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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In New Harmony, UT

Home Care New Harmony, UT

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting New Harmony Historic District in New Harmony, UT gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in New Harmony, UT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care New Harmony, UT

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Lea, Brent and the staff are great. Because I live in a different city, the staff takes care of my father’s needs where he lives. Maria is wonderful with my dad. I’ve not personally met the staff, except Maria, but I’m very grateful for all they do for my dad and me. Appreciate them.”

Sherry F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My experience with Always Best Care was hands down amazing! Their staff is super attentive and kind. I always felt like I was their first priority and that they really cared about me. 10/10 would recommend!!”

Ashlee Y.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the exceptional care Siale provided for my dad. He was committed to delivering the highest quality of care and truly valued my dad as a patient. Siale, he goes over and beyond to make a positive impact on the lives of his patients.”

Angie L.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in New Harmony, UT?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care New Harmony, UT

Types of Elderly Care in New Harmony, UT

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care New Harmony, UT
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers New Harmony, UT
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Harmonie State Park in New Harmony, UT with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care New Harmony, UT
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Red Geranium Restaurant or visit Historic New Harmony Atheneum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care New Harmony, UT

Benefits of Home Care in New Harmony, UT

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in New Harmony, UT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care New Harmony, UT

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your UT's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care New Harmony, UT

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in New Harmony, UT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care New Harmony, UT

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers New Harmony, UT

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Charles Ford Retirement Communities of New Harmony
  • Premier Healthcare of New Harmony
Home Care New Harmony, UT

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care New Harmony, UT

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in New Harmony, UT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care New Harmony, UT

Latest News in New Harmony, UT

Volunteers, restoration crews clean up small town in southern Utah after major flooding

Posted NEW HARMONY, Utah — A small southern Utah town is rallying together after flash flooding devastated homes and property when the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla dumped five inches of rain in a single night.New Harmony, a community of just 236 residents, received around 10 inches of rain total for the entire year up until last Thursday. On Friday night, the National Weather Service said the town was hit with five inches as Hurricane Priscilla's remnants moved through southern Utah.The flooding caught many res...

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NEW HARMONY, Utah — A small southern Utah town is rallying together after flash flooding devastated homes and property when the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla dumped five inches of rain in a single night.

New Harmony, a community of just 236 residents, received around 10 inches of rain total for the entire year up until last Thursday. On Friday night, the National Weather Service said the town was hit with five inches as Hurricane Priscilla's remnants moved through southern Utah.

The flooding caught many residents off guard, including Trenton Wailehua, a Pine Valley homeowner whose garage flooded with two feet of water.

"It was dark, rain was coming down, and we didn't realize where we're standing was getting flooded until it was too late," Wailehua said. "We had a Tesla in the garage that was two feet underwater. It's stuck in there right now."

Despite the damage to his own property, Wailehua found himself helping neighbors in need. When someone was looking for a generator, he offered his own flood-damaged unit.

"I have one in my garage, but it was two feet underwater, but never been used. If you guys can fix it, take it, give it to whoever needs it," Wailehua said.

The community response has been overwhelming. Cars lined the streets as volunteers arrived to help with cleanup efforts.

"That night, there were already people driving around, checking to see if we need help," Wailehua said.

Thomas Byrd and Wayne Elwood, both with Cedar City water restoration service Service King, were among those who responded Friday night.

"One of the great things about being in our field of work, but also being in this position and living in such a small town, is the community that pulls together when a natural disaster like this happens," Byrd said.

"The community members just go well beyond anything I've ever seen in my whole life. It's just so wonderful to be a part of this community," said Elwood, a New Harmony resident himself.

New Harmony Fire Chief Jim Banks said the damage was extensive across the small town.

"This particular house over here has a 9-foot basement and it was completely full of water," Banks said. "We've got a tremendous number of people who have had driveways washed away, landscaping washed away."

The town's fiber internet lines were severed but have since been restored.

Despite the flooding, New Harmony's annual Apple Festival went on as scheduled Saturday. Banks said the fire department's main fundraiser had to continue.

"We had to relocate the vendors to the street because of the water that we had in the park — we didn't want to take it damaging the grass. But even then, people still showed up," Banks said. "We just kind of roll with the punches, and you know, small town spirit — you just make it happen."

New Harmony sits on the other side of Pine Valley Mountain from Pine Valley, which was scarred by the Forsyth Fire this summer. Pine Valley Fire Chief Robert Hardy said one home there had basement flooding, but no other homes sustained more than minor damage. However, a nearby campground that briefly reopened last week will remain closed for at least the rest of the year due to new damage.

