Elder Care Home Health Blog

In Support of Stem Cell Research

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:52:42 +0000

Boca Home Care Services CEO/Founder Joseph Bensmihen

Boca Home Care Services Founder & CEO, Joseph Bensmihen joins Congressmen Ted Deutch and Ron Klein on the urgent need to lift a federal court’s recent injunction on federally-backed embryonic stem cell research.

The press conference was held September 1, 2010 at “Stand Among Friends”, a local disability center located on the Florida Atlantic University campus in Boca Raton.

Mr. Bensmihen is on the Board of “Stand Among Friends” which was founded by Shawn Friedkin to help people with disabilities and their families by providing resources to help them overcome limitations and lead successful, fulfilling lives.

Mr. Bensmihen believes Stem Cell research may lead to prevention of or treatment for diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis which affects so many aging people and their families.

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Tips to protect yourself or an aging loved one in the Hospital or Rehab facility

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:12:33 +0000

Elder Care Tips For Surviving a Hospital Stay

A stay in a hospital is almost by definition a stressful and anxiety provoking experience. You are there because you are ill or incapacitated in some way. There are countless staff people coming in and out of your room, 24 hours a day. Some introduce themselves, many do not. The amount of information being continuously gathered, updated and disseminated is immense. Much of it is now done on computer but many notes and scripts are handwritten and difficult to decipher. Any mistake can be painful, dangerous and costly to the patient, family and facility.

For an elderly patient who may have vision, hearing, or memory deficits, being in the hospital can increase their confusion and possibly orientation as well.

Oh, did I mention the germs found in hospitals?

Overall though, if your aging parent or loved one must be hospitalized for surgery or treatment there are some guidelines to help get through the experience and home safely.

1. Have a family member or trusted person be your advocate. This person should visit daily, making themselves known to the nurses and other staff at the nurse’s station. This person will be your eyes, ears and voice to your family and to the hospital personnel. They should have a working knowledge of your condition, treatment and discharge plan. Hopefully they can visit when the doctor is making rounds.

2. Have a notebook and pen at your bedside. Record the names of your nurses each day – especially a.m. and p.m. shifts. List your medications and doses, and what each is for. Record any tests or procedures/treatments you have. Make sure to write down what your doctor says each day so you can track your progress. Otherwise have your advocate record the notes.

3. Medication errors are common in hospitals. This is a fact today. When you record your medications, note the shape and color of each pill, what it is for, the dosage and when you are supposed to take it. This can include liquid medications and IV bags hanging by your bed. If you have any doubt or a question, ask the nurse before taking the medicine. Be clear on any allergies you have and make sure it is recorded in your nurse’s log and even written on your wall board.

4. Know who your primary nurse is. Establish a warm relationship with him or her. Kindergarten rules apply, smile, be polite, gracious and respectful and you will likely be responded to in kind. This can result in more attention, and fewer mistakes.

5. Doctor’s rounds — your chance to speak with your doctor, ask questions about your condition, treatment, expected prognosis and expected discharge date and plan. This is your face-to-face time with your doctor, surgeon or specialist. Maximize this time by having your advocate there. Have your questions ready beforehand so you won’t forget them. Write them in your notebook and record the answers there too.

6. Make yourself memorable in a positive way. Doctors and nurses are people too. They have individual interests, children, pets or favorite vacation spots. Tell them something about yourself and ask something about them to help foster more of a personal connection so you aren’t just the broken hip in room 318. Be the nice patient who is appreciative and has been to Italy 15 times.

7. Preventing hospital-acquired infections -the most common is MRSA. Ask anyone coming into your room to wash their hands with soap and put on a new pair of gloves. Watch them do it. This includes the nurses and doctors. Have an anti-bacterial dispenser by your bed and ask everyone visiting your bedside to use it. If possible, arrange for a private room.

