If your child has type 1 diabetes, you’re not alone. An estimated 244,000 children and adolescents in the United States have been diagnosed with this disease. While there’s no cure for type 1 diabetes, proper treatment and a consistent management plan can help you, your child, and the entire family lead healthy lives.
What Is Type 1 Diabetes?
The first step in caring for a child with type 1 diabetes is learning as much as possible about the disease.
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong medical condition that occurs when your child’s body cannot make insulin (or can only make very little), an important hormone the body uses to regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels. Without enough insulin, the body’s cells are unable to use sugar for energy, and blood glucose levels rise.
Following the treatment plan your child’s pediatrician prescribes and implementing lifestyle changes at home can help keep your child’s diabetes under control, so they stay healthy.
How To Create a Diabetes Care Plan for Your Child
Learning that your child has type 1 diabetes can feel overwhelming, but having a clear plan of care helps. The goal of a diabetes care plan is to keep your child’s blood sugar levels within a healthy range. Your child’s pediatrician will work with you to develop a care plan that best meets their needs.
A diabetes care plan will most likely include:
Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels
Frequent blood sugar testing is a critical part of diabetes management. Most kids with type 1 diabetes need to test and record their blood sugar at least four times a day — usually before each meal and at bedtime.
Options for testing blood sugar include glucose meters and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). A CGM has a sensor that is inserted beneath the skin, allowing the device to measure your child’s blood sugar every few minutes throughout the day.
Administering Insulin
Kids with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin to make sure their body’s cells can use glucose for energy.
There are different ways to administer insulin. A common option is by injection using a syringe or insulin pen with a fine needle. Another method is an insulin pump, a small device that delivers insulin through a catheter. Your child’s pediatrician will help you understand which option is best for your child.
Eating Healthy Foods
Eating a balanced, nutritious diet is good for the entire family, but it’s especially important for kids with diabetes. A healthy diet includes a variety of whole foods and protein foods, including vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains.
Following the glycemic index (GI) diet is one-way people with diabetes maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The GI diet is an eating plan based on how quickly certain foods increase blood glucose levels. Consider working with a registered dietician if you’re unsure what foods are best for your child with type 1 diabetes.
Exercising Regularly
Exercise helps control blood sugar levels and helps insulin work better. While exercise is an important part of any diabetes care plan, exercise can also cause blood glucose levels to drop for several hours afterward. Low blood sugar levels may cause hypoglycemia — a potentially dangerous condition for people with diabetes.
You can help your child stay safe during exercise by checking their blood glucose levels before, during, and after exercise and making sure that they have a carbohydrate-based snack, like whole-grain crackers and cheese, beforehand. You may need to adjust their meal plan or insulin doses accordingly. Talk to your child’s pediatrician for more guidance on how to keep your child safe during and after exercise.
How To Get Help Caring for a Child with Diabetes
Following a diabetes care plan is a 24/7 commitment that requires significant lifestyle changes for you, your child, and the entire family. At JSP Home Care Services, our compassionate team provides customized and professional pediatric home health care services, including the planning and preparing of meals, for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Contact us today to learn what JSP Home Care Services can do for you.
Shingles is a viral infection that affects about one in three people in the United States at some point in their lives. Also known as herpes zoster, this common condition is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you’ve ever had chickenpox, the virus can reactivate many years later and lead to shingles.
Who Is Susceptible to Shingles?
Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. After you have chickenpox, the virus remains in your nerves in an inactive form. Shingles occurs when the virus reactivates.
Children can also develop shingles, but the risk of developing shingles increases as you get older; the disease is most common in adults over the age of 50.
Other factors that can increase the risk for shingles include having a compromised immune system from certain medical conditions, like cancer, and certain treatments, such as chemotherapy and immunosuppressants (medication required for an organ transplant).
What Are the Symptoms of Shingles?
A painful rash is usually the first symptom of shingles that people notice. A shingles rash can occur anywhere on the body, but it typically appears as a single band of blisters on one side of the face, chest, back, or abdomen.
