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Vicki Rackner MD
Joanne’s mother, Betty, had rheumatoid arthritis for years. Suddenly and unexpectedly, Betty was disabled by the pain, fatigue and limited mobility that she had feared since her diagnosis.
Joanne convinced her fiercely independent mother that living alone was no longer an option. And Joanne, the eldest of four children, knew that caring for her sick mother fell on her shoulders. Joanne was a legend in the circles of her family, friends and colleagues for her ability to act with grace under pressure.
Joanne took two weeks of vacation from her job and cooked and froze meals for her husband and three children. As she flew to her hometown, she wondered how she would coordinate her mother’s care from a distance. Supporting her husband as he built his new business, nurturing her kids and directing a major project at work already made her feel that she was running on empty.
You may relate to Joanne’s story. One out of four Americans cares for a friend or relative who is sick, disabled or frail. That’s 46 million Americans who offer unpaid help to a loved one. If they were paid, caregivers’ compensation would exceed last year’s Medicare budget! And if you become a caregiver, you, like Joanne, may try to do it alone, shrouded in secrecy.
Solo caregiving compromises your ability to nurture yourself and others. Let’s take caregiving out from behind closed doors. For your sake and the sake of those who count on you, please get some help. Caregivers are competent people who feel that they should be able to do this job. Yet, many soon find themselves unprepared and ill-equipped to manage the sometimes daunting tasks, such as managing a complex medical regimen or remodeling a house so it’s wheel-chair accessible or even finding someone to stay with their loved ones so they can go out to a movie without worrying their relatives will fall on the way to the fridge.
If you are a caregiver, you know that this act of love has its costs. You stand to forfeit up to $650,000 in lost wage s, pension and social security. Add to that is the personal cost to your well being, as your new demands leave you less time for your family and friends. You may give up vacations, hobbies and social activities. Finally, caregiving places a burden on your health. Caregivers are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, depressed immune function and even hospitalization.
Instead of reaching out, caregivers become isolated. Many who assume the caregiving burden fit the profile of the giving family member, like Joanne, who does not want to trouble others with her problems. Some fear the consequences of disclosing their new demands to coworkers or employers. Caregivers are further challenged by the cultural conspiracy of silence. Our youth-centered society turns a blind eye to the unpleasant and inevitable reality that all of us age and die. This leaves both caregivers and care recipients unprepared. Look no further than the path of Hurricane Katrina to witness the consequences of a lack of planning.
What can you do? Start talking about the "what ifs" and make a plan.
1. Start with yourself. What will happen to you and your family if you become disabled or die unexpectedly? Do you have disability insurance? Do you have a will? Do you have a living will, and have you identified the person who will make the medical choices you would make if you are not in the position to do so?
2. Approach healthy family members. Say, "I hope that you live many happy years in which you enjoy all of the pleasures you worked so hard to create." Have you thought about what would happen to you in the event that you cannot live independently any more? If some medical event befalls you, who would make your medical choices?
3. Look into community resources that support caregiving. A day program, for example, helps your loved one by providing social connections with peers. Your community may even offer transportation to and from the program. Getting out of the house offers the additiona l benefit of getting bodies moving. Socializing and exercise are the two most powerful interventions that help your loved ones stay at their best.
4. Make specific suggestions to friends, family members and neighbors who want to help. You may even want to keep a "help list." When they say, "Let me know what I can do," you have a response: "Could you take Mom to her physical therapy appointment this week?" "When you’re at the store, could you pick up some oranges and blueberries?" "Could you watch the kids for an hour so I can get to the gym?" Your giving friends will appreciate specific ideas about how they can help.
5. Take care of your health. Get good nutrition, plenty of sleep, and regular exercise to stay in top health. Wash your hands regularly to prevent colds and flu. Manage your stress with laughter, a prayer or even a deep breath. Nourish your soul with a taste of activities that recharge your batteries such as writing in your journal or gardening. Finally, talk to your doctor if you feel depressed or anxious.
The best strategies for effective caregiving include preparation, acts of self-care and reaching out for help. That begins with the courage to start talking openly about caregiving.
Vicki Rackner, MD is a board certified surgeon who left the operating room to help caregivers and patients partner with their doctors. She's the author of "The Biggest Skeleton In Your Doctor's Office", "The Personal Health Journal", and "Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Heart Disease. Go to www.drvicki.org and get her FREE REPORT: "Caring for the caregiver: How to open your heart to other without putting your own at risk."
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by: Edward Ricci
MedicTag Medic ID and Alert - Keeping emergency information up to date
By Edward Ricci
Who needs to keep their information available and updated?
Actually, all of us should but very few do. However for those at risk, such as seniors, people with chronic illness, serious allergies or medication complications, special needs children and anyone traveling away from home it is something that should not be overlooked. Children should also have the proper medical information on them at all times if they have a medical condition or serious allergy.
