How To Manage Multiple Chronic Health Conditions

Coping with a single chronic illness is difficult enough, but managing multiple chronic health conditions can be overwhelming and confusing. Multimorbidity (having two or more chronic illnesses) involves managing symptoms, relaying information between doctors, keeping medications straight, and dodging medication side effects, all of which can have a negative impact on a person’s mental health and quality of life. But it is possible to incorporate coping strategies, behaviors, and habits into your daily routines to make it easier. 

9 Tips for managing multiple chronic health conditions

Whether you’re managing your own health or that of a loved one, the following tips for how to manage multiple chronic health conditions can help support your health and wellbeing. 

#1. Learn as much as you can about your conditions

The more you know about your conditions, the better equipped you’ll be to ask the detailed questions of your healthcare provider that will get you the information you need to manage your particular needs. 

#2. Determine your priorities for healthcare outcomes

It’s important to have an idea of what you want to get out of your overall care. Do you want to decrease your shortness of breath? Live independently? Maximize your energy and stamina? If you have a personal goal or outcome you want to see for your treatment, your healthcare providers can decide on an approach that helps get you there. 

#3. Discuss risks and benefits of each treatment

It’s important to understand clearly the risks and benefits of each treatment so you can make informed decisions. It may not always be in your best interest to choose the most aggressive option.  For example, if a certain diabetes medication increases your risk of falling, it could interfere with your ability to walk your grandchildren to school. Knowing the pros and cons of each treatment can help you maximize your comfort and quality of life. 

#4. Clarify everything 

During your appointments with your healthcare providers, ask every question you have and take notes so you can walk out with a clear understanding of your treatment plan and the steps you need to take to manage your health. 

#5. Take advantage of non-medication treatments when available

Medication side effects and drug interactions can exacerbate or add new health problems. Take advantage of any non-pharmacological treatment for one of your health conditions. These may include physical therapy, exercise, acupuncture, or other treatment. Just be sure to discuss any treatments with your healthcare team.  

#6. Keep a health diary 

Having a written record of your symptoms, side effects, progress, questions, and other health-related information will help give you and your doctors a clear idea of how your treatment is progressing.  You can use a notebook, a computer, or an app to keep these records. Just be sure to bring it to your appointments. 

#7. Communicate with healthcare providers

If you have questions about your health, or if you’re experiencing new symptoms, you don’t have to wait for your appointment to ask them.  Call or message your providers. They’re there to help. 

#8. Pay attention to your mental health 

Managing multiple chronic health conditions can put you at risk for developing depression.  It’s important to pay attention to your mental health and practice stress-relieving activities.  A counselor or therapist can also be a great resource for helping you manage your mental health and get the most out of life. 

#9. Try short-term rehab

If you’re having trouble managing your multiple health conditions, physical and occupational therapy in short-term rehabilitation may be just what you need.  At Bella Vista Health Center, our physical therapists can help with symptom management, and our occupational therapists can help provide you with the skills and resources necessary to incorporate health management tasks into your existing habits so they become a part of your daily routine. 

Skilled Nursing Facility in San Diego

If you or a loved one is looking for a long-term care facility that offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and a wide range of rehabilitative programs and amenities, Bella Vista Health Center can help. Our 5-Star Skilled Nursing Facility in San Diego provides the highest quality patient care as well as essential services, social opportunities, and round-the-clock care from a compassionate staff committed to providing a nurturing environment for all residents. For more information or to schedule a tour, call us at (619) 644-1000.

5 Stroke Warning Signs and Symptoms

According to the American Heart Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in America.  While that is a sobering statistic, you may find this one more hopeful: 6.6 million people who have had strokes are alive today. Not all strokes are fatal, and the more familiar you and your family are with the stroke warning signs and symptoms, the better chance your chance of getting the lifesaving help you need. 

What is a stroke? 

A stroke is the blockage or bursting of a blood vessel that feeds into the brain. The interrupted flow of nutrients affects both the brain tissue and the part of the body that the affected brain tissue controls. A TIA (transient ischemic attack) happens when a blood clot briefly clogs an artery, causing stroke-like symptoms that last for a few minutes and then go away.  It’s just as crucial to seek medical attention following a TIA because it can sometimes foretell a major stroke to come.  

Read on for more information about the following 5 warning signs and symptoms of a stroke. 

5 warning signs and symptoms of a stroke

A stroke comes on quickly and with no warning. If you or a loved one experiences these 5 warning signs and symptoms of a stroke, it’s important to get help right away to minimize the damage. The faster you seek help, the less likely you are to suffer long-term damage, and the higher the chances of recovery. 