Other signs and symptoms of shingles include:
Pain and a burning sensation of the skin
A red rash that appears a couple of days after the pain
Fluid-filled blisters that ooze and crust over
Sensitivity to touch
Itching
Some people also experience headaches, fever, fatigue, and sensitivity to light. The type and intensity of shingles symptoms vary from person to person. For example, some people experience pain without a rash.
Is Someone with Shingles Contagious?
People with shingles can pass the virus to someone who isn’t immune to chickenpox–meaning that they haven’t had chickenpox and have not received the chickenpox vaccine. If this happens, the person will get chickenpox, not shingles.
Shingles spreads through direct contact with the fluid from rash blisters. The risk of spreading the shingles virus is low if you keep the rash covered, avoid touching it, and wash your hands often.
How Do You Prevent Shingles?
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent shingles and the complications associated with the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two doses of the shingles vaccine, Shingrix, for all adults aged 50 and older and for younger adults with weakened immune systems. These recommendations are the same even if someone has previously had shingles, received a different shingles vaccine, or has been vaccinated against chickenpox.
How To Care for Someone with Shingles
If you suspect that you or someone you love has shingles, it’s important to get medical care right away. While there’s no cure for shingles, starting treatment early on can help prevent complications and speed up the recovery.
Various oral and topical medications can reduce shingles symptoms and relieve pain. Home remedies can be used in conjunction with medication, including:
Taking cool baths or showers
Applying cold, wet compresses
Using an over-the-counter anti-itch cream, like calamine lotion
Additionally, promoting relaxation and reducing stress can help someone with shingles stay comfortable.
Consider Getting Help with a Home Care Nurse
At JSP Home Care Services, we provide compassionate home health services to people with shingles, including transportation services and home nursing care. Contact us today to learn more.
Caring for an ill or disabled loved one at home can be rewarding, but it can also leave the caregiver feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and both physically and mentally exhausted. If you’re acting as a caregiver, know that it’s perfectly normal – and okay! – to feel this way. A caregiver is typically making a huge change to their lifestyle, daily routine, and level of responsibility. They may have had to leave a job, or give up activities they enjoy, in order to care for a sick child or parent. Caring for yourself will help to mitigate stress and negative feelings.
Why Caregivers Should Engage in Self-care
Don’t feel guilty prioritizing your own needs while caring for a loved one. Meeting your emotional and physical needs will help you avoid burnout, and will leave you better equipped to deal with the day-to-day challenges of caring for another person.
Self-care starts with being kind and compassionate toward yourself. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed or anxious, and it’s normal to miss what your life was like before you had these responsibilities. Having these feelings, or taking time for yourself, doesn’t make you a “bad parent” or a “bad child.” Recognize the important role you play, and how your hard work and dedication have improved their quality of life. You are deserving of self-care, and caring for yourself is essential in order for you to be able to continue to care for your loved one at home.
Self-care Ideas for Caregivers
There are many ways to engage in self-care as a home caregiver, and each person’s ideal self-care plan will look different. Here are some ideas that any carer can adopt:
Eat a balanced diet, and drink plenty of water. If the person you’re caring for requires a special diet, you don’t need to eat the same thing that they’re eating. Consider meal-prepping once or twice a week to avoid having to prepare multiple meals at every mealtime.
Stick to your exercise routine as much as possible. Home exercise equipment is a good option if you’re not able to leave the house frequently. If you didn’t exercise before, try taking up short walks a few times a week. Exercise will help keep your body healthy and your energy levels up, which is important when caring for someone else.
Make getting enough sleep a priority.
Accept offers of help from family and friends. If no one has extended an offer of help, consider asking! Many family members may see what a great job you’re doing and assume you don’t need help. (A home nursing agency is also an excellent way to get help at home.)
Don’t set yourself up for failure with overwhelming to-do lists. Only include items that you know you can complete in one day, and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t accomplish everything.
Try meditation or breathing exercises when you’re feeling particularly stressed.
