MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'caregiving'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:50:02 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118631&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcontent.healthaffairs.org%2Fcontent%2F30%2F8%2F1606.full.pdf Eleanor Clift Veteran reporter Eleanor Clift wrote the essay Hospice And The ‘End Game’ after her husband’s death from cancer. In it she concludes that hospice “should be front and center in the debate over the kind of health care future that we want.” Disruptive Women plans to cover the topic of hospice, end of life and caregiving next year, so stay tuned. Read the essay here.  To listen to a podcast of the essay click here. The essay appears in Health Affairs‘ August 2011 issue. (Source: Disruptive Women in Health Care) Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118631 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:25:26 +0100 5118631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107630&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2Ff1LdsDd7wdc%2F I was getting my son’s physical for school the other day and the doctor talked to us about HPV.  What is it?  HPV, or humanpapilloma virus, is a very common sexually transmitted virus.  In fact, it is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States today.  More than half of sexually active men and women are infected with HPV at some time in their lives.  The good news is that there is now a vaccine called Gardasil to protect you from this sometimes deadly virus.  Gardasil use to be given only to young women, but now it is recommended for girls, ages 11-26 AND males, ages 9-26.  It is important to note that the vaccine is given before any sexual contact, because once someone is infected, the vaccine might not work as well or might not work at all.  Women with the v... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107630 Sun, 07 Aug 2011 16:11:00 +0100 5107630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062516&cid=t_100073_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2FAO7ojwxCk_4%2Ffamily-caregiving-is-becoming-more-and.html Family caregiving is becoming a more and more common phenomena with the rise in numbers of American seniors, and a 2011 AARP study says the value of unpaid family caregiving reached $450 billion in 2009. Recent data shows one in eight Americans are 65 or older, with the number of seniors doubling between 2000 and 2030; the number of senior household is expected to increase 35% by 2020 from 2010 figures. Many older Americans embrace their independence and prefer receiving care at home and aging in place rather than going to a nursing facility, says AARP; this has contributed to the rise in caregiving in general, as well as family caregiving and the costs associated with it. To put the costs of caregiving in context, the AARP paper, Valuing the Invaluable: 2011 Update – The Growing Contr... Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062516 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:32:00 +0100 5062516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051287&cid=t_100073_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2FiYJfcbaHr5Y%2Frising-cost-of-elder-caregiving.html When Maria and Bernie Staab laid out their retirement road map a while back, travel was priority No. 1: specifically, extended trips from their Baltimore-area home to visit their grandkids in San Diego and take them to the beach and on other adventures. The odysseys were supposed to kick in next spring, but now something else is at the top of their agenda: Bernie's mother's Alzheimer's disease. The couple says her condition has worsened, and they're now scrambling to finance the $3,800 monthly bill for her care. Not only has Maria questioned her plan to retire from her job as a human resources manager, but Bernie even came out of retirement to work part-time for a while. After all, it was that or blow through their nest egg. The Staabs aren't the only ones being forced to choose between p... Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051287 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:46:00 +0100 5051287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952835&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FNd54fULlfIg%2F The following is a guest post by Kathy N. Johnson, PhD, CMC. Dr Johnson is a Certified Geriatric Care Manager, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Home Care Assistance. She holds a Doctorate in Psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology.  Kathy co-authored the book, Happy to 102: The Best Kept Secrets to a Long and Happy Life, based on the ground breaking Okinawa Centenarian Study, which spells out precisely what it takes to delay or escape Alzheimer’s and other chronic diseases, as well as how to slow the aging process. By Dr. Kathy Johnson. Family members who provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aging parent make up almost 30% of the U.S. population. The majority are women, ages 40-65, and they spend an average of 20 hours per week in hands-on care givin... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952835 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:30:55 +0100 4952835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893443&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FK5l3NJPioEk%2F By Jane Sarasohn-Kahn. By 2050, the demand for long-term care (LTC) workers will more than double in the developed world, from Norway and New Zealand to Japan and the U.S. Aging populations with growing incidence of disabilities, looser family ties, and more women in the labor force are driving this reality. This is a multi-dimensional problem which requires looking beyond the issue of the simple aging demographic. Help Wanted? is an apt title for the report from The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), subtitled, “providing and paying for long-term care.” The report details the complex forces exacerbating the LTC carer shortage, focusing on the fact that current policies to address this future are fragmented and piecemeal. Instead, OECD argues, policymakers m... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893443 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:34:18 +0100 4893443 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803557&cid=t_100073_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2F5u6cEmukrZU%2Fphysicians-focus-on-importance-of.html The Merry Widows, as they call themselves, were blinged out, Florida-style, to celebrate Elayne Weisburd’s 79th birthday at a sprawling community for seniors. Mylar balloons levitated above their table, and sparklers twinkled from a cake. The guest of honor and her two friends were beaming when Dr. Marc E. Agronin, a geriatric psychiatrist and the director of mental health, arrived with a hug for everyone long after what would be normal office hours. The Merry Widows moved to the community when their husbands developed Alzheimer’s disease and looked to Dr. Agronin to prepare them for what lay ahead. But while treating their husbands’ disease, he became their psychiatrist, too. He urged the women to attend therapy groups, made suggestions about medication for anxiety and encouraged ... Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803557 Mon, 09 May 2011 19:56:00 +0100 4803557 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4747914&cid=t_100073_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2Fozx7aD3WU7k%2Fcaregiving-and-family-circle.html Today’s guest post comes from SeniorsforLiving.com’s Michelle Seitzer. Before committing to life as a full-time freelance writer, Michelle spent 10 years in the senior living and advocacy world, serving in various roles at assisted living communities throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland, and leading the charge for Alzheimer’s as a public policy coordinator for the Pennsylvania chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association. She has blogged for SeniorsforLiving.com since November 2008 and currently resides in York, Pennsylvania, with her teacher husband and two Boston Terriers. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook. “When our relatives are at home, we have to think of all their good points, or it would be impossible to endure them.” - George Bernard Shaw Ah, family. Even those of us wi... Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4747914 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:01:00 +0100 4747914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4723977&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FtWHMVOtZmfk%2F (Source: Nursing Comments) Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4723977 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:23:08 +0100 4723977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4723978&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FTYSQsL94UoE%2F           When I was in nursing school, it was very hard for me to differentiate the types of lung sounds.  I guess you can’t just hear rales or rhonchi anytime you want to – you have to wait until the patient and the particular illness presents itself.  To start with the basics, breath sounds are the noises produced by the structures of the lungs during breathing.  The lung sounds are best heard with a stethoscope, and this is called auscultation.  Normal lung sounds occur in all parts of the chest area, including above the collarbones and at the bottom of the rib cage.  Using a stethoscope, you can hear normal breath sounds, decreased or absent breath sounds and abnormal breath sounds.  After about a year on the med/surg floor at the hospital, it became quite clear to ... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4723978 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:56:01 +0100 4723978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709200&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FD531DHMq3fE%2F In 1997, Sona Mehring, founder and CEO of CaringBridge, started the site to help her friends who, in the midst of a health crisis, needed a way to keep everyone informed about what was happening. Since then 42 million people have connected to someone using CaringBridge. Watch Video CaringBridge is a non-profit and its service is 100% free for anyone who needs it. It gives patients and caregivers a way to receive support, and friends and family a way to provide it. Sona summarizes some of the benefits as: Saving time and emotional energy of communicating with everyone individually Providing personal and private spaces for sharing  Bringing people together when health matters most 80% of patients and caregivers have indicated that connecting with their friends and family on CaringBridge ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709200 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:24:50 +0100 4709200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704731&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FEbYgSeOQGHs%2F This is a guest post by Maria Rainier, a freelance writer and blogger. _____________________________________________________________________________ While not heavily studied or well-known, Meniere’s disease can be a debilitating, painful, and dangerous condition of the inner ear.  Named after 19th century French physician Prosper Meniere who studied the inner ear, it is a chronic condition most often found with varying symptoms in people in their 40s and 50s but not unheard of in other age groups, even children. Maria Rainier While symptoms may be relieved via various treatment methods, this chronic condition can leave lasting marks on one’s life if left untreated. Causes and Symptoms Although physicians don’t know for sure what causes Meniere’s disease, the most obvious hint is ... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704731 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:37:02 +0100 4704731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704732&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2F_bdqCfd8pMs%2F This is a guest post by Catherine Bynes. Catherine is a career/ educational blogger and she writes mostly about CNA Training and Certification over at her blog. _________________________________________________ Choosing to become a CNA as a career option can be a good choice if you enjoy helping others and want to start an entry-level healthcare position.  If you work as a CNA, you will provide assistance with activities of daily living for patients, monitor vital signs and provide other basic care services for your patients. A career as a CNA can be a good option if you know you want to work in the medical field, but if you do not want to spend a great deal of time in training.  Most nursing assistant training programs last for just a few weeks.  This is a good option if you need to st... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704732 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:04:24 +0100 4704732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643013&cid=t_100073_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2FToG6Y-gk47M%2Fworkplace-benefits-are-needed-to-meet.html The collision of the economy, the health care crisis, and a growing number of aging Americans has put many families in or near financial crisis according to a new report from Volunteers of America. “Plurality of caregivers say the economy has made it more difficult to provide care to a family member,” said the report. ”Few—roughly one in 10—are paid for the care they provide.” More than 46 percent report that the economy has made it harder to be able to provide care. Three quarters of caregivers state that the person to whom they provide care is 70 years or older. “We have a potential catastrophe looming with the collision of a significant, and growing, aging population, the economic downturn, and the health care crisis,” said Rosemarie Rae, executive vice president with... Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643013 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:08:00 +0100 4643013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575255&cid=t_100073_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2FaYDX9RqEUrk%2Fcredit-card-debt-that-outlives-mom.html  By SHERISSE PHAM Following a recent post on the rising levels of credit card debt among the elderly, several readers raised an important question: What happens when borrowers die? Do they take their credit card balances to the grave, or are those left behind responsible for the debt? Tom from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, offered an answer: “Excess debt over the value of the estate is considered insolvent and cannot be passed on to heirs.” He’s right, it turns out. Experts say that unlike a mortgage or a car loan, credit card debt is unsecured, meaning that it isn’t tethered to an asset. When someone dies, credit card companies have to wait near the back of the line to receive payment. If what’s left over after settling the estate isn’t enough to pay the bill... Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575255 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:54:00 +0100 4575255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4389178&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FBoYqYpk8xW4%2F By Stephanie Mensh. Watching the progress of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords brings back memories. My husband Paul Berger was a few years younger than Giffords when he had a massive stroke from a ruptured, bleeding aneurysm on the left side of his brain, leaving him severely disabled. I still vividly remember cheering for every small sign of recovery, like his giving a thumbs up when the doctor asked how he felt and the day he first sat in a chair. Paul’s brain surgery was performed in a downtown hospital.  This was 25 years ago. He was in intensive care, then in a neurosurgery room for almost a month before being transferred to the rehabilitation floor of the hospital for two months of intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy. During that time, many of his co-workers and friends... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4389178 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:00:56 +0100 4389178 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4314001&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aannet.org%2Ffiles%2Fpublic%2FAAN%2520Policy%2520Brief%2520-%2520Advance%2520Care%2520Planning.pdf By Diana J. Mason, PhD, RN. I was quite distressed to read in this morning’s news that the Obama Administration had reversed the new Medicare regulation that would pay for periodic conversations between physicians and patients about preferences for end-of-life care.  According to today’s New York Times, Speaker John Boehner said that  “the provision could be a step ‘down a treacherous path toward government-encouraged euthanasia.’” Sara Palin started this rhetorical myth when she declared efforts to incorporate paying for such conversations under Medicare in the House health care reform bill (not included in the final law) as creating “death panels”. This lie is undermining advances that advocates for better end-of-life care have worked on ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4314001 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:11:39 +0100 4314001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4300545&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FiT2JLN2fO4M%2F Take a few minutes and view this video featuring Disruptive Women Regina Holliday: Remember Your Hollidays – A Message for Caregivers . We promise it is well worth your time! Related posts:Budget Outlook for Caregivers Wired Women: Connected Health Care Decision Makers Listen to Podcasts of Disruptive Women on Real Women on Health! (Source: Disruptive Women in Health Care) Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4300545 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:22:21 +0100 4300545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4287412&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Freal-meaning-at-christmas%2F2010.12.24 Every day I go to work and spend time with suffering people. They come to me for help and for comfort. They open up to me with problems that they would not tell anyone else. They put trust in me — even if I am not able to fix their problems. I serve as a source of healing, but I also am a source of hope. Christmas is a moving season for many of the same reasons. No, I am not talking about the giving of gifts or the time spent with family. I am not talking about traditions, church services, or singing carols. I am not even talking about what many see as thereal meaning of Christmas: Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men, and baby Jesus. The Christmas story most of us see in pictures or read about in story books is a far cry from the Biblical account. The story we see and hear is... