February is Cardiovascular “Heart” Awareness Month and every year, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) utilizes this time of the year to raise awareness about heart health! The institute urges Americans to reduce their risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. This year, it is even more vital than ever, as having Heart Disease can pose a higher risk of severity of COVID-19 symptoms and disease.

What is Heart Disease?
The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart ailments. The most common type of heart disease in the United States is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), which affects the blood flow to the heart and inevitably the remaining of the body’s organs. Decreased blood flow can cause a heart attack with reduced oxygen and inevitably a severe cardiac malfunction.

Risk Factors for Heart Disease
– High Blood Pressure
– High Cholesterol
– Smoking
– Increased or high Alcohol Use
– Diabetes (Type I or II)
– Overweight/Obesity
– Unhealthy Diet and Physical Inactivity

Symptoms of Heart Disease
Sometimes Heart Disease may be “silent” and not diagnosed until a person experiences signs or symptoms of a Heart Attack, Heart Failure, or an Arrhythmia. When these events happen, symptoms may include:
– Heart Attack: Chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
– Arrhythmia: Fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations).
– Heart Failure: Shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins.

What does COVID-19 do to the Heart?
We’re still learning about the long-term effects of COVID-19 on our bodies. Studies are being done across the world. COVID-19 is a virus that primarily attacks the lungs. However, it can also cause your body to produce an overactive immune response which can lead to increased inflammation throughout the body and in turn affecting the heart directly. Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) can impair the heart’s ability to pump blood and send electrical signals. Severe forms of Myocarditis can lead to more serious problems like abnormal heart rhythms, heart muscle disease, and heart failure.

Although more research needs to be done to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the heart, we do know COVID-19 affects the heart in two ways:
1. It can directly cause myocarditis and blood clots
2. It can indirectly affect the heart by making existing heart conditions worse, leading to heart attacks, stroke, or sudden cardiac death

Quality Health Care Concierge takes the health and well-being of our clients very seriously! We are here to provide education, information, resources to remain healthy, and mostly our support!

During this imperative time in the history of public health, we find it vital to keep our clients and fellow friends in the know with up-to-date notice and guidance. As we find ourselves entrenched in a significant political wave of presidential changes, we still prioritize the need to provide public health facts that are vital for all people such as local allocation of vaccination opportunity. With a positive outlook, we lean on public officials such as the governor to lead the way in making sound decisions in public health safety by bringing the vaccines local to your neighborhoods. 

Ron DeSantis, Governor of the State of Florida, made a public announcement this week, that all Publix supermarkets in Palm Beach County are now offering those, who qualify, an opportunity to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Before you do this, it is recommended that you speak with your physician or healthcare provider prior to scheduling an appointment. The link to the Publix COVID-19 vaccine webpage is https://www.publix.com/covid-vaccine/florida and you must make an appointment to be seen.

As Shawn Klyachman (featured left), Pharmacist at Publix Super Markets said earlier this week after beginning to administer the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine; “[I’m] Proud to be part of such a tremendous company, team, and profession. Honored to be fulfilling my oath as a pharmacist and being part of the solution”.

To receive the vaccine, you must fit into one or more of these three criteria and also a Florida resident:

• Healthcare personnel who have direct contact with patients
• Residents and staff of long term care facilities
• Seniors who are 65 years of age or older

Even though a vaccine has been developed and is being administered, we must continue to remain diligent in health efforts, safe and to protect ourselves from others, especially those who feel unwell. This means wearing a mask in public, social distancing from others by at least six feet, washing your hands frequently, and being mindful of yourself and those around you. 

Organizations, groups, and businesses countrywide are encouraging everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine, some do that simply by educating and informing, but one organization decided to encourage another way. Although not in the great State of Florida, a creative yet controversial campaign in Washington D.C has stemmed from a group called DC Marijuana Justice. Their group is dedicated to “fighting for equal rights for cannabis users, growers, and their families.” The campaign is aimed to dispense free marijuana to those who obtain their vaccination: advertised as “Joints for Jabs.”