Set aside brief periods in your day for fun activities that are just for you. This could include things like reading, listening to music or a podcast, doing a puzzle, painting your nails, calling a friend, or taking a break to do something fun and silly, like dancing or singing.
It’s Okay to Ask for Help: Home Nursing Agency in NYC
If you need extra help caring for a loved one at home, consider home care. JSP Home Care Services specializes in both adult and pediatric home care in NYC, and our services are often covered by health insurance. Contact us online or call (866) 860-2528 to learn more.
The Importance of a Daily Routine for People with Alzheimer’s Disease
If you’re caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, creating a daily routine can help them navigate their day and maintain a sense of control over their life, even as their memory or cognitive abilities decline. Routines may also help reduce undesired behavior patterns, such as aggression, restlessness, and agitation.
Let’s take a closer look at Alzheimer’s disease, and examine why a routine can be so beneficial when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia, which is a general term referring to the loss of cognitive function, including memory, judgment, and thinking abilities. Different types of dementia exist, but Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases.
Alzheimer’s disease is most common in people older than 65. When the disease is in its early stages, common symptoms include:
Poor memory
Poor judgment
Getting lost, even in familiar areas
Misplacing items
Needing more time than usual to perform daily tasks
Changes in personality, including increased aggression or anxiety
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, meaning that the patient’s symptoms will gradually worsen over time. Common symptoms during the later stages of Alzheimer’s include:
More profound memory loss
Difficulty speaking logically, or as the disease progresses into its later stages, an inability to communicate altogether
Trouble recognizing friends and family members
Trouble with language and writing
Delusions
Seizures
Reduced bowel or bladder control
How gradually Alzheimer’s progresses depends on a number of factors, but most patients will live for 4-8 years following their diagnosis. Though many do best in a care facility once the disease has reached an advanced state, it’s common for people with Alzheimer’s to receive care at home from either a loved one or a home care nurse.
How Does a Daily Routine Help People with Alzheimer’s Disease?
Because Alzheimer’s disease can make it difficult for someone to keep a firm grasp on time and to learn to do things in a new way, a solid routine helps reduce the possibility of them getting distracted, sidetracked, or struggling to perform a task. It also helps maintain a sense of order and predictability in their day.
Additionally, routines can help limit aggression and anger, which are common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. There are a number of reasons that a person with Alzheimer’s disease might feel agitated or lash out in anger, including pain, depression, lack of sleep, too much noise (or too many people) in their company, and even pressure to remember memories they’ve forgotten or perform tasks they can no longer do. Building a routine empowers them to keep control over their life. Including periods of quiet time can help limit their stress, and ensure that they’re able to get enough sleep and downtime.
Example Daily Routine for Alzheimer’s Disease
Before designing a routine for your loved one, think about things such as their likes and dislikes, whether they function better in the morning or afternoon, and how they used to structure their days before their diagnosis. It’s important that the routine you develop works for them as well as you.
A basic routine might include things like:
Waking up – bathing, getting dressed, brushing teeth
Preparing and eating breakfast
Doing dishes and other chores
Quiet time alone for activities like drinking coffee and reading the news
Preparing and eating lunch
Collecting and reading the mail
Afternoon social activities like playing cards (coordinate with neighbors and friends to set these events for specific times that don’t disrupt your loved one’s routine
iPad time – reading email and browsing social media
Preparing and eating dinner
Evening activities, such as watching TV together
Getting ready for bed – washing face, brushing teeth, changing into pajamas
Get Help at Home with Home Care Nursing in NYC
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and struggling to care for your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia at home, you’re not alone. Home care nursing is an excellent way to get your loved one the help they need in their own home, and it’s often covered by insurance. To learn more about home nursing in New York, contact JSP Home Care Services online or call us at (866) 860-2528.
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a child’s physical development and therefore impact movement, muscle control, coordination, and balance. While there is no cure for cerebral palsy, certain toys may help to promote motor functions, balance, and sensory processing in children with this condition.