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4287412 Fri, 24 Dec 2010 22:00:14 +0100 4287412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241715&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FkE13SSlbOek%2F By Stephanie Mensh.  My husband Paul Berger and I had only been married for 4 years when he had his stroke at age 36. I’ve been a caregiver for over 20 years now. Looking back, there have been many innovations in our health care system that have made overcoming stroke and chronic disabilities a little easier and our lives better. And, there are some that have made things harder, too.  Medical technology–drugs and devices–have improved so much over the past 20 years that if Paul’s aneurysm had ruptured today, he might have recovered with little or no disability. The CT scan he had 20 years ago was state-of-the-art, but the neuroradiologist could not localize Paul’s aneurysm. Today’s CT scans are so much better and MRIs are readily available in most citi... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241715 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:51:16 +0100 4241715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4172060&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcaregivers%2F2010.11.16 It was a straightforward phone message (names changed): “Hey Dr. S., this is Bobbie Jones, April Dixon’s granddaughter. I was calling to inform you that April passed away today at City Hospital. They said she was bleeding in her stomach or something. I’m not quite what sure what happened, but she got real sick. But she’s gone, so, thanks so much. You’ve been a real neat doctor, and it’s been good working with you through the years taking care of my grandmother. Take care. Bye.” Bobbie Jones is a saint. Pure and simple. She took care of her 88-year-old grandmother with tender, loving care. I am certain if left to the vagaries of the “healthcare system” that her grandmother would have died at least three years ago, maybe earlier. Ms. Jone... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4172060 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:00:00 +0100 4172060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086524&cid=t_100073_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2F_yDewJGElt0%2F Image via Wikipedia Clergy Prevention Handbook NACoA’s latest publication from The Clergy Education and Training Project® is Preventing and Addressing Alcohol and Drug Problems: A Handbook for Clergy. This was prepared with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. This handbook provides some basic information on alcoholism and addiction, the impact of parental addiction on children, facts about adolescent alcohol and drug use, and prevention strategies. It also has an appendix with handouts for use with children of alcohol and drug dependent parents. Clergy Certificate Program NACoA, in partnership with NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals, has created a new milestone for congregational leader... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086524 Sun, 17 Oct 2010 13:51:12 +0100 4086524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4045087&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FXpocto71kcY%2F By Diana J. Mason. The Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) report on the Future of Nursing released on October 5th at the National Press Club was developed by an interdisciplinary committee after public hearings around the country and an exhaustive review of the literature on various related themes, such as the evidence on the outcomes of nursing care. Physicians Harvey Fineberg (President of the IOM) and Risa Lavizzo-Mourey (President of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) spoke to the importance of the report for improving health and health care in the United States. Risa specifically pointed out that the report was not so much about nursing as it was about how to transform health care. Additionally, committee member and physician Jack Rowe (former head of Aetna) spoke eloquently to the ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4045087 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:51:05 +0100 4045087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933085&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FWrfQckbNMs0%2F By Phyllis Kritek. As a registered nurse, I feel great pride in my profession. The list of reasons is long. One factor enjoys external validation, nurses have topped Gallup’s Honesty and Ethics ranking of different occupational groups every year but one since they were added in 1999. The exception is 2001, when firefighters were included on the list on a one-time basis, shortly after the September 11th terrorist attacks. I consider it an understandable outlier.  Apparently citizens think we are ethical and honest. This amazing achievement is no accident. The ethos of nursing, since Nightingale, has gone well beyond the familiar “Do No Harm”. Ours has been an ethos of patient advocacy. We teach and enforce it with the same intensity of focus we give to medication administration. I t... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933085 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:15:14 +0100 3933085 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3924899&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Feol74e6z-j0%2F By Grace Bender. Everyone needs to be their own healthcare advocate.  I realized this when I noticed my mother struggling to manage the numerous medications she was taking. With so many prescriptions and over-the counter medications to keep track of, I was concerned about her taking the correct dosages at the correct times and following all the various instructions. So I decided to create a medication chart that allowed her to track her medications more easily and ensure she was taking them correctly. We then showed the chart to each of her physicians and pharmacist.  The result was a dramatic change in my mother’s medication regimen.  The chart enabled her physicians to view what they and all her other doctors were prescribing. They soon realized just how many medications she was on ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3924899 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:06:38 +0100 3924899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3865264&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffeeding-tubes-in-the-elderly-demented%2F2010.08.13 An article in [last] week’s New York Times entitled Feeding Demented Patients with Dignity suggests that hand feeding dementia patients may be a better option than tube feeding them. My God, are we really putting feeding tubes in the elderly demented? When did this happen? During college, I worked as a nurses aide in a nursing home outside Philadelphia. For 20 hours a week (40 hours in the summer) for two years, I cared for patients in all stages of dementia, from the walking confused through to the end stage, stiffened victims confined to wheelchairs or beds. But in all that time, I never, ever saw anyone with a feeding tube. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at The Blog that Ate Manhattan* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3865264 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:00:00 +0100 3865264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3845097&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F4T8wLlTFaKs%2F By Robin Strongin. Over the next several weeks Disruptive Women will be blogging about the various aspects of patient advocacy.  To get ready for these posts think about what patient advocacy means to you. Comment on this post to let us know what it means to you, its level of importance in health care and any questions you may have about it. Communication and asking questions are crtical aspects of patient advocacy, so we hope you will join us in this very important dialogue over the coming weeks. Related posts:Calling Patient Advocates–Share Your Story Health Reform: Patient Rights, Patient Reponsibilities Patient Outreach: The (Oft-Neglected) Critical Component of Health Reform (Source: Disruptive Women in Health Care) Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3845097 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:45:21 +0100 3845097 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3764205&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FVbM6zOBGUnM%2F           I remember as a child, a friend of mine had a disorder called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.  It sounded so awful and I thought she was really sick.  However, she had the acute form that disappeared and she was fine.  The blood disorder, referred to most commonly as ITP, is characterized by an abnormal decrease in the number of platelets in the blood.  Platelets are cells in the blood that help stop bleeding.  So, an individual with the disorder can have easy bruising, bleeding gums and internal bleeding.  Idiopathic actually means the cause is unknown.  Thrombocytopenia simply means a decreased number of platelets in the blood and purpura is the purple discoloring of the skin, as with a bruise.  Normal platelet count is in the range of 150,000 to 450,000. ... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3764205 Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:50:00 +0100 3764205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3742310&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FbjGJW_4b92Y%2F           Diverticulosis is a condition which affects your large intestine, more commonly referred to as the colon.  Nutrition is digested and food is absorbed in the 20 feet of your small intestine – the long, thin portion of the bowel that begins at the stomach and ends in the right, lower abdomen.  Following digestion, the liquid waste enters the 5 feet of the large intestine (colon) which ends in the rectum.  Just above the rectum, there is an s-shaped portion of the colon called the sigmoid colon, and this is where diverticulosis usually occurs.  A colon affected by diverticulosis has weak spots in the walls and these weak spots allow the development of outpouches.  These hollow pouches on the colon are about the size of a large pea and are referred to as diverticula.�... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3742310 Sat, 10 Jul 2010 21:05:27 +0100 3742310 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737104&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FbXz1Tfpd7AM%2F Nursing Careers for the Medically-Minded If you’ve been considering a profession in medicine, but are reticent to spend the next decade of your life in school, you may want to look into nursing as an excellent outlet for both your desire to help others and your interest in the medical field.  Not only are there several different degrees available for the profession (from certification to an associate’s degree to a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, and beyond), there are also an astronomical number of foci within the field.  So whether you want work in a fast-paced emergency setting, join a private practice, or pursue a degree with an emphasis in such diverse fields as pediatrics, first-response services, anesthesia, or obstetrics and gynecology (just to name a few), you can specia... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737104 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:11:46 +0100 3737104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3701730&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FVNrsYkP__UA%2F                Witnessing a seizure can be scary and it is important that you know what to do in case of the event.  First, a seizure is normally caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain or by fainting (decrease in blood flow to the brain).  The symptoms vary depending on the part of the brain involved, but often include unusual sensations, uncontrollable muscle spasms and loss of consciousness.  Most people experience a blackout and wake up on the ground with no recollection of the occurrence.  Often times a seizure has a warning sign called an aura.  Aura symptoms include blurriness or vision loss, racing thoughts, weird stomach sensations, tingling, fear or panic, dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, nausea and numbness.  But other times seizures come wi... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3701730 Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:54:52 +0100 3701730 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3691064&cid=t_100073_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fdark-path.html But that was a long time and no matter how I tryThe years just flow by like a broken down dam.There's flies in the kitchen I can hear 'em there buzzingAnd I ain't done nothing since I woke up today.How can a person go to work in the morningAnd come home in the evening and have nothing to say.Just give me one thing that I can hold on toTo believe in this living is just a hard way to go~John Prine~Searching.  I am sure I have questions answered, so positive I practically skip instead of walking.  And then, in the darkness of a new time of testing, I turn my ankle in the same holes.  One minute, I have the clearest sight and surest perspective, as a worshiping woman confident in her faith.  The next, I am blinded by my ignorance and my tears as I struggle with the weight o... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3691064 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:49:00 +0100 3691064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3687372&cid=t_100073_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Freturning-favor-when-mother-needs-to-be.html Returning the Favor: When a Mother Needs to Be Cared ForWith two young children and a wife in school, the thought of adding additional family members to an already busy household was the furthest thing from my mind. However, we didn't even hesitate when my mother's doctor suggested that she move in with us rather than continue living on her own. Being that she was living in a large two story home, the physician strongly felt that it was too much for her and was contributing excessively to her stress level. Her health is certainly not something that is of the greatest concern, and there luckily are not any severely debilitating illnesses or conditions. However, her arthritis is worsening and it makes it difficult for her to remain completely independent due to the fact that the risk for fal... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3687372 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:26:00 +0100 3687372 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3671984&cid=t_100073_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fbecoming-special-needs-mother.html I've been considering this whole idea of being the mother of a special needs child for about a year and a half now. As Aaron and I moved toward adoption of a baby with Down syndrome, I had a lot of questions to ask myself. I pictured myself in every imaginable scenario, and came to my terms with it. Felt comfortable with the idea.And then one of my already-known, already-born, already-loved children developed a brain infection, and then damage, and finally seizures. For a week now, we've dealt with our first season of "clustered" seizures - more than 2 in a 24 hour period. Amy's had seizures while I'm driving down the road, slamming the truck into gear on me with her flailing feet. She's had seizures at VBS and pee'd all over nursery. She's had seizures playing outside, sleeping in her bed... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3671984 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:55:00 +0100 3671984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3655773&cid=t_100073_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fyes-you-can-swallow-upside-down.html ...and other ways to say, "life goes on."That should be the title today.When I took these photos, I imagined some creative, helium-filled happy words about the joys and simplicity of homeschooling. It was the day we learned about the digestive system and I taught the girls about peristalsis. But life intervened, and I never wrote helium-filled happiness, all through a week without seizures and preparing for a long-awaited visit from old friends, and finishing work to meet deadlines, and doing the fall and spring cleaning I missed last fall, last spring.We kept swallowing, through all those good days of hard work and elbow grease. Nothing seemed too terribly upside down. And tonight it doesn't, either - seem upside down, I mean. It's just a normal night. I can't sleep because the day was st... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3655773 Sat, 12 Jun 2010 06:50:00 +0100 3655773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3629713&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FXfqGmbW0ZH4%2F Jaundice           The liver is an extraordinary organ in the human body.  It is vital to our survival and performs several functions.  The liver is located in the upper right hand side of the abdomen and it processes the body’s nutrients.  In addition, this powerhouse organ manufactures bile to help digest fats, synthesizing many important proteins.  Further, the liver breaks down potentially toxic substances into ones that the body can use or excrete.  Finally, it is responsible for regulating blood clotting.  Hepatitis is very simply inflammation of the liver.  Most commonly the disease is caused by viruses, but other known causes could include autoimmune disease, alcohol, drugs or it may be an inherited disease.  Things such as body piercing, unprotected sex and tatt... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3629713 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 13:09:34 +0100 3629713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3617917&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FrtAauhpKLb8%2F           The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body.  Its diameter is about the size of a human finger.  Sciatica actually refers to pain resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve.  Typically the pain is felt from the low back to behind the thigh and radiating down below the knee.  Further, sciatica usually affects one side of the body.  The term is a symptom caused by a disorder occurring in the lumbar spine.  The pain varies – it can be dull,  burning, sharp or accompanied by intermittent shocks of shooting pain beginning in the buttock traveling downward into the back or side of the thigh and/or leg.  Then, sciatica normally extends below the knee and may be felt in the feet.  Sometimes it is characterizes by tingling and numbness.  Trying to... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3617917 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:10:38 +0100 3617917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3599513&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FydhgdxaStUA%2F           A couple of months ago I wrote about hospital-acquired infections – who is susceptible, what causes them, how they are spread, the most common types and steps to prevent the infections.  