February might be synonymous with Valentine’s Day, but it’s also fittingly the UK’s National Heart Month. This annual campaign raises awareness of health conditions related to cardiovascular disease and also helps promote simple lifestyle changes that can lower risks and improve heart health.
In this blog post, we highlight how moving into care can affect the heart and share some of the ways we help residents keep their hearts healthy, both during the transition and in the long term.
How can moving into care affect the heart?
Leaving the familiar surroundings of home to move into care can prompt feelings of anxiety, grief, and loss. Meanwhile, adjusting to a new environment and its sights, sounds, smells, and routines can be overwhelming and emotionally draining.
And if the move means less interaction with friends and family (at least in the beginning), it can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
All of the above can contribute to significant stress levels, raising blood pressure, increasing inflammation, disturbing sleep, and, ultimately, negatively impacting the heart.
The good news is that care home staff are trained to mitigate these circumstances and ease residents into care while protecting their well-being. Here’s how:
What can nursing home staff do to improve resident heart health?
In the short term, care home staff can help residents protect heart health by:
- Overseeing a gradual transition: Moving into a nursing home doesn’t have to happen overnight. To keep stress at arm’s length, the move can be handled step by step, starting with a visit to determine whether the facility is a good fit for everyone involved.
- Working up a personalised care plan: There is no one-size-fits-all approach to care. Every resident will have an individual plan that addresses their needs and considers any existing heart conditions.
- Maintaining open lines of communication: All concerns will be addressed with care staff openly to help identify potential issues and provide necessary support.
Once settled, staff can help residents continue to look after themselves and their hearts by encouraging the following measures:
- Eating a heart-healthy diet: Nutrition is vital to life in care. A Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fruits, beans, cereals, and cereal products can reduce the risk of developing problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and raised cholesterol — all risk factors for heart disease.
- Staying hydrated: Dehydration can lead to higher blood pressure. Staff will ensure residents have plenty to drink (and help them drink it, if necessary) throughout the day.
- Taking medication: Nursing staff will promote well-being by ensuring residents follow their medication regimens and take the correct dosage when required. This can also help keep any existing heart conditions in check.
- Enjoying regular exercise: Care home staff can encourage appropriate physical activity, such as walks, yoga, and swimming, to maintain cardiovascular health among residents.
- Maintaining social connections: Staff can liaise with family and friends and encourage regular visits to improve morale among residents. They can also facilitate social activities among the residents themselves. A good mood has been shown to improve heart health by lowering stress and promoting healthier lifestyle choices.
“An often overlooked part of heart health is to love and be loved. Surrounding ourselves with loved ones, good friends, children, grandchildren, and pets can boost our moods and keep stress at bay — vital for a healthy heart and mind.”
— Elizabeth Hancock, Managing Director, Fulford Nursing Home