Toys That Promote Motor Functions
Children with cerebral palsy often have challenges with developing gross and fine motor skills. However, encouraging kids to play with toys that require hand-eye coordination and fine muscle movements can help promote the development of motor functions. Examples of toys that may help to promote the development of motor functions include:
Kinetic Sand: Kinetic sand is squeezable sand that kids can mold into different structures and shapes. Not only does kinetic sand encourage fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, but it also allows kids to get creative.
MEGA Bloks®: Kids can practice their motor skills by stacking MEGA Bloks®, which are large building blocks similar to LEGO®. The size of MEGA Bloks® makes it easier for children with cerebral palsy to handle. MEGA Bloks® come in many different themes to appeal to any child’s interests.
Paint Sets: Whether painting with a brush or fingerpainting, paint sets help promote motor functions. Artwork, in general, is helpful for self-expression and creativity. Children can practice drawing shapes or have free range to create anything they want.
Toys That Improve Balance
Cerebral palsy can affect a child’s balance, making it difficult to move or even walk. Some examples of toys that allow kids to practice their balance and may help improve finding their center of balance include:
Portable Trampolines: Portable trampolines are small trampolines with a handrail that a child can bounce on to practice their balance. Plus, it’s a fun exercise for kids to promote muscle growth.
Spinning Activity Toys: Children can sit on a spinning activity toy and use the center wheel to spin themselves. These toys are great for building balance as well as spatial awareness.
Toys That Improve Sensory Processing
Sensory processing is how a person uses their senses to interact in the world. Children with cerebral palsy may have trouble processing information using one or more of their senses. Toys that may help improve sensory processing include:
Textured Blocks: Blocks with different textures can help improve a child’s touch stimulation. Playing with blocks also promotes fine motor skills.
Vibrating Stuffed Animals: Gentle vibrations can provide sensory stimulation and may even help relax a child with cerebral palsy. The child can control the vibrations by hugging or squeezing the animal.
Consider Enlisting the Help of a Home Nurse or Home Health Aide
As a parent, caring for a child with cerebral palsy can come with challenges. If you need help taking care of your child at home, JSP Home Care Services is here to help. We offer customized professional pediatric home health care services to children with disabilities and complex health conditions. Additionally, our team of certified home health aides helps with nonmedical activities, such as bathing, grooming, meal preparation, and companionship.
To learn more about how JSP Home Care Services can assist you and your family, contact us online or call us at 866.860.2528.
More than 16 million Americans live with some level of cognitive impairment, the signs of which tend to show by 65. While it’s common for mental sharpness to change as you get older, there are steps you can take to keep mentally sharp as you age.
Stimulate Your Brain
Brain stimulation improves your memory and ability to retain knowledge while reducing the risk of neurodegeneration conditions such as dementia. But stimulating the brain is not as simple as doing daily puzzles. To fully stimulate the brain, you have to challenge it by learning something new. You can try learning a new language or studying a new skill. The more challenging the activity, the more it’ll improve your cognitive ability.
Get Regular Exercise
Physical activity stimulates chemicals in the brain responsible for the health of brain cells. Regular exercise can also promote the growth of new brain cells. Experts suggest 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, five days a week, to stimulate healthy brain cells. You can try walking at a fast pace, swimming, or cycling. Physical activity can also lead to better sleep and reduce stress, two areas that can increase your risk of cognitive impairment. If you’re new to exercise, make sure to consult your doctor before starting a new workout regimen.
Eat Brain-Healthy Foods
A healthy diet with brain-healthy foods is essential for maintaining mental sharpness as you age. Many studies find that diets of leafy greens, berries, legumes, fish, whole grains, and nuts can slow the age-related cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Research also suggests limiting the amount of dairy and red meat consumption to build mental resilience.
Manage Your Blood Pressure
Older adults with high blood pressure may have an increased risk of rapid cognitive decline that can affect their memory, attention, verbal skills, and concentration. You can reduce your blood pressure by lowering your salt and alcohol intake and participating in regular physical exercise. If lifestyle changes are not managing your blood pressure, your doctor may suggest medication.
