Health Care and ElderCare

Are you one of those adults who is now responsible for taking care of older adults?  Are you responsible for overseeing parents or older family members who now look to you for care? Or, are you someone who is in the business of elder care, and that is either your profession as a caretaker or business owner? Regardless of your status, if you are dealing with issues related to helping seniors or older adults and their health care and lifestyle, then you may need some additional advice along the way.

 

According to LifeHealthPro, elder care planning is essentially a comprehensive strategy that helps define a senior’s wishes and assists designated caregivers and/or advocates in handling the physical, personal and financial affairs of a senior aging into the last phases of life. Long-term care (LTC) is just one, very important segment of total elder care planning.

Unfortunately, LTC as well as other elder care issues are topics of discussion often avoided or delayed by families. But planning for elder care is one of most important discussions a family can have. When planning takes place at the eleventh hour, mistakes can happen and opportunities are lost. Helping clients become aware of what issues should be in order and how important planning is for an elder’s comfort shows the client the total value you bring as an advisor.

Discussing long-term care and elder care issues takes time and should be done step by step, with compassion. Unless you also practice as an attorney, you likely won’t be the person to implement some of the elder care plan’s steps. But you can provide a checklist your clients should consider completing, and if your clients lack the appropriate professionals to help get their plan in order, you can refer them to one of your recommended contacts, such as an attorney. More info can be found at this site: http://www.lifehealthpro.com/2013/08/27/elder-care-planning-an-important-part-of-the-long-?t=ltci.

Senior citizens have difficulty at times processing information. Changes in physical and mental abilities that may occur with age can be difficult to detect—for older adults and their family members, friends, and caregivers too. To help in determining when an older adult may need assistance in the home, according to www.Eldercare.gov, their site has compiled a list of 10 warning signs. Any one of the following behaviors may indicate the need to take action. It is also important to inform the older adult’s physician of these physical or psychological behavior changes. Has your loved one:

·         Changed eating habits, resulting in losing weight, having no appetite, or missing meals?
·         Neglected personal hygiene, including wearing dirty clothes and having body odor, bad breath, neglected nails and teeth, or sores on the skin?
·         Neglected their home, with a noticeable change in cleanliness and sanitation?
·         Exhibited inappropriate behavior, such as being unusually loud, quiet, paranoid, or agitated, or making phone calls at all hours?
·         Changed relationship patterns, causing friends and neighbors to express concerns?
·         Had physical problems, such as burns or injury marks, which may result from general weakness, forgetfulness, or misuse of alcohol or prescribed medications?
·         Decreased or stopped participating in activities that were once important to them, such as bridge or a book club, dining with friends, or attending religious services?
·         Exhibited forgetfulness, resulting in unopened mail, piling of newspapers, not filling their prescriptions, or missing appointments?
·         Mishandled finances, such as not paying bills, losing money, paying bills twice or more, or hiding money?
·         Made unusual purchases, such as buying more than one subscription to the same magazine, entering an unusually large number of contests, or increasing purchases from television advertisements?

As people age and live longer, financial, legal, health care and long term care issues affect families, not just individuals. According to this website, http://www.eldercare.gov/ELDERCARE.NET/Public/Resources/Factsheets/Face_the_Facts.aspx   you can find significant details on this topics. And, here are some key considerations:

·         Figure out what financial benefits are provided by your parents’ Social Security and pension. Determine if they are eligible for other financial programs.
·         Ensure that each family member has a living will. Know where all your parents’ insurance policies, wills, trust documents, tax returns, investment and banking records are located.
·         Investigate what type of long term care insurance coverage may be best for your parents or for yourself! Generally, premiums are lower when policies are purchased at younger ages.
·         Identify what community services are available that can help your parents maintain independence in the home for as long as possible. Learn whether housing options are available to meet their changing needs.
·         Family members may not understand how their parents’ estate planning could impact their own financial status as well as that of their children.

