To promote healthy living during April’s Medication Management Month, Ohioans Home Healthcare wants to provide you helpful tips to manage your medications safely.

Reading Prescriptions

Following medication, directions are essential to your well-being and safety. Straining to read your medication isn’t good for your eyes and can lead to dosage errors. Make it easy on yourself by:

• Wearing your glasses
• Using a magnifier
• Reading in bright lighting
• Requesting large print labels

Ask Questions

Before you start a new medication, check in with your doctor and pharmacist if you have questions.

Questions for your doctor:

• What is the name of your medication, and why are you taking it?
• How long will you take this medication?
• Are there any side effects?

Questions for the pharmacist:

• Should this medication be taken with or without food?
• What other medications, food, or drinks should you avoid while you’re on this medication?
• Are there easy-open caps and large print labels available?

Get In A Routine

You’ll be less likely to forget to take your medication if you set routines in place. Take your medication at the same time every day. Check the instructions to see if there’s an advisable time to take your medication. Weekly pill organizers and timers are also handy options to keep you on schedule.

Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements are not tested for safety and effectiveness by the Federal Drug Administration. Taking supplements with your medication may cause adverse side effects. Consult your doctor before starting any herbal supplements.

Our Services

Ohioans Home Healthcare offers medication management services, so you and your loved ones never have to worry. Our expert staff works with clients to teach active medication self-management while improving medication adherence and drug use education.

Our home care interventions include:

• Prescription and over-the-counter medication reconciliation
• Dosage instruction and scheduling
• Encouraging physician follow-up for medication refills
• Coordinating home delivery
• Creating a system to ensure medication is taken correctly

Ohioans Home Healthcare also encourages our clients to be aware of the Poison Center, which is open 24/7. If you have concerns regarding illness caused by medication side effects, taking the wrong dosage, or accidental chemical exposure, call 1-800-222-1222.

Your medical needs are our top priority, and we strive to create a safe and healthy home for all our clients. Call 855.600.0806 or contact us online for more information.

With the current situation regarding coronavirus disease or COVID-19, it’s essential to know the facts so you can stay healthy and help prevent the spread of disease. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. Let’s look at the side effects so you can identify potential symptoms.

How It Spreads

Coronavirus spreads by coming into close contact with an infected individual, usually within six feet. If a person sneezes or coughs, respiratory droplets can come into contact with another person’s face or hands.

Symptoms

Coronavirus symptoms manifest anywhere between two to 14 days after exposure and range from mild to severe.

They include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

If the following symptoms are present, seek medical assistance immediately:

• Extreme shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chest pain or pressure
• Confusion or inability to think clearly
• Bluish lips or face

Who’s At Risk?

• Older adults
• Individuals with preexisting conditions like heart or lung disease, diabetes, or HIV
• Pregnant women

How You Can Protect Yourself

The best way to prevent the spread of coronavirus and protect yourself is to regularly wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not an option, use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.

Here are some other rules of thumb to protect yourself and your loved ones:

• Avoid close contact with other people, like hugging, kissing, or shaking hands
• Don’t touch your face, eyes, nose, or mouth without washing your hands first
• Only wear a facemask if you are sick or caring for a sick individual
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched like doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls

What Do You If You Are Sick

If you suspect you have coronavirus, call your primary care physician for medical advice. If you have mild symptoms, your doctor will most likely recommend you stay home to recover. Make sure to designate a sick room in your home to prevent the disease from spreading to others.

Monitor your symptoms and stay in contact with your physician. Call ahead before you good into a medical office to limit spreading the virus.

If you’re sick and isolating at home, you can leave if:

• You test negative for the contagion
• Have not had a fever for 72 hours
• Your cough and shortness of breath improve
• Seven days have passed since the first sign of symptoms

Ohioans Home Healthcare is committed to keeping our clients safe and healthy. If you have questions about our preventative safety measures, call 855.600.0806.

Ohioans Home Healthcare has been named a Top Workplace for the 6th year in a row! As a mid-size company with 277 employees, we’ve also earned the award for “Superior Training” as part of The Blade’s 2020 Top Workplaces.

This award is based on the statement “I get the formal training I want for my career,” based on employee input. We are so thankful and blessed to have such a wonderful team. None of this would be possible without every one of our employees!

If you’re looking for home nursing jobs with an award-winning home healthcare organization that provides the best training options, please visit our HHC Careers page for more information.

When people think of New Year’s resolutions, they typically think of eating more fruits and vegetables or hopping on the treadmill more often. Health is essential, and it’s good to be mindful of your diet and activity, but don’t limit yourself on what you can do to improve your lifestyle.