1. Sudden numbness or weakness – often on one side of the body, affecting the face, arm, or leg

2. Sudden confusion – difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences

3. Sudden vision changes – including blurriness or trouble seeing in one or both eyes

4. Sudden loss of balance – difficulty walking, dizziness, and loss of coordination

5. Sudden abrupt headache – often throbbing, severe, and unlike other headaches experienced in the past.

The FAST test

If you think you or someone you love is having a stroke, the acronym FAST can help you remember what to look for and what to do. 

F for face droopiness. 
Ask the person to smile. Look for droopiness on one side of the face. 

A for arm weakness. 
Ask the person to raise their arms. Check to see if one arm drifts downward or appears otherwise weak. 

S for speech difficulties. 
Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Listen for slurred words or unclear sentence structure. 

T for Time to call 911. 
If you notice any of the stroke warning signs above, it’s vital to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. 

Post stroke recovery at Bella Vista

At Bella Vista Health Center, we’re not only trained to keep an eye out for the warning signs of stroke in our residents, but we’re also equipped to aid in the recovery process for anyone who has suffered a stroke. Our skilled nursing facility provides a comfortable and nurturing environment, and every patient receives a personalized treatment plan created by a team of medical professionals dedicated to their care and recovery. Our occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapists often play an important role in helping patients regain independence and quality of life following a stroke. 

If you or someone you love has suffered a stroke and you’re looking for stroke rehabilitation in San Diego, please call (619) 667-6125 to schedule a tour of our 5-star facility today. 

Top Qualities of a Great Health Center

Searching for a quality health care center or nursing home probably feels like a daunting task before you’ve even gotten started.  We understand. This is, after all, about your health or the health of your loved one—and what could be more important? 

All nursing facilities are unique in their own ways, of course, but there are some top qualities that all the best health care centers share. Here’s what to look for when starting your search for an assisted living facility that will be a temporary or permanent new home:

Respect for residents

When you tour a prospective nursing facility, take plenty of time to observe interactions between residents and staff. Residents should always be treated with respect, regardless of their physical or mental condition. Staff members should be friendly and supportive while providing care, and respect residents’ privacy by knocking on doors before entering and clearly communicating before all procedures. Even if you don’t get a chance to glimpse caretaking in progress, note the staff’s general attitude. Are they happy? If not, that should be a red flag. Unhappy caretakers won’t be able to provide residents with the “happy home” atmosphere they deserve. 

Respect for choices

Residents should be able to make their own choices, such as when they can sleep (no set bedtimes or wake-up times) or what they can wear. Even meal location should be a choice, as some residents might enjoy eating in a large cafeteria setting, while others might prefer to eat alone in their room. Group and individual activities should be options, not mandatory, and socialization should never be forced.

Comfortable surroundings and amenities

In addition to enjoying pleasant, well-kept décor in the common areas of the facility, residents should be able to give their rooms a taste of home with knick-knacks, artwork, framed photos, quilts, and small furnishings. Another way quality nursing homes help residents feel comfortable in their new living situation is by providing extra amenities like salon services and computer stations with Internet access.

Flexible and extended visiting hours

While rigid visiting hours are common in hospital settings, quality nursing facilities should have flexible visiting hours to accommodate the varying schedules of loved ones. Transparency is also important. A truly top-notch facility should have a “drop in anytime” policy. 

Well-balanced, tasty meals

The best way to determine the quality of food at a prospective nursing home is to sample one of their meals. But taste isn’t everything—nursing home staff should also monitor the nutritional intake of each resident and notify family or doctors if there is any difficulty eating or a drop in appetite. The best health care centers also offer special meals to accommodate residents’ health problems (allergies and medical conditions), diet preferences (vegetarian or vegan), and religious needs.

Plentiful and meaningful activities

Going far beyond Bingo night, great nursing homes offer a variety of social, physical, creative, and educational activities that will appeal to all residents. Planned group activities for outside events should also be offered, along with interaction with community groups that bring pets to the facility, perform music, or offer specialized activities, such as yoga and meditation. Another way to involve residents is to provide them with opportunities to contribute to the community, such as reading to other residents or helping to deliver the mail.

5-Star care in a 5-Star facility

At Bella Vista Health Center, we create a comfortable and nurturing atmosphere focused on empowering every patient who walks through the door of our 5-Star facility. In addition to the highest standard of care, we provide nutritious meals, activities to raise spirits, salon services, free concierge services, 24/7 visiting hours, and much more. If you or a loved one is considering residency or needs temporary care to recover from injury or illness, call us at 619-644-1000 or fill out our Contact Form to set up a tour of our beautifully remodeled Lemon Grove facility.
 

