Authored by BlueAngel on
Monday, November 01, 2004
Ann interesting newsletter. Pay attention to the medication listing suggested. It could be your lifesaver.
Subject: Eldercare Matters, November 1, 2004
Eldercare Matters
The newsletter for all elder caregivers.
Sent to you twice a month, and only by request.
Please feel free to pass on Eldercare Matters
to anyone you think might be interested.
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http://www.eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm
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> The Little Old Lady In Tennis Shoes... <
...Is One Smart Cookie
When I ran to the store this morning I saw her again...the elderly
lady who is there at least twice a week. She is beautifully dressed
and coiffed, and she holds the shopping basket with a death grip
as she wobbles along in her high heels. Her cane is discreetly
hooked over the handle of the cart.
We've all seen her, or her sister or neighbor. She's the proud
elderly lady who won't use a walker because it "makes her look
old," and who wears her leather-soled high heels because that's
how well-brought-up ladies dress to leave the house.
And she's at such high risk for a bad fall and a broken hip that
I have to resist the urge to call 911 every time I see her.
Falls are the most frequent cause of fatal injury to older adults.
If they aren't fatal, they often result in an injury that permanently
destroys the elder's remaining quality of life.
Convincing an older person to wear safe footwear may be one
of the most important things you will ever do to help prevent one
of these falls.
Recently a study published in the September issue of the
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society ("Footwear Style
and Risk of Falls in Older Adults") compared the number of falls
within a group wearing athletic/canvas shoes, lace-up oxfords,
loafers/flats, other shoe styles (including boots, high heels, sandals
and slippers), and going shoeless (barefoot or stocking feet).
They determined that athletic shoes (sneakers) were associated
with the lowest risk of falling, while older adults going shoeless had
the highest risk. Compared to athletic shoes, other footwear was
associated with a 30 percent greater risk of a fall.
Note this again: A 30% greater risk of a fall when wearing
leather-soled shoes.
If you possibly can, encourage your mother, father, aunt, uncle,
older friend to wear athletic shoes. (The kind with the Velcro
closures are easy to get on and off for those who have trouble
managing ties - an added benefit). It might be an uphill battle,
but the added safety is worth it.
You might have to buy your mother a new outfit or two to go
with her new shoes...but it's a lot cheaper and more fun than
paying for a nursing home if she falls and breaks a hip.
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Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you've
got to start young.
Theodore Roosevelt
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> Senior Medication Watch List <
As we age our bodies don't always use or react to medications
in the same way as when we were younger. Some medications
tend to build up in the older body instead of being efficiently
flushed out by our kidneys. One chronic health condition can
be adversely affected by something we take for another condition.
Sadly, not every physician is able or willing to keep up with
prescribing criteria that may differ for their young, middle-
aged and senior patients.
So, as an advocate for a senior, The "Beers Criteria for
Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults"
is something you should be aware of. The Beers Criteria is
a list of 48 medications, or classes of medications, that should
be scrutinized closely because they have the potential to be
harmful to older adults. First issued in 1991, these criteria
are often revised and updated
According to the team who put together the list, there are
instances where these medications may be appropriate, but
most of the time these drugs are being used inappropriately
with the elderly. Often there is an alternative that would be
better suited for an older patient.
I carry a copy of the list with me whenever I go with a client
to the doctor. If I have not had the opportunity to be there, I
review any new medications that have been prescribed. If
necessary, I try to give the doctor a call before we fill anything
questionable.
Not every doctor is thrilled to have his or her prescribing
practices questioned...sometimes you have to bend waaaay
over backwards to avoid offending the doctor. Sometimes,
if the doctor is especially rigid, there's no way to avoid it. (One
doctor did ask rather nastily where I went to medical school -
we've since changed doctors). If you're worried about going
to the doctor, have a conference with your pharmacist. They
usually appreciate the chance to be part of your care team,
and they'll often go back to the doctor on your behalf.
You'll find a copy of the "Beers Criteria" at
http://mqa.dhs.state.tx.us/qmweb/MedSim/MedSimTable1.htm
Print it out and keep it with your medical information so it's
handy for reference. It might save someone's life.
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Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint."
Mark Twain
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If you haven't made your travel reservations for
Thanksgiving yet, it's probably getting close to being too late.
It's time to start thinking about December (can you
believe it?). If your elder needs special travel arrangements
remember that you have to set some things up in advance.
If you'll be flying with someone who needs special
equipment or assistance, call your airline now. You'll need
extra time (and a doctor's prescription) to set up oxygen,
travel companions and other special services.
'Till next time
Molly
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Do you know someone who's struggling with the stress and
guilt of caring for an older family member? Send them a copy
of Eldercare Matters and suggest they sign up.
Molly Shomer
Head Coach
The Eldercare Team
http://www.eldercareteam.com
mshomer@eldercareteam.com
Box 700291
Dallas, TX 75370
(972) 395-7823
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© 2004 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to
use material from "Eldercare Matters" as long as you include
complete attribution, including live web site link and email
link. I would appreciate it if you would let me know where
the material will appear.
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eldermatters@aweber.com
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