Tag: Hospice

Traveling Home for the Holidays

Posted on by ViaQuest
Traveling Home for the Holidays

The Reality of Traveling Home for the Holidays

This holiday season, ViaQuest is also encouraging adult children to use this opportunity to check on aging loved ones they may not have seen in a while to determine how they are really faring on their own.

As adult children return home for the holidays they may be surprised by the reality of their loved ones’ well-being. Often, adult children will return home for the holidays and realize their elderly parents are not doing as well as they have been led to believe. For children who live far away and are unable to visit often, this realization can be alarming. Your parents may have reassured you that all is going well, when in reality they are having issues. If so, it is unlikely their goal was to mislead you, but only to keep from burdening you. Another reason for misleading reassurances is that older parents often find it difficult to admit that they may be declining.

If you have not been home for a while, take advantage of going home for the holidays to perform a reality check on how your parents are really doing. It may be distressing to realize that your parents are more fragile, less mobile, and weaker than they have led you to believe.

Indications Your Loved Ones May Need an Extra Layer of Support

Here are some things to look for that can be good indicators that your loved ones may need extra support.

Check medications

Make sure elderly loved ones have been taking and refilling any prescriptions. Check to make sure prescriptions are in date and that refills are available. Take time to make sure your loved ones understand the instructions for their medications and are taking them as directed.

Ask about doctor appointments

A recent study published in JAMA showed that more than 40% of people surveyed skipped doctor appointments during the early months of the pandemic. Check in with your loved ones about doctor appointments. Did they miss appointments last year? Are they still missing them now? When is the last time they were seen by their physicians? Are they getting their routine wellness checks, as well as care needed for any chronic illness? It may be a good time to schedule follow-up appointments during your visit or even a short Telehealth appointment to check in with their physicians. This can help you ensure that your loved ones have been getting the care they need, and also give you an opportunity to connect with their providers.

Scrutinize your loved ones’ appearance

Are they well groomed and generally clean? Are their clothes clean and weather appropriate? Is hair washed, neat, and combed? Any evidence of personal neglect could be a warning sign of dementia or issues with their ability to care for themselves. Also, keep an eye out for any unexplained and noticeable bruising, as this could indicate balance and mobility problems.

Examine the overall state of the house and the yard

Any signs of neglect, including spoiled food, piled-up mail, rust or obvious mold, or even just a general impression of uncleanliness could mean that your parents have become unable to complete basic household tasks.

Pay attention to how your loved one is acting

Are there any signs of cognitive impairment? Some indicators of this could be consistent memory lapses, rapid mood swings, the inability to continue a conversation, or apparent depression. Any of these behavioral changes could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

Look for a change in habits

Do your parents seem less engaged or less playful with the grandkids? Are they sleeping more, or spending more time in a favorite chair? Did any favorite holiday traditions change? Do they seem less themselves? How are their appetites? Are they eating less? Are you noticing a marked weakness, or a loss of stamina or strength? Do they seem unstable or need support when they walk? Any of these can be signs of declining health.

Sometimes, a holiday reality check can be an alarming wake-up call, as you realize that your parents are not doing as well as they have claimed and may need some additional help. Ultimately though, it can be beneficial to realize this, so that you can get your elderly loved ones the proper care that they need.

This holiday season, we encourage you to perform a holiday reality check on your aging loved ones to ensure they are living safely and comfortably — and, if not, to determine a comprehensive and beneficial plan of action.

If you do decide that your loved ones need an extra layer of care, ViaQuest can bring an extra layer of care and support. Our care is focused on sustaining and maintaining your loved ones’ quality of life in their home — keeping them safe and comfortable. ViaQuest Hospice can help determine if such care is appropriate for your loved one. Call us today to learn more: 855.298.1722.

5 Ways to Get Extra Care for a Loved One with COPD

Posted on by ViaQuest
5 ways to get extra care for a loved one with COPD

If you are a caregiver for a loved one with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), you likely understand the toll this disease can take on one’s physical and mental health. COPD is a frightening, challenging, and stressful illness. As the disease progresses, the most frightening symptoms of COPD increase, leading to frequent hospitalizations. There may come a time when it is necessary to get extra care for a loved one with COPD. In this blog, we share 5 ways to get extra support for a loved one with COPD.

As winter approaches, the change in season and drops in temperature can cause COPD symptoms to worsen, and you may notice your loved one struggling even more than usual. You may realize that you need an extra layer of support as the stress of the illness increases and symptoms increase. As COPD worsens, your loved one may have repeated lung infections that lead to hospitalizations, have trouble walking and breathing, become dependent on oxygen, and rely on the help of family caregivers.