In Palm Beach County, there are “67 Publix pharmacies in Palm Beach County will have the vaccine” and a total of “220 Publix pharmacies across 17 Florida counties.” – DeSantis

Instead of waiting on a long line to get a COVID test, Quality Health Care Concierge is able to assist by sending a Registered Nurse to your home, office, or location of choice to conduct a Private Mobile Rapid COVID Test in the South Florida area.

Updated January 27th, 2021:
In a County Commission meeting on Tuesday the 26th, Dr. Alina Alonso confirmed that Publix will, as soon as early February, be the sole distributor for COVID-19 vaccines in Palm Beach County. With an estimated 90% of the county’s 400k senior citizens living within 1 1/2 miles of Publix, this will allow for Publix to be the mass distributor without having the County continue in building the distribution channel. It’s important to note that Palm Beach Commissioners have expressed their frustration and are planning to write a letter to DeSantis urging him to reconsider this decision.

As a previous New York resident, Michelle Kavall RN MSN the President at Quality Health Care Concierge knows that you’re making the right choice to move down south to Florida! We welcome you with open arms and are ready to support you every step of the way during what’s know as “snowbird season”! A fun way of saying it’s just too cold up north.

Quality Health Care Concierge provides in-home care services for adults, seniors, and all individuals who need assistance to remain independent and prefer to stay at the comfort of their own home.

Our Certified Nursing Assistants and our Certified Home Health Care Aides help your loved ones remain at home for as long as safely possible, a dream come true for many. Our holistic caregivers have many goals: Enriching the lives of our clients and their families, well-being, and comfort, holistic healthcare modalities, holistic education, safety, and security as they continue to live independently. Our caregivers provide seniors the freedom despite limited mobility, chronic conditions, and other age-related considerations with providing a strong sense of health and wellness.

In South Florida annually, beginning in late October running through May, our Snowbirds migrate down from the north to escape the brutal cold winters and now fears of infection of COVID-19. Quality Health Care Concierge is your highly trusted companion for your parents and/or grandparents coming to South Florida. We’re here to help whether it be seasonally or simply moving down for retirement. We specialize in providing trusted care services to all of our Snowbirds, In-Home Companion Services on a full-time or part-time basis with many options of customization of care needs to assure that everyone’s needs are specifically met at all times. We provide extra support to families who are don’t live near by or want regular updates. We completely understand and are ready to be here for you and your family!

Interestingly enough, those visiting will be allowed to attain COVID-19 Vaccinations: More information can be found here. It’s vital that you get tested, especially if coming down to a different state. Instead of waiting on a long line to get a COVID test, Quality Health Care Concierge is able to assist by sending a Registered Nurse to your home, office, or location of choice to conduct a Private Mobile Rapid COVID Test in the South Florida area.

Remember, wintering in warmer climates is not the same as a vacation! Give Quality Health Care Concierge a call at 888-981-5595 today.

Many experts are saying that isolation and loneliness for the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic may begin to exhibit signs of dementia. Social isolation for the elderly can lead to more memory loss and cognitive issues. “We know people who are getting old, if they’re isolated or socially less stimulated, they tend to develop dementia earlier than others,” says behavioral neurologist Borna Bonakdarpour, an assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine physician. 

If someone is developing early signs of Alzheimers, they may already have particular risk factors for dementia such as loneliness. It can present as the subjective feeling of distress due to social distancing. Although most elders understand the physical risks associated with being in public at this time, they still cant help but have those feelings of being forced to be alone in their homes. It can actually have physical repercussions on people such as high blood pressure or a weakened immune system. Ofcourse, loneliness can also bring up feelings of suicidal thoughts, which has been shown to increase during the COVID pandemic as well. Some research experts even say that loneliness may result in cognitive decline in the elderly. 