Animal Therapy in San Diego

Animal Therapy in San Diego

If you had a pet growing up or have spent any amount of time around animals, you know how much having a furry friend can improve your quality of life. Coming home to a wagging tail or an affectionate purr is often enough to melt the day’s stress away in an instant. Some call it unconditional love, but owning a pet goes beyond the mushy, gushy stuff to provide you with a number of surprising health benefits. 

Health benefits of interacting with pets

For nearly 25 years, research has shown that interacting with animals on a regular basis has a positive impact on humans’ emotional and physical health. But the benefits don’t stop there. New studies show that having a pet promotes social interaction, too. Here’s a closer look: 

Emotional benefits
Like any enjoyable activity, snuggling or playing with a pet causes a rush of serotonin and dopamine – the “feel good” neurotransmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming effects. It also causes oxytocin (the “cuddle chemical”) to surge through your body, which is linked to emotional bonding. 

Physical benefits
The benefits of interacting with pets extend far beyond the emotional realm. Pets can actually lower your heart rate and drop your blood pressure, which is good for your cardiovascular health. Having a pet can also keep you physically fit. After all, talking a walk is much more fun with a furry companion trotting along next to you. 

Social benefits
Anyone who has a pet will tell you that dogs can be social magnets. Having a pet by your side is a natural conversation starter, which may help you ease out of shyness or social isolation. Plus, research has shown that people who care for pets are more likely to be involved in their communities.

Animal therapy in San Diego

You don’t have to own a cat or dog to reap the emotional, physical, and social benefits of interacting with pets. Listed below are a few of the wonderful animal therapy programs in San Diego designed to provide comfort and companionship to those in nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, or anyone who could benefit from the affection of a furry friend.

San Diego Humane Society
In the San Diego Humane Society’s Pet-Assisted Therapy program, volunteers bring animals to those living in nursing homes, mental health centers, and other facilities. And, as part of the P-AT program, the Welcome Waggin’ provides the love and companionship of a dog to people in their own homes throughout San Diego County. 

Paws 4 Healing
Paws 4 Healing is a non-profit organization that provides animal therapy services to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, children’s centers, and abused women’s shelters. In addition to scheduled facility visits, Paws 4 Healing also goes to expos, conferences, fairs, and parades to spread the word about animal therapy.

Love on a Leash
At Love on a Leash, therapy animals and their owners visit residents in assisted living homes, hospitals, and hospice care facilities with a goal of bringing a smile to someone’s face and making their day a little brighter. As a new service, volunteers now travel to college campuses to provide stress relief to students during finals.

We welcome your pet!

As a resident of Bella Vista Health Center, your pet is always welcome to visit upon approval. To schedule a one-time stay or repeating cuddle sessions with your furry friend, talk to our staff. Don’t have a pet? Not to worry. The San Diego Humane Society and Love on a Leash regularly visit our facility to provide all patients with the healing benefits of time spent with companion animals.

Give us a call to schedule a private tour of Bella Vista Health Center today. 

Outdoor Activities that are Good for Your Health

Outdoor Activities that are Good for Your Health

It’s no secret that being outdoors in the fresh air is good for your health and overall well-being. Outdoor activities also serve as a great and healthy resource to escape from the day-to-day stresses that consume many individual’s thoughts. 

Many activities that occur outside can require a lot of physical activity that we may no longer be able to achieve as we recover and/or age. Even though hobbies such as surfing or mountain biking may be out of the picture for some of us, there are still plenty of other activities that are a great way for individuals to take advantage of nature and the outdoors. 

Go for a walk

Going for a walk at some point in the day is a great way to get some outdoor exercise. Whether it’s an early morning sunrise walk, a relaxing mid-afternoon stroll, or nice walk through the neighborhood in the evening, it will be very beneficial to your health. Try going for a walk with a friend or two to not only improve your health, but to boost your social life as well. 

Pick up gardening

Gardening is such a rewarding way to spend time in the outdoors. This is especially true if you want to find an activity where you can spend a great amount of your day outside soaking up some Vitamin D. But don’t forget to wear your sunscreen! There is nothing more rewarding than seeing your hard work and devotion blossom into something beautiful and/or delicious. 

Go fish

Fishing is one of the best outside activities for people with physical limitations. Not only do you get to spend time outdoors, but you also get to be near the water. Many people like to use this activity as a way to bond with younger generations in their family and share stories with their children and grandchildren. Not only is the hobby enjoyable, but you may also leave with a delicious meal afterwards.

Organize a picnic

You have to eat right? Why not do it outdoors? Invite some of your friends or family to a local park for a tasty lunch in the sun. Get everyone involved by assigning different courses to different individuals. Changing up the scenery from your usual lunch spot will be an exciting way to get together with the people you care about. 