The first step in gaining an extra layer of support is understanding when it may be time to seek additional care.

When to Consider Hospice Care

If you are unsure when to seek an extra layer of support, consider some of these signs that it may be time.

  • Increased emergency room visits or hospitalizations for COPD complications
  • Shortness of breath to the point your loved feels like they can’t breathe
  • Increased fatigue, depression, anxiety, and stress
  • Need for continuous oxygen or increased use of bronchodilators
  • Any disease progression
  • Choosing to focus on comfort rather than cure of the disease
  • Patient or family feeling the need to call your doctor’s office with questions about medication and symptoms

5 Ways to Get Extra Care

If you believe your loved one’s disease is becoming more difficult to manage or that their quality of life is being more compromised, it may be time to accept additional support. Here are some tips to help move forward in getting the care your loved one needs and support for you as their caregiver.

Talk to your doctor. Share your concerns with your loved one’s physician. Give them a realistic view of how your loved one is doing, sharing any increasing symptoms, stresses, and burdens of the disease. Be honest with them about your own ability to cope as their caregiver and your ability to continue to meet your loved one’s growing needs. Be frank about your concerns. It is OK to ask your loved one’s physician to refer you to a care provider like ViaQuest for support. You are the one closest to your loved one and have the best knowledge of how they are really doing.

Prepare for tomorrow. There is currently no cure for this chronic and progressive disease. By understanding COPD, its progression, and what to expect, you can prepare for a time when it becomes necessary for extra support and a change in your loved one’s ability to care for themselves. Knowing what’s ahead allows you to also accept that you will have limitations as their caregiver and the need for expert care. Prepare a list of potential organizations that can provide the care needed when the time comes. Do your research now vs. when you are exhausted and in a panic state. Reach out to care providers like ViaQuest to understand what is involved in gaining their support. This way, you will have aligned the resources to be there when you need them.

Expect Support. Expecting support is OK. Let’s say that another way – expecting support is the best thing for you and your loved one. Admit it, caregiving is hard. Though many are more than willing to do anything for their loved one, caregiving is physically and emotionally exhausting. Let others help. When friends offer to help, let them. Taking even one thing off your To Do List can ease your stress. If you struggle answering friends when they ask, “How can I help?” look at the things you have to do daily, weekly, or monthly. Can they pick up some groceries, run an errand, drive the kids to their soccer game, pick up prescriptions, take the dog to the vet, or simply be there to when you need to vent? If you write a list of all your responsibilities, then you know how to answer their request to help. And realize, they really do want to help. It’s OK to let them, no one can do it all. You will be a more effective caregiver to your loved one by sharing the care.

Move Past the Guilt. You may feel guilty seeking caregiving support and that by doing so, you will be letting your loved one down or make them feel you don’t want the responsibility. But many of our patients have told us many times that they wished their family caregiver could just be their daughter, son, wife, or husband again. Caregiving can change your role with your loved one. When a disease like COPD progresses and caregiving becomes your main focus, it overshadows your relationship, who you used to be to them, who they used to be to you. If you can’t move past the guilt, you’ll never seek the help you both need. Realize that by returning to your role as daughter, son, wife, or husband, you are giving both of you a gift of recapturing the precious time that remains together.

Consider Hospice Care. You may not realize that hospice care can be a beneficial support system that greatly improves quality of life while reducing the stress and burden of serious illnesses like COPD. It’s never easy to come to terms with the advancing illness of a loved one, yet hospice is most effective when started early on. Considering hospice sooner ensures your loved one, and you as their caregiver, will gain the full benefit of the expert care and the extra layer of support hospice brings. Hospice care providers like ViaQuest are experts in serious illnesses, including COPD. ViaQuest brings a level of care that can control distressing symptoms, increase comfort, and help keep your loved one out of the hospital. Imagine a complete support system of physicians, nurses, counselors, and chaplains providing focused care to your loved one and support to your family while CNAs help with caregiving support like bathing, grooming, changing beds, and light meals. The other great benefit of hospice care is access to an RN 24/7. You have expert support for those frightening symptoms that seem to happen at 3 am. ViaQuest also provides all medical equipment and supplies related to the illness. You may think this incredible amount of support is expensive, but care is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurers.