Today, HAI (Hospital-Acquired Infection or Healthcare-Associated Infection) continues to soar in hospitals all over the world!  This is a global crisis affecting patients, their visitors and healthcare personnel.  I had an email from Barbara Dunn the other day and she has been instrumental in setting up a wonderful website, through Kimberly-Clark Healthcare, entitled “Not on My Watch” at http://www.haiwatch.com/   This site is joining in an effort to educate patients, healthcare professionals and the general public on the dangers of these preventable infections and to protect... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3599513 Tue, 25 May 2010 16:47:49 +0100 3599513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3592205&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FOTuQJZsv42s%2F I have always been a bit fascinated by people who make a living telling people what they want to hear.  To be perfectly honest, I actually think it is because I envy them. How nice is that for generating income: making people perky, reassuring them, telling them everything is fine, promising them they are right about everything, helping them keep their denial systems intact? My envy stems from my irritation with myself for choosing a different path. I have spent most of my life telling people what they need to hear, hence often what they don’t want to hear. I try for balance, noting all the “good stuff”, then offering the counterbalance.  I find one unwelcome message can drown out all the affirmative messages. People home in on that “bad” stuff with an inerrant tenacity. The di... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3592205 Mon, 24 May 2010 11:00:19 +0100 3592205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595906&cid=t_100073_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2F4Qym_uF4kqw%2F / A recovery book Are you one of the growing number of people who serves as a caregiver for an aging or chronically ill friend or family member? If so, you probably struggle to meet both their special needs and still find time and resources for yourself. But now there is reason to take heart. The authors of this down-to-earth, encouraging book can help you make the most of the experience without losing yourself in the process. Using the Twelve Steps as a guide, the authors conduct readers through the pitfalls of caregiving–the emotional snarls and strains, daily struggles, competing needs, and questions about confronting pain–providing hope and tangible suggestions on how to stay strong and sane while providing healthy support and love. “Self-Care for Caregivers offers ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595906 Sun, 23 May 2010 22:03:00 +0100 3595906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3573775&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FQ4Reaa85lRs%2F           Tourette syndrome (TS), or Tourette disorder, is more common Origins of Tourette Syndrome than doctors once thought.  It affects at least 1 in 1,000 to 2,000 people and maybe more.  It is believed that about 100,000 Americans have the disorder. Many more may have other tic disorders that are less severe.  Tourette syndrome is more common in boys than in girls.  It almost always starts before age 18 – usually between ages 5 and 7.  Even though kids with Tourette syndrome can get better as they get older, many will always have it.  The good news is that it won’t make them sick or shorten their lives.  The syndrome is a condition that affects a person’s central nervous system and causes tics.  Tics are unwanted twitches, movements or sounds that ... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3573775 Tue, 18 May 2010 09:35:04 +0100 3573775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3569800&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FKw8PUvf17JY%2F The Kreeger Museum’s Great Hall. Photo by Robert Lautman, 2004. By Judy Greenberg. Conversations at The Kreeger Museum: A Program for People Living with Alzheimer’s Disease and their Caregivers On behalf of The Kreeger Museum, I am thrilled to announce the development of a new art program especially designed for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), their families and caregivers.  Modeled after the pioneering Meet Me at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art, NYC) program (est. 2006), Conversations at The Kreeger Museum will similarly provide a forum for dialogue and connection through looking at art.  Docents and other arts specialists will conduct small interactive tours and discussions through the museum’s accessible galleries and grounds. During the program, tours will have exclus... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3569800 Mon, 17 May 2010 12:00:38 +0100 3569800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3567962&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FIoqMZPfISco%2F          Knee injuries often occur among active teens, especially athletes, and a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) – a ligament that helps give the knee its stability – is a common knee injury.  Teens who play contact sports (like football and basketball) or so-called “cutting” sports (like soccer and baseball that feature swift, abrupt movements such as pivoting, stopping or turning on a dime) are most likely to get ACL injuries.  The injury also happens when a person jumps and lands on the feet with knees straight or “locked” instead of flexed, putting excessive pressure on the knee joint and causing the ACL, a rope-like band, to tear or break apart.  Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are more frequent in females with between 2 and 8 times more f... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3567962 Sun, 16 May 2010 11:57:12 +0100 3567962 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556350&cid=t_100073_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fhelping-parents-with-really-sick-kids.html Ever have a friend whose child is hospitalized? I found an excellent resource online today, with a list of things to put in a gift basket for a parent whose child is in the hospital. This is THE LIST I've given a dear friend twice now (thank you - you know who you are!) when a day in the hospital turned into a week. It would greatly bless any friend of yours facing similar difficulty, and may be a good idea for hospitals or even church small groups to provide as a service to those thrust suddenly into need.Survival itemsphone card for long distancetooth brush/tooth pasteshampoo and hand creamsmall box tissuesTylenol (adult)sanitary padsrazor (there are never ANY in the hospital, for whatever reason)mints, gum, instant breakfast, calming herb tea, chocolatetrial size antibacterial hand gels... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556350 Wed, 12 May 2010 09:37:00 +0100 3556350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3549302&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FqbcaGHJpKKY%2F By Stephanie Mensh.  House and Senate Appropriations health subcommittees are in full swing this month. On May 5, the National Institutes of Health Director testified to the Senate subcommittee.  I follow NIH funding because they have a leadership role in understanding and treating cardiovascular and neurological diseases. For example, NIH sponsored the recently-reported landmark CREST study comparing surgery to stenting for patients with carotid artery disease related to stroke, conducted in 117 centers over 9 years.  NIH also sponsored historic research on the clot-buster tPA treatment that reduces morbidity and mortality in acute stroke patients when initiated within three hours of onset.  Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in adults. So,... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3549302 Mon, 10 May 2010 14:37:03 +0100 3549302 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3549394&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2Fzn91CQRIZoQ%2F           Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a serious disorder that occurs when the body’s defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system.  This leads to nerve inflammation that causes muscle weakness.  It is the most frequent acquired (as opposed to inherited) neuropathy.  Nobody knows why or how GBS infects certain individuals and not others.  Its cause is unknown, but it is triggered by a viral or bacterial infection in most patients that somehow causes an autoimmune reaction, i.e. your own immune system attacks your body.  As it is generally seen after an infection, it is called a ‘post infectious autoimmune disease’.  The syndrome may occur at any age, but is most common in people of both sexes between ages 30 and 50.           The ... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3549394 Mon, 10 May 2010 00:34:28 +0100 3549394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3546846&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwondering-if-mom-is-safe-finethanx-calls-and-checks-for-you%2F2010.05.09 FineThanx is a new automated phone system that automatically calls your sick or elderly family members at home to check on how they’re doing. The system can check in with loved ones once or twice a day, and if no one answers or the person is unwell, the system calls a member of his or her ”care circle.” If everything is fine, the FineThanx system will send you a report by email, so you can continue working or finish those 18 holes of golf, then check in for reassurance on your iPhone or personal computer afterwards. Listen to a sample call here. *This blog post was originally published at Medgadget* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3546846 Sun, 09 May 2010 11:50:20 +0100 3546846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3546915&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FA4e6duGuPRM%2F           Raynaud’s syndrome (RS), also called Raynaud’s phenomenon, is a disorder of small blood vessels that respond excessively to stimuli which causes poor blood flow, usually in the fingers.  It can also occur in the toes, ears and nose.  When this condition occurs by itself, it is called Raynaud’s syndrome or Raynaud’s disease, or primary Raynaud’s phenomenon.  When it occurs along with other diseases, such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, Sjogren’s syndrome or mixed connective tissue disease, it is called secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon.  Although estimates vary, recent surveys show that Raynaud’s syndrome may affect 5 to 10 percent of the general population in the United States... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3546915 Sat, 08 May 2010 16:51:42 +0100 3546915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533931&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FTkw5vxcw5Do%2F           I have a friend, and reader of my site, that contacted me on Facebook to tell me about a skin disorder that he has and also one that his mother had when she was living.  I love when people give me suggestions to write about something, particularly when I have never heard of the disorder!  In fact, I wish I had more comments, suggestions and subscribers to my site so that they could receive updates and daily posts that I share via email.  The site is meant to be helpful to friends, colleagues, students, moms, patients AND the general public, so please let me know things that you want to hear about.  That being said, have you heard of lichen planus?  If not, you are not alone!            Lichen planus is an uncommon inflammatory disease that affects the ski... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533931 Wed, 05 May 2010 12:55:58 +0100 3533931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533932&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2F6IT1LnUBYZE%2F           Bell’s palsy is a weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles.  It occurs when the seventh facial nerve is damaged, resulting in a droopy appearance to one side of the face.  The majority of cases of Bell’s palsy are temporary, and the symptoms may resolve as early as 2 weeks.  Some 40,000 Americans are affected by it each year; 80% recover within 3 months.  The condition is most often connected with a viral infection such as herpes (the virus that causes cold sores), Epstein-Barr (the virus that causes mono) or influenza.  It’s also associated with the infectious agent that causes Lyme disease.  Of course, this doesn’t mean that everyone who has a viral infection or Lyme disease will develop Bell’s palsy – most people don’... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533932 Tue, 04 May 2010 19:21:25 +0100 3533932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526824&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FY2IUIXhIKu0%2F           Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an irregular heartbeat that may be very fast.  Your heart has 4 compartments called chambers.  The top 2 chambers are called the atria.  The bottom 2 chambers are called the ventricles.  In atrial fibrillation, the atria stop beating regularly.  Instead, they tremble (fibrillate) in a disorganized way.  This can cause an irregular, and sometimes very fast, heartbeat.  Atrial fibrillation is most common in people older than 60 years of age.  However, you can get AF at any age.  Sometimes, atrial fibrillation has no cause, but your risk goes up if you have any of the following conditions: heart disease caused by high cholesterol, a larger heart size caused by high blood pressure, damage to a heart valve, an overactive thyroid gland, lun... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526824 Sun, 02 May 2010 20:31:39 +0100 3526824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3524110&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwondering-if-mom-is-safe-finethanx-calls-and-checks-for-you%2F2010.05.02 FineThanx is a new automated phone system that automatically calls your sick or elderly family members at home to check on how they’re doing. The system can check in with loved ones once or twice a day, and if no one answers or the person is unwell, the system calls a member of his or her ”care circle.” If everything is fine, the FineThanx system will send you a report by email, so you can continue working or finish those 18 holes of golf, then check in for reassurance on your iPhone or personal computer afterwards. Listen to a sample call here. *This blog post was originally published at Medgadget* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3524110 Sun, 02 May 2010 14:00:20 +0100 3524110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3519527&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FsfvKxgIImrI%2F           Your lungs have 2 main parts: bronchial tubes (also called airways) and alveoli (also called air sacs).  When you breathe, the air moves down your trachea (or wind pipe) through your bronchial tubes and into your alveoli.  From the alveoli, oxygen goes into your blood while carbon dioxide moves out of your blood.  If you have chronic bronchitis, the lining in your bronchial tubes gets red, swollen and full of mucus.  This mucus blocks your tubes, and makes it hard to breathe.  If you have emphysema, your alveoli are irritated.  They get stiff and can’t hold enough air.  This makes it hard for you to get oxygen into and carbon dioxide out of your blood.  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also called COPD) is a chronic lung disease.  Coping with the dis... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3519527 Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:16:42 +0100 3519527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3511609&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2Fy_fl2QFkSP8%2F           Autism is a developmental disability that comes from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain.  It is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills and reasoning.  Males are affected four times as often as females.  Children may appear normal until around the age of 30 months.  Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) varies significantly in character and severity, it occurs in all ethnic and socioeconomic groups and affects every age group.  Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have ASD.  The cause of autism remains unclear, but a psychological one has been ruled out.  Neurological studies seem to indicate a primary brain dysfunction, and a genetic component is sugges... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3511609 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:35:04 +0100 3511609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508273&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FuQdtGoRQJT0%2F           Feeling depressed or forgetful?  How about being tired all of the time or notice your hair falling out?  Are you gaining weight for no reason?  I was just two years ago.  Luckily I went to my doctor with these symptoms and he ran some blood tests.  Guess what?  I had hypothyroidism.  Believe it or not – approximately 59 million Americans have this mysterious and often undiagnosed disease.  In fact, more people are affected by hypothyroid symptoms than diabetes, yet it is far less recognized or understood.  Hypothyroidism is more common than you would believe, and millions of people are currently hypothyroid and don’t know it.  What is it?  Very simply, the disease is an underactive thyroid.  Unfortunately, the common warning signs are often dismissed... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508273 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:13:07 +0100 3508273 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3504978&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2Fhdfooy_lhnE%2F           A brain hemorrhage is a type of stroke.  It’s caused by an artery in the brain bursting and causing localized bleeding in the surrounding tissues. This bleeding kills brain cells.  The Greek root for blood is hemo.  Hemorrhage literally means “blood bursting forth”.  Brain hemorrhages are also called cerebral hemorrhages, intracranial hemorrhages or intracerebral hemorrhages.  They account for about 13% of strokes.  Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel bursts inside the brain.  The brain is very sensitive to bleeding and damage can occur very rapidly.  Bleeding irritates the brain tissue, causing swelling.  Bleeding collects into a mass called a hematoma.  Bleeding also increases pressure on the brain and presses it against the skull.  Hemor... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3504978 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:04:06 +0100 3504978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3502860&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2F-fehXfsPbR0%2F           The normal liver is soft and smooth and is connected to the small intestine by the bile duct which carries the bile formed in the liver to the intestines.  