Wailehua said he had homeowner's insurance but not flood insurance. Still, the community support has been overwhelming.

"Things can be replaceable, but it's a tough one, it's a tough pill to swallow," Wailehua said. "But having the community come and just open hands, not even asked ... grab a pair of gloves and start coming and grabbing, seeing where they can help."

When asked about seeing the line of cars full of volunteers, Wailehua was momentarily speechless before saying, "It is much appreciated."

Heavy rain returned to the area Monday afternoon, though not close to Friday night's downpour.

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Floods strike Utah after heavy rainstorms

SALT LAKE CITY — Reports started coming in on Friday night of flooding after heavy rain struck parts of Utah over the weekend due to remnants of a hurricane pushing into the state.Washington CountyWashington County was struck with flooding that started around 7:50 p.m. on Friday, according to Sgt. Lucas Alfred with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.Alfred said residents reported flooded roads with debris being pushed onto the roadways in Gunlock, New Harmony, Dammeron Valley and Pine Valley.Acco...

SALT LAKE CITY — Reports started coming in on Friday night of flooding after heavy rain struck parts of Utah over the weekend due to remnants of a hurricane pushing into the state.

Washington County

Washington County was struck with flooding that started around 7:50 p.m. on Friday, according to Sgt. Lucas Alfred with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Alfred said residents reported flooded roads with debris being pushed onto the roadways in Gunlock, New Harmony, Dammeron Valley and Pine Valley.

According to Alfred, the floods were bad enough in Pine Valley that the town had to be closed off to the public.

“Pine Valley was hit very hard after the Forsyth Fire,” Alfred said. “They lost most of their vegetation on the mountain side that would help retain some of that water coming down in a hurry like that.”

Alfred said people were concerned about possible injuries with the town being cut off to the public.

“You couldn’t leave or get in for quite a while because the roadway was completely flooded over,” Alfred said.

Residents there began bunkering down while emergency services and Pine Valley Fire Department stocked up on supplies for those in need. According to Alfred, local emergency services anticipated the damage from the Forsyth Fire would cause flooding like this, and they were prepared.

“Try and avoid low areas, if heavy rain starts to fall you need to move to higher ground,” Alfred said. “We had one person last night who didn’t do that, they decided in the rain to go down into a bowl area in the desert, they did call in our search and rescue who were able to go in and retrieve her and her dog.”

The woman was rescued without any injuries in Washington City, along with her dog.

Alfred said Pine Valley is now accessible to the public and no injuries have been reported by residents.

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The Virgin River after a storm in Washington County passed through the area on Friday night. (Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson via X)

La Verkin

A creek near Zion National Park called La Verkin Creek began flooding due to the storms.

“Normally you can step across the La Verkin Creek,” Victor Iverson said in a Facebook post. “Confluence Park suffered flooding and damage last night.”

Iverson also advised people not to use the parking lot out of the River Wood subdivision and to avoid the park due to an excessive amount of mud and water in the area.

“I fear mother nature is not done yet,” Iverson said.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available on floods moving throughout Utah.

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Music teacher finds new harmony after treatment for deviated septum

What began as a childhood dream of being a touring rock star has grown into a love for music education.Today, Mike Mason is the director of campus operations for Congregation Beth Israel, where he also serves as the music educator.“Music is a big part of who I am. I listen to music, I talk about music, I play and teach it,” Mike said.But a deviated septum, a diagnosis he’d had since adolescence, was growing worse into adulthood, impacting his energy levels, his sleep, and mood.“Even though ...

What began as a childhood dream of being a touring rock star has grown into a love for music education.

Today, Mike Mason is the director of campus operations for Congregation Beth Israel, where he also serves as the music educator.

“Music is a big part of who I am. I listen to music, I talk about music, I play and teach it,” Mike said.

But a deviated septum, a diagnosis he’d had since adolescence, was growing worse into adulthood, impacting his energy levels, his sleep, and mood.

“Even though I was living out my passion, I felt like my quality of life was not what it could be,” Mike said.

Mike was referred to , an otorhinolaryngology specialist with UT Physicians Otorhinolaryngology – Texas Medical Center, after years of dealing with symptoms of a deviated septum.

Deviated septum

The nasal septum is the cartilage wall inside the nose that separates the right and left nostrils. It runs up the midline of the nose, separating the two chambers of the nose.

When the septum is skewed toward one side or the other, it’s called a deviated septum.

