Senior Sunrise

Caring for loved ones at home is both rewarding, and challenging. Sometimes caregivers are unaware of all the medical aides, products and supplies that are available to help them care for a loved one.  Here are some examples of very practical items that are not expensive, yet, very helpful.

(Bed rail, bath/shower seat, audio monitor, bath & cleansing cloths, dental swabs, lightweight wheelchair, washable underpads for bedding, disposable underpads for bedding, shower safety mats, sani-pant moisture brief cover ups, raised tiolet set, shampoo basin)

These are just a few items that could make a big difference in caregiving. Remember caregivers, you deserve a bit of assistance as well. Visit our Products and Supplies page on our website.

One of the best things any caregiver could possibly do for the elder under their watch is to be informed and knowledgeable. After all, even if your intentions are in the right place, you can inadvertently be harming them if you can’t provide the level of care that they need and deserve. As such, make sure that you’re fully versed in signs of common ailments such as Alzheimer’s, stroke, arthritis, osteoporosis, and more.

Having this kind of senior health information can truly mean the difference between well being and further harm. Especially with life threatening conditions, recovering from the condition is a matter of getting medical attention as soon as possible. But you can’t do that if you don’t see the symptoms early on. So if you’re considering caring for an elderly family member or friend, make sure you’re ready and willing to do the necessary research.

Before you see your doctor

• Make a note of your symptoms, the order in which they appeared, and anything that makes them better or worse
• Also note the results of any home testing, such as your temperature
• Bring a list of any medicines you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, herbal products and vitamins
• Have a list of any allergies, especially concerning medicine or food
• Know your family and personal medical history, which includes surgeries, serious illnesses, etc. (family is defined as mother, father, siblings and grandparents)
• Think about your eating and drinking habits, how well and much you sleep or exercise, etc.
• Make a note of any other health concerns that you might want to talk to the doctor about
• Bring along your pharmacist’s phone and fax numbers
• Have a clear idea of what you would like the doctor to do for you

While you are with the doctor

• Tell the doctor about the items listed above
• Ask what he/she thinks the diagnosis or problem might be
• Ask what tests, if any, are needed
• Be sure you understand what you need to do to treat the problem, and how you can prevent it from occurring again
• Find out if you are expected to see or call the doctor again
• Be sure you understand the possible side effects of any medicines the doctor prescribes

After your visit with the doctor

• Follow your doctor’s advice
• Call the doctor’s office if you don’t understand any of the instructions
• Tell your doctor if you feel worse, have other problems or side effects from any medicines
• If you have an appointment for a return visit, keep the appointment

Copyright Aurora Health Care, a not-for-profit health care provider serving Wisconsin.

Caregivers are probably the closest person to notice when there are physical and behavioral changes in a senior.  It is extremely important that action is taken immediately. Know that the warning signs can save a life.

A stroke, or “brain attack,” occurs when blood circulation to the brain fails.  Brain cells can die from decreased blood flow and the resulting lack of oxygen.  There are two broad categories of stroke: those caused by a blockage of blood flow and those caused by bleeding.  While not usually fatal, a blockage of a blood vessed in the brain or neck, called an ischemic stroke, is themost frequent cause of stroke and is responsible for about 80 percent of strokes.

Two key steps you can take will lower your risk of death or disability from stroke: know strokes’ warning signs and control stroke’s rish factors. Scientific research conducted by the NINDS (National Insdtitute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) has identified warning signs and a large number of risk factors.

WARNING SIGNS - Signs that are clues your body sends that your brain is not receive enough oxygen.  One or more of these signs of a stroke or “brain attack”, call a doctor or 911 right away!

Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

Sudden confusin, trouble speakin or understanding

Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Sudden trouble walkin, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

Sudden severe headache with not know cause

Risk Factors!   High blood pressure  *  Cigarette smoking * Heart disease * Diabetes (quoted from Article from www. ninds.nih.gov)

Recovery from any stroke will be as unique as the stoke itself. It may require a period of time in a rehabilitation facility, as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, & speech therapy.

Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. This is a public health insurance program which provides needed health care services for low-income individuals including families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, foster care, pregnant women, and low income people with specific diseases such as tuberculosis, breast cancer or HIV/AIDS.  Medi-Cal is financed equally by the State and federal government.

Change in California State Law for Medi-Cal Benefits

Due to a recent change in state law, the Department of Health Care Services will no longer pay for some Medi-Cal benefits for most adults ages 21 and older.  This change of law goes into effect on July 1, 2009.

Availability of the following Medi-Cal benefits has changed for adults: dental services, acupuncture services, audiology services, speech therapy services, chiropractic services, optometric and optician services, podiatric services, psychology services, and incontinence creams and washes.  All other Medi-Cal services will remain unchanged at this time.

The following Medi-Cal beneficiaries will continue to receive these benefits:

• If you or a family member qualify for Medi-Cal services and are under 21 years of age, or reside in a nursing facility, your benefits and services will not change.
• If you are pregnant, you will continue to receive pregnancy-related services, and services for the treatment of other conditions that might complicate the pregnancy.

In May and June 2009, the Department of Health Care Services will provide additional information directly to health care providers and Medi-Cal beneficiaries and will notify many other interested parties.  Information on the Department of Health Care Services website will be updated as it comes available, and updated information will also be placed on the Medi-Cal website at http://www.medi-cal.ca.gov

Quoted from:

http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/ChangeinCaliforniaStateLawforMedi-CalBenefits.aspx

Trips to the emergency room and hospital stays are usually not planned, and for that reason being prepared could help it be a lot less stressful.  The easiest preparation could be done in less than an hour because it only involves having the following 2 most important items ready in an emergency pack.

Personal Information & Paperwork.

1. Personal Information Sheet - (include the following information)

2. Paperwork -  (include copies of important documents)

Take time to be prepared. For those you love or for

those you care for it might mean the difference between

life and death.

How many times have you, your family or friends sat and discussed the benefits offered by Medicare?  I know that I have conversations about Medicare on a weekly basis.  I don’t work for Medicare, but I find myself visiting their website, and looking for the answer to my questions or others’ questions quite frequently.  Well, in my weekly visit to the government website I located a page that took my breathe away.  If you can’t find your question answered on one of the 29 pages of FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) I’d be very surprised.

The link below will immediately redirect you. I wish you happy reading, and successful hunt through the 577 questions regarding Medicare coverages.

Medicare Frequently Asked Questions 

Everybody who is caring for an elderly family member or friend deserves to have a day off. Caring for somebody with extensive medical or emotional issues can be very difficult, and it can feel like a fulltime job. As such, in order to continue to perform these duties at the highest possible level, it’s important that you give yourself a little bit of time to unwind and relax. If you find yourself a bit burned out, look into the possibility of senior day care.

These programs provide safe and entertaining places for a senior to spend the day with other seniors. Like any daycare program, make sure you look into the facility and caregivers. If you’ve determined that they’re reputable and personable, make sure they are specially trained and equipped to deal with whatever medical issues your senior might have. If your senior suffers from Alzheimer’s, for example, make sure it’s a senior day care program that specializes in this condition. In this way, they know what to expect from your senior, and they know how to deal with it properly.