Quality Health Care Concierge may provide essential assistance to the elderly and other individuals who are feeling loneliness due to social isolation during the pandemic. We provide compassionate companion care and are practice the safety necessary in today’s times! All companions entering one’s home are equipped with the appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and required to perform safe practices to assure our clients are both feeling safe and at a highly decreased risk of any infection in their homes. Quality Health Care Concierge praises safe practices and increased cognitive function for clients as they are very well known in the community for their holistic care mission. 

It’s vital for all to be tested for COVID even if not living an active lifestyle outside of ones home as it assists with understanding and planning for the future. Instead of waiting on a long line to get a COVID test, Quality Health Care Concierge is able to assist by sending a Registered Nurse to your home, office, or location of choice to conduct a Private Mobile Rapid COVID Test in the South Florida area.

As we all are aware, the current rate of rise in positive Florida COVID-19 cases has become faster than ever. It is highly important that all people stay informed, practice safe distancing, and practice common sharing of goals to move out of this state of unhealthy growth in disease throughout the United States. As we move forward, the home health care industry strives to move to the top of all healthcare providers that take reduction of disease very seriously and recognized as a significant entity in prevention of disease in the healthcare realm.

“We are now having 40-plus thousand new cases a day. I would not be surprised if we go up to 100,000 a day if this does not turn around and so I am very concerned,” Fauci told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee during a hearing on the pandemic as the US reported more than 50,000 new Covid-19 cases. As of today, Florida has over 370,000 confirmed cases with more than 5,000 confirmed deaths; Palm Beach having about 27,000 confirmed cases and 700 deaths. More information can be found at this handy unofficial Florida COVID dashboard.

So, how do we move forward safely and help prevent disease spread? Fauci and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield stressed the significance of wearing masks during testimony before a Senate committee earlier this month, with Fauci saying “we recommend masks for everyone” and “masks are extremely important.” In home health care and with Quality Health Care Concierge, we take part in the ultimate prevention by providing exceptional quality companion care with a high retention rate of caregivers who are compassionate, trust-worthy, well-educated and trained, and provide specialized care in the comfort of the client’s homes. They are always providing all care needs with the proper personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and even gowns. All private caregivers from Quality Health Care Concierge are very careful in helping their clients remain safe by running errands, personal care, pet care, and even assist with increasing mental health needs through providing holistic care support and truly caring about their client’s needs.

It’s important to stay safe and diligent as each person makes decisions that influence the community. Instead of waiting on a long line to get a COVID test, Quality Health Care Concierge is able to assist by sending a Registered Nurse to your home, office, or location of choice to conduct a Private Mobile Rapid COVID Test in the South Florida area.

In turbulent times, health care providers and home care agencies are all rolling up their sleeves to put in a helping hand. Agencies are wondering how they can be of assistance to society and to their clients while keeping everyone safe and virus free! They are also working together to keep consistency in safety precautions in the home, in the work environment, and furthering within the society. There is an imminent need to assure that all people are given the opportunity to continue to work, and to continue to safely provide services in people’s homes. 

Quality Health Care Concierge takes pride in ensuring they are making the right choices in continuing to hire compassionate caregivers that are sure to take standard precautions in the home. The newly enhanced standard precautions include washing hands, wearing masks, keeping to over 6 feet of distance between people, wearing gowns if necessary and much more. All caregivers are required to go through a thorough training on patient safety and cleanliness in the home. 

Just as importantly, Quality Health Care Concierge is hiring compassionate caregivers at the quickest rate they ever have! All caregivers are interviewed through phone and video calls. These caregivers are hired through the same vigorous interviewing process as prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. They are required to have fingerprints completed prior to working with Quality Health Care Concierge to assure that the level II background screening is completed. All caregivers are required to undergo a Virtual Orientation and attest to understanding and completing the required caregiver training in order to report to work. Quality Health Care Concierge prioritizes the health safety of both their hired caregivers and all of their clients.