Home Healthcare

 In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy I’ve seen a several Facebook post about the different issues that people have to deal with. One of these issues sparked some curiosity for me. What do you do if you are dependent on medication and disaster strikes? For example I saw online that many diabetic people who depend on insulin which needs to be refrigerated are having trouble since they are without power.
I did a little investigating and since hurricane Katrina when thousands of people were faced with this very situation steps have been taken to try to circumvent a medical catastrophe. Check out the following link which has excellent information on what you can do to prepare and also what you can do in the midst of an emergency.

www.consumer-health.com/services/cons_take67.php

We often think about food and water and other provisions when preparing our emergency kits but you may not be thinking about your medication…and you need to.

In lieu of the Olympics today I got to thinking about the topic of travel. As I daydreamed about flying to London to watch team USA compete I began to think about the possibility of taking my grandparents with me. Undoubtedly there are many seniors around the world who still have an interest in the Olympics. Therefore I wanted to take a second to discuss traveling with a senior and what steps you can take to make the trip better for you and your elderly companion.









To start off with make sure to pick a destination that interests your travel partner. Traveling is not as easy for the elderly and therefore you may want to make sure that where you are going is worth the trouble for them. I have read many blogs that suggest getting a vacation rental instead of using a hotel. For the elderly privacy is very important as well as daily routine. Don’t forget to consider mobility and the difficulty of accessing rooms at some of the larger scale hotels. Not to mention in a situation like the Olympics the crowd that you may come across and the noise that comes along with it.

Remember to be patient and understand that the senior you are traveling with will need time to carry out routine, and to rest. Take advantage of this time to really take in the scenery around you and enjoy the quiet time. Don’t make a plan until the day of and be flexible. Enjoy the lack of plan if possible.

Make sure to assist your senior travel partner with their packing. Considering you are the one that will most likely be handling the luggage this will help when it comes to over packing. Plus with your assistance you may find that fewer things are forgotten.
Most of all enjoy yourself! Take time to enjoy your travel partners company and make memories together.

Safe travels and go team USA!

We’ve all seen the cover of TIME magazine that features a woman breastfeeding her 3 year old son and undoubtedly had our own opinions (negative or positive) in response to the striking image. The subject behind this cover was that of attachment parenting which has become a much debated subject across the United States. After giving birth to my first child three months ago I naturally was inclined to research the subject to see what all the hype was about and if it is a practice that I might myself be interested in following.

To sum up attachment parenting it is the practice of raising children by following eight principles of parenting. The principles are as follows:

1. Prepare for pregnancy, birth, and parenting.
2. Feed with love and respect.
3. Respond with sensitivity.
4. Use nurturing touch.
5. Ensure safe sleep, physically and emotionally.
6. Provide consistent and loving care.
7. Practice positive discipline.
8. Strive for balance in personal and family life.



Reading these principles I find it hard not to ask myself “what kind of parent wouldn’t follow these principles?” and wondering how these could possibly be debated. Upon further research however I have found the heat of the debate to lie within issues such as how long to breastfeed your child, whether they should naturally be weaned or forced off the breast, and whether or not to have your child sleep in the bed with you or in a crib in a separate room. I myself have not made any ultimate decisions on these topics as I have never been a parent before and believe in leaving most of this up to my own personal judgment as I go along. I have found my mind surprisingly changed after trying certain methods and seeing how the baby reacts. However, if you should choose attachment parenting as your method of choice it is good to know that many studies have shown positive effects towards these ideas on the baby as an infant and as they develop into an adult. It is said that babies who co sleep and naturally wean off breastfeeding actually grow to be more independent and confident individuals, despite popular belief to the contrary.

Each parent chooses their own path and uses their own discretion and attachment parenting is just one way of raising your child. It is great to be informed and know the differences between different parenting styles and make your own decisions about what works best for you and your child.

For more information on attachment parenting visit:
www.attachmentparenting.org

-Maggi

It’s Independence Day, and it’s time for BBQ’s, outdoor fun and fireworks!!! Well…fireworks really? Maybe think twice… It’s been a very dry summer for most of us and much of the west is burning up. This week’s Cleanwaste Outdoor blog focused on wild fires since several of the fires around here were caused by a stray firework. If you want to read more on that topic please check our OR blog at http://www.cleanwaste.com/blog/outdoor-blog. For this week’s Healthcare blog however, I would like to shed some light on a totally different topic. PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. “Post-traumatic stress disorder is a type of anxiety disorder. It can occur after you've seen or experienced a traumatic event that involved the threat of injury or death.” (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001923/)


You may not realize it but even though fireworks are a fun time for most of us, they can spark a very bad time for those who suffer from PTSD. The loud and sudden noises can trigger a flashback reaction for many causing them weeks of trauma. Even those who may not suffer from PTSD can have negative reactions to the fireworks ” A couple of weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, police in Albany, N.Y., were inundated with calls -- many from the elderly -- because they thought a village outside the state capital was under attack.”
Read more: http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2010/07/01/Caregiving-Fireworks-and-PTSD/UPI-28161277972280/

I’m not advocating the ban of fireworks but I think it is important that we are conscious of the fact that both people and animals can react differently to loud noises and fireworks. If you are going to light of fireworks this 4th of July or any other time for that matter, just be conscientious of others. If you would like more information on PTSD check out this link and the others listed above. http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/anniversary-reactions.asp

Be safe, have fun and remember what our country stands for and celebrate it!!