As with any resolution, be clear and specific about your goals. Vague ideas will only fall to the wayside. Here are some resolutions that will boost your creativity and provide you with plenty of fun memories.

Look For New Experiences

Try a new hobby. It’s always good to learn something new, and acquiring new skills keeps your brain agile. Explore hobbies like:

• Painting
• Learning how to play an instrument
• Cooking

The world is a big place, but you don’t have to roam the globe to find memorable experiences. Exploring is a great way to experience new things, even if it’s just around your hometown or a nearby city. Be strategic, plan where you want to go, decide on a timeline, and set a budget.

Clear The Clutter

Getting your physical space organized can help you accomplish other goals. Reduce clutter or get rid of things you no longer use or want. You’ll be surprised how clearing your home clears your mind as well. Get a daily planner and write down your goals or aspirations so you have a tangible reminder of what you want to accomplish. It will help with procrastination and clear out the mental cobwebs.

Immerse Yourself In Culture

Traveling is an excellent way to learn about a different country, but so is learning a new language. Speaking a different language will keep your brain motivated whether you attend classes or take lessons online. You’ll also learn about cultural customs as you learn to speak a different language.

Make A Mental Note

Sometimes our poor mental habits are more detrimental than a poor diet or lack of exercise. Think about it: are there negative habits that you could kick this year? How do you want to go about improving your mental health?

A good goal is to focus on destressing regularly. Take up meditation or yoga, anything that gives you time to reflect and refresh your mind. Actively work toward managing your stress as it will improve your heart health and blood pressure too.

Ohioans Home Healthcare wants to help you achieve all your resolutions by giving you quality service and assistance so you can live your life to the fullest. Call us at 855.600.0806 or contact us online.

We are excited to announce that Ohioans Home Healthcare has been named among the HomeCare Elite for the fifth year in a row!

We have been recognized among the top 25 percent of home health agencies in the country. All of our branches received the HomeCare Elite Status and our Dayton and Cincinnati branches were ranked among the Top 500 home care agencies in the nation.

Thank you, once again, to our team for their devotion to Ohioans. We would not be recognized without your hard work.

Join Ohioans! Click for information on HHC employment opportunities with Ohioans Home Healthcare.

Many senior citizens reduce their physical activity levels as they age, thinking they’re too old.

Many people of all ages reduce their physical activity levels as winter nears, thinking it’s too cold.

Guess what? Both groups are wrong! Neither getting older or colder has to limit your physical fitness level – it’s usually just used as an excuse. We get it – sitting in your fleece sweatshirt and “comfy pants” outfit while cuddled up near the fireplace is probably more comfortable than exercising. But it’s nowhere near as beneficial to your body.

Ohioans Home Healthcare reminds you that not only is it possible to maintain winter exercise levels as you age – it’s an important part of maintaining your health throughout the year.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly two million people worldwide die each year due to a sedentary lifestyle. Staying active throughout the year can help minimize health risks such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer, as well as mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Here are some ways you can help increase your activity levels, no matter the weather:

1. Take breaks to move around: Binging some Netflix during a cold snap? OK, but hit the pause button after each episode to move around a bit. If it’s safe to do so, take a walk around the block. If not, walk in place in your living room or go up the stairs a couple of times to keep the blood flowing and work your muscles. Even doing some quick chores is more active than sitting in your recliner.
2. Swimming: Getting in the pool is a great way to get a low-impact workout. Check with your local YMCA or gym to see if they have one. Recruit a friend to go with you to make it more of a social activity.
3. Get a fitness tracker: Having a fitness tracker on your wrist can help keep you motivated and let you know if you could use some more movement as the day goes along. Many devices have a reminder that informs you if you’re falling behind schedule.
4. Drink plenty of water: Staying properly hydrated – even if you’re not thirsty – will help you feel like moving more and help get the benefits of exercise. Being mindful of your water consumption will help you avoid dehydration, a common risk in older adults with a stunted sense of thirst.
5. It’s good for your brain: Exercising your body is good for your brain, too. Although it’s common for older people to have some levels of brain damage, those who are more active tend to experience fewer mobility restrictions, studies cite.
6. Join Silver Sneakers: This health and fitness program for seniors is included with many Medicare plans. There are more than 16,000 locations across the country participating in Silver Sneakers, which offers adults 65 and older access to classes, certified instructors and gyms, and community centers.

For information on services available at Ohioans Home Healthcare, call 855.600.0806 or contact us online.