Manage Your Blood Glucose Levels
Some research shows that adults who develop diabetes in midlife have an increased risk of cognitive decline that can develop into dementia. If you have diabetes, managing your blood glucose levels can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment. Make sure you follow proper diabetic treatments as outlined by your doctor and monitor your blood sugar. Incorporating lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet of lean meats and fresh produce along with exercise, can also help manage your blood glucose levels.
Manage Your Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a substance naturally produced by the body that helps the body with many functions, like producing hormones. Research shows that low levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein, also referred to as “good” cholesterol) and higher levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein, also referred to as “bad” cholesterol) are associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and memory decline. Research also shows that eating a diet high in saturated fat (known to raise LDL cholesterol levels) is associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline.
You can lower your LDL cholesterol levels by limiting the amount of saturated fats you consume. You also want to try and eliminate trans fats, often found in prepacked foods like crackers and baked-good.
Home Care Aides Support Adults Who Wish to Age at Home
If you are an adult who is looking for support to age at home, consider hiring a home care aide. A home care aide helps adults age in place by assisting with meal planning, medication reminders, and even companionship. At JSP Home Care Services, we provide compassionate health aide services to aging adults. Contact us today to learn more.
The terms “medically fragile” and “medically complex” are similar terms used to describe a patient who has been diagnosed with a medical condition that interferes with daily living and who requires specialized care. While similar, the two words do have clear differences and should not be used interchangeably.
What Does It Mean to Be Considered a Medically Complex Patient?
The term “medically complex” refers to a child who has been diagnosed with multiple medical conditions that require ongoing specialized care. A medically complex child needs daily assistance to complete tasks. A medically complex diagnosis can include anything from a rare illness or cancer to physical trauma and learning disabilities.
What Does It Mean to Be Considered a Medically Fragile Patient?
Medically fragile, like medically complex, refers to a patient who has been diagnosed with a complex medical condition and requires specialized care. A medically fragile patient needs constant supervision, as they can not care for themselves, and often need assistance with daily activities, such as bathing or eating. Some medically fragile patients also rely on medical devices to help their bodies perform fundamental functions, such as breathing and eating.
Medically Complex and Medically Fragile Conditions
Medically complex and medically fragile conditions are considered lifelong and can affect a child’s ability to function. Treatment can help manage the child’s symptoms and, depending on the child’s abilities, a care team can help teach the patient techniques to cope with their challenges.
A few categories of medically complex and fragile conditions include:
Congenital disorders: Congenital disorders are structural or functional abnormalities present at birth. These disorders can include spina bifida, Down syndrome, or congenital heart disease.
Neurological disorders: A neurological disorder affects the brain and nerves. Examples of neurological disorders include epilepsy, autism, ADD (attention-deficit disorder), dyslexia, and cerebral palsy. A neurological condition can develop at birth or may be caused by infection, tumors, or trauma.
Functional impairment: Someone with a functional impairment faces challenges with physical demands, such as walking or sitting. A functional impairment can include various neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy. It can also refer to a loss of limb or anatomical deformity.
Developmental disabilities: Developmental disabilities affect a child’s physical, behavioral, learning, or language development. A developmental disability can also refer to a congenital or neurological disorder, such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, cerebral palsy, or any learning disability.
Developmental delays: When a child has a developmental delay, they will not be at the same developmental level in certain skills such as motor function, speech and language, and social skills as other children of the same age.
How Home Care Services Can Help
Both medically complex and medically fragile children need ongoing assistance and care. Caring for a medically complex or fragile child can be challenging as a parent. At JSP Home Care Services, we’re here to help. Our licensed nurses provide compassionate pediatric care services to children with disabilities and complex health conditions. Not only does home health care give children a better quality of life, but it also relieves some of the hardship put on parents and gives them the space to enjoy and play with their children. Contact us today to learn more.
Type 2 diabetes, a condition that occurs when the body is not able to use insulin properly, is a progressive condition that generally gets worse over time. As type 2 diabetes progresses, affected individuals are at an increased risk of developing new health complications, such as heart and kidney disease.