If you have a loved one living with COPD, remember you don’t have to face this serious illness alone. Comfort, support, and an extra layer of caring are available. If you’re unsure about what level of care makes the most sense in regard to your loved one’s illness today, we can help. Give us a call at 855-289-1722 or reach out to us here, and we’ll help determine if our hospice services are right for you.

Learn More If Hospice Is Right For You

5 Tips to Live Better with Serious Illness

Posted on by ViaQuest

September is Healthy Aging Month, a month ViaQuest focuses on ensuring seniors have the support they need to live as fully as possible. The national dialogue around Healthy Aging Month focuses on encouraging seniors to take charge of their well-being by aging with a healthy body (physical health) and a healthy mind (mental health).

Taking charge of our well-being also includes focusing on ways to improve quality of life for seniors living with chronic or serious illness. Living with a serious illness can feel life-altering, overwhelming and sometimes hopeless. But taking positive steps to cope with the stress and life changes of illness can help improve quality of life and feel empowered.

Here are five tips on how to live better with illness:

Understand your Condition

They say knowledge is power. Understanding your illness allows you to prepare for managing symptoms and lifestyle changes. It also allows you to work toward acceptance of a new reality by redefining your goals. Gaining knowledge will help you feel more in control vs. overwhelmed by your disease.

  • Talk to your doctor. Ask for resources for additional information that they find reliable and helpful.
  • Research national organizations. Most chronic or serious illnesses have national organizations dedicated to improving quality of life. They can be a resource for education, insights, connection to others and support.
  • Consider joining a support group. Support groups offer connection with others going through similar medical problems. It can be a supportive place to gain tips on how to cope and insights from shared experiences.

Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude may sound like impossible advice. It’s difficult to consider anything positive connected to a serious illness. But it can be done. Often people with a life-limiting illness refocus on what really matters. They shift perspectives to live with renewed purpose centered on the most important things in their lives. To remain connected to what’s important try practicing a “three things of gratitude” daily mantra. One easy way to do this is to end or begin each day with saying out loud three things that make you grateful. Researchers have found that focusing on gratitude greatly improves mental health and empowers us to deal better with life’s struggles. Reminding yourself what’s still worthwhile and positive in your life can help you remain emotionally strong.

Remain Connected

Illness can make you feel isolated and less connected to family and friends. After all, they’re not going through what you are. How can they possibly understand? You may worry that your relationships will change. The negative voices in your head can get really loud: they will treat you differently; you will become a burden; they want you to remain positive; you can’t share your real emotions. Don’t let yourself retreat into a shell. Relationships are vital to quality of life. Staying connected to others and participating in social events will booster your mental health. Time with true friends and close family can boost happiness and reduce stress. Friends relieve stress, provide comfort and joy, and prevent loneliness and isolation. Especially during those times when we need them the most support.

Pursue Joy and Purpose

Illness can rob our sense of identity and purpose. Life becomes the disease. But it doesn’t have to. Life can still bring you joy and purpose. Life can triumph over illness. Pursue activities that bring meaning, value and purpose to your life. These are the things that will shape and define your identity separate from your illness. If your medical condition has limited your ability to pursue some of the activities you previously enjoyed, pivot, and adjust your sails toward a new direction.

Travel virtually. You might have traveled the world and miss flying to far destinations the across ocean. Exploring the world can happen from your living room. Travel documentaries, movies, travel destination shows, and novels set in far away places can help you satisfy that wanderlust.

Do the “I wish I had”. There’s always that one interest we wished we had pursued. Maybe you played guitar in high school but gave it up. Or you’re an avid reader and always wanted to write a novel. Or the easel and paint brushes are still in the attic. Pursuing a renewed interest can help give you a new purpose and renewed joy.

Create something to pass down. What are you known for – cooking, jokes, stories, crafts? Write down your recipes, write a joke book, commemorate your stories, teach a loved one your crafts. Create something your family will treasure.

Support a cause. When you support a cause that is important to you, you not only help them continue their vital mission, you improve your emotional wellbeing and regain a sense of purpose. You can find great value in what you do for others.

Connect with nature. Studies have shown that spending time in nature is an antidote for stress: It can lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve your mood. You don’t have to climb Yosemite’s El Capitan, it can be as simple as spending time in your yard, picnicking in a local park, walking your dog, gardening or going fishing.