Health care is a high-cost necessity, so it is crucial to know what is available to meet your family member’s needs, and what they are eligible to receive. Most adults over age 65 are covered by Medicare, the federal health insurance program that helps pay medical expenses for older Americans and younger people with disabilities. However, Medicare does not cover all needs, such as long term care including nursing homes or extended care, and Supplemental Insurance (also called Medigap insurance) might be necessary to cover additional health costs, according to Eldercare.gov.

Medicaid, on the other hand, is the federal and state insurance program that helps pay the health care costs of low-income individuals of any age. Long-term care insurance is available through the private market to assist individuals to cover the cost of long-term care services such as home health and nursing home care. Ask...

·         As your health status changes, are you prepared to meet your long term health care needs?
·         Do you have proper health insurance coverage (not too much or too little)?
·         Are you comfortably able to pay for prescription drugs and other out-of pocket health care costs?
·         Who are your doctors and how can they be contacted?
·         Where do you keep your insurance card, Medicare information, and other important health care documents?

One of the most difficult things you may ever have to do is to hand over or share the caregiving of the seniors in your life. For some reason, either you think you know them best and therefore can care for them the best; or because you really feel it is your responsibility, you are very reluctant to trust others to care for your elders, according to www.eldercare.com . But this attitude, although admirable, in most cases is not practical or even doable for the family caregivers. So what can you do to move forward mentally and then actively to change this situation? More details can be found at this site: http://eldercare.com/how-to-ensure-excellent-elder-care.

Eldercare can be a challenge, especially if you have special needs or limited resources. Find resources in your community and online. There are many organizations that can help you. Realize that millions more have walked in your shoes, so you are not alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and when you may start feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to reach out for assistance. Don’t try to go it alone, and remember that your senior relatives still love you even though they may have difficulty in expressing those feelings.

Until next time.

Health Care and Physical Stamina

How is your physical stamina? In other words, when you exercise or are engaged in any physical acitivity, are you breathless and exhausted within a few minutes, or can you keep going until the task is finished? Do you look for ways to help improve your physical stamina? Stamina means having the strength and energy to endure an activity, illness or stressful situation for an extended period of time.

People most commonly use the word stamina when referring to exercise, sports and other physical activities of the body or cognitive exercises of the brain. Generally, however, increasing stamina means decreasing fatigue when performing the activity. There are several ways to accomplish this task, according to health care writer Claire Walters:

Increased Physical Stamina is Beneficial for All Aspects of Health:

There are many aspects toa healthy lifestyle, and while the majority of the focus seems to be on diet and mental agility, it’s important not to underestimate the long term health benefits of maintaining a good level of physical stamina. Physical exercise has been proven to kick start the body’s basic systems into action and this is something that is particularly important as we grow older. Those who remain physically active for the longest tend to be much healthier in old age than those who have been very unfit for large portions of their later life, and there are many different reasons for this.

Fighting Obesity:

Obesity is one of the largest health issues in the US today, and again, while much of the blame is placed (rightly so) on the worsening standard American diet, a large portion of the blame can also be placed on the reduced amount of physical exercise that the average person is now engaged in. According to the American Health Rankings, two thirds of Americans are considered to be overweight or morbidly obese. The problem often stems from poor diet and lifestyle, both of which are controllable factors, however in most circumstances once a person becomes overweight , exercise becomes more difficult and the rate of exercise decreases with an increase in size. In essence, the bigger people get the less exercise they do, which is a vicious circle. Obesity is known to play a big role in the development of serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, and diabetes, so it’s vital for overall health to ensure that you are physically fit and active.

Positive Effects of Increased Physical Stamina:

Breaking the cycle of obesity begins with a change of diet and an increase in exercise. When increased physical stamina is the goal, and an exercise plan geared towards this is undertaken, the results can become exponentially positive. Not only does increased physical stamina result in weight loss, it also has numerous other health benefits. Exercise increases endorphin levels in the body, and this is has a positive effect on mood and motivation, and lowers stress. While working hard to increase your physical stamina, your body goes through a range of physical changes, both during and after the exercise, all of which promote a much better level of overall health. One of the reasons that many people opt to conduct exercise in the morning is that it leaves them feeling energized, and in good spirits, ready to take on the day with a positive attitude. This is down the ‘endorphin rush’ that is produced after exercise, and it not only improves mood but also many physical symptoms.

