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If you have ever shared a deep belly laugh with a friend and instantly felt a little bit better, you probably understand where the saying “laughter is the best medicine” comes from. More than just a pleasurable in-the-moment experience, laughing can be a pathway to greater joy, renewed optimism, and better relationships. It turns out that “laughter is the best medicine” is more than just a sweet saying—there are a whole host of physical and mental benefits associated with having a laugh. In addition to the individual benefits we experience, laughter helps us bond with others. Quality relationships with our friends, loved ones, and caregivers have a profound impact on our mental health, and laughing together can be a way to nurture these relationships and strengthen positive bonds. We can find more connection and delight in all our relationships, both new and old, through humor and play. As we will see, laughter can make all the difference.
Physical benefits of laughter
Finding something that makes you giggle can actually improve your physical well-being, from making your body feel better in the moment to helping you fight infection down the road. Some of the physical benefits of laughter include:
- Laughter relaxes the entire body, helping you to release tension in your muscles and feel calmer.
- Laughter strengthens your immune system, which makes you more resistant to disease. This is achieved through laughter reducing the level of stress hormones in your body, and increasing the release of feel-good hormones like endorphins. It also increases the production of infection-fighting antibodies.
- Laughter lowers your blood pressure, again thanks to less stress hormones and more endorphins.
- Laughter decreases your risk of heart attacks and can help to prevent heart disease. As more oxygenated blood is circulated throughout your body, vascular function improves.
Mental and emotional benefits of laughter
It probably comes as no surprise that laughing regularly can make you a happier and mentally healthier person. Some of the ways laughter improves mental and emotional well-being include:
- Laughter reduces stress and increases energy. After a good laugh, you may report feeling more relaxed and able to focus.
- Laughter activates the release of serotonin, the main hormone that stabilizes our mood and happiness. This is why laughing can help to stop distressing emotions or dull their impact, at least for a little while.
- Laughter puts problems into perspective. When dealing with a challenge, laughter infuses lightness into the situation. It can help you to feel less overwhelmed and better equipped to face obstacles.
How to enjoy more laughter in your life
The benefits of laughter are clear, but some of us may not be getting enough of it. Here are some tips on how to make sure you get your daily dose:
- Smile and laugh, even when it’s not arising organically. Though it may feel a bit odd at first, forcing yourself to smile or laugh can often lead to the real thing. Even when it doesn’t, a forced smile or simulated laugh can provide some of the same benefits as their natural counterparts.
- Connect to your inner child. No matter our age, all of us have a child inside us—the child we once were, full of quirks, curiosity, joy, and humor. Try to embody some childlike qualities, like playfulness and openness, as you navigate this chapter of your life.
- Seek out humorous media. Watch a comedy, read a funny book, or listen to a silly podcast, and you’ll be laughing in no time.
Laughter is best when we get to share it with those in our life. Appreciate your time with others, and try to laugh together. This could be your family and old friends, but if those loved ones aren’t nearby, it could also be your neighbors, caregivers or other confidants. While exploring home health care for you or a loved one is a big decision, one that often comes with serious deliberation and challenging emotions, it doesn’t have to all be ‘heavy’. In the midst of the process, don’t forget to smile, and share a laugh with others, and know that there are skilled, warm care providers eager to share the joyous and wonderful life moments that make us all smile - along with you. Whether you are in need of short-term or long-term care, our providers are committed to bringing you compassion and personalized attention - always with a positive smile. Please give us a call at (561) 559-1555 or email us at wecare@synchronyFL.com to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation.
Many people dream to age in place, sometimes in their long time home. However, as they age they may face challenges that can make this goal difficult to achieve. Challenges that may arise may include a fall risk, retiring from driving and difficulty with ADLs (bathing, dressing, etc). It’s not uncommon for someone to need support with these tasks, and bringing in professional support can be crucial in helping someone stay at home safely.
Home health care can mean a wide variety of things, so it’s helpful to take some time to think about what you or your loved one’s specific needs are. Will you need physical or occupational therapy? Do you need a provider with experience managing a certain condition, such as diabetes, dementia, or Alzheimer’s; physical, occupational, and speech therapy, medical social work, companion care, nursing care? Your loved one may need assistance with one, or all of these tasks, and their needs may change overtime. Synchrony Home Care Can provide your loved one with these services and much more- now and as your loved one’s needs change.
Lots of care providers can check the basic boxes of being able to administer medications or assist with daily tasks. What makes Synchrony’s high-quality care stand out is the staff’s ability to connect with their patients on a human level, and to demonstrate high levels of empathy and strong communication skills. Not only will your loved one’s physical needs be met and their safety be ensured, but they will also benefit from increased socialization and engagement. A great provider knows how to cultivate a compassionate and trusting relationship, which is just as important as providing quality medical care.
Our staff are well versed on the importance of positive and clear communication, understanding (and participating in) our patients’ interests, hobbies, and how they love to spend their day. (singing, playing bridge or chess, cooking, beauty tips, sharing stories about friends and family, nature and gardening, automotive interests - to name a few).
Home care can also come into play to offer respite for a primary caregiver. Caring for the caregiver is crucial in maintaining endurance in the caregiver journey. Professional home care can not only assist with your loved one’s physical needs, but allow the caregiver to take needed time for themselves, knowing that their loved one is safe and well taken care of. Implementing home care for respite can further extend the length of time an individual is able to live at home safely.
While professional home care can be a transition for all parties, it is frequently a necessary puzzle piece in supporting an older adult, safely at home. Synchrony Home Care aims to be there for you and your loved one to meet your aging goals, at home.
Relocating to Florida is a popular choice for those who are transitioning into receiving home health care, and it’s easy to see why. Mild winters, affordable housing, and no state income tax (including on retirement income) are just some of the reasons people choose to move to the Sunshine State for this stage of their lives.