Understanding how diabetes changes with age as well as how to properly manage blood glucose levels is an important step in slowing the progression of type 2 diabetes and, hopefully, preventing the onset of further health complications.
Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
The body produces an important hormone, called insulin, in the pancreas that helps the body convert glucose (sugar) into energy. If you have type 2 diabetes, either your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or your body does not use insulin properly. People with type 2 diabetes may experience the following signs and symptoms:
Increased thirst and hunger
Frequent urination
Fatigue
Tingling in the feet and hands
People of all ages can develop type 2 diabetes. While the condition generally develops in people older than 45, young adults and teenagers are increasingly being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Certain lifestyle choices, such as poor diet, inactivity, and smoking, can increase a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Complications from Type 2 Diabetes
Too much glucose (blood sugar) in the bloodstream can damage the blood vessels and, over time, cause health complications. The risk of complications is generally higher in those who were diagnosed earlier in life and include:
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Heart disease
Hypoglycemia
Stroke
Kidney disease
Vision impairments
Nerve damage in the limbs
Managing Type 2 Diabetes
Managing type 2 diabetes is a necessary action to slow the progression of type 2 diabetes and therefore prevent the onset of further health complications. In addition to medication, integrating certain lifestyle changes into your daily routine can go a long way in managing type 2 diabetes.
Monitor your blood sugar multiple times a day. If you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, regularly monitor your blood sugar levels for unhealthy spikes. If you notice a change in your blood sugar levels, take action to get it under control and reduce your chances of developing an additional health concern.
Maintain a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet lowers the risk of obesity, an important risk factor for diabetes. To implement a well-rounded diet, consider incorporating lots of fresh produce and lean meats into your diet and avoid too much sugar, salt, and processed foods.
Move your body. Exercise is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy body weight and manage blood glucose levels. The CDC and other health organizations recommend doing 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise, or just roughly 22 minutes a day. Moderate exercise includes activities such as walking, biking, and swimming.
Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit. Smoking significantly increases your chances of developing diabetes. If you’re not sure how to stop smoking, or if you’re having trouble, talk to your doctor about nicotine replacement therapy and other options.
Visit your doctor regularly. Make sure you’re getting regular physical exams from your doctor, especially if you have prediabetes or risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. If you’re being treated for type 2 diabetes, regularly meet with your doctor to review and revise your treatment plan.
How JSP Home Care Services Can Help
Living with type 2 diabetes can make it challenging to care for yourself as you age. At JSP Home Care Services, we provide a variety of home care services to help aging adults manage chronic conditions at home. To learn more about home care services for patients with type 2 diabetes in New York City, contact us online or call 866.860.2528.
Muscular dystrophy is the name given to a group of rare, genetic (inherited) disorders that cause muscle weakness. Over time, a person’s muscles can be so severely affected that they may lose the ability to walk or carry out daily activities. Some types of muscular dystrophy can affect adults, but the most common types, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker muscular dystrophy, occur in children.
What Causes Muscular Dystrophy?
Muscular dystrophy is caused by a genetic mutation (an abnormal change of a specific gene) that is inherited by one or both parents. The mutation associated with muscular dystrophy prevents the affected gene from producing a protein that’s essential for the growth and overall health of the muscles. Without this protein, the muscles being to break down and weaken.
What Are the Symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy?
The most common signs of muscular dystrophy in children include:
Tripping and falling frequently
Muscle stiffness
Delayed growth
Walking on the toes
Gower’s sign (difficulty getting up or using the hands to get up from a sitting or squatting position)
Weakness of the arms and/or shoulders
Gait problems due to weakness in the hip and thigh muscles
How Does Muscular Dystrophy Affect a Child’s Development?
Children affected by muscular dystrophy tend to experience physical developmental delays; this can include delays in early developmental milestones, such as walking or jumping. In some cases, muscular dystrophy may affect brain development.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the hallmarks of the disease that children may experience are:
Delayed growth
Trouble walking
Trouble using their arms
Shortening of muscles or tendons, especially those located around the joints
Breathing issues
Scoliosis (curved spine)
Heart issues
Trouble swallowing
How Is Muscular Dystrophy Treated?