Lack of Physical Stamina can have Adverse Effects:

Many people feel lethargic and struggle with finding motivation and energy, and these are all things which can benefit immensely from an increased level of physical stamina. When a person is extremely unfit, it can affect all areas of their life as it can become extremely de-motivating to struggle to complete basic physical tasks such as walking up hills, running, climbing large flights of stairs, and even engaging in sexual activity. An increase in physical endurance will benefit not only the physical aspect of being able to complete these tasks, but also the mental effects of feeling able and capable once more. The human body was designed to be physical strong and active, and as such, all aspects of it work best when you are having enough exercise. Many people experience health problems which they do not attribute to poor physical fitness, but when exercise levels are increased, the health problems desist.

How to Increase Physical Stamina:

The good news is that there are plenty of different ways to increase physical stamina, and it can be and fun and interesting as you want it to be. The main concept is to increase your heart rate through physical activity for a sustained period of time. It’s a good idea to start off at a level that you are comfortable with and work up the intensity and time period from there. Don’t push yourself too hard at the beginning, but gradually increase over time as your body begins to get fitter. Activities which are beneficial for your physical stamina include strenuous walking, running, football, tennis, swimming, aerobics, cycling, or just about any other physical activity imaginable! 

Also, according to VibrantLife.com, twenty-five push-ups a day do not an athlete make, but combine those exercises you do for strength and endurance with a nutritious diet, aerobic conditioning, weight training, and a healthy lifestyle, and you can be at the top of your form-whatever your sport. Consider these 50 suggestions on their website; you may be in for a few surprises: http://www.vibrantlife.com/?p=152.

Here are some additional tips when you are participating in a program to increase physical stamina:

• Motivate yourself to exercise every day, even when you are not feeling very energetic.
• Increase training time by a few minutes each day.
• Give yourself plenty of physical or cognitive breaks: Switch between the two to avoid fatigue.
• Take daily relaxation breaks to help lower stress levels.
• Eat fruits every day.
• Practice meditation and breathing exercises daily.

Also, consider these warnings during any exercise program:

• Don't drink caffeinated drinks such as coffee or energy drinks before aerobic exercise. They speed up your heart rate; and once you start exercising, your heart may be beat too fast, putting you in danger.
• Keep a steady pace and don't break your routine. Taking a day off from the activity may be a helpful break, but allowing yourself to skip your routine for days at a time will make it much harder to get back in the routine.
• Energy drinks are not healthy when consumed on a daily basis. Avoid overuse if you want a strong, healthy body with plenty of stamina.

Improving your physical stamina is a good thing. However, make sure that you consult your doctor or health care specialist for any programs that involve strenuous activities related to exercise. Also, remember the motto: “All things in moderation.” Don’t try to overdo it just to show off or prove something to yourself. Recovering from injury due to overzealous physical activity definitely puts a crimp into your style.

Until next time.

Health Care and Coughing

A cough is a sudden and often repetitively occurring reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages from secretions, irritants, foreign particles and microbes. The cough reflex consists of three phases: an inhalation, a forced exhalation against a closed glottis, and a violent release of air from the lungs following opening of the glottis, usually accompanied by a distinctive sound. Coughing is either voluntary or involuntary. A cough is the most common reason for visiting a primary care physician in the United States.

According to Healthline, coughing to clear the throat is typically an infrequent action, although there are a number of other conditions that can cause more frequent bouts of coughing. In general, a cough that lasts for less than three weeks is known as an acute cough. A cough that lasts between three weeks and eight weeks, improving by the end of the period, is known as a sabacute cough. A persistent cough that lasts for over eight weeks is known as a chronic cough.

Most coughs will clear up, or at least significantly improve, within two weeks. If you cough up blood or have a “barking” cough, consult with a doctor. Any cough that has not improved after a few weeks may be serious and you should see a doctor. More info can be found here at this website: http://www.healthline.com/health/cough .