If you have decided to move yourself or a loved one to Florida, and are in need of home health care services, the next step is finding the right agency. Relocating can be a stressful experience just in itself, and selecting an home health care provided beforehand will bring peace of mind and make the transition that much smoother. Just imagine how great it will feel when you settle into your new place, knowing your home health care provider has been with you every step of the way, and anticipating your arrival. Read on for some tips to keep in mind as you start your search.
Here at Synchrony, we pride ourselves on positive client interactions and making sure that prospective patients get all the information they request - but not every agency provides such a smooth onboarding process. Look out for red flags such as providers being dodgy when you ask questions or pressuring you to make commitments quickly. Choosing a home health care agency is a big decision, and you should do so on a timeline that makes sense for you, armed with all the information you need.
Lots of care providers can check the basic boxes of being able to administer medications or assist with daily tasks. What makes Synchrony’s high-quality care stand out is the staff’s ability to connect with their patients on a human level, and to demonstrate high levels of empathy and strong communication skills. A great provider knows how to cultivate a compassionate and trusting relationship, which is just as important as providing quality medical care. Our staff are well versed on the importance of positive and clear communication, understanding (and participating in) our patients’ interests, hobbies, and how they love to spend their day. (singing, playing bridge or chess, cooking, beauty tips, sharing stories about friends and family, nature and gardening, automotive interests - to name a few).
Identify you or your loved one’s needs
Home health care can mean a wide variety of things, so it’s helpful to take some time to think about what you or your loved one’s specific needs are. Will you need physical or occupational therapy? Do you need a provider with experience managing a certain condition, such as diabetes, dementia, or Alzheimer’s; physical, occupational, and speech therapy, medical social work, companion care, nursing care? Synchrony Home Health Care provides these services, and much more.
Once you understand the needs you would like a provider to meet, you will be in a better position to start your search. Some agencies only provide certain services, and a cursory search of their website could inform you that the scope of their work is too narrow for your requirements. Synchrony Home Health Care, have a wealth of experience providing many different types of care, and can personalize a plan to meet your specific needs.
Setting up an initial free consultation
After reflecting on your home health care needs, you should reach out via phone or email to schedule an initial free consultation. This first conversation is an opportunity to communicate your needs and ask any questions you may have. Synchrony staff will treat you like a priority from this point of contact onwards, not just when care begins.
This consultation is also a chance to hear directly from our staff about the scope of services we provide and our experience within different domains. At Synchrony, we offer a wide range of care, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, medical social work, companion care, nursing care, and more. We also understand every patient’s needs are unique, so great care is taken to create individualized plans to help patients meet their short-term and long-term goals.
It likely will take a few conversations to iron out all the details of your home health care. We may ask you to obtain some information from your physician, and you will probably think of more questions as you get further along in the process of planning for relocation. We will be with you every step of the way as you navigate what can feel like a daunting process.
Go with your gut
At the end of the day, finding the right home health care provider is about finding good people. Your intuition, or that “gut feeling”, can help with this. How do you feel when speaking with the staff? Is there kindness, respect, and attentiveness in all your interactions?
Synchrony knows how critical this piece is, which is why there is a stringent selection process for our staff and an emphasis on comprehensive training. Synchrony staff understands patients to be whole, multi-faceted people, and alongside providing medical care, supports patients in cultivating their hobbies and interests.
Ready to explore home health care with Synchrony? Give us a call at (561) 559-1555 or email us at wecare@synchronyFL.com for a consultation. We care.
Home health care can mean a wide variety of things, so it’s helpful to take some time to think about what you or your loved one’s specific needs are. Companion care encompassess a variety of services- socialization and emotional support, transportation, homemaking and more. Companion care may be introduced for a variety of reasons- a long distance caregiver, a dementia diagnosis, or social isolation.
A long distance caregiver may opt to hire a companion to add to their support team, and offer their loved one safety and support at home. Having the peace of mind that your loved one has all their basic needs met, plus socialization and engagement can make all the difference for a caregiver who may be providing support at a distance.
In the circumstance of a dementia diagnosis, companion care may be used to help ease the transition of allowing others to be involved in care. As dementia progresses, your loved one’s needs may be more extensive and initially your loved one with a dementia diagnosis may be apprehensive of having others involved in their care. Companion care can allow your loved one to build rapport with someone else. Not only can it assist in the transition for the person living with dementia, but it can help the caregiver also become familiar with the idea of someone else being involved in their loved one’s care. This can be an emotional transition, and finding care providers that you can trust is crucial.
Lots of care providers can check the basic boxes of being able to administer medications or assist with daily tasks. What makes Synchrony’s high-quality care stand out is the staff’s ability to connect with their patients on a human level, and to demonstrate high levels of empathy and strong communication skills. A great provider knows how to cultivate a compassionate and trusting relationship, which is just as important as providing quality medical care.It’s important to consider what activities or conversation topics may help connect your loved one to their companion. Our staff are well versed on the importance of positive and clear communication, understanding (and participating in) our patients’ interests, hobbies, and how they love to spend their day. (singing, playing bridge or chess, cooking, beauty tips, sharing stories about friends and family, nature and gardening, automotive interests - to name a few).
Companion care can assist your loved one in making the most of their residence, and can fill in any gaps that might exist within the residence- for example ensuring that your loved one is attending programs.
As your loved one’s needs change, Synchrony Home Health Care will be there for you. Whether you need a provider with experience managing a certain condition, such as diabetes, dementia, or Alzheimer’s; physical, occupational, and speech therapy, medical social work, companion care, nursing care- Synchrony Home Health Care provides these services, and much more.
Looking for Home Health Care you can trust?