Find Extra Support

There may come a time when you need more help than friends and family can provide. If you have a family caregiver like a spouse or adult child, you may want them to simply be your husband, wife, significant other or child again, not your caregiver. Help is available. Research community resources like Meals on Wheels, senior centers, Area Agency on Aging, Aging and Adult Services or Facebook Groups dedicated to your illness. ViaQuest Hospice can also provide an extra layer of support. Our care focuses on improving comfort, easing the stress and burden of illness and enhancing quality of life. ViaQuest offers real support: expert medical care from our nurses, CNAs and volunteers who share caregiving duties, chaplains who offer spiritual support

and social workers who align community resources. If you have questions about gaining extra support we can help determine care that best meets your needs. Reach out to us today for options and answers.

Reach Out to Us

ViaQuest is a Sponsor at the 1st Annual VetOHIOExpo

Posted on by ViaQuest

PICKERINGTON, OH—September 2, 2021—Regina Rembert, U.S. Army (Retired) is proud to announce that her Non-Profit–BuyVet.org is sponsoring the inaugural VetOHIOExpo being held on September 9, 2021, from 3pm-7pm, at The Wigwam Event Center, 10190 Blacklick-Eastern Rd NW, Pickerington, OH, 43147. The Expo is designed to showcase Veteran-Owned Businesses who want to reach a combined audience of Veterans and Civilians. The premise is to encourage business owners and individuals to ‘Think Veterans First’ as they make purchasing decisions regarding products/services for their family, home or business. There are a combination of 40+ Sponsors & Exhibitors who are either Veteran-Owned Businesses or companies who are passionate about serving Military Families.

Sponsorships & Exhibit Table opportunities are filled for 2021. 40+ Sponsors & Exhibitors are participating. They will be promoting their products and services on September 9th, 2021. This years’ Sponsors include BuyVet, Kemba Financial Credit Union, ViaQuest Hospice and The Columbus Radio Group (Qfm96).

The amazing Exhibitor list continues to grow with the inclusion of the following companies—Advanced Engineering Consultants, Assisted Living Locators of East Columbus, Beautiful Smiles & Sounds Photobooth, Dedicated Senior Medical Center, Design & Renew, LLC, First Merchants Bank, JDog Junk Removal & Hauling (Reynoldsburg), Renee Bobb Training, Reynoldsburg Youth Human Trafficking Coalition, USA Benefits Group, & Zeno’s Activewear.

Attendee Registration is OPEN via https://www.vetohioexpo.com/attendee-tickets/ General Admission is only $6.00 per person and tickets are available online ONLY. Due to capacity restrictions–there are NO TICKET SALES AT THE DOOR. The first 150 Individuals to ARRIVE will receive a FREE SWAG BAG to commemorate the inaugural event!

Ticket Information

Hospice for Alzheimer’s Patients

Posted on by ViaQuest

hospice alzheimers

When is it time to look into hospice care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s?

Different from other terminal diseases, Alzheimer’s disease is defined by uncertainty. It should be no surprise, then, that figuring out when and how to seek additional help for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is a difficult task.

Many people don’t realize that hospice is an option for the care and comfort of individuals with Alzheimer’s – and many more don’t realize it’s an option until their loved one’s disease progresses to late stages. Hospice care may be more closely associated with diseases such as cancer and heart or lung disease in our culture, but it’s appropriate for anyone with a terminal diagnosis. And make no mistake: Alzheimer’s is a terminal disease, even if it’s extremely tough for medical professionals to gauge how long a person who has it might live.

That raises a question, though: If a loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia, when is it time to look into hospice?

Reading the Signs & Symptoms

One of the measurement systems often used by hospice services is the Reisberg Functional Assessment Staging (FAST) scale, which tracks the progression of dementia through 16 items across seven stages. Among the symptoms that appear on the scale are:

  • Inability to walk, dress, bathe or use the bathroom without assistance
  • Incontinence
  • Difficulty speaking more than a few intelligible words

Associated Conditions

Hospice programs also keep track of patient comorbidities to determine eligibility. Some of the comorbidities most often associated with Alzheimer’s disease are:

  • Aspiration pneumonia
  • Pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Sepsis (blood poisoning, sometimes called septicemia)
  • Bedsores (sometimes referred to as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers)
  • Fever after use of antibiotics
  • Inability to maintain fluids or caloric intake to sustain life

Additional Difficulties Faced by Patients

Other possible signs of Alzheimer’s – or worsening of Alzheimer’s – include eating challenges. These may include:

  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Difficulty coughing up fluid from the lungs
  • Refusal to eat or drink, or forgetting to eat or drink
  • Malnutrition

Beyond that, it can be helpful to compare the person’s behavior to their behavior earlier in life. You may notice frequently elevated levels of stress and anxiety, difficulty sleeping or disruptive behavior. Possible indicators of worsening condition include falls, uncontrolled pain, psychosocial issues and hypotension.