Nearly all of the blood that leaves the stomach and intestines must pass through the liver.  Acting as the body’s largest chemical factory, it has thousands of functions including the production of clotting factors, blood proteins, bile and more than a thousand different enzymes, the breakdown of old red blood cells, the metabolism of cholesterol, the storage of energy (glycogen) to fuel muscles, maintenance of normal blood sugar concentration, the regulation of several hormones and detoxification of drugs and poisons (including alcohol).  Cirrhosis is a chronic hepatic disease that is characterized by destru... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3502860 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 17:32:41 +0100 3502860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3501581&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FfTeyILguohY%2F           Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive, inherited and degenerative brain disorder that produces physical, mental and emotional changes.  Named after George Huntington, the physician who first described the illness in 1872, Huntington’s disease was formerly known as Huntington’s chorea, from the Greek for choreography, or dance.  The name refers to the involuntary, jerky movements that can develop in later stages of the illness.  Approximately 30,000 people in the United States have Huntington’s disease, which affects men and women equally across all ethnic and racial lines.  While more common in adults, juvenile Huntington’s accounts for about one-sixth of all cases.  Every child of a parent who carries the HD gene has a 50% chance... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3501581 Sat, 24 Apr 2010 14:29:03 +0100 3501581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494370&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FPg-75NOruns%2F           About 5 million people in the United States suffer from congestive heart failure (CHF).  Approximately 550,000 new cases of the condition are diagnosed every year.  It is the most common hospital discharge diagnosis with more than one million hospital stays annually.  A person 40 years or more has a 1 in 5 chance of developing heart failure.  Congestive heart failure (CHF) affects 1% of the people aged 50 years, 5% people aged 75 years or older and 25% people aged 85 years or older irrespective of sex.  Congestive heart failure, or simply heart failure, is a condition where the heart fails to pump adequate blood to meet the body’s need.  Unlike a heart attack, the heart does not stop beating – rather, it weakens over the course of months or years so tha... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494370 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:13:50 +0100 3494370 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3482954&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2Fg2DjJtRj8Zc%2F           It’s common sense that you should be educated about any drugs you use.  But how knowledgeable is the average person when it comes to interactions, side effects or recommended dosages – factors that are even further complicated by age? Too often manufacturers, pharmacists and caregivers are either unaware of these factors, or don’t explain them properly.  From coughs and colds to fever, aches and pain, heartburn and other common ailments, we often use nonprescription or “over-the-counter” (OTC) medicines to treat our symptoms.  But even though OTCs are safe when taken as directed, they are also serious medicines.  That is why it is so important to be Drug Wise when buying and taking OTC medicines.            Over-the-counter (OTC) medi... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3482954 Sun, 18 Apr 2010 16:21:29 +0100 3482954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3479745&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FTIfnuNteMbQ%2F This article explains treating and understanding a spinal cord injury.           The spinal cord is the major bundle of nerves carrying nerve impulses to and from the brain to the rest of the body.  Rings of bone called vertebrae surround the spinal cord.  These bones constitute the spinal column (back bones).  Spinal cord damage results in a loss of function, such as mobility or feeling.  In most people who have spinal cord injury, the spinal cord is intact.  Spinal cord injury is not the same as back injury, which might result from causes such as pinched nerves or ruptured disks.  Even when a person sustains a break in a vertebra or vertebrae, there might not be any spinal cord injury if the spinal cord itself is not affected.  There are two kinds of spinal cord injury &... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3479745 Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:18:59 +0100 3479745 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3479746&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FwxY86yjElHQ%2F           Glaucoma is optic nerve damage that leads to progressive, irreversible loss of vision.  It is often, but not always, associated with increased eye pressure. The optic nerve is the main nerve to the eye (located in the back of the eye) that is responsible for transmitting electrical impulses to the brain.  Damage usually occurs as a result of elevated pressure of the fluid (aqueous humor) in the eye. This damage results in gradual visual changes and then loss of vision.  When there is a problem in the drainage, the fluid builds up in the eye and presses against the optic nerve (called intraocular pressure or IOP), resulting in glaucoma.  This increased fluid pressure actually pushes the optic nerve back into a ‘cupped’ or concave shape.  If the intraocular pressu... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3479746 Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:19:09 +0100 3479746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3471869&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FNfCHRnVydxo%2F              The labyrinth is the inner ear consisting of the vestibule, cochlear and semicircular canals.  The cochlea is concerned with hearing and the vestibule and semicircular canals with equilibrium (sense of balance).  The bony portion of the labyrinth (osseous labyrinth) is composed of a series of canals tunneled out of the temporal bone.  Labyrinthitis is an infection of the labyrinth, the fluid-filled chamber of the inner ear that controls balance and hearing.  It is almost always caused by viral infection, but can rarely be caused by bacteria.  The viral form may occur during a flu-like illness or during illnesses such as measles or mumps.  Bacterial labyrinthitis can result from inadequately treated or sub-acute otitis media (infection of the middle ear).  Inf... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3471869 Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:46:21 +0100 3471869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463662&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FXMjj2Veq2nE%2F           Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs.  It occurs when either bacteria or viruses get stuck in the lungs – the germs multiply and form an infected area.  In order to understand it, things you should know include something about the lungs and what they do. When you breathe in, you pull oxygen into your lungs.  That oxygen travels through breathing tubes and eventually gets into your blood through the alveoli.  Alveoli are tiny air sacs covered in tiny blood vessels called capillaries.  When oxygen-rich air reaches the alveoli, it can be absorbed into the blood and then your red blood cells carry oxygen all over your body.  When an individual has pneumonia, his or her lungs can’t do their job as well as they usually do.  The reason is because th... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463662 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:15:31 +0100 3463662 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3456738&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FjCnBLQM--CE%2F           With spring already here and the summer months soon approaching, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the warning signs of melanoma.  Melanoma is a form of skin cancer; it is the most serious type, but it is also the least common.  All skin cancers start in the cells of the upper layer of your skin, called the epidermis.  There are three different types of skin cancer:  squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.  Melanoma begins in skin cells called melanocytes.  Melanocytes are the cells that make melanin, which gives skin its color.  Melanin also protects the deeper layers of the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.  When people spend time in the sunlight, the melanocytes make more melanin and cause the skin to tan... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3456738 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:00:33 +0100 3456738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3456739&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FUlEjOliHxUU%2F           I feel so fortunate that I did not suffer any complications with either one of my pregnancies, particularly due to my age (41 with the last son).  Because of my age and the fact that I had previous cervical cancer and blood clots, I was a high risk patient with both pregnancies.  People do not realize that there are so many things that can go wrong with a pregnancy.  I’m surprised that mothers and babies were so healthy back in the era of my grandparents and before!  One very interesting diagnosis to watch carefully is placenta previa.  It occurs in about one in 200 pregnancies.  Women who’ve had a placenta previa in a previous pregnancy have a 4 to 8 percent chance of a recurrence.  According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are approximately ... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3456739 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:55:09 +0100 3456739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3440882&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2F1jJoiJJwjsk%2F           One of the most interesting diseases I have come across in nursing is esophageal varices.  These are swollen veins in the lining of the lower esophagus near the stomach.  They are usually caused by liver failure, cirrhosis or other conditions that result in reduced blood flow through the liver.  This reduced blood flow causes blood to back-up into veins in the esophagus and stomach forming varices.  Swollen veins in the esophagus or stomach resemble the varicose veins that some people have in their legs.  The enlargement causes the walls of the veins to stretch and become fragile.  Because the veins in the esophagus are so close to the surface of the esophagus, swollen veins in this location can rupture and cause dangerous bleeding.            Esophageal ... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3440882 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:15:02 +0100 3440882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429255&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2F31Tn-nvxqt4%2F           Headaches are really a ‘pain’.  Almost everyone gets them.  You may have experienced one with the flu, with a cold or even with a hangover.  Some people get pain in the temples and the back of the head from a busy day at work – referred to as a tension headache.  Most of these headaches produce a dull pain around the front, top and sides of the head.  But a migraine is different.  Migraine sufferers are generally very sensitive to light and sound during an attack and this is why it has been traditional to lie down in a quiet and dark room until an attack passes.  In addition to symptoms associated with the head, migraines can also be accompanied by a variety of other symptoms including nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, a pale facial color and cold hands and... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429255 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:14:52 +0100 3429255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3424941&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FMUUEQoFeEUk%2F      This was a guest post done by me for Sandra Stevens on 03/28/2010.  Sandra’s site addresses help and training issues for certified nursing assistants.  She posted as a guest here on 03/27/2010.  Often bloggers exchange information on one another’s  blog site.  If you would like to see the original, please visit Sandra’s site at:  www.cnatraininghelp.com                 Good morning readers.  By way of introduction, my name is Stephanie Jewett.  I have been a registered nurse for 30+ years in a host of fields and also hold a MBA from Regis University in Denver, Co.  I’m going to talk a little bit about how I got the idea to go into nursing school, some of the reasons I love nursing and other options for nurses that want to be out of the... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3424941 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 03:17:49 +0100 3424941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420560&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FYq5utR-pBsc%2F          My oldest son had roseola when he was about 18 months old.  The fever was extremely high and he was actually hospitalized, had several tests, and finally he broke out in a rash.  I felt kind of dumb as a nurse (I had never heard of the disease) but when the doctors were also puzzled, I didn’t feel so stupid and I was glad they took full precautionary measures.  Also referred to as the sixth disease, or roseola infantum, the disease is usually a harmless illness caused by a virus.  It occurs almost only in children age 3 months to 3 years, most often between 9-12 months.  It is probably the most common cause of fever in this age group.  This virus generally causes 3 days of high fever (often over 103).  The fever then subsides, and the child breaks out in a flat or... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420560 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:07:42 +0100 3420560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420562&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FJT-dB1UntFc%2F Why Many Nursing Schools Require Students to Hold a CNA Certification If you have been looking into nursing school, you have noticed that many nursing programs require you to have your CNA certification before you can apply for the nursing curriculum.  You can receive CNA certification by completing an accredited nursing assistant certification program.  Additionally, you will need to receive a passing score on a certification exam.  Completing certification as a nursing assistant will help to provide you with the building blocks for an education and later a career as a nurse.  There are many skills that you will learn when you are training to be a nursing assistant.  You will learn to assist patients with activities of daily living and even to oversee range of motion exercises for pa... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420562 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 12:21:13 +0100 3420562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420563&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FG99CC0p7Nfg%2F                  I have a friend and past co-worker that just went to Rochester, Mn., and she was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease.  Her symptoms were difficulty speaking and weakness in the legs and arms.  It was almost as though she had been drugged.  Lou Gehrig’s disease may take several months to know for sure that someone has the disorder.  It can cause symptoms similar to other diseases that affect the nerves and muscles, like Parkinson’s disease or a stroke.  The disease is a disorder that is also referred to as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.  Amyotrophic comes from the Greek language.  ”A” means no or negative.  “Myo” refers to muscle, and “trophic” means nourishment: “No muscle nourishment”.  ... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420563 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:15:16 +0100 3420563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420565&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FxU95Ht2k1g4%2F           Cystic fibrosis or CF is an inherited disease involving epithelial cells.  Epithelial cells are found lining the skin, sweat glands, and respiratory, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts.  In people with cystic fibrosis, the epithelial cells do not function properly.  These impaired cells cause abnormal regulation of the flow of salts and water.  The result is abnormal secretions such as a thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs.  It is a life-threatening disorder that causes severe lung damage and nutritional deficiencies.  The affected gene, which is inherited from a child’s parents, is a recessive gene.  With recessive genes, children need to inherit two copies of the gene, one from each parent, in order to have the disease.  If children inherit on... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420565 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:02:58 +0100 3420565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420568&cid=t_100073_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2F-nSGu_fgE_E%2F I’m taking a break from the normal post today for two reasons: We are on vacation for a quick week in Marco Island, Florida! There is a contest at Lydia’s Uniforms blog for the best of the top 25 nursing blogs. First of all, the pictures are of my two sons, Ryland (22) and Kingsley (14).  Ryland is pictured with the longer hair; Kingsley is my ‘little’ one with shorter hair.  The picture of all three includes my father, Jerry (84).  He has rented a condominium here every winter for the last 28 years to get out of the beastly cold in Iowa!  He stated this was the coldest winter in southern Florida that he can remember in all of those years.  My youngest son was watching the news on the computer last night and learned that our home town had just received another ‘last blast�... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420568 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:29:46 +0100 3420568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3175869&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FbMPuYqPwMdA%2F Healthcare (insurance) reform has passed in the Senate and final negotiations are happening before it moves on to the President’s desk for signature. While the legislation is not perfect – in fact some would say far from perfect – it is a piece of legislation that is very much in keeping with our American philosophy, our constant pursuit of progress and change. As the late Senator Kennedy’s career on Capitol Hill demonstrated, change is usually incremental, usually negotiated and usually compromised. But at the end of the day, change usually amounts to progress. I see tremendous progress, too, as I look back on a decade’s worth of work to promote access to affordable quality health care using nurse practitioners in the role as primary care providers, thereby a... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3175869 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:22:10 +0100 3175869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142802&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fv%2FMpHkT1zudTY%26rel%3D0%26color1%3D0xb1b1b1%26color2%3D0xcfcfcf%26hl%3Den_US%26feature%3Dplayer_embedded%26fs%3D1 Sooner or later, you gotta say, it doesn't matter whether you win or lose -- as long as you win. Take that Alzheimer's..... By Bob DeMarco I believe many Alzheimer's caregivers are like me on this one. I try to buy my mother the things she liked before she started suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Granted she doesn't show the same enthusiasm for the gifts like she did in days gone by. This can be disconcerting. I like to buy her flowers and I do so every week. Wonder why I didn't do that for my x-wife? Hmm, file that away for future reference. Sometimes when I give the flowers to my mother she says thank you, some times she doesn't. Sometimes she looks very happy, sometimes she doesn't. And now the story begins. Often she will take long stem flowers and start hacking away at them ... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142802 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:41:31 +0100 3142802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142804&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2F7avZttEuHU0%2Fi-remember-you.html by Max Wallack I remember you. We were sweet friends, No, loyal family. We shared and trusted Each shiny day for a novel adventure. I remember you. You look familiar. I see you in my disheveled mind. Is it really you? How can I be sure? Dark shadows creep across your face. But I think I know you. Why do you look so evil? Your sweaty hands are grasping claws To snatch away my puzzled mind. Don't hurt me. Let me escape The cackling demons pursuing me. Their fiery breath Burns holes in my memory. Your eyes stare, glacial and fiendish. I feel the stench of your wrath. Don't chisel at mind. At least, Leave my soul intact. Come no closer. I tremble and quake As the paleness of death surrounds me. I think I remember you, But who am I? Max Wallack is a student at Boston University Academy.... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142804 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:56:40 +0100 3142804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3137632&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2Fzn8JgyHYJjc%2Falzheimers-disease-front-row.html Knowing that the day is coming when your loved one --won't know you-- is the most horrific feeling of them all for an Alzheimer's caregiver...... By Bob DeMarco I often use the term "living Alzheimer's from the front row". This term describes caregivers that watch Alzheimer's take its course 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Once Alzheimer's disease strikes, Alzheimer's caregivers get to witness the craziness that comes with Alzheimer's day in and day out. If you think it is disconcerting to see someone suffering from Alzheimer's for a few hours, a few days, or a week, think about what it might be like for every hour of every day for years. Most people give up trying to understand Alzheimer's before they get to any real understanding. Why? Because Alzheimer's is difficult to think... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3137632 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:21:19 +0100 3137632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3129666&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FNl-BBQQUUvE%2Frandom-thought-at-end-of-2009.html Alzheimer's will try to rob the Alzheimer's caregiver of their spirit. It will try and send them into the black hole of depression. Every day Alzheimer's whispers in the ear of the caregiver -- give up.By Bob... Comments welcome. (Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The) Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3129666 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:30:57 +0100 3129666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3115264&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2Fli_1eQgOTtE%2Fwiggling-my-toes-change-on-horizon.html The core focus of the Alzheimer's Reading Room is advice and insight into Alzheimer's disease....By Bob DeMarco When I wake up in the morning the first thing I do is wiggle my toes for a minute. It might sound strange but those are the points on my body that are farthest from my brain? Is farthest a word? It seems to me that this is a good exercise for my brain. I base this on the fact that one of the first things going on my mother is her ability to walk. The use of her legs. When I wiggle my toes I have to think about it while doing it. I am also sending my brain a message -- Alzheimer's away. I also stretch my feet in the morning. This stretches all the nerves along the bottoms of my feet. It also stretches my calves. I also move my ankles around in a circle. All the time conscio... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3115264 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:53:09 +0100 3115264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3075749&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.caregiving.org%2Fdata%2FCaregivingUSAllAgesExecSum.pdf Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room Editor Prevalence of Caregiving An estimated 65.7 million people in the U.S. are serving as unpaid family caregivers to an adult or a child. 48.9 million are adult only caregivers. Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via Email The Caregiving Situation Caregivers are predominantly female (66%). They are 48 years of age, on average. One third take care of two or more people (34%). A large majority of caregivers provide care for a relative (86%). Over one-third are taking care of a parent (36%). One in seven care for their own child (14%). Caregivers have been in their role for an average of 4.6 years. Three in ten for five years or more (31%). The typical recipient of care is also female (62%) and averages 61 years of age. Seven in ten... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3075749 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:42:49 +0100 3075749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3063366&cid=t_100073_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FmJSeRoh4x5w%2Fdementia-caregiving.html Video Caregiving Streaming educational clips for family and caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Custom video player with VOD modules a few minutes long each and background multimedia. Useful info on coping, communicating, activities, family relationships, caregiving issues, dignity and more. The producer offers more elder care info on DVD here. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3063366 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:30:40 +0100 3063366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056854&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2F_4OIhlyXE4M%2Falzheimers-caregiving-lots-and-lots-of.html There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. -- W. Clement Stone.... Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room Editor The typical person has 60,000 thoughts per day. Along with these thoughts come feelings. In a real sense, you are what you think. Alzheimer's caregivers are bombarded day after day with negativity -- it comes with the territory. As a result, it is easy for a caregiver to become negative. I often envision caregivers trapped in a negative space thinking the same negative thoughts over and over. It reminds me of hamster running around the wheel -- going nowhere fast. If a caregiver is constantly saying negative things about their own stati... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056854 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:02:56 +0100 3056854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048322&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FGgbrZjxQ594%2Fcaregiving-from-both-sides-now.html I thought it would be relatively simple. I had all this information about aging and services, so I thought I could lay out a road map for my folks. Planning for their future would be a logical process. That was a fantasy. My blind spot was, I didn’t recognize that family members are not like clients. Your family is awash in all its emotionality. I wouldn’t be perceived as a professional; I was a daughter. You may think you know the right professional answers, but you can’t make decisions for your parents. Worth reading. I would be interested in your comments and reaction. To continue reading go here. Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via Email Popular articles on the Alzheimer's Reading Room Worried About Alzheimer's Disease Dementia and the Eight Types of Dementia H... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048322 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:29:39 +0100 3048322 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3004072&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fv%2FdRlQXZeMUcg%26amp%3Bhl%3Den_US%26amp%3Bfs%3D1%26amp%3B Many families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s hire caregiver’s and homecare agencies to provide respite or continuous care. You need to be certain that your loved one will be safe and receives the proper care.....By Angil Tarach Alzheimer's Reading Room I cannot emphasize how important it is to know who is coming into your home. Assist Guide Information Services (AGIS) published an article last year entitled Beware of Former Prisoner's Caring for Your Parents The article talks about prison guards advising soon-to-be released convicts that caregiving is an easy to get employment opportunity. You need to know and understand that many individuals advertising as caregiver’s have been fired from agencies for poor conduct, theft, and other work related problems. With some exp... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3004072 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:21:34 +0100 3004072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2996008&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FcTE0xKwFpXo%2Fmetamorphosis-of-this-alzheimers_16.html Once I entered Alzheimer's world I did learn something fascinating -- my mother is full of feelings and emotion. I learned that I could connect with her....My name is Bob DeMaro, I am an Alzheimer's Caregiver. My mother Dorothy, now 93 years old, suffers from Alzheimer's disease. We live our life one day at at time. Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room Editor This is not a lament. A lament is an expression of regret or grief. Honestly, I don't have any regrets when it comes to caring for my mother. However, I often wish. I wish I had known more about Alzheimer's when the diagnosis came in. I wish I knew what to do from day one. I wish.... _____________________________ I now know there are lots of things I could have done to improve the quality of life of my mother. I could have foc... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2996008 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:18:28 +0100 2996008 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993921&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2F3lFbQzC7VbI%2Fcaregiver-resources.html Six good sources of information, advice, and lots of resources for Alzheimer's caregivers..... Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room Editor Family Caregiver Alliance Offers tips on a wide range of topics, including how to hire help, hold a family meeting, balance work and caregiving, find important papers, and decide whether parents should move in with an adult child. National Alliance for Caregiving Reviews of more than 1,000 books, videos, Web sites and links. National Family Caregivers Association Provides statistics, research and policy reports, tip sheets, first-person accounts, a newsletter and an exhaustive resource list. Family Caregiving 101. A separate "how-to" site by the NFCA with advice on time management, asking for help, navigating the health care maze and communica... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993921 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:46:57 +0100 2993921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2992823&cid=t_100073_136_f&fid=39025&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Feverythingchangesbook%2F%7E3%2FzaZoQ-aE1fY%2Fcaregiving-respite I’m still living with cancer in me.  But it’s been years since my last treatment.  Now that treatment is farther in the past, my mom and I are able to talk about it more, especially about her caregiving role.  She flew across country, lived in my tiny apartment, and took care of me for weeks at a time. A few months ago my mom said, “I wish your friends had called me up and asked to meet me to lunch.  Or taken me out to the movies.  You wanted your alone time each day.  I was in a new city and overwhelmed, I really didn’t know where to go.” The desperation of her statement smacked me in the face.  My mom’s no shy country mouse.  Drop her in a new city with a street map and she’s taking public transit to parts of town I’ve never heard of.  But this was differ... Everything Changes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2992823 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:20:41 +0100 2992823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2974188&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FCiTX7n0-7ic%2Fvalidation-breakthrough-techniques-for.html If you live with or care for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia, you should consider reading this book. The Validation Breakthrough will help you understand why Alzheimer's sufferers say what they say and do what they do. This book helps you understand communication that is often difficult to accept and hard to interpret. You might get the impression from the title that this book is only for professionals -- this is not the case. The case studies provide you with specific situations that you are sure to encounter. I believe everyone involved with elderly parents suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's can benefit from reading this book. You can reduce stress by learning and using some of these techniques. The Validation Breakthrough: Simple Techniques for Communicating with People ... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2974188 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:30:30 +0100 2974188 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939530&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FpQI_bu7NJic%2Fcaregivers-get-new-walmart-in-delray.html Walmart and this Alzheimer's Caregiver..... By Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room Editor My name is Bob DeMarco, I am an Alzheimer's caregiver. My mother Dorothy, now 93 years old, suffers from Alzheimer's disease. We live our life one day at a time. Today the new, bigger, and dramatically improved Walmart opened in Delray Beach, Florida. This is a great day for mom, me, and Alzheimer's caregivers that live in Delray Beach. For those that of you are new, you might be scratching your head. I use Walmart to accomplish all of these caregiving needs: exercise, socialization, bright light, hand, eye, brain coordination, and attitude improvement. This is a rebroadcast of an story I wrote earlier. Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via Email Walmart and this Alzheimer's Caregiv... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939530 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:06:12 +0100 2939530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920465&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FVTMYKNMixcQ%2Fexpert-to-address-growing-crisis-in.html The demand for at-home caregiving will increase dramatically in the United States in the years ahead, said Richard Schulz, Ph.D., an internationally known expert on caregiving from the University of Pittsburgh.Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via Email "Caregiving is a major public health issue in the U.S.," said Dr. Schulz. "Family caregivers are a critical component of the health care system in the U.S., yet their role and importance to society as a whole has only recently been appreciated." November is National Family Caregivers Month, and UPMC Health Plan will mark the event on Nov. 4 by serving as host for a special lecture by Dr. Schulz, who is the director of the University Center for Social and Urban Research at Pitt and associate director of the University of Pittsbur... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920465 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:57:08 +0100 2920465 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2912508&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FcQNepltjD1M%2Fthis-alzheimers-caregiver-had-choice-i.html So you see Tony, I did have a choice. And, like I told you on the phone, someday I'll be making some new choices --just as soon as the sun comes out. My name is Bob DeMarco, I am an Alzheimer's caregiver. My mother Dorothy, now 93 years old, suffers from Alzheimer's disease. We live our life one day at a time. Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room Editor On some days our life is nothing short of horrific. On some days our life is nothing short of wonderful. If I had to make the decision I made six years ago over tomorrow, I would make the same choice -- I chose to become an Alzheimer's caregiver. I never regret my decision -- not even for a minute. ____________________________________________ I have a good buddy -- Tony Polk. It might be odd when I say good buddy because Tony and I... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2912508 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:08:21 +0100 2912508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904871&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fc30deq4ND7g%2F This report is based on an exhaustive review of the published literature on the definitions, measurements, epidemiology, economics and interventions applied to nine chronic conditions and their risk factors. These are asthma, cancer (palliative care), depression, diabetes, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, hypertension, tobacco smoking and tuberculosis. In the intervening years since the WHO issued its report, adherence has become more problematic.  Numerous reports highlight the ongoing challenges, which are especially critical in the mental health arena. A study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that close to 60% of schizophrenics who were prescribed anti-psychotic drugs did not take the medication as prescribed by their physicians.  “We looked at adherence to anti-psychotic medic... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904871 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:55:04 +0100 2904871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886715&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FUcnGCZ43eFU%2Faging-with-grace.html By Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room Editor Last week I had an interesting telephone conversation with Patricia Grace, the founder and CEO of Aging with Grace. During the conversation we discussed the call in telephone service they offer to caregivers. Patricia gave me a clear understanding of the myriad of situation that come up when people call in looking for help and advice. While listening to Patricia it became obvious to me how important this service is, and can be, to caregivers that are wondering what to do, or wondering if their loved one is suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia. Her is a short description of the service. Aging with Grace offers solutions to caregivers throughout the United States & Canada who experience the stress of eldercare issues. We assess yo... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886715 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:51:00 +0100 2886715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2883016&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FUtLy76u5QeU%2F It has been estimated that 3 out of 4 people report that they do not take their medications as directed, resulting in hundreds of billions of dollars annually in related medical costs and an enormous number of hospital admissions and readmissions. The reasons for this are complex and varied.  This is a particularly vexing challenge for young, chronically ill patients, for people with mental health diagnoses and for the elderly who may suffer from memory impairment.  Anyone on a complicated drug regimen knows how committed one must be to remain adherent.  For some, cost is an issue while for others side effects can be unpleasant, travelling can compromise the best of intentions as can the need for refrigeration when none is available.  Some patients must take some drugs on an empty... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2883016 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:21:41 +0100 2883016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2872083&cid=t_100073_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fpart-1-favorites-recipes-for-caregiving.html For vegetables with lots of flavor fill a covered baking dish with fresh carrots, cauliflower, squash, broccoli, and tomatoes and bake it in the overn at 350 degrees for 20 minutes (more if the carrots are large ones.) Spray it with zero calorie buttery spray, then sprinkle a variety of herbs and spices (no salt) on it to make the flavor have some zip. Sprinkle with Paprika if desired. The medley of flavors from baked tomato to sweet baked carrots keeps it interesting.The softened vegetables are easy for people who wear dentures to chew and baking the vegetables brings out a lot of flavor. Use this as a main dish, with a protein dish of meat or meatless protein "on the side." Baked chicken or fish go well with it. For meatless meals there are vegetarian burgers with soy protein that can be... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2872083 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:06:00 +0100 2872083 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2857569&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FYJCzYLlAkAM%2Freader-poll-are-your-worried-about.html ... Please take the time to come to the Alzheimer's Reading Room website and vote in this poll. You can also comment in the comments section below the article. (Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The) Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2857569 Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:46:50 +0100 2857569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2824402&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FoD75G24Y7mc%2Fmetamorphosis-of-this-alzheimers.html My name is Bob DeMarco, I am an Alzheimer's caregiver. My mother Dorothy, now 93 years old, suffers from Alzheimer's disease. We live our lives one day at a time. I am an Alzheimers caregiver, I am the One, and if you are here you are not Alone. To start, I am a curious person. So, when I want to know more about something I really dig in. Take it apart and put it back together. I'm fortunate in two ways. I picked great parents, and God and my parents blessed me with an ability to read fast, and absorb information. My brain is wired to view everything as a system. This allows me to see all the parts when I encounter something new, or when I am trying to figure things out. When focused, I am goal oriented. When I first learned my mother was suffering from dementia, I quickly learned y... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2824402 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:18:55 +0100 2824402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814409&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FO9i0oIpfkJ4%2F Several months ago I was attending a funeral.  After being introduced to a relative’s relative, my family member asked me if I knew what had happened to Mr. Smith, pointing to the elderly man walking with a cane.  It was a miracle my family member said.  A miracle I wondered, looking skeptically at him.  Yes, Mr. Smith was having a CAT scan and the results showed that he had pancreatic cancer.  A miracle I asked, why so.   As it turned out the patient, who in his early 80’s went to his doctor complaining of not feeling well.  Abdominal pain. Distention.  General malaise and discomfort.  One thing led to another and CAT scans were ordered.   And as the family story goes, “by mistake” a CAT scan of his pancreas was performed.    And as I understand the ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814409 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:16:14 +0100 2814409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2809671&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F2UUM7tvwZyQ%2F We won’t ever be sure what could have been if we had paid more attention to the signs and symptoms…….Mom had died in October 2006.  Dad had visited her in the hospital and the rehab center and the nursing home for seven months; every day; day after day after day.    They had been together for 50+ years.  And he had been sure to tell the story of their meeting and their marriage and their lives together to anyone……. well actually to everyone that he met.  After mom passed,     he slowly managed to go on with his life without her.  It was not easy.   He had to learn how to use the microwave; how to make coffee; how to cook.  He mastered the art of grocery shopping and doing his own laundry.    One day at a time we told him.   Slowly he managed to pick up the piec... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2809671 Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:49:56 +0100 2809671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2858874&cid=t_100073_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fso-this-is-sick.html For almost two weeks now, the kids have been ravaged by some mysteriously potent infection with Cryptosporidium (a coccidian protozoan parasite, for those of you who - like me! - care). A week ago, I caught it from them. It has been an interesting time in our household - a definite time of focusing inward and experiencing exhaustion together. We've had some sweet moments reading book after book, and watching movie after movie. We had the kids sleeping in our bedroom on an extra mattress for a week so we could handle the frequent bathroom trips without any accidents - that brought back beautiful memories of our days with the "family bed". We've survived on delicious Greek yogurt with an extra sour kick from powdered probiotics, and mixed up batch after batch of homemade electrolyte replacem... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2858874 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:40:00 +0100 2858874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2716203&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FLN_2jFhSo1I%2Falzheimers-in-living-room.html Advice and Insight into Alzheimer's diseaseSubscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading RoomI was over on the Alzheimer's New Zealand Facebook page, and I noticed a link to a story I first read back in 2004 on the New York Times--Alzheimer's in the Living Room: How One Family Rallies to Cope.At the time of my first reading, I thought this was a well written story. After this read, I would have to say this article by Jane Gross is really remarkable. Keep in mind I was a 'young' caregiver when I first read the article.The article captures much of the real life trials, tribulations, emotions, and angst of a family dealing with Alzheimer's from the front row.Here are a few snippets from the article."It's overwhelming, worse every day," Mrs. Dillon said recently, wincing from stomach pain and steadily ... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2716203 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:32:03 +0100 2716203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2705308&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FUehKpz8Ks78%2Falzheimers-reading-room-share-this.html I need your help.Many of you might not know this, but I am a one man band on this blog.With the exception of articles from outside sources, everything you see here on the Alzheimer's Reading Room is done by me. Writing, editing, marketing, you name it.One thing I am always trying to do is broaden and increase the audience of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. This is incredibly time consuming. Since I am alone while doing this, it is not happening as fast as I would hope.I know there are millions of people searching for information on Alzheimer's, dementia, and care giving each day. Most of them do not know that the Alzheimer's Reading Room exists.A recent Harris Interactive poll indicated that their are 70 million searches for "health" on the Internet each month.More than 4 million are for "Al... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2705308 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:43:20 +0100 2705308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691745&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2F1j1HZ1Q6O5Y%2Falzheimers-reading-room-flashback-1.html I decided to go back to January, 2007 (the month I started this blog), and look at some of the articles I posted at that time. Comments welcome.Americans Fear Alzheimer’s More Than Heart Disease, Diabetes or StrokeA study by the MetLife Foundation found that Americans fear getting Alzheimer's disease more than heart disease, stroke, or diabetes. Alzheimer's ranks second in the minds of American's only to cancer.To continue reading go here.The Seven Stages of Alzheimer'sExperts have documented common patterns of symptom progression that occur in many individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and developed several methods of “staging” based on these patterns.To continue reading go here.James Smith: I'm 45 Years Old, I can't have Alzheimer'sMy doctors initially diagnosed it as possible dep... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691745 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:40:00 +0100 2691745 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691436&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aannet.org%2Ffiles%2Fpublic%2FAPN_template.pdf As the nation focuses on how to cut the cost of so-called health care reform, maybe it’s time to pay attention to demonstrated methods for improving care while reducing costs that are not yet supported by Medicare and other payers. We cannot afford the system we have and changing it should be on the top of the agenda for anyone who wants to extend coverage of health care to all and improve health outcomes. For example, many readers of this blog will have had the experience of being a patient or family caregiver for someone who is older and has multiple chronic health problems that periodic become acute and require hospitalization. Once discharged from the hospital, the patient and caregiver often feel at a loss for how to manage some of the problems that can arise even within hours of di... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691436 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:42:39 +0100 2691436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2664099&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FcfIjgN5eKKQ%2Frevolution-in-alzheimers-dementia-and.html One of my greatest fears is the day I might have to place my mother in an Alzheimer's care facility. I say might because I pray that I'll never have to do it.I receive emails all the time from people that experience the guilt, angst, and remorse of having place their loved one in a Alzheimer's care facility that provides little care, and is a horrid environment for their loved one.Our reader Rose LaMatt, wrote of her own nightmare experience after she placed her loved one into an Alzheimer's care facility. In Just a Word, she writes with real, raw, emotion about the myriad of feelings she experienced when moving her loved one from the first Alzheimer's care facility to a second. Reading her words were eye opening, and gut wrenching.Sadly, its ugly out there.It doesn't have to be that way..... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2664099 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:34:37 +0100 2664099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2662632&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FcfIjgN5eKKQ%2Frevolution-in-alzheimers-dementia-and.html One of my greatest fears is the day I might have to place my mother in an Alzheimer's care facility. I say might because I pray that I'll never have to do it.I receive emails all the time from people that experience the guilt, angst, and remorse of having place their loved one in a Alzheimer's care facility that provides little care, and is a horrid environment for their loved one.Our reader Rose LaMatt, wrote of her own nightmare experience after she placed her loved one into an Alzheimer's care facility. In Just a Word, she writes with real, raw, emotion about the myriad of feelings she experienced when moving her loved one from the first Alzheimer's care facility to a second. Reading her words were eye opening, and gut wrenching.Sadly, its ugly out there.It doesn't have to be that way..... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2662632 Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:21:18 +0100 2662632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2660933&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FzYEVAIe6f_4%2Feight-steps-for-family-caregiving.html Dan Tobin -- 8 Steps for Family Caregiving1. Understanding doctor's recommendations and asking productive questions.2. Becoming health literate regarding medical terms and health information.3. Getting information on non-medical topics (home care, insurance, healthcare finances).4. Linking medical and non-medical needs and creating an active problem list.5. Obtaining guidance for solving specific family caregiving problems.6. Dealing with emotions for both parent and caregiver.7. Finding and hiring tangible support and services for your parents.8. Extended planning for your parents foreseeable and long-range future.For more details on how to navigate the complex terrain of family caregiving go here.Source: Psychology TodayMore from the Alzheimer's Reading RoomQuestions About Test Your Memo... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2660933 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:23:52 +0100 2660933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645524&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FWIaXUAjqVRU%2Flong-term-care-costs-and-calculater.html Ever wonder how much long term care might cost you?I found this calculator over on the MetLife website. It is easy to use.Here are some national numbers. The cost could be lower or higher in your area. Numbers are a little dated.Average costs of long-term care in 2006:Private room in a nursing home $206 a day; $75,190 annuallySemi-private room in a nursing home $183 a day; $66,795 annuallyHome health care aide $19 an hourSource: MetLife Mature Market InstituteIn south Florida, you can hire an around the clock, live in, caregiver aide for $120-$150 a day (hired directly by you). Or, you can pay an agency $150-$180 a day for a person with similar experience and credentials.You might be able to find an assisted living facility in this area for as low as $3200 a month. South Florida is overbui... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645524 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:15:09 +0100 2645524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2641486&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FSB2cHxxJ0-g%2Fno-substitute-for-alzheimers-caregiver.html The most common Alzheimer's caregiver relationship is between a child and parent (57 percent). It might surprise you to know that only 6 percent are between spouses. This can be explained by aging.A new research study found that Alzheimer's sufferers who felt especially close to their caregivers kept more of their cognitive and functional abilities longer compared with patients who did not feel as close to their caregivers. In other words, a close relationship between Alzheimer's sufferer and... This is a content summary. Continue reading on the website. Feel free to make comments in the comments box below the article. (Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The) Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2641486 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:43:04 +0100 2641486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2630343&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FGcn6C864itU%2Fwalmart-and-this-alzheimers-caregiver.html My name is Bob DeMarco, I am an Alzheimer's caregiver. My mother Dorothy, now 93 years old, suffers from Alzheimer's disease.I learned in my role as an Alzheimer's caregiver that exercise, bright light, socialization, and simple tasks that allow my mother to use her brain have a positive effect on my mother's quality of life and behavior.I am always searching for new ways to keep her active and in the world.About a year ago, I came up with a new idea and decided to give it a try.I took my mother to Super Walmart for an outing. If you have a super Walmart near you, you already know the parking lot is usually jammed.Join UsSubscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading RoomWhen we arrive at Walmart, I look around for a parking space. We do not use the handicapped spot. Reason? Exercise (mission accomp... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2630343 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:16:02 +0100 2630343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2626240&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FZ2Q-_i8b9Bw%2Fnational-alliance-for-caregiving-and.html This year's award winners are: Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) of New York, NY for the SAGE Caregiver Program, the only program in the country specifically designed to meet the complete care and support needs of LGBT caregivers, who are often marginalized from mainstream service and support.The Pro Bono Counseling Project of Baltimore, MD for its Caring for Caregivers program, which links low-income, uninsured caregivers with... This is a content summary. Continue reading on the website. (Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The) Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2626240 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:33:28 +0100 2626240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2626241&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FGcn6C864itU%2Fwalmart-and-this-alzheimers-caregiver.html My name is Bob DeMarco, I am an Alzheimer's caregiver. My mother Dorothy, now 93 years old, suffers from Alzheimer's disease. I learned in my role as an Alzheimer's caregiver that exercise, bright light, socialization, and simple tasks that allow my mother to use her brain have a positive effect on my mother's quality of life and behavior. I am always searching for new ways to keep her active and in the world. About a year ago, I came up with... This is a content summary. Continue reading on the website. (Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The) Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2626241 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:52:00 +0100 2626241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2594415&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fi0kU5LIEDRQ%2F My husband Paul Berger suffered a stroke resulting from a ruptured aneurysm when he was 36—that was 20 years ago. Some things have improved, like treatment—the CT scan then could tell there was bleeding in his brain, but couldn’t locate the site of the burst vessel. A week later, after a follow-up test, he had brain surgery to implant a platinum metal clip. The night before the surgery, he had a re-bleeding, which probably caused the severe stroke, devastating his speech-language functions, and paralyzing the right side of his body. If this had happened today, the improved diagnostics probably would have located the problem immediately, and he might have had a coil or stent threaded through the blood vessel to the aneurysm, instead of opening his skull. He might have had a shorter re... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2594415 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:54:25 +0100 2594415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576842&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FUP7VFykaC3Q%2Falzheimers-reading-room-press-release.html The Alzheimer's Reading Room (ARR) is the number one site on the Internet for information and insight into Alzheimer's disease(AD) and Dementia.Unlike other Alzheimer's websites, ARR features real life situations and practical advice about how to deal with problems that are often faced by Alzheimer's caregivers.Press ReleaseJoin Our Growing List of SubscribersEmail..........TwitterThe Alzheimer's Reading Room (ARR) is the number one site on the Internet for information and insight into Alzheimer's disease(AD) and Dementia.Unlike other Alzheimer's websites, ARR features real life situations and practical advice about how to deal with problems that are often faced by Alzheimer's caregivers.The site offers information over a broad range of topics including: advice, caregiving, research, scien... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576842 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:51:18 +0100 2576842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2573075&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FUP7VFykaC3Q%2Falzheimers-reading-room-press-release.html The Alzheimer's Reading Room (ARR) is the number one site on the Internet for information and insight into Alzheimer's disease(AD) and Dementia.Unlike other Alzheimer's websites, ARR features real life situations and practical advice about how to deal with problems that are often faced by Alzheimer's caregivers.Press ReleaseJoin Our Growing List of SubscribersEmail..........TwitterThe Alzheimer's Reading Room (ARR) is the number one site on the Internet for information and insight into Alzheimer's disease(AD) and Dementia.Unlike other Alzheimer's websites, ARR features real life situations and practical advice about how to deal with problems that are often faced by Alzheimer's caregivers.The site offers information over a broad range of topics including: advice, caregiving, research, scien... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2573075 Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:06:43 +0100 2573075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2571158&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FR82Ii6i_pn4%2Fcaring-for-caregiver.html Since few of us our inventors we learn best from the experience of others. “I don’t think I know how to handle the situation with dementia,” she said about her husband’s disease, diagnosed 10 years ago. “I lose my temper a lot and I get exasperated. I know I’m not handling things well, not for him and not for myself.” Another woman said she had promised her aunt to keep her at home as long a she possibly could. Because her relatives disagree with her vow, she said, they don’t help her with the care.This is a well written article that appeared on the Alzheimer's Reading Room for the first time back in February, 2007. Time is flying.Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading RoomCaring for the caregiversBy Elizabeth CooneyTELEGRAM & GAZETTE ecooney@telegram.comYou came to the r... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2571158 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:13:20 +0100 2571158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2550323&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FTePH-o-9foM%2Falzheimers-action-plan.html “Most of us will either get Alzheimer’s or care for a loved one who has" The Alzheimer's Action Plan: The Experts' Guide to the Best Diagnosis and Treatment for Memory Problems"This book is the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide for the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease. Whether you are a health care professional or have Alzheimer's in your family or are simply interested to living to an old age, this book is a must read."--Deepak Chopra, M.D., New York Times bestselling author of Perfect Health: The Complete Mind/Body GuideInsight and Advice about Alzheimer's DiseaseSubscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room"Memory does matter. Adults across the life cycle are asking questions, many questions! The authors answer these questions for the educated public, family members... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2550323 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:36:24 +0100 2550323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2550324&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FVBmHqF5styA%2Falzheimers-reading-room-june-27.html Answers About Long-Term Care InsuranceLike many people with elderly parents, I can’t help thinking there must be some way I can make sure my 8-year-old son doesn’t someday end up in the same situation when my husband and I need assistance. As one fellow boomer said recently, “I want someone to care about me when I’m older, but not necessarily care for me.”Go here to read more.Voices of Alzheimer's Caregivers: Part OneThis is part one of the transcript from a special roundtable discussion featuring Alzheimer's caregivers. In this section, the participants -- Alice, Maureen, Phyllis, and Joe -- talk about why they sought out a support group in their community.Go here to read more.Voices of Alzheimer's Caregivers: Part TwoWhat Alzheimer's Warning Signs Did You See in Your Loved One?... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2550324 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:12:24 +0100 2550324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2515170&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F43WhriHtG7M%2F Caregivers need all the help we can get in navigating the confusing and often conflicting health, medical, and financial decisions required to support a family member with severe or chronic health conditions. My husband, Paul Berger, suffered a severe stroke from a ruptured aneurysm at the young age of 36. Our insurance covered his acute medical needs—brain surgery, hospital care, and even some rehabilitation services. Reimbursement ended when he was discharged from the rehab unit of the hospital, but he still needed—and could benefit from—long term speech, occupational and physical therapy. The first decision was how to continue care. Should we try to coordinate outpatient care through the hospital, or through independent practitioners? Should we sacrifice our savings by spending a ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2515170 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:00:26 +0100 2515170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2523691&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FLFzoro74a6M%2Fall-night-care-for-dementia-and.html As far as I can tell, ElderServe at Night is a one of a kind program. A program that is likely to serve as a model for communities around the world. Imagine being able to have the hours from 7 PM to 7 AM all to yourself. Imagine.ElderServe at Night...was born in 1998, after Daniel A. Reingold, now president and chief executive of the Hebrew Home, began hearing horror stories from people who jury-rigged alarm systems or slept on mattresses pulled across thresholds to stop their sleepless parents from wandering at night. Sleep deprivation, he learned, was causing many guardians to put relatively high-functioning patients into nursing homes rather than day care programs.For many Alzheimer's caregivers this might seem like a slice of heaven on earth.Participants are fetched from their homes by... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2523691 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:23:38 +0100 2523691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2474100&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2F4j2vYhBaK48%2Falzheimers-read-june-12.html Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative launches new exhibit honoring Alzheimer's patientsFlint Township quilter Ami Simms can show you exactly what Alzheimer's Disease stole from her mother, Beebe Moss. It's the image of a legless cow printed on a scrap of hand-dyed fabric.Ten years before her death in 2008 at age 85, Moss was a successful fiber artist who designed her own line of quilting fabric, "Something Wonderful," for Marcus Fabrics of New York, featuring her hand-carved block print designs.Alzheimer's Disease took all that away, said Simms, who has devoted her life to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative, the nonprofit she founded in 2006 that has raised more than $290,000 to date for Alzheimer's research.Are Alzheimer's Caregivers the Forgotten?Forty percent of Alzheimer's caregivers end... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2474100 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:46:13 +0100 2474100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2463231&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FxEFjC7MZ3jI%2Fim-hungry-im-starving.html My mother utters those words at least 20 times each day. This morning right after she finished eating her oatmeal, and with the bowl still in front of her, my mother said, "I'm hungry, I'm starving". Back during that difficult, very trying, first year, my mother would eat constantly. It was driving me crazy. It honestly made me feel crazy and disconcerted. Then one lucky day in the gym, I mentioned to two complete strangers how this was making me nuts. They had already gone the full round... This is a content summary. Full content and more on the website. Did you tell another Alzheimer's Caregiver about the Alzheimer's Reading Room today? (Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The) Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2463231 Sun, 07 Jun 2009 21:02:51 +0100 2463231 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2386807&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FGux7uZOTbso%2F According to local news, PETA sent a letter to Penn Health System CEO Ralph Muller urging him to follow the lead of hospitals in England, reducing their carbon footprint and improving patient health by eliminating the availability of meat for patients, visitors and employees. HUP is one of my local hospitals; a place where friends have been treated for cancers, and last month, for heart failure. It’s got a big footprint in this town and I’m glad it was there for my friends. If my hospital got a letter, maybe yours did, too. A hospital spokesperson says they’ve not received the letter, but if CEO Muller wants my reaction – here goes. Please don’t. I have five reasons: Reason #1: Personal experience. I’ve been a vegetarian for nearly 40 years. It was not an easy transition to mak... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2386807 Mon, 04 May 2009 13:53:35 +0100 2386807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2387198&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2Fo3-Je_tpmdE%2Fcomplete-eldercare-planner-revised-and.html I read the original edition and the book has now been revised. It is worthwhile reading and contains lots of useful information. I found it helpful. Here are some of the areas covered in the book.Getting started on creating a long-term care plan.How to find help,  especially if you live far away.Managing financial aspects of the situation.How to talk to elders about sensitive subjects.Addresses issues surrounding senior housing–move or stay put?Managing medications.Several other topics that are of interest to anyone caring for an elder. The Complete Eldercare Planner, Revised and Updated Edition: Where to Start, Which Questions to Ask, and How to Find HelpSubscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via EmailEditorial ReviewsProduct DescriptionAs our population shifts and ages, the care n... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2387198 Sun, 03 May 2009 17:28:12 +0100 2387198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382790&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FKJOdCUrON1k%2Fhow-do-you-get-family-to-accept.html I saw this question over on DxJunction.How do you get family to accept Alzheimers is an illness?How do I get my husband's brother to accept Alzheimer's is an illness. He keeps telling him he should do more reading, walking etc, he calls in to see us every couple of weeks for 5 minutes, doesn't stop for a cup of tea, it is almost like he is embarrassed by the repetitive questions. However now my husband has also been diagnosed with Asbestosis all of a sudden he is ringing all the rest of the family and telling them. He is more concerned with the Asbestosis than the Alzheimers. While I am concerned with both as they are both horrible diseases it is the Alzheimer's that I need the help with.Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via EmailThis dovetails nicely with Are Alzheimer's Caregiv... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382790 Fri, 01 May 2009 17:20:41 +0100 2382790 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2381114&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.harrisinteractive.com%2Fservices%2Fpubs%2FThe_Alzeimers_Caregiver_Perpective.pdf Last week, I wrote Are Alzheimer's Caregivers the Forgotten?It reminded me of a Harris Interactive Poll I read some time ago, The Alzheimer's Caregiver Perspective.Here are two things I learned while reading that report.Most Caregivers go it alone. Only half (50 percent)  rely on an outside service like a home health aide.Only 45 percent rely on family or friends for help in providing care to the patient.As far as I am concerned, both numbers are too low. Although, it does have me wondering what came first the chicken or the egg?Are Caregivers going it alone because they are failing to ask for help? Too overwhelmed to seek outside help? Are they failing to ask their family for help?Or, are family members and friends all to happy to stand on the sideline for the reasons I mentioned in my ... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2381114 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:51:45 +0100 2381114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376757&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2Fx_dAY63eKyE%2Fhow-i-manage-my-caregiver-stress.html Right now, I feel that caregiver stress coming on. I can best describe the feeling as being disconcerted.My mother has been suffering from severe headaches for two weeks. They are of the type that could indicate a stroke. So, this has me disconcerted.We are working very hard with our doctor to get to the bottom of the problem. The verdict on the cat scan will be in soon.Sometimes when things get on the crazy side, I go back and look at my owncaregiver stress  list. More or less,  give myself some advice.Now, I 'll share my advice. Please feel free to add to my list.One of the biggest problems faced by caregivers is depression. As a result, caregivers should take care to insure that they remain healthy and on mission. Over the years, I have referred to this list of mine many times. The li... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376757 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:40:44 +0100 2376757 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2358858&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FZdww9IPQH1I%2Falzheimers-advice-just-let-em-do-it-you.html We have a lot of new subscribers this month, so I'll start with a little background.I'm Bob the caregiver for my mother, Dorothy. Dorothy will be 93 in two months. She suffers from Alzheimer's disease and was diagnosed about five years ago.Near the end of the first year of caring for my mother, I received some excellent advice from our new found doctor.Here is the background. My mother who had been buying lottery tickets and scratch-off tickets for 20 years could no longer do it. She didn't know how to do it anymore. If I took her in the store, she would literally ask me what to do.I wish I could describe in words how disconcerting this was to me. I can't. It was horrible. A real feeling of despair.When we went to see our doctor, I told him what had happened. He looked at me and asked if I... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2358858 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:34:03 +0100 2358858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349586&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FfAUeYX3K06I%2Fwow-light-and-enlightening-new.html I read this article about the new Alzheimer's Day Care and Resource Center in Eureka, California. Key words here: light and bright light. This caught my attention because I just wrote a few days ago about how bright light has a very positive effect on my mother. "This building was built for people like my wife and me,” said Doug Durham. “There are a lot of us.”Durham has spent many years as the primary caregiver for his wife, who has Alzheimer's. His wife of nearly 50 years first discounted the symptoms as CRS, “can't remember stuff,” before her diagnosis in January 1998. The center's ability to provide respite has, he said, been essential to dealing with challenges of caring for his wife.Follow the Alzheimer's Reading Room on TwitterSubscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349586 Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:25:01 +0100 2349586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349598&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FKXxdhmaDTfc%2Fcommunicating-with-dementia-or.html Careful Observation. Like babies, people afflicted with dementia or Alzheimer’s will provide subtle cues or signals indicating their level of comfort or distress. By paying careful attention to their cues, we are able to compassionately respond to their needs.--Charlotte ParkerSubscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via EmailThe following article was contributed by Charlotte Parker. If you have the time, please let her know your reaction.5 Steps to Compassionate CaregivingCommunicating with the Dementia or Alzheimer’s AfflictedBy Charlotte ParkerWe are all born with a desire to give and receive love. Circumstances we encounter throughout our lives may callous that need, but it never fully dissipates. Sadly, as we grow older, we oftentimes become more challenging to love, and illness... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349598 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:52:50 +0100 2349598 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306562&cid=t_100073_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fp9gNXNmbXUQ%2F Women and girls turn to domestic work as one of the few options available to them in order to provide for themselves and their families. Instead of guaranteeing their ability to work with dignity and free of violence, governments have systematically denied them key labor protections extended to other workers. Domestic workers, often making extraordinary sacrifices to support their families, are among the most exploited and abused workers in the world. In New York State, there are 200,000 nannies, housekeepers and eldercare workers. They provide primary care including healthcare to many people. Virtually all of them are immigrants, the vast majority of them undocumented, and mostly women of color - which makes it all too easy for employers to exploit them, wittingly or not. Workers usually ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306562 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:45:17 +0100 2306562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2222690&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FmKU2EbKp8qU%2F When we learn first hand what it’s like to experience Alzheimer’s, we caregivers and family members can be more understanding and helpful.  I often tried to realize where Mother and Auntie were coming from, what was motivating their behavior and thought processes.  When I put myself into their world (at least the best I could), I found it easier to cope.  Hopefully this made an increasingly difficult life easier for them. Richard Taylor, Ph.D., who has been diagnosed with dememtia, probably of the Alzheimer’s type, maintains a web site complete with videos, provides a monthly newsletter, and has written a book,  Alzheimer’s from the Inside Out.  His purpose now is writing and speaking to inform, help and encourage others. I wish there was something like Rich... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2222690 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:00:23 +0100 2222690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2200701&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F3IYYh9X9ss0%2F Mixing medications, forgetting what to take when, or having insufficient knowledge about why one is taking a specific prescription becomes a challenge with Alzheimer’s patients and sometimes their caregivers.  If you have questions about prescription use, perhaps you’ll find these guidelines helpful: Guidelines for Managing Medications and Prescriptions at AgingCare.com Do you have suggestions on helping the Alzheimer’s patient in your family manage meds?  What works for you and them? (Amazon image) Tags: Alzheimer's medications, Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimer's patients, caregivers, Caregiving, managing medications, Mary Emma Allen, medication guidelines, medications, prescription guidelines, prescriptionsShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2200701 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:19:37 +0100 2200701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2147639&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FQZvQc1ygnEw%2F Edie Dykeman, at Elder Care Cafe, mentions Alzheimer’s Notes and comments: Many times, once someone’s caregiving time is finished, they choose to move on. Mary Emma has returned to help the rest of us along. Some people have asked me, “Why?” when so many caregivers and Alzheimer’s family members choose move on. I want to reiterate:  First…it’s okay to move on.  Second…I’m not stuck in the past. As Edie has glimpsed, I chose, through my writing and speaking, to remain involved and help those who are still going through caregiving.  When Mother and Auntie developed Alzheimer’s (Auntie first in the 1980s and then Mother while caring for her sister in the early 1990s), there weren’t many resources for the caregiver. ... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2147639 Sat, 31 Jan 2009 04:13:11 +0100 2147639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2141437&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FY_otrlIuw94%2F  Edie Dykeman, at ElderCareCafe, responded to my post,  Keeping Your Cool as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver , with, Great post and reminder to do what we can to stay calm and emotionally in control. Thanks!  She also described a situation in her caregiving life that you might relate to. As I mentoned to Edie, it is difficult living day to day with someone who has Alzheimer’s and can be very stubborn. They’re also often frightened by what’s happening to them, so strike out verbally and physically at those closest.  That often is the caregiver. When I was caring for Mother, I read somewhere that you could end up becoming very angry at that person and had to be careful you didn’t harm them physically. “No never,” I thought. “She’s my mother... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2141437 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:57:05 +0100 2141437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2195223&cid=t_100073_158_f&fid=36024&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fcaregiver-jeff%2Ffarewell-caregivers%2F I am sad to say, I am hanging up my blogger hat after 18 months to make way for some fresh perspective for another caregiver. I have really enjoyed sharing my views and experiences caring for Pops with the HealthTalk audience during these past months, but it’s time to relinquish the forum to some of the other caregiver voices out there. There is a near-infinite variety of caregiver situations and mine and Pops’s is just one, and frankly I have pretty much exhausted what I have to say. In fact, when I looked back on my 18 months of blog entries, I can’t help notice some of them are remarkably similar. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. One of the singular aspects of caregiving is you find yourself doing a lot of the same stuff over and over again. From a personal standpoint, I think ... Caregiver Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2195223 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:18:48 +0100 2195223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2134804&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FLqs0ezMlJTs%2F Have you ever come close to “losing your cool,” as you cared for an Alzheimer’s spouse or parent?  Have you had to calm your frustrations when your patient became irritating? When you’re tired (getting adequate sleep as a full time caregiver becomes challenging), juggling many roles (especially if you’re a mom as well as cargiver) and taking care of a home, possibly even working outside, frustrations come to the foreground more easily.  So leaning to keep your cook becomes important so that you don’t fall into the abuse trap. A British study reveals that Many Alzheimer’s Caregivers Admit to Abusive Behavior.  This generally was verbal abuse rather than the physical type.  Yelling, swearing, threatening and screaming insults were some reported t... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2134804 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:26:45 +0100 2134804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2097988&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FBuzwApGw7FE%2F After I wrote last week’s Thursday Thirteen  about 13 Birds Creating Memories in my mother’s life, Krista at Alzheimer’s Team, left me a comment, “My dad remembers he had horses but he can’t go in to detail about it. Maybe if we talked with him more about it he might remember more.” Yes, often if you talk with your Alzheimer’s family member about places, persons, things and events, they will remember more. These may be bits and pieces of memories that you’ll enjoy jotting down or recording for family history, too.  Sometimes they will be lengthy stories.  You also may find that the Alzheimer’s patient thinks he/she is back in that memory world. Also, pull out some pictures, either actual family photos or simply pictures in magazines.... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2097988 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:23:21 +0100 2097988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2090080&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FzOlMleRPRAw%2F Often caregivers feel isolated and think they’re alone in facing the challenges of caring for a family member, especially one with Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia.  Even if there is a caregivers’ support group in their community, it’s not always easy to get away to attend meetings. Online communities have become a boon to caregivers, where they can meet with others online who are having similar challenges. Forgetful Not Forgotten is a community that’s evolving out of the film of the same name, by Chris Wynn about his father’s experience.  In this community you’ll be able to share your experiences and gain encouragement from others. The movie, Forgetful Not Forgotten, premieres January 11 on TVO.  You also can see excerpts of the film at t... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2090080 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:00:03 +0100 2090080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2078804&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F2I1QnA-nXa4%2F As caregivers, we often have a way of making ourselves feel guilty, regretful and inadequate.  Or we let others cause us to think we’re not doing the best job we can  (when they shirk the caregiver tasks themselves). We’re usually thrown into caregiving without training or often advance warning.  Later we might wish we had done some things differently.  But we weren’t to know at the time.  Looking back, I wish I’d known more about Alzheimer’s when Mother and Auntie developed it.  But I never imagined I’d be caring for them.  Also realize, someone told me, that as an Alzheimer’s caregiver, you always have a second chance…often within five minutes.  Even though the patient may be upset with you, he/she usually forgets it a short time la... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2078804 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:51:55 +0100 2078804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074448&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FHbnsPp0tLZg%2F Kaye from SandwichINK left a comment at my Happy New Year’s post about setting goals that I thought would interest my caregiver readers. Great goals. It’s so easy to get into such a routine and not stop to think through and be proactive at taking these kind of steps. On top of that, many feel guilty for doing something for themselves. But we are re-energized and recharged and able to bless those we love more when we take these steps. I especially like Kaye’s insight about our being able “to bless those we love more” when we take care of ourselves.  We’re more patient, more loving, more able to laugh and enjoy, more thoughtful, more caring…when we’ve gained rest and inspiration ourselves. Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimers, caregivers, Care... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074448 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 03:21:44 +0100 2074448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074449&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FhxVMplTFklw%2F Happy New Year May 2009 be a wonderful year for you. It’s cold here in New Hampshire (3 degrees F.) and windy as I write this. But we’re looking forward to a grand 2009. Have you set any goals in your Alzheimer’s caregiving life?  Find someone to relieve you ocasionally with your duties. Discover something humorous each day to bring laughter into your Alzheimer’s related life…and that of the person you’re caring for. Find a support group in your area or online, if you don’t have one. Attend Alzheimer’s related seminars if they’re offered nearby. Find time just for yourself to relax and relieve the stress. (PartyCheap.com image) Tags: 2009, Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimers, caregivers, Caregiving, goals, New Year'sShare This (Source: Al... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074449 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:05:58 +0100 2074449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074452&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FpkAGtXPQ9ys%2F Longevity seems to be a reward of caregiving, according to recent research published in  the current issue of Psychological Science.  So when you’re tired and frustrated and wonder how you can keep going when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, remember, “I should have a longer life as a result of all of this.” This may seem like an impossibility after sleepless nights, dealing with a cranky patient, searching for them when they escape on you, and encountering other trying situations.  However, the joys, often small ones each day, give a sense of accomplishment and often laughter. Caregiving May Lengthen Life Caregiving May Lengthen Life from Alzheimer’s Daily News Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimers, caregivers, Caregiving, longevityShare This (Sourc... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074452 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:04:47 +0100 2074452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2047028&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FOn0RkoV3d9Q%2F  Caregiving Business Caregivers sometimes take care of Alzheimer’s patients other than family, do housekeeping for them, provide shopping services for them or their families.  Whenever they receive payment, they’re considered as conducting a business, unless they’re working as an employee for an agency that does this type of work.  Often they think because it’s a “little” business, they don’t have to worry about taxes.  However, under most circumstances, the IRS generally looks at it differently, and caregivers still do have to pay taxes and Social Security and develop a system of keeping track of income and expenses. Jean Murray, at Home Biz Notes, has a great post with some initial tax information.  Check out 5 Myths About Work At Home Busin... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2047028 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:11:34 +0100 2047028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2028455&cid=t_100073_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F478160740%2F Spectacular article by Dr. Denise Park in this month's Cerebrum: Working Later in Life May Facilitate Neural Health - "Carmi Schooler at the National Institutes of Health, using a technique that allowed him to assess causal relationships, found that adults who performed intellectually challenging jobs across their life span showed more cognitive flexibility in late adulthood than those who performed less demanding jobs." - "Perhaps the most compelling evidence regarding the impact of novel experiences on brain volume and function comes from a study at the Max Planck Institute in Germany. Adults with a mean age of 59 spent three months learning to juggle three balls. Although only about half the participants were able to achieve competence in this complex skill, those who suc... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2028455 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:10:12 +0100 2028455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2013910&cid=t_100073_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fhealthy-caregiving-minute-of-tips.html (Source: The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News) The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2013910 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:24:00 +0100 2013910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2011254&cid=t_100073_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FbxLXoE5JQ-0%2F Tea Parties My grandchildren and I enjoyed tea parties with my mom when she resided in the nursing home.  They became a ritual, even after Mother no longer really knew what it was all about.  She smiled and chattered and seemed to enjoy the children.  From this evolved memories the youngsters and I shall treasure. Why not plan tea parties for your family members in the nursing home?  Victorian tea parties can be such fun. Read about one my friend planned for her mother at Seasoned Citizen Activities.  You may enjoy organizing one for a family member.  Perhaps you can find someone who does this on a regular basis…hosting tea parties. (Image from Art of Appreciation Gourmet Gift Baskets) Related Posts: Tea Parties for Alzheimer’s Patients Tea Time at Alzheimer’s No... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2011254 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:47:31 +0100 2011254