Ohioans Home Healthcare staff brought their families together at Leaders Farms in Napoleon recently for a day full of fun as part of the company’s employee fall event.

Family members of all ages bonded over fun country-themed activities, including BIG JACK the pumpkin cannon – there’s just something about blasting a pumpkin nearly 2,000 feet through the blue September sky.

Other fun activities included a scenic hayride around the farm, corn maze, tug of war and a kids’ zip line.

Ohioans rented out the entire farm as a fun reward to employees for their dedication to providing the best healthcare to patients.

WATCH VIDEO

Ohioans Home Healthcare is extremely honored to have been voted as the “Favorite Home Healthcare Agency” in a six-county area by readers of The Crescent-News in Defiance.

A big “Thank you!” goes out to all of the newspaper’s readers who voted for Ohioans Home Healthcare throughout the readership area, which includes Defiance, Williams, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, and Putnam counties.

Are you looking to join an award-winning home healthcare organization committed to being the best in the business? Check out our Careers page for more information!

Although some sun exposure is good for the body due to its production of vitamin D, we must use caution to not overexpose ourselves due to the skin cancer risks.

There is no such thing as a safe ultraviolet (UV) ray, according to the American Cancer Society.

While most ray exposure comes from the sun, man-made sources such as tanning beds can be equally dangerous in exposing people to UV rays. There are two types of UV rays that reach the Earth’s surface:

1. UVA rays: Lower-energy rays that are linked to skin damage such as wrinkles, loss of elasticity and spots, but they can also play a factor in skin cancer. Up to 95% of the sun’s rays reaching the Earth are of this variety.
2. UVB rays: Stronger than UVA rays, these rays can directly damage skin cells, causing sunburn and most types of skin cancers.

How can you limit your exposure to these rays? For one, stay away from tanning beds. No need to sign up for excessive UV ray exposure.

Two, avoid being in the sun as much as possible between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest. Opt for shady spots as much as possible when outside during these hours. To help you know how strong the sun’s rays are, look at your shadow. A shadow shorter than your height means the UV rays are strongest.

If you must be in the sun, remember the phrase “Slip! Slop! Slap! And Wrap.” This campaign got started in Australia and New Zealand during the 1980s, but it applies today in all corners of the world:

• Slip on a shirt – Covered skin is more protected than uncovered skin. Dark colors protect the skin more than light colors.
• Slop on sunscreen – Apply liberally to all exposed skin. Select a sunscreen that protects skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Higher SPF numbers will protect your skin more fully for longer amounts of time. (Sunscreens with SPF 15 block about 93% of UVB rays; SPF 50 blocks 98%).
• Slap on a hat – This helps shade your face, head and ears (if it’s a wide-brimmed hat).
• Wrap on sunglasses – Helps protect your eyes and the skin near them.

Some people think a good tan will prevent sun damage and skin cancer. Melanin – the pigment that causes a tan – is created when UV rays reach the skin. Melanin does absorb some of the sun’s rays, serving as the body’s first line of defense against the sun. It’s important to remember that prolonged sun exposure can still damage the skin and cause cancer, even in the presence of a good tan.

For information on services available at Ohioans Home Healthcare, call 855.600.0806 or contact us online.

Ohioans Home Healthcare was one of the sponsors of the second annual Run ‘4’ Rory Race and Fun Run on June 8 in Perrysburg’s Woodlands Park.

The benefit for The American Heart Association is a family-friendly event that includes music, a vendor expo, free games and entertainment for children. The day features a 4-mile timed run, followed by a 2-mile walk and kids fun run.

Rory Yoakum is a child born with a congenital heart defect known as pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, which causes hypoplastic right heart syndrome. Due to one of Rory’s valves never developing, the right side of his heart never grew.

Just four of every 100,000 children are born with this defect, which typically means a child has several open-heart surgeries to create a single ventricle system. Rory has been able to maintain a two-ventricle system after receiving support from organizations such as the American Heart Association. Such innovations allow children like Rory to live a life that was previously never thought possible.

Run ‘4’ Rory is using the money raised in the event to fund new initiatives to support families in northwest Ohio and southwest Michigan that have been impacted by congenital heart disease. Specifically, the funding helps provide for a heart defect support network, education, and infant CPR kits.

The event is a natural philanthropic event for Ohioans, which offers home healthcare services for all ages, including children. We believe that offering care for children in the home promotes family bonding while supporting growth and development. For more information about Ohioans, call us at 855.600.0806 or contact us online.