Paint a picture

Painting is a great way for people to relax and enjoy their surroundings while spending some time outdoors. Like walking, painting can also be used as a therapeutic method for dealing with the stresses that come into our lives. Find a peaceful place to set up your easel and enjoy the many benefits of both painting and the outdoors. 

Spend some time outdoors with us

Here at Bella Vista Health Center, we understand the importance of spending time in the beautiful outdoors. That’s why we provide numerous opportunities each and every day for our guests to enjoy the San Diego air. Along with our multiple organized activities every day, our guest’s are free to enjoy their day soaking up the sun in our recently remodeled courtyard as well. 

Want more information about our 5-star skilled nursing facility? Call us today at (619) 644-1000. 

7 Items to Bring with You to a Nursing Facility

7 Items to Bring with You to a Nursing Facility

Moving into a nursing facility is a major life change. If you stop and think about the number of things a person gives up when she moves into a nursing facility, you might be astounded.  Suddenly, she’s eating from an unfamiliar set of dishes, sitting on unfamiliar chairs, and sleeping in a room with an unfamiliar layout. 

One of the best ways to create a sense of comfort and familiarity in a nursing facility is to personalize your loved one’s room. Although there’s a limited amount of space, small treasured items and everyday supplies can go a long way toward making the room cozy and comfortable. 

Of course, when you visit your loved one in a nursing home, the most important thing you’re providing is your presence. But every now and again, if you want to bring something with you, the extra touch will help your loved one feel comfortable and at home even after you’ve left. 

Photos and photo albums

Family photo albums that contain pictures of past and present make a great gift for someone living in a nursing facility. Include pictures of the resident’s early life, midlife, and late life as well as pictures of children, grandchildren and other family members. Be sure to leave a few blank pages at the back so you can add new pictures later. Photos to hang on the wall make great gifts, too. 

Souvenirs

Your loved one has many special memories, and you can help access them by bringing souvenirs and mementos during your visit to the nursing facility. Did your grandmother honeymoon in Paris? A postcard of the Eiffel Tower would be a wonderful item to bring when you visit her. Ask her to tell you about her honeymoon. You can also bring souvenirs from your own travels. Bring her a set of Minnie Mouse ears and talk to her about your visit to Disneyland. 

Radio tuned to a favorite station

Music has a special power to inspire memories and fond feelings.  It also has the power to soothe and calm. Bring a radio tuned to your uncle’s favorite station when you visit him in the nursing facility. Ask him if he wants to dance.  Let the music bring joy to his room. Be sure to put his name on the radio, and ask the staff to help him operate it daily if need be.  

Calendar

A wall calendar makes a great gift to bring to a nursing facility because your loved one will be able to use it every day. Be sure the calendar has vibrant pictures that will add cheer to the wall and is large enough to see the dates clearly.  Point to special dates on the calendar and talk to your loved one about them. Write down the date of your next visit, the date of your daughter’s piano recital, and the date of a special event at the nursing facility. Each time you visit, you can talk about what day it is today as well as any upcoming events that your loved one might look forward to. 

Special afghan or quilt

A bed is a very personal space, and the more personal the bed looks, the more comfortable and homey the room will feel.  If your mom has a favorite afghan or quilt from home, spreading it on her bed or folding it at the foot will add a personal touch.  A new comforter, blanket, or bed cover can also add a feeling of special newness to the room. Choose something that brightens or cheers up the space. 

Something new to wear

As nursing facility residents become less mobile their days become more repetitious, and even the smallest change can have a wonderful impact.  A new sweater, new slippers, or a new hat can add a touch of joy to your loved one’s day.  It’s also true that in a nursing facility, special events take on more weight.  Getting ready for something special is part of the fun. When you bring something new for your loved one to wear, it can help him enjoy the experience of preparing for the event the way he used to when he lived on his own. 

Personal grooming supplies

Think about all the time a person spends grooming in their lifetime. Although some of us like to experiment with new products and supplies, most people find their favorites and stick with them for many years.  Favorite brushes, favorite toothpaste brands, favorite lipstick colors, favorite lotions.  See if you can find everyday grooming supplies your loved one has long favored. Bring them with you on your visit to the nursing facility, and ask the staff to help your loved one use them regularly. 

We want your loved one to feel at home

At Bella Vista Health Center in Lemon Grove, we love our residents, and we do everything we can to help them feel at home with us.  This is, after all, their home. We encourage families to visit often and bring special items to share with their loved ones. It makes the residents happy, yes, but also, the more special memories you inspire in your loved one, the more wonderful life stories we get to hear!