Getting the Process Started

Hospice care is generally defined as comfort-focused treatment for terminally ill patients with less than six months to live. But life expectancy for patients with Alzheimer’s – as well as similar dementing conditions, including frontotemporal dementia, Lewy Body dementia and vascular dementia – is very difficult to pinpoint. Making Alzheimer’s hospice criteria even more complicated, the disease impairs the patient’s ability to express themself, so they may not be able to adequately communicate regarding pain, discomfort and needs.

With anything regarding Alzheimer’s, the earlier a matter can be addressed, the better. It’s unfortunately common for people to not intervene in a loved one’s cognitive decline until very late, but it’s never too early to start formulating a plan.

Hospice Consults

Scheduling a hospice consult – in conjunction, if possible, with their primary care doctor – can help provide a clearer idea of what care a loved one may need and when it might make sense to begin hospice services. Beyond that, it’s a good idea to talk about your loved one’s wishes while they can more easily express them, including which medical treatments they do and don’t want, and also fill out legal documents while they can better answer questions.

If your loved one uses Medicare, make sure any hospice program you’re exploring is Medicare-certified.

Why Choose Hospice Care for Alzheimer’s Disease?

There may be no known cure for Alzheimer’s, but hospice care can make the life of the patient decidedly more comfortably – in fact, Alzheimer’s patients who are in hospice care often live longer than patients who aren’t. A quality hospice program for Alzheimer’s will include medical care, end-of-life counseling, respite care for caregivers and grief support, among other things.

A person with Alzheimer’s disease is also likely to spend less time in the hospital while receiving hospice care – a definite positive, as frequent hospitalization can lead to delirium for Alzheimer’s patients. Dehydration, UTIs and aspiration pneumonia are more common in individuals with Alzheimer’s and are more likely to lead to hospitalization.

Hospitalization may be able to resolve individual issues, but the patient’s not going to get any better, and if those issues can be resolved at home or in a hospice care facility, so much the better. As an added benefit, hospice care makes it easier for family members to keep apprised of their loved one’s condition, and easier for medical professionals to spot and deal with infections.

Find Out More About Hospice Care

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease and are wondering if hospice care is a good option, reach out to us today at ViaQuest. Our expansive hospice program tailors care to each patient, including those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Take our hospice quiz or contact us today to learn more about eligibility.

Pollution Solutions

Posted on by ViaQuest

indoor air quality

10 Ways to Cut Down on Air Pollution in Your Home

One of the defining characteristics of COPD, CHF and similar conditions is the breathing difficulties they cause. People who suffer from these conditions have to put much more effort into breathing, which may result in shortness of breath, fatigue or a variety of other symptoms.

It certainly doesn’t help, then, when air quality problems at home exacerbate the issue. Indoor air pollution may be caused by any number of issues, some more obvious than others, and it’s approximately three times worse than outdoor air pollution. We took a look at the problems and came up with some of the best solutions for ensuring the air in your house doesn’t worsen your COPD.

 

Where There’s Smoke…

By this point, we all know about the damage cigarette smoke inflicts upon the lungs, so there’s probably no need to belabor that point. But this kind of smoke is more insidious than you might suspect. Obviously, if you want to maintain good indoor air quality, you shouldn’t smoke in the house – but even if you smoke outdoors, you can bring chemicals and particulates back in the house on your clothes as third-hand smoke. Then it can settle in carpeting or fabric, causing problems over time. And, yes, the same worries apply to vaping.

And although the mind naturally goes to cigarettes when the topic is harmful smoke, they’re not the only culprits. Building a fire in the fireplace also releases soot and smoke into the air. The same goes for cooking at high temperatures, so consider lower temperatures when possible.

 

Ventilate!

The first suggestion on this one is pretty easy: Bring in fresh air from the outside. Open windows and doors – one room at a time, if you’re worried about temperature – and use window and attic fans if possible. You can also use a window air conditioning unit with the vent control open, as well as portable and ceiling fans. This is especially important if you’re going to be engaging in high-pollutant activities such as painting or sanding (and can’t just do those things outdoors).

You can also take advantage of other built-in fans. Make judicious use of bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, particularly when it comes to gas stoves, and check to make sure they work properly. Make sure your dryer vents to the outside as well.