Cheers! Marci

 Fraud schemes targeting seniors are become more and more prevalent. Last year one million cases of elderly fraud were reported, for a total of $2.6 billion in losses. According to the FBI seniors are singled out as targets because they are more financial stable, trusting and less likely to report fraud for fear of being deemed incompetent to care for themselves. Additionally, if seniors do choose to report a crime they often make poor witnesses due to memory issues. Fraud waged against seniors can be very embarrassing and emotionally taxing, as well as, financially devastating.

Fraud schemes targeted at seniors range from telemarketing fraud to health care fraud, cemetery and funeral fraud to identity theft. StopSeniorScams.org offers 5 tips to remember to protect yourself or your senior loved-ones from fraud: 1) If an offer is too good to be true, it probably is. 2) When it comes to a “now or never” opportunity, choose “never.” 3) Keep account numbers codes and passwords private. 4) Shred bills, junk mail and receipts when discarding them. 5) Don’t be afraid to report your experiences. If you feel uncomfortable, tell someone.

For more information about current fraud schemes and fraud warning signs please visit the FBI website: www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/fraud#rsbf

It’s finally getting nice out, but along with the warmer, nicer days comes higher temperatures and the possibility of a Heat Emergency. Did you know that children and the elderly are more apt to suffer a heat emergency? Let’s say a 65 year old male is mowing his yard in 80 degree heat. He starts to sweat profusely, and is very thirsty, these are some of the early symptoms of a heat illness. He continues to mow and develops a headache, becomes weak and dizzy, his skin is cool and moist, these are later symptoms of heat exhaustion. He then collapses in the yard, his breathing rapid and shallow, his skin is hot, dry and red, these are some of the symptoms of a heat stroke. Educate yourself on the facts of heat emergencies, learn the signs and symptoms, check out www.healthline.com/adamcontent/heat-emergencies and be in the know! Stay hydrated and go somewhere cool when you feel overheated, simple solutions that could save your life. Have a safe and fun summer!
-CM

The first things to come to mind when I think about Memorial Day are outdoor barbecues with family, fresh summer air, blooming flowers, parades, etc. These are all benefits that we can freely enjoy because of the true meaning of Memorial Day. It is a day to remember and honor those who sacrificed everything so you and I can live freely. Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, originated after the Civil War when the graves of confederate soldiers were decorated by wives and children. In the 20th century, the meaning of the day was extended to honor all fallen soldiers. After World War II, the name Memorial Day started to gain traction. In 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill which moved Memorial Day from the traditional date of May 30th to the last Monday in May. This was done to create a long 3 day weekend. Since then, there have been some complaints that the day is losing its meaning because of the move. The Veterans of Foreign Wars said in a 2002 Memorial Day address, “Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public’s nonchalant observance of Memorial Day.” They make a very valid point, and there are petitions out to move Memorial Day back to the original date of May 30th. Regardless of what date it is, we should always remember that the freedoms we enjoy are not free. A high price was paid by the most courageous. Remember those who have fallen and thank those who have served or are serving.

For more historical facts on Memorial Day visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_day

Let us know your thoughts. Should Memorial Day be moved to the original date of May 30th?

I recently read this article about downsizing from a large home to a smaller one and thought it might be a good topic to share. As many of us downsize our parents, grandparents, or even ourselves into smaller places it seems an overwhelming task to cull our possessions. In this article from HGTV’s Emily Henderson who is working with seniors at Sunrise Senior Living she gives some very savvy tips to make this task less daunting. Some highlights are:

• Buy multifunctional pieces - such as cocktail tables that can be stools, and ottomans that can hold storage.
• Don't have too many contrasting colors, because it makes the room busier and smaller.
• Keep the clutter down - nothing makes a space look smaller than a bunch of random knickknacks on surfaces.
• Use your wall space. If you don't have a ton of other areas for accessories, don't forget that you can hang objects that you love in shadow boxes as art on the walls.
• Consider round or oval furniture to keep the flow more open and airy.
•  

I think I’ll be keeping these in mind as I spring clean even my current home and will definitely be using them when I help my grandmother clean out her house this year.

Happy Mothers Day!

For the full article check out www.kansascity.com/2012/05/10/3604142/hgtv-hosts-decorating-advice-helps.html

 Dying with dignity. Who wouldn’t envision that for themselves? At the risk of broaching an awkward topic – how much are you willing to pay for that? What are you willing to do and not do? Depending on the source, the median net worth of the American at death ranges from $50K-$75K. That’s no one’s definition of great wealth. Related – and more concerning - is in 2009, the average end-of-life expenses incurred during a person’s last 90-days were between $30K-$40K – eating up more than half of a lifetime’s savings that might otherwise go to loved ones.

Prior to World War II, the most common place to die was quietly at home, often by the “physician’s friend” – pneumonia. The costs? Not much. We all know that today intensive care in a hospital can exceed $10K per day. While hospice offers some improvement in environment and cost, passing away at home remains the place of choice for most people. With a little advanced planning – wills, end-of-life care options and final arrangements can help that happen.

End of life planning tools: www.fullcirclecare.org/endoflife/checklist.html

 Activities for the elderly are an important part of making sure that our seniors’ minds are being engaged and brain cells are being stimulated. As children and/or caretakers of elderly people it is our responsibility to make sure seniors are being engaged! Participating in activities such as arts and crafts can help our elders maintain motor skills, hand eye coordination, concentration and self esteem, thus improving overall quality of life. Here is a list of potentially enjoyable activities that seniors could participate in:

Reading, painting, puzzles, games, woodworking, scrapbooking, knitting, sewing, playing instruments, writing/journaling, playing horseshoes, gardening, watching movies, working on genealogy…and so on.

Being actively engaged as a senior is an important part to overall health and quality of life. Make sure your loved ones are getting the stimulation they need.

What activities do your elderly loved-ones like doing?