Currently, there is no cure for muscular dystrophy. The main goals of treatment for muscular dystrophy are to manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Muscular dystrophy is generally treated with:
Medication
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Nutritional counseling
Surgery to correct complications of muscular dystrophy, like scoliosis
Some children may depend on walking aids, such as a walker, braces, or a wheelchair. In severe cases, a child may need breathing support.
Each case of muscular dystrophy is unique and therefore treatment can vary from patient to patient. Treatment plans are determined by the child’s team of doctors based on the:
Age of onset of the disease
Severity of symptoms
Any other existing conditions
Because muscular dystrophy is a progressive disease, families of children who have been diagnosed with the condition are strongly encouraged to constantly monitor the child’s health and treatment options. Families should have regularly scheduled appointments with their child’s specialists and primary care physicians to closely monitor symptoms and to help identify any new symptoms.
At-Home Care for Children with Muscular Dystrophy
Because muscular dystrophy can affect a child’s ability to walk or even eat, taking care of a child with this condition can be highly taxing on caregivers. If you are caring for a child with muscular dystrophy, consider hiring a licensed in-home nurse.
At JSP Home Care services, our compassionate and licensed nurses can help you create a safe environment for your child and provide care that is tailored to the needs of your child, according to their muscular dystrophy care team. For more information on in-home nursing services for your child, contact us online or call us at 866.860.2528.
Being diagnosed with an age-related diagnosis, such as arthritis, diabetes, or even cancer, can be difficult to accept. One of the most important things that someone can do after being diagnosed with a life-changing condition is to learn how to manage the emotional toll that comes with this news and how to find the right support. Below, we outline ways that aging adults can cope with receiving a life-altering diagnosis.
Process Your Emotions and Focus on Your Emotional Health
It’s normal to feel a range of emotions, such as confusion, anger, and despair when receiving news of a life-changing diagnosis. Research shows that patients often undergo many different emotions when they first receive a life-changing diagnosis, including trauma, fear, grief, or even emotional detachment from the situation. Depression and anxiety are also common.
While it may not seem like it, feeling these emotions may indicate that you are allowing yourself to grieve, which is an important part of accepting your diagnosis. If you’re finding it difficult to process and accept your emotions related to the diagnosis, consider seeking help from a mental health professional who can help you identify your feelings and concerns as well as how to cope.
Learn More about Your Condition
The best way for you to manage your illness is to fully understand it and your treatment plan. You may be wondering, “How will this diagnosis affect my life?” or, “What impact could this diagnosis have on my future?” Start by asking your doctor any questions you may have and expressing your concerns. Your doctor and care team can help you understand how your diagnosis and treatment plan may affect your daily life.
Other resources that may help guide you include information from the websites of disease-specific organizations, the National Institutes of Health, and the CDC.
Join a Support Group, Specific to Your Diagnosis
It can feel lonely to receive a life-changing diagnosis, but you’re not alone. Research shows that, before the Covid-19 pandemic, 32 to 42% of people diagnosed with cancer felt lonely, compared to 53% during the pandemic.
An important part of any health journey is meeting people with the same health struggles with whom you can relate. Disease-specific support networks and groups provide a safe space for patients to seek help, share, and commiserate about their diagnosis and symptoms. Someone who has been through the initial stages of a diagnosis is a great resource for advice on how to manage the early stages of diagnosis.
Consider Enlisting Help at Home with Managing Your Treatment
In some cases, patients may need or prefer help managing their new diagnosis. At-home nursing services are a great way to get the help you need, even if it’s only for a few hours a day.
At JSP Home Care Services, we understand that a late-diagnosis life-changing condition can be challenging. That’s why we provide compassionate home health aide services to aging adults in New York City. To schedule a consultation with JSP Home Care Services, contact us online or call 866.860.2528.