 

Keep Things Clean …

Chemicals and allergens can accumulate in dust over the course of decades, so keeping dust to a minimum is an important step in keeping the air in your home as clean as possible. Use a vacuum with rotating brushes and a HEPA filter to make sure you do a thorough job. Dust judiciously, and consider using microfiber dusting cloths rather than cotton. Be sure to check out difficult-to-reach areas. And if you don’t have carpet, mop regularly, too – but use water rather than strong soaps.

Some other cleanliness suggestions? Keep trash covered and contained, reducing unpleasant aromas. The same goes for food – it may not give off bad smells, but it can attract bugs if left out, and bug infestations often necessitate use of harsh chemicals.

 

… But Not Too Clean

A clean home may have better air quality than a dirty home, but how you clean is important. A lot of cleaning products are made with harsh chemicals, which can irritate the lungs, nose, mouth and skin. That includes soaps and cleansers you might use on floors, counters and bathroom surfaces. There are homemade solutions that may be much less irritating – water, lemon, vinegar, bicarbonate soda, etc. A combination of baking soda and sliced lemon can give you a clean kitchen scent without all the chemicals.

You should also pay attention to the way you clean your clothing, as scented laundry products – such as – can irritate. That includes detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets. Even lingering dry cleaning chemicals may have a negative effect.

 

The Facts About Fabric

It may not be a problem you can solve in a day, but carpet is a big offender when it comes to indoor air pollution. Dust, particulates and other noxious problems can accumulate in carpeting, making air quality worse over time. If you have carpet, and you’re given the opportunity to replace it with another flooring material, it’s probably worth taking!

A quicker solution is to keep those particulates from getting inside in the first place. If you don’t have a no-shoes-in-the-house rule, establish one – or at least put down a welcome mat so people can wipe their feet before they walk on anything else. Particles can also settle in bedding, so it’s recommended that you wash bedding weekly, using hot water.

 

Good Sense on Scents

The tools we use to cover up unpleasant odors can sometimes cause more trouble than the odors themselves. Scented candles, incense, air fresheners and perfumes may smell nice, but they also release particulates into the air. Instead of trying to cover up an aroma you don’t like, focus on getting rid of the source of that aroma.

 

Don’t Give Mold a Chance

Nobody needs to be told that mold in the home is bad for air quality (and everything else!). Mold thrives in moisture, so take steps to reduce humidity in the house – 30% to 50% humidity is generally recommended – through use of a dehumidifier or air conditioning unit. Be sure to regularly empty the drip pans in both, though. If you find any water leaks, get those taken care of right away, and be sure to check the roof and window frames after heavy rainfall. And, of course, mold has an easier time getting a foothold when it goes undetected – so clean up clutter, giving it fewer places to hide.

 

Get Your Dander Up (and Out)

Even if you’re not allergic to pet dander, it can still clog the air and make it more difficult to breathe. Bathing pets regularly significantly reduces the amount of dander they release into the air, so that should be part of your routine.

 

Air Purification

There are products on the market designed to clean and purify the air in your house. If you’re going to use an air purifier, you should make sure you use one with a HEPA filter – otherwise, it might create as many problems as it solves. Some air purifiers are far more effective than others, so do some homework before you pick one.

There’s a more natural option for purifying your air: houseplants. Some types of plants can reduce the levels of harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, in the home. Just be careful not to overwater them, though, as this will bring excess moisture.

 

Inspect the Uninspected

There are some air pollutants that you’re not likely to notice on your own. In these cases, it’s wise to retain the services of a professional. Have your HVAC systems checked regularly, and replace the filters regularly while you’re at it. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., so a radon inspection is probably also worth your time. Gas appliances should be checked annually by a gas engineer to ensure they’re working properly as well.

 

Get Help with the Harder Tasks

The unfortunate truth is that, for many people with COPD and CHF, a lot of this information isn’t new. The tricky part isn’t knowing what to do, it’s being able to do it. If you have COPD or CHF, you may qualify for ViaQuest Hospice, giving you access to hospital-level care in the comfort of your own home. Doctors, respiratory therapists, social workers, home health aides, volunteers and 24/7 on-call nurses are all part of the program, and are all available to ViaQuest Hospice patients – often at no cost, as we accept Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances.

Think ViaQuest Hospice might be a good choice for you or a loved one? Contact us to find out more, or take our quiz to find out whether you qualify!

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