• Medication Safety
  
  
  

  Taking medications is a fact of life for most of us and yet, taking medications as prescribed is not a fact of life for at least 50% of people who do NOT follow their doctors' orders for prescription medications.

  The cost of medications is huge.

  The cost of not taking medications as prescribed is even greater.

  Consider:
  
  

  • Older people experience adverse events from medications three times the rate of younger people.
  • While older people make up approximately 13% of the population, they account for over 50% of the deaths and 40% of the hospitalizations due to adverse events.

  
  

  Therefore, it is ESSENTIAL that older people become active participants in the decisions that are being made regarding their medications.

  It is also imperative that ALL people, regardless of age, follow their doctors' orders for prescription and non-prescription drugs.

  Below is a handy checklist of MEDICATION SAFETY TIPS that may help you avoid an adverse event. You may find it helpful to post it in an easily accessible area.

  Medication Safety Tips

  • When you receive a new prescription, ask your doctor
  • What is the name of the new medication?
  • What is it used for?
  • How should I take it?
  • How long will I need to take it?
  • What are the side-effects?
  • How much does it cost?
  • Is there a generic equivalent?
  • How much does the generic cost?
  • Is there a difference in the performance/side effects of the generic?
  • Bring a current list of medications with you EVERY time you visit a doctor, even if the medications have been described by other doctors.
  • Notify your pharmacist if you cannot open a childproof container.
  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is okay to take non-prescription (drug store remedies) drugs with prescription drugs.
  • Keep all your medications in ONE place.
  • Keep all your medications in a safe, dry place, out of the reach of children. Be especially mindful of this when you are with children. Remember to secure any medicines that you carry in your pocket or purse.
  • Wash your hands before taking your medications.
  • Turn on the lights and read the bottle label before taking your medication. Ask your pharmacist to use larger print on the labels if necessary.
  • Take medicine as close to scheduled times as possible. If you miss a dose, consult your doctor.
  • If you have difficulty in remembering to take your medicines, talk with your physician or pharmacist about a reminder system.
  • Do not skip, double up or stop taking your medications before consulting with your doctor.
  • If you feel a medicine is causing side-effects, call your doctor. Never stop taking medicine suddenly on your own.
  • NEVER save old medications for future use. They may weaken or change.
  • If the dose of a current medication has CHANGED, ask your doctor or pharmacist to re-label it for you.
  • NEVER SHARE OR BORROW MEDICATIONS.
  • ALWAYS take all the medication ordered by your doctor.
  • If you have allergies to medicine, food, etc., wear an allergy alert tag at ALL times.

  
  

  Your health and quality of life are often determined by what medicines you take and how you take them. Should you need assistance in obtaining your medications or in remembering to take your medications, please contact Arcadia at 800-733-8427 or go to our web site www.arcadiahealthcare.com. We have caregivers who will come to your home as well as a mail order pharmacy that will deliver medications right to your door.

  Remember, you can reduce your risk of adverse reactions by being involved and active in decisions made about YOUR medications.

  
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• Disaster Planning
  
  
  In light of the recent Tsunami disaster Arcadia thought it would be beneficial to provide seniors with a simple plan and a list of supplies they might need. We never know when there might be a power failure or when some natural disaster might occur. The list below addresses winter safety and we will cover summer safety in our next article. If we have a plan and supplies in place it will ensure continued quality of life and may even save a life.

  • An alternate way to heat your home during a power failure:
  • Dry Firewood for a fireplace or wood stove, or
  • Kerosene for a kerosene heater
  • Gas generator
  • Furnace fuel (coal, oil or propane)
  • Electric space heater with automatic shut-off switch and non-glowing elements
  • Blankets/sleeping bags
  • Thermal underwear, extra hat/gloves/coats/shoes/boots/socks
  • One set/person of clothing sealed in plastic bag
  • Matches (preferably wooden and sealed in plastic bag)
  • Multi-purpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher
  • First Aid kit and instruction manual
  • Flashlight or battery-powered lantern
  • Battery-powered radio
  • Battery-powered clock or watch
  • Extra batteries
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Canned food (food that needs no cooking/refrigeration)
  • Crackers, sealed granola bars, peanut butter or other jars of high-energy food
  • Dried fruit, hard candy, canned juices
  • Paper cups, plastic silverware, plastic bags, and garbage bags
  • Water (seven day supply, one gallon/person per day, store in sealed unbreakable containers)
  • Toilet tissue, spray disinfectant, disinfectant towelettes
  • Snow shovel
  • Rock salt
  • Wet/dry vacuum
  • Special needs (diapers, hearing aid batteries, prescription medications, general medications like aspirin, pet food, etc)
  • Extra set of house and car keys

  
  Use this list to inventory the items in your home. Everyone has some of these items in their home already. The supplies that you need can be purchased all at once or spread out over a period of time, as your budget will allow. You might want to call your local church or goodwill to identify if these items are available at a reduced cost or free of charge. Churches often generate a newsletter and are happy to post ads soliciting donations. Likewise you might find some of these items posted for sale in those same newsletters. Additionally, some community organizations provide safety kits that already include some of these items. Once you have gathered your supplies please put them all in one place that is easy to access.
  