“A deviated septum narrows the area through which air can flow from the nose into the lungs,” said Luong, professor of otorhinolaryngology – head and neck surgery and vice chair of academic affairs in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.

Symptoms of a deviated septum

The most common symptom of a deviated septum is nasal obstruction.

For Mike, nasal obstruction left him feeling like he wasn’t breathing at full capacity.

“I had a half-functional nose,” Mike said. “Being an allergy-prone person, any kind of stuffiness led to a real lack of being able to use my nose to breathe.”

Lying down to sleep amplified that feeling of nasal obstruction. Mike couldn’t get air through his nose.

“I wasn’t getting restful sleep. I’d often wake up fatigued, and I was certainly more irritable than I think I would have been,” Mike said.

Another symptom that was growing his frustration: a significantly reduced sense of smell.

“I felt like I was missing out. I couldn’t experience what others were experiencing, good or bad,” Mike said.

Deviated septum diagnosis

A deviated septum diagnosis begins with a visit to an otorhinolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, like Luong.

“Patients usually come in because they have difficulty breathing through their nose,” Luong explained. “We do a visual exam and can use a small endoscope or camera to look up the nose and evaluate the septum.”

Left untreated, a deviated septum that has significant symptoms could impact quality of life.

Risks for developing a deviated septum

The National Institutes of Health estimates more than 80% of Americans are living with a deviated septum, but not all have serious symptoms. A deviated septum is something you’re born with or can develop over time as the body grows, or it can develop from nasal trauma.

“A small deviation as a child will increase as you get older because that piece of cartilage keeps growing,” Luong explained. “And even if you’re born with a deviated septum, you may not develop symptoms until later in life, or never at all.”

The first course of treatment is to try to alleviate the nasal obstruction without surgery.

Mike used an anti-inflammatory nose spray, purchased over the counter from a pharmacy. Despite using medication for several months, his symptoms continued, and Luong offered two surgical options to alleviate the symptoms from the deviated septum.

Septoplasty

An outpatient procedure, a septoplasty surgery involves a small cut made inside the nose to remove the portion of the septum that is crooked.

“The advantage of this surgery is that the cut is on the inside and no one can tell you had surgery, but you only address about 80% of the septum,” Luong said.

Septoplasty surgery is completed under general anesthesia and takes about 90 minutes.

Rhinoplasty

Commonly referred to as a “nose job” for cosmetic reasons, there is a functional purpose to rhinoplasty surgery.

A rhinoplasty surgery that addresses a deviated septum involves a cut to the outside of the nose, allowing the surgeon to remake the nose, straighten the entire septum, strengthen the cartilage, and widen the back of the nose to increase airflow.

“A rhinoplasty surgery can take twice the time under anesthesia, there can be swelling or bruising afterward, and people will be able to tell you had surgery,” Luong said. “The advantage is that this is the more complete approach to address symptoms of a deviated septum.”

Recovery from septoplasty surgery

Mike chose the septoplasty treatment. Recovery meant one week of rest with no heavy lifting and anti-inflammatory medication for pain.

It was about a week post-surgery when Mike fully felt the benefits of the septoplasty surgery.

“I was on a walk with my dogs, and it was a pretty cool moment when I realized my right nostril was breathing,” Mike said.

Improved quality of life

Mike, who was also diagnosed with sleep apnea, uses a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Since recovering from his septoplasty surgery, his quality of sleep has improved.

“I find myself breathing through my nose all night long much more often, and I wake up feeling fully rested more frequently,” Mike explained. “I am getting better use out of the CPAP machine.”

Better breathing means he can be more active with his daughter, play recreational sports, and has regained his sense of smell.

“Smelling food when it’s cooking has been wonderful,” Mike said. “Tasting food is improved too because I can smell it now, which is fairly amazing.”

And this summer, as the music director at a family camp in Central Texas, Mike discovered an unexpected benefit.

“The surgery seemed to improve my vocals,” Mike said. “I know I’m breathing better because I’m taking in more oxygen, but I also have more vocal control, better pitch, and projection.”

Compassionate care for a deviated septum

Undergoing surgery of any kind is not a simple decision, but Mike says working with Luong made him feel comfortable and confident.

“She was very thorough and did not make it seem complicated or scary,” Mike said. “She presented the options to me and let me choose what was best for me. She very much met me where I was.”

His best advice for anyone considering treatment for a deviated septum: expert care is available.

“Don’t put this surgery off,” Mike said. “It’s given me a renewed feeling and energy.”

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