Acute coughs can be divided into infectious (caused by an infection) and noninfectious causes, according to emedicinehealth.com. The easiest way to simplify the causes of chronic cough is to divide them into their locations with respect to the lungs. The categories are environmental irritants, conditions within the lungs, conditions along the passages that transmit air from the lungs to the environment, conditions within the chest cavity but outside of the lungs, and digestive causes. Much more detailed description can be found at this site: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/coughs/article_em.htm .

Coughs can be caused by a number of reasons, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Recent upper airway infections, such as the common cold and flu, can cause coughs. Other common causes include:

•ACE inhibitors (medications used to control blood pressure)
•Allergic rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the nose or sinuses)
•Asthma
•Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema or chronic bronchitis)
•Cigarette smoking
•Exposure to secondhand smoke
•Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
•Lung disease such as bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, or tumors
•Lung infections such as pneumonia or acute bronchitis
•Sinusitis leading to postnasal drip

Although coughing can be a troubling symptom, it is usually your body's way of healing, according to the NIH. Here are some tips to help ease your cough:

•If you have a dry, tickling cough, try cough drops or hard candy. NEVER give these to a child under age 3, because they can cause choking.
•Use a vaporizer or take a steamy shower. Both these things increase the moisture in the air and can help soothe a dry throat.
•Drink plenty of fluids. Liquids help thin the mucus in your throat and make it easier to cough it up.

NOTE: Medical experts have recommended against using cough and cold drugs in children under age 6. Talk to your doctor before your child takes any type of over-the-counter cough medicine, even if it is labeled for children. These medicines likely will not work for children, and they may have serious side effects. Medications available without a prescription include:

•Guaifenesin helps break up mucus. Drink lots of fluids if you take this medicine.
•Decongestants help clear a runny nose and relieve postnasal drip. Do NOT give children under age 6 an over-the-counter decongestant unless specifically told to do so by your doctor. You should check with your doctor before taking decongestants if you have high blood pressure.

Do not expect a doctor to prescribe antibiotics for viral infections like colds or flu. Antibiotics do not work on viruses. Antibiotics also will not help coughs from allergies. More details about coughing can also be found at this website: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003072.htm .

A persistent cough (chronic cough) is a common symptom prompting people to visit the doctor. Annoying effects of coughing, such as loss of sleep, sore chest muscles and leaking urine, can affect your quality of life and interfere with your daily activities, according to About.com. What does it mean if you have a cough that just won't go away?

A persistent cough doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be worried about lung cancer. There are many possible causes of this symptom, only one of which is lung cancer. But since the less common causes are often missed for some time, it is important to make an appointment to see your doctor even if you believe there is a good explanation. More detailed info can be viewed on this site: http://lungcancer.about.com/od/symptoms/a/Persistent-Cough.htm .

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the following measures to contain respiratory secretions from coughing are recommended for all individuals with signs and symptoms of a respiratory infection.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
• Use in the nearest waste receptacle to dispose of the tissue after use;
• Perform hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing with non-antimicrobial soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, or antiseptic handwash) after having contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects/materials.

Healthcare facilities should ensure the availability of materials for adhering to Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette in waiting areas for patients and visitors.

• Provide tissues and no-touch receptacles for used tissue disposal.
• Provide conveniently located dispensers of alcohol-based hand rub; where sinks are available, ensure that supplies for hand washing (i.e., soap, disposable towels) are consistently available.

More details about this topic can be found at this site: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/resphygiene.htm , and this one: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm .

Coughing may be very temporary or more serious. The determination of the cause of a cough usually begins by determining if it is specific or nonspecific in nature. A specific cough is one associated with other symptoms and further workup is dependent on these symptoms while a non specific cough occurs without other signs and symptoms. If your cough is consistent with no real apparent reason, it’s time to see your doctor. Always be pro-active with your health and practice preventive measures. See your family physician or go to a medical clinic to seek a diagnosis. Don’t try to figure it out on your own, especially if you are not a licensed health care practitioner. Coughing is inconvenient, but it can also be a sign of something more serious.

Until next time.