  Finally, please post this article on your refrigerator for quick and easy reference. You might also want to write on this list where the disaster supplies are stored. When these events occur we all need gentle reminders. If you need assistance with shopping feel free to log on to the Arcadia website to locate an office near you for short or long term services.
  

  
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• Diabetic Care
  
  
  Diabetes mellitus or "sugar" is a condition with no known cure and with potential complications. People with diabetes have a problem processing food into energy for their bodies.
  
  During digestion many foods are broken down to glucose, a simple sugar that is the body's main source of energy. Glucose passes through the wall of the intestine and enters the blood stream. It then circulates to all the cells in the body to give them energy. Glucose cannot enter a cell on its own. Your body produces insulin to help glucose enter the cells.
  
  When you have diabetes, your body is not able to produce enough insulin, or the available insulin is somehow prevented from doing what it should. Without enough insulin, glucose in the blood rises above normal levels because it cannot enter the cells. As the glucose level rises, some glucose "spills" over into the urine. The level at which this occurs is not the same for everyone. Too much glucose in the blood and urine are signs that your diabetes is "out of control. "
  
  Two Major Types of Diabetes

  1. Insulin-dependent diabetes occurs because the body produces little or no insulin. Therefore, daily insulin injections are needed, along with control of the diet.
  2. Non-insulin dependent diabetes occurs when the body can produce some insulin, but it is not doing the job it was intended to do. With non-insulin dependent diabetes, injections are not always necessary. Oral medication in pill form is often used. As with insulin-dependent diabetes, diet control is very important.

  Adapted from "Understanding Diabetes," Eli Lilly and Company
  

  
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• Care at Home
  
  
  

  Do You Need Help With A Loved One?

  Arcadia Health Care knows that home care can have different meanings to different people. Arcadia would like to assist you/your loved one to secure the care they need by providing the following information.
  
  Some people think home care is limited to providing health care, but this is only one type of home care. Home care refers to any service provided in the home. It includes nursing care, assistance with bathing and running errands and basic homemaking chores. Different types of home care have different costs and funding sources.
  
  There are basically 3 kinds of home care. Each has its own characteristics.

  1. Skilled (Professional) - This type requires the skills of a licensed professional. It includes services from a registered nurse, physical therapist or medical social worker
  2. Personal Care - This type provides or assists with personal care activities. It includes bathing, grooming, hair care, transfers and helping with walking
  3. Choreworker/Homemaking - This type helps with household chores or errands. It includes laundry, housekeeping, companionship, grocery shopping, and accompaniment to a doctor visit, meal preparation, and pet care. This type includes any activity not included in the first two types.

  Skilled Professional care is usually covered by health insurances such as Blue Cross, Prudential and Medicare. It is the most expensive type of home care because a licensed professional such as a registered nurse provides it. Persons requiring these services usually have an unstable medical condition whose condition requires close monitoring. Examples include a person requiring a dressing change or teaching about their medications.
  
  Agencies providing these services are generally licensed by the State. This helps ensure high quality, safe care.
  
  Personal Care Services are provided by non-licensed individuals. They are called personal care aides or home care aides. These individuals have at least a high school education and 1 year experience providing personal care.
  
  In some states the home care agency must have a license to provide personal care. The license requires them to follow regulations. Sometimes the regulations require the worker to complete personal care courses before providing care to you.
  
  Personal care services are less costly than skilled home care. Long-term care insurance may cover all or some of these costs. Most regular health insurance policies do not cover personal care expenses unless the person is also receiving skilled home care at the same time.
  
  Homemaking/Chore worker services do not provide personal care. These services include all other types of services in the home. This type includes household chores, laundry, housekeeping, shopping, banking, pet care and companionship. Persons providing homemaking or chore worker services usually do not have any formal training. The home care company should require them to have experience performing the services you are requesting. In most states, a license is not required to provide the service.
  
