BrightStar Care - March 2019

Still, you may not want to rely on qualifying for one of these services. Consider adapting your estate plan to include designated in-home care. Meet with your attorney to review your living trust and see if it addresses a caregiver. Talk to your family members and loved ones about the possibility that you or your spouse may need this service. While a family member may offer to step into that role, consider how easily they will be able to carry it out. Even a part-time caregiver could provide you with support and make your family members feel like they are not doing it alone. Planning for the possibility that you may need in-home care services can help make your retirement even more enjoyable. Knowing

The Future of Keeping Blood Pressure In Check

MONITORING BLOOD PRESSURE FROM THE HOME

The Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, recently developed an experimental technology for treating hypertension in-home. Hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure, affects 75 million Americans, according to the CDC, and the success rate for treating it stands at just 50 percent. Using this new technology, researchers were able to bring the blood pressure of 81 percent of participants under control in less than two months. Although this is an incredible success rate and a step toward more affordable in-home care options for treating high blood pressure, the research team hopes to scale up the experiment in order to verify whether or not the results will be just as encouraging for larger groups. The innovative approach to monitoring hypertension in this study involved the patients using Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure measuring devices that recorded their blood pressure twice daily, in duplicate, from their homes. Researchers used these measurements to adjust medication dosages where needed until patients’ blood pressure normalized. While this technology might not be available to the public quite yet, the convenience of in-home care and the goal of avoiding hospitals and long- term care for loved ones is laudable. At BrightStar Care, we try every day to bring the care our patients need to their homes, where they feel safe and comfortable. The skill set of our nursing staff includes assistance with medical machinery, wound care, and even blood draws and injections. But we can do so much more, and we applaud any advancement in medical technology that makes the lives of our clients easier.

you’ll have a close helping hand can ease your family’s worries and even strengthen your bond.

ASPARAGUS AND AVOCADO SOUP Inspired by CookEatPaleo.com

INGREDIENTS

• 12 ounces asparagus • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped • 2 cups chicken stock • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cubed • Juice of 1/2 lemon • 1 tablespoon ghee or coconut oil • Salt and pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat oven to 425 F.

2. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss asparagus and garlic with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 10 minutes. 3. Transfer asparagus to blender. Add remaining ingredients and puree until smooth.

4. Season to taste and serve.

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