8. Mark your body part to be operated on. As silly as this may sound, it has become acceptable practice. It is your body and you will suffer the repercussions of a mistake. Meet with the surgeon before surgery. Have your advocate or a family member or friend there. Review your name, birth date and what body part is being operated on. “Better safe than sorry” is a primary concern. If you can’t speak to the surgeon, review this information with the anesthesiologist or nurse involved in your surgery.

9. Beware of weekends, holidays and the nighttime shift. Staff is decreased at this time. The regular staffs, who know you best, may not be there. These are the most common times for medical mistakes to occur. Have family visit at these times and stay longer. If possible, hire a companion or private duty aide to stay with you. Boca Home Care Services routinely helps families so their loved ones are not alone during these vulnerable shifts.

10. Ask questions until you are satisfied with the answer. The person you may help save is yourself! If something seems wrong, like a medication or an x-ray order, ask the nurse to “please” double check it. Hospital personnel are aware of the thousand of hospital errors which occur in the U.S. so you are being reasonable to make sure. How you ask makes the difference. Condescension and rudeness will not help your cause. Asking in a polite and friendly way should be met with acceptance. If not, ask to speak to someone else. This is your body, health and well being…. it is your right to ask and be responded to. If your requests are being unfulfilled, ask to speak to the hospital advocate, quality assurance person or the social worker.

These suggestions are being made with a reasonable assumption that the patient can self advocate. If they can, a friend or family member is still needed to assist with helping the patient and getting information streamlined. If the patient is unable to self advocate, then the need for someone to do so, on their behalf is critical.

When family is far away, either a friend can act as an advocate or you may need to hire one in the form of a Geriatric care manager or home health company.

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Budgeting Tips For Seniors On Fixed Incomes

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:37:06 +0000

Fixed Income Budgeting Tips

Dealing with finances is often anxiety provoking, especially in these stressful economic times. Retirees and other seniors often have investments for interest generating income. I think we all know where interest rates are today….nearly extinct!

Here are some tips to stretch those dollars you have:

1. Make a BUDGET – list your expenses and your income so you know what money is coming in, what money is going out. This way you’ll see what the difference is and where you can make cuts.

2. Rank the items in the budget in order of importance. For example, rent/mortgage, utilities, transportation, medication are more important than entertainment (cable), restaurants and some clothing items.

3. Cut back on the amount of non-food items you use.

4. Shop with a list to prevent impulse buying.

5. Use coupons, either from the newspaper or go online to coupon sites or to the websites of the products you use.

6. Buy in bulk if you can.

7. Use the library for newspapers and magazine instead of subscriptions.

8. Plan out your route for errands and appointments so you can do more on one trip rather than making multiple trips.

9. Watch gas prices in your area. Don’t fill up the tank if you don’t need to.

10. Are you a Veteran? Do you use their clinics and discounted medications?

11. Split a membership with a friend to discount stores like Costco.

12. Review your budget every few months and tweak as needed.

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Plastic Furniture & Home Safety Threats To The Elderly

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:34:47 +0000

Plastic furniture and other Senior and Elderly Home Safety Dangers

Let me explain…

An aide was assisting a client with bathing. The family was using a plastic chair “with armrests” in the shower. They were convinced it was safe when lo and behold a front leg buckled under. The 220 pound man fell, hit his head, causing a gash. The 911 call was made, off to the hospital for treatment and a scan as he is on Cumadin, a blood thinner. Thankfully he was sent home a few hours later.

A woman living alone in her seventies, undergoing cancer treatments was using a plastic folding table to lean on. It fell over and she followed. Fortunately she was only bruised. Her daughter got rid of the table and increased the number of home care hours for her mother.

These are two examples of using unsteady furniture around the house which ended in falls. Remember, 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 falls. Many of these falls are in their own homes. A fall can result in a bone fracture; think HIP which can potentially change the person’s life.

A sturdy bath chair or bench can be purchased at any medical supply store and several department stores.