  Homemaker/choreworker service is the least expensive and most flexible of all home care types. Again, most regular insurance policies do not cover homemaker/choreworker services. Sometimes in the recovery process after an auto accident or a work related injury the workers' compensation carrier/auto insurer will pay for limited homemaking services.
  

  
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• Medication Hints
  
  
  

  Helpful Hints for Medication Safety

  For your drug therapy to be effective, you must take your medications exactly as your physician directs, particularly when taking several medications at one time. Do not try to adjust them yourself. Here are some helpful hints:

  1. Label empty dark containers, extra prescription bottles (you can get these from your pharmacist), or envelopes with the times of day or the days of the week you must take medication. Use a separate container for each time. Each morning fill these containers with the appropriate dose of each medication. Note: some drugs may break down when exposed to light. Before you remove drugs from their original containers, check with your pharmacist or physician.
  2. Make a medication calendar. Use a calendar that has enough space to fill in the names of the drugs you need to take each day. Then put a check mark next to the name of the drug after you take each dose.
  3. Make a chart listing:
     • name of drug
     • what it is for
     • what it looks like (shape, color)
     • directions for taking the drug
     • special cautions or side effects
     • time of day to take drug

  Hang this chart near your medicine cabinet.

  1. Set your alarm clock or ask a relative or friend to remind you when to take your medications.
  2. Check with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications like aspirin, Tylenol, or antacids. They may cause side effects when combined with your regular medications.
  3. If a medication seems to be causing side effects such as nausea, trembling, etc., let your doctor or home care nurse know. Do not just stop the medication yourself. Some medications must be weaned. Your doctor will direct you or prescribe another medication.
  4. Also, if you develop nausea and vomiting due to flu and cannot take your medications, notify your doctor or home care nurse immediately.

  
  

  
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• Diabetes
  
  
  

  Prevent Common Complications of Diabetes

  Diabetes can lead to other complications. Controlling your glucose level is the best way to help prevent these complications, but the list below details additional ways to prevent common complications of diabetes.

  1. Regular Eye Exams
     Diabetic retinopathy is the name for a diseased retina in the eye. Changes in the blood glucose level affect tiny blood vessels in the eye, and eventually the retina receives less blood. The eye tries to get more blood by forming new blood vessels. These new vessels are smaller and more fragile. They may break and bleed into the eye, possible causing vision loss. As many as one out of three people with diabetes has some degree of retinopathy. It is painless and has few warning signs, so loss of vision can occur quickly. To help prevent vision loss, have regular eye exams, usually at least once a year, and control your blood sugar by diet and medication.
     
  2. Foot Care
     Special foot care is necessary when you have diabetes. Decreased blood circulation in the feet is common with age and diabetes. Nerves in your feet may not respond quickly to injury. Inspect your feet daily.
     
  3. Skin Care
     You should give special attention to bathing because of the possibility of infections. . Bathe daily with mild soap and lukewarm water. . Protect your skin. Avoid scratches, punctures, injury; use sunscreen to avoid sunburn. . See your doctor immediately if sores or injury do not heal. . If your skin or a sore becomes infected, it usually will become red, swollen, warm, and possibly have drainage. If this occurs, call your doctor immediately.
     
  4. Dental Care
     Your mouth and teeth also need care because many infections begin in the mouth. Daily brushing and flossing help prevent loss of teeth and gum infections. See your dentist every 6 months
     
  5. Preventing Bladder Infections/Kidney Complications
     Diabetes makes you prone to bladder infections. It also affects your kidneys and causes them not to work as well as they should. To prevent bladder infections and kidney complications, it is important that you drink 8-10, eight-ounce glasses of water each day, unless your doctor or nurse tells you to limit your liquids.
     
     Some symptoms you should report are:
     • itching and burning or pain when you urinate
     • decreased urine output
     • the need to urinate frequently
     • the urge to urinate with little urine

  Adapted from: B-D Better Diabetic Care
  Becton Dickinson Co.; American Diabetes Assoc., Inc.
  
  

  
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• Healthy Heart
  
  
  

  The Healthy Heart

  What Is The Heart? The heart is a hollow, muscular organ that pumps blood through the body. An adult's heart is about the size of a man's clenched fist and is shaped like an egg. It lies in the center of the chest, protected by the breastbone and the rib cage.
  
  What Is The Heart Made Of? It is mostly strong muscle tissue called the myocardium. A paper-thin layer of tissue, called the pericardium, covers the outside of the myocardium.
  
