Taking care of your own, or a loved one’s, high blood pressure can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re struggling to control other risk factors for heart disease, like diabetes or high cholesterol, or you’re dealing with complications from hypertension. When managing this condition becomes too much to handle, professional home health care can provide the kind of support and assistance you need. VNSNY’s highly skilled and trained professionals often work together as a team and provide a range of services.

Our professionals

• Registered nurses who work closely with your doctor to manage at-home care. During a visit to your home, a nurse will evaluate your needs as they relate to high blood pressure and any other conditions you may have (such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea) and develop a personalized plan of care for taking your medication, monitoring your blood pressure and keeping a log at home, as well as managing stress and your lifestyle; a nurse will coordinate the delivery of services and revise your plan as necessary.
• Certified home health aides who can provide personal care (such as bathing or dressing), check vital signs (like blood pressure, pulse and respiration rates), measure your cholesterol and blood sugar (if need be), and help you keep track of your readings and symptoms. They can also shop for and prepare heart-healthy meals that may be prescribed by a dietitian to help you manage your blood pressure and weight, as well as assist with laundry and household chores.
• Home attendants (a.k.a., personal care workers) who can help with basic activities of daily living—bathing, dressing, grooming, making yourself more comfortable at home, walking, eating, shopping, paying bills, doing laundry, and taking you to medical appointments.
• Licensed social workers who can assess your physical, functional, emotional, environmental and social needs, and offer strategies and resources for support.
• Registered dietitians who will evaluate your nutritional needs, develop a healthy low-sodium, low-fat meal plan, and teach you how to follow dietary strategies that will help you control your blood pressure and weight. If you have or develop any conditions that can complicate the management of hypertension, such as diabetes or kidney disease, additional dietary adjustments may be necessary.

To make at-home care successful, you should prepare ahead of time by making a list of responsibilities and chores you’d like your professional caregiver(s) to take on. This way, you can be sure you’ll receive the help you need and won’t forget anything that’s important to you. It's also smart to map out a schedule for meals, medications, blood pressure monitoring, sleep, exercise, and other activities, and to compile a list of emergency phone numbers for doctors, as well as friends and family members who can help in a pinch. With a little preparation, you can be assured that everyone will have the same information and the same expectations.