Other Common Elderly Home Care Dangers are:

Using towel racks or bars as a safety bar or grab bar – It is meant to hold a towel, not a person’s weight. Real grab bars installed into the shower and around the commode are relatively inexpensive.

Kitchen chairs on wheel – Great when you are sitting, a real danger if you go to lean on them or use them to prop yourself up…the wheels make the chair roll away, taking you with it which could result in a fall.

Throw Rugs and Runners – Those cute little throw rugs or runners, also a danger for getting your foot caught, causing you to trip and fall. Get rid of them or tape them down, especially the corners.

Wires on the floor – With all the electrical equipment used in the home today, one, a few or a bundle of wires, electrical cords and extension cords can easily cause an elderly person to trip and possibly fall.

Ask Yourself These Questions:

Stairs can be tricky. Are there guard rails?

Are there liners on the stairs which can cause an accident?

Is there a light switch at the top and bottom of the staircase?

Are walkways clear?

Are hallways well lit?

Is the path from the bedroom to the bathroom uncluttered, wide enough and have proper lighting, overhead, lamps or nightlights.

Senior Home Safety Matters

There is no place like a SAFE home for your senior and elderly loved ones. Good judgment is needed to keep the home and your aging parents safe. An old or insufficient piece of furniture is truly a hazard and should be replaced with a new and proper one. ‘Pennywise and pound foolish’ costs a great deal in pain, recovery time and care when an “accident” could have actually been rather easily prevented.

Boca Home Services can provide referrals to Home Safety specialists and you can find safety tips on our website.

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Hurricane Preparation Tips

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:08:20 +0000

In the height of Hurricane season: Let’s be prepared with a PLAN!

Are You Hurricane Prepared?

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

The goal of this Hurricane Preparedness article is to inform the public about the hurricane hazards and provide knowledge which can be used to take ACTION. This information can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.

Hurricane hazards come in many forms: storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. This means it is important for your family to have a plan that includes all of these hazards. Look carefully at the safety actions associated with each type of hurricane hazard and prepare your family disaster plan accordingly. But remember this is only a guide. The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense.

Checklist for “must-have” items in your house:

Drinking water for at least 3-5 days (at least 6 gallons per person)
Battery operated radio and/or TV
Battery operated clock
Flashlights or Battery operated lights.
Batteries for all of the above – A, AA, C & D sized batteries
Manual can opener
Toilet paper
Lighters or water proof matches
First Aid Kit
Extra Cash – ATMs likely not to work as they use electricity
Plastic garbage bags
Extra fuel for a generator
Ice chest
Soap
Disinfectant
Disposable plates/cups and utensils
Additional prescription medications – if you are down to a few pills, Refill Now.

If a storm is coming, make sure you do the following:

FILL the gas tank in your car.
Fill your bath tub and a sink or large container
with water.
Semi stock freezer so new meat isn’t wasted.
Have important papers and copies – insurance (home, hurricane and medical), licenses, a few checks, banking info, photos – anything you don’t want to lose or replace and need – in waterproof sealable plastic bags which you can quickly take with you if you must evacuate.
Know your evacuation routes.
Know of hotels in area and which ones take pets if applicable.
Know the shelters in your area.

Stay informed: watch the weather reports, listen to weather warnings.

Store extra non-perishable foods:
Canned tuna, sardines, salmon — pull top openings preferred
Canned fruit and vegetables
Dried fruits, nuts
Cereals, crackers, cookies, rice cakes
Peanut butter and Jelly
Prepared foods that are tasty cold — cook the things in your freezer, make spaghetti.
Juices, tea or coffee and powdered milk

We all remember Wilma – the storm is the scary part, but the aftermath, going without electricity is the harder part. Be prepared to live at least a few days or week without electricity.

Emergency phone numbers:

Emergency Management – Palm Beach County – 877-655-0495
Red Cross – 561-833-7711
Fla. Department of Insurance – 800-342-2762
Sheriff Office – 561-688-3000
Boca/Delray Sheriff – 561-278-2644

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