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Southbury, Weston, Westport, Wilton, and surrounding areas.
With over 25 years of healthcare experience working with seniors, our model and approach to non-medical home care services are straightforward, providing you with the compassionate care you deserve. Providing care from the heart is what we are all about; we proactively work with you and your family to develop a care plan designed to meet your specific need for assistance and budget.
In addition to having an extensive work background in healthcare, my recent educational experience allowed me to earn my Doctorate Degree in public healthcare. This achievement enhanced my knowledge of the ever-evolving healthcare delivery system and heightened my awareness that you cannot go it alone to get the best outcome. Additionally, I have seen how some of my family members struggled and were overwhelmed with ensuring that their parents were safe and their needs were met. They did not know who to trust or where to turn for reliable and affordable help. I have made it our mission to be part of the solution allowing seniors to remain independent and be treated with the respect they deserve.
We are committed to providing excellent care for our clients, just as we would care for members of our own families. Please be assured that I will use my knowledge and background to protect and be a trusted resource for seniors and their families.
You can be confident that our caregivers are carefully screened, dependable, and selectively chosen to meet the specific needs of our clients. They are experienced and highly trained to provide excellent quality care and follow a strict professional code of conduct and ethics.
Our caregivers are competitively paid directly by our agency; there is no additional charge to you. Home Care Advantage files Social Security/Medicare, Federal and State Withholding Tax, and Unemployment Insurance for our employees. Workers’ compensation insurance and a fidelity bond cover the caregivers and supervisory staff.
Our caregivers are here for you and will work hard to assist you with your specific needs in the comfort of your own home. It is said that “Home is where the heart is.” Let Home Care Advantage provide care that will enrich your life and help you maintain an independent lifestyle in the comfort of your own home, “where you want to be.” Call us now! We look forward to working with you and your family.
Dr. Beverly J. Ruekberg, DHP, MPH, MA, Ed.
President/Geriatric Care Manager
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