In a medical emergency, you might be unconscious or unable to speak for yourself, that's why it's so important to make sure that medical personnel have access to your medical history, as well as relevant contact information. For example, knowing what medications you are taking could prevent severe drug interactions, and knowing what allergies you have could prevent serious reactions.
Millions of Americans have medical conditions
which should be immediately known to Emergency Personnel. Diabetes (over 13
million), diagnosed heart disease (23 million), alzheimers, transplant surgery,
patient's currently on blood thinners such as Coumadin, epilepsy, asthma,
severe allergies, cancer patients and medication allergies such as penicillin
and other antibiotics are all conditions that should be brought to the
attention of emergency personnel. Additionally, many of us are reasonably
health but getting older (36 million people age 65 and over) and our list of
medications continue to grow with the years. With over 110 million emergency
room visits a year, your emergency information may actually be the most
important information of your life.
What information should be maintained?
Here are just some of the things that are recommended:
Medical history - Chronic medical conditions
Medications - Including over-the-counter
Allergies - Medications and foods
Surgical history - Date, hospital and surgeon
Private physician - Primary care and specialists
Emergency contacts - Multiple contacts with alternate numbers
Miscellaneous - Advance directives, special diet, or other critical information
How can you keep your information available and up to date?
Today you have many options that allow you to have your emergency information available. Which one you choose should be based on your personal needs and risk factors. The “Vial of Life” program is a free program designed for seniors and individuals with serious medical conditions. It provides medical information to emergency personnel who respond to and treat home emergencies.
The “Vial of Life” contains much of the medical information needed by emergency personnel, such as existing medical conditions, allergies, medication currently being taken, and emergency contact information.
Medical history and emergency information forms are also available on-line from the
Mayo Clinic and the American Medical Association. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Emergency Physicians have also created an Emergency Information Form (EIF) for parents of children with special health care needs.
As a minimum, anyone with an existing medical condition or that has special emergency needs should wear some type of medical ID to alert medics to their situation. In addition you should have a record of all vital information with you at all times.
So how do you carry all that information around with you?
Digital technology allows a very large amount of information to be stored onsurprisingly small devices. One company MedicTag LLC has adapted this technology to produce an emergency information device that fits on a keyring. The device is simple to use and works with your desktop or laptop computer. You can fill out the information form and make changes whenever necessary, always keeping your emergency information up to date. Emergency responders on site with a laptop or at the emergency room can have instant access to your vital information, even if you are unconscious, allowing them to diagnose and properly treat you with as little delay as possible.
Do you need to have your emergency information available?
For most of us the answer is probably yes. If not you, how about a child, parent or other loved one in your family? Considering the possible life saving benefits, it is something that we should seriously consider, for safety and security that affects the whole family.
Additional resources and references:
Edward Ricci is the founder and COO of MedicTag LLC.
MedicTag LLC
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By Ruth Bredbenner
Managing medications for your parents,means at times , traveling a distance as well as the fine line of being sure they are O.K. All the while ,using extreme consideration for them as an independent senior. Recognizing they may need some assistance and are reluctant to ask for help. The fear might even be, that as their family you may feel they are incompetent in their self care.
If your senior family member has been ill and is now living home after a discharge from a hospital or a doctors office visit has meant many new medications for them. Be sure you follow up at their home . Go over their hospital discharge instructions and be sure they understand any precautions, instructions or restrictions they might have been given.
Review the new medications and compare them to their prescription bottles,confirming the instructions and the medication,and the dose are matching. They should have been given a medication educational sheet that explains the medication, its use and potential side effects. Their doctor should be notified promptly with any problems.
If they have many medications and have a potential for confusion, a medication chart can be set up as a display in the area where they take their medication.
A chart with a picture or the "pill" itself can be placed on the chart, next to it, what it is for--- " Heart Pill"--- and how it is to be taken.--- Once each A.M.--- This should be in print large enough for senior eyes. Medication that is a similar shape or color or similar sounding names, can add some risk of confusion. Be sure that it is clear to them and they are able to distinguish between them. Carefully differentiate them on the chart.
Seniors are at a greater risk for confusion when their routine has been changed. So after each doctors visit, update the chart and remind them frequently of the new change. They can have small cups or medication boxes, that are labeled the day of the week and the time they are to be taken.They can be prefilled by the family on a weekly visit. They should be checked to be sure they have been emptied according to the medication regime.
If you as a family notice changes in the ability of the senior to care for themselves independently. And if you as a family are unable to do so, it might be time to ask your parent's doctor to have Home Health or Visiting Nurses see them in their home.
The use of a lifeline "emergency " button they can wear as a necklace can offer some peace of mind, and a sense of security, they then will be able to call someone if they need help.
Seniors, now have a better quality of life for a longer period of time. Their independence is very important to them, as it is for each of us. With the support and close observation by the family and friends they have the best of both worlds in healthcare maintenance.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ruth_Bredbenner
http://EzineArticles.com/?Seniors-Sometimes-Need-Assistance-With-Their-Medication-Regime&id=662312
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