Hospital visits can be stressful for anyone, but they can be especially so for people with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to make your trip less stressful and more likely to result in positive results. Read on for some of the ways you can avoid the most common hazards.
1. Get a Regular Checkup
If you want to keep your medical expenses down, then it’s crucial that you get a regular checkup. This will help your doctor to pick up any health problems early on, which can make them easier to treat.
A regular checkup also allows your doctor to get to know you, which is important because it will make it easier for them to have a conversation with you about your health. This will help to build trust between you and your doctor, which will result in more efficient treatment.
2. Take Your Medicines on Time
Medication adherence – taking medicines as prescribed – is one of the most important health behaviors you can do to manage your condition. It can help you control chronic conditions, reduce complications, and treat temporary symptoms.
It can also lessen your trip to the hospital. Medications are often time-sensitive, so it’s important to take them at the same time each day.
You can use a medication-management app or a digital calendar to remind you about your doses. Keeping track of them this way can make it easier to remember, so you don’t miss a dose.
3. Stay Active
Getting regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to keep your health in tip-top shape. It helps you lose weight, reduces your risk of heart disease and some cancers, lowers your blood pressure and improves your mental and emotional health.
A new study shows that you could lessen your trip to the hospital if you are active. Those who are physically active were 25-27% less likely to spend 20 days in hospital over the course of a decade than those who weren’t.
4. Maintain a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet can help protect you from heart disease and other chronic diseases. Eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains is a good start.
You should also drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and keep your immune system in top shape.
A healthy diet should include plenty of foods with a high fiber content, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meats. A balanced diet can also help you avoid excess calories and unhealthy fats such as saturated fat.
5. Get Enough Sleep
It helps you stay healthy, stave off illness, and boost your mood.
In fact, lack of sleep can increase your risk of heart disease, depression, weight gain, and more.
Sleep allows your brain to recharge, think clearly, and concentrate. It also lets your body process emotions and get ready for the next day.
6. Keep Yourself Hydrated
Keeping yourself hydrated is a big part of staying healthy and preventing illness. It can help to boost your energy levels, prevent headaches, and improve your mood.
Hydration is also important for your body’s ability to regulate its temperature, which can lessen the chance of getting sick. Symptoms of dehydration can include feeling hot, thirsty, and dry skin.
The best way to measure how well you’re hydrated is to check the color of your urine. If it’s light yellow or clear, you’re properly hydrated. Darker yellow or amber may indicate mild to severe dehydration.
7. Get Moving
One of the biggest things you can do to lessen your trip to the hospital is to get moving. You don’t have to do a lot of exercise, but just a few minutes of walking around or standing up every hour can make a huge difference in your health and quality of life.
To help you, we have a free app called “Get Moving,” which will alert you when you’ve been sitting still for too long and then prompt you to move around. It will also show you how many steps you’ve taken during the day and week.