The 17th of May marks World Hypertension Day. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, can be mitigated by following your health practitioner's advice, and, where needed, with the assistance of in-home care.

High blood pressure raises the risk of heart-related problems, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, and even cancer. Current Australian guidelines recommend that if you have persistent raised blood pressure over 160/100 mmHg but are at low risk of having a stroke or heart attack, you should talk to your doctor or specialist about taking medication to lower your blood pressure. Recommendations from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) on treating hypertension or hyperlipidaemia include prescribing benzodiazepines, self-monitoring of blood glucose, proton pump inhibitor therapy and screening for vascular disease. It is important to note that patients with elevated blood pressure or lipids but who are ‘low risk’ (< 10% 5-year risk according to the current National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance (NVDPA) absolute CVD risk guidelines) do not require medication.

But more generally, high blood pressure can be managed with a combination of medications and lifestyle choices such as a healthy diet, exercise, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol. Bottom line, people with hypertension need to see their doctor regularly, and to carefully follow the doctor's recommendations about medications and lifestyle.

Home Care Can Help Seniors Manage Hypertension

It can be challenging to manage high blood pressure. One big obstacle is the fact that hypertension seldom has any outward symptoms. As a result, many patients don’t stay motivated to continue their treatment plan. What’s more, the patient may get annoyed by worried family members constantly reminding them of their medication.

This is where a professional, in-home caregiver can help.

An in-home caregiver can:

• Remind your loved one to check and record blood pressure using a home monitor, as recommended by the doctor.
• Take your loved one to the pharmacy or pick up prescriptions and provide medication reminders to encourage your loved one to take medications at the right time.
• Report possible side effects from medications, such as dizziness or sleep problems.
• Go grocery shopping and prepare delicious meals and snacks that comply with the doctor's prescribed diet.
• Support your loved one's exercise routine with encouragement, and a steadying arm to reduce the risk of falls.
• Help your loved one keep track of doctor's appointments and provide transportation to these visits.
• Provide companionship to ward off loneliness.

With over 35 offices around Australia, Right at Home is a great choice to help your loved ones who live far away, manage their hypertension. Look up your local Right at Home office in the links at the bottom of this page.  

Keep up to date with COVID 19 information on the following links: 

Australian Government Department of Health 

Victorian Health and Human Services 

NSW Health 

Queensland Health 

ACT Health 

WA Department of Health 

Tasmanian Department of Health 

Northern Territory Department of Health 

SA Health 

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care, and assistance to seniors (elderly and aged care), and any adult who needs our care at home including adults living with a disability who want to continue to live independently or age in their home. Right at Home is your local expert for issues related to caring for your loved ones and is dedicated to keeping you informed about home care. With no admin or subscription fees Right at Home allows you to get more care from your package or budget. 

Right at Home is a 'My Aged Care' government approved, home care provider for levels 1 – 4 and offers flexible in-home care services such as nursing care, after hospital care, post-operative care, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer's care. Right at Home also offers assistance with daily living and personal care such as grooming, hygiene, transport, shopping, meal prep, domestic services and social support, so your loved one can enjoy a more independent, vibrant life. Our nurses and caregivers are screened, highly trained, and insured prior to entering your home so you can trust us with the caregiving while you focus on your loved one. 

To find out more, please give us a call on 1300 363 802 or visit our website. 

Right at Home Offices in Australia: Sydney Lower North Shore; Sydney Upper North Shore; Sydney Central and Eastern Suburbs; Sydney Northern Beaches; Sydney North West; Sydney The Hills; Padstow St George; Macarthur Penrith; Newcastle; Hunter & Port Stephens; Southern NSW; Toowoomba- Darling Downs; Sunshine Coast and Gympie; Mackay; Central Queensland; Townsville; Far North Queensland; Gold Coast South; Gold Coast North; Northern Rivers; Brisbane Bayside; Brisbane South; Brisbane North; Brisbane West; Perth Midland; Perth Northern Suburbs; Perth West Coast; Kalgoorlie Wheatbelt; Moreton Bay Region; Sydney Inner West; Sydney Ryde; Greater Logan; Gosford; Sydney Liverpool