  What Does The Inside Of The Heart Look Like? The heart is divided into four chambers, two upper and two lower ones. A thin, solid wall of tissue separates the right side of the heart from the left side. Each top chamber is called an atrium. Each lower chamber is called a ventricle. Valves connect the upper and lower chambers. A valve is like a one-way door that allows blood to flow through it in only one direction. In both sides of the heart, the blood is pumped from the atrium down to the ventricle.
  
  How Fast Does The Heart Beat? For an adult, the normal rate is 60 to 100 beats a minute.
  
  Your heart will beat faster when you get very excited, frightened or when exercising strenuously or when your heart is not working properly due to disease.
  

  

  
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• Foot Care
  
  
  

  Foot Care Do's and Don'ts

  Prepared Especially for Persons with Diabetes
  
  

  1. Clean! Clean and check feet daily! Wash with warm, not hot, water. Pat dry. Check all over for blisters, corns, calluses, and scratches.

  
  

  2. Condition! Use a moisturizer or cream daily. Choose one without perfume or alcohol.

  
  

  3. Care! Clip nails straight across. Let your doctor or foot doctor take care of corns or calluses and ingrown toenails.

  
  

  4. Cover! Always wear shoes, sneakers, or slippers to protect your feet! Make sure they fit correctly and don't rub or scratch. Cotton socks let your feet breathe!

  
  

  5. Use Caution and Call! Be careful. Walk in good light. Take care in slippery places! Call your doctor if you have pain, swelling, soreness - any change in your feet!

  
  

  6. Don't Soak or scrub feet

  
  

  7. Don't Use drying medicines like iodine or medicated corn pads!

  
  

  8. Don't Try to trim calluses, corns, or ingrown toenails yourself!

  
  

  9. Don't Go barefoot -- ever!

  
  

  10. Don't Wear tight shoes, socks, or garters!

  
  

  11. Don't! Ignore any foot or leg problems -- even small ones can get serious!

  
  

  
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• Coronary Disease
  
  
  Coronary Artery Disease
  
  What Is A Coronary Artery?
  One of the vessels that supplies blood and oxygen to the heart muscle.
  
  What Is Coronary Artery Disease?
  Normally, blood flows freely through the coronary arteries to supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen. However, in people with coronary artery disease, there is a gradual build up of fats and other materials in the coronary arteries. This makes the arteries narrow. Due to this narrowing, the heart muscle does not receive enough blood. This is especially true during times when the heart needs more oxygen and nutrients, such as exercise or stress.
  
  Coronary artery disease (also known as "atherosclerosis" or "arteriosclerosis" or "hardening" of the coronary arteries) is usually a progressive disease and may develop over several years.
  
  
  
  Arcadia Health Care will not assume responsibility for the use of this teaching tool beyond the scope, purpose, and individual to whom it was given.
  

  
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• Blood Vessels
  
  
  Blood Vessels
  
  How Does Blood Travel Through The Body?
  A system of blood vessels carries the blood through the body. These vessels include arteries, veins and capillaries.
  
  Arteries - carry blood away from the heart. They are strong and elastic. They must be tough enough to withstand the pressure as the heart pumps.
  
  Coronary Arteries - located in the heart muscle itself to supply it with oxygen nourishment. Blood flow comes to the coronary arteries from the left side of the heart and through the aorta.
  
  Veins - carry blood back to the heart. They are not as strong and elastic as arteries. They have valves to keep the blood flowing in the right direction -- toward the heart.
  
  Capillaries - carry blood to the cells. They are very small and fragile.
  
  
  
  Arcadia Health Care will not assume responsibility for the use of this teaching tool beyond the scope, purpose, and individual to whom it was given.
  

  
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• Your Heart
  
  
  Your Heart and How It Works
  
  Each side of the heart has a special job to do. Blood from the right side goes only to the lungs. The left side supplies blood to the rest of the body.

  1. Blood is pumped from the right atrium through a valve into the right ventricle.
  2. The ventricle then pumps the blood to the lungs.
  3. In the lungs, the blood takes up oxygen and gives up the carbon dioxide waste it was carrying.
  4. The oxygen rich blood is returned to the left atrium and then to the left ventricle. The left ventricle must then pump blood to all parts of the body. The left ventricle is the largest of the four chambers of the heart.
  5. When the blood reaches a cell, it gives the cell oxygen and other vital materials and takes away carbon dioxide and other waste materials.
  6. The blood goes back to the right side of the heart.
  7. Once there, it the cycle starts again.

  
  
  Arcadia Health Care will not assume responsibility for the use of this teaching tool beyond the scope, purpose, and individual to whom it was given.
  
  

  
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Call Today: 800-733-8427