Further to our discussion a few weeks ago about the two sides of the elderly driving debate, The Wall Street journal highlights yet another side of the argument.  According to a recent study, when senior drivers get behind the wheel, not only are they getting into fewer crashes than they used to ,the results aren’t as fatal either.

To read more, follow the link below:
http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/06/22/study-says-elderly-drivers-are-among-the-safest/?blog_id=146&post_id=1637

It seems there’s a shortage of everything in health care these days: nurses, family doctors, caregivers. Those who suffer the most are the sick and the elderly and usually, the two are in the same package.  With the shortage of health care professionals at an all time high, resources are stretched thin and patient regard gets put on the back burner. Far too often, both in private and public health care settings, patients are being denied their basic rights to adequate care.   Whether it’s neglect of personal hygiene or lack of exercise, caregivers seem to be failing. 

 The media eats up stories about a failing health care system such as the one written in the Montreal Gazette today about lack of care in a public nursing home.  We quickly search for someone to blame but when the system starts to fall, we need to understand why and what solutions exist to help correct it.

 When hiring caregivers, it is crucial that they go through stringent background checks, ascertain their clinical skills and possess a “sixth sense” when it comes to patient care.  As with all medical professions, it is important that caregivers stay on top of their game and continually sharpen their skills and their approach to patient care.  Providing additional education or training courses ensures that caregivers are refreshed and re-engaged into their field. It’s not just about improving caregivers’ skills though, it’s also about who gives them guidance.  Caregivers deserve clear direction and without proper supervision or management, patients are likely to experience damaging consequences.

 At Equinoxe, we take this issue of training and professional oversight very seriously.  As a result, we support our philosophy with an extensive training program that allows our caregivers the opportunity to learn in a professional environment while obtaining a higher skill set necessary for enhanced patient care.  Additionally, caregivers are supervised by Care Managers.  Care Managers are professionals whose service helps maximize the function and comfort of sick or elderly patients.  Care Management is the organization, coordination and supervision of services that improve their quality of life while monitoring costs and changing needs.  By addressing the physical, emotional and social needs of a client, a care manager advocates for the patient by being the patient’s eyes and ears.  Care managers ensure the most appropriate services are being administered, provide professional support and on going supervision by determining the need for and managing day to day services for the short or long term. 

 In order to ensure that patients are receiving better care, the onus of all professional institutions in the health care system is to reinforce a similar ideology on training and professional oversight.  Private in-home care companies, families, long term care facilities, assisted living facilities, public nursing homes and private residences all need to maintain higher standards of caregiving.  By striving for the highest quality of care possible, we can solidify the future of our caregivers and master the provision of health care services.

It’s hot!  And it’s going to get hotter.  As high heat and humidity warnings spread across southern Quebec, the local weather networks say it’s not going to let up.   

When the humidex rises, we are instantly bombarded by the media with stories about people fainting or experiencing problems with certain health conditions.  Sometimes, the consequences are fatal.  It makes one wonder why people aren’t taking the proper steps to protect themselves or if they even know how to.

Further to our discussion last week about heat and diabetes, it’s a good idea to reiterate the fact that heat can deteriorate any health condition.  Exposure to such extreme weather can cause muscle cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  Knowing what signs to look for is the first step in preventing complications during the hot summer months.

What’s the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke?

Heat exhaustion usually results when individuals exert themselves, either through work or play, in hot weather.  As sweating increases, the humidity prevents the sweat from evaporating and the body overheats.  An individual’s temperature can reach up to 104 F.

 Symptoms can include:

• Pale, cool and moist skin
• Sweating profusely
• Muscle cramps or pains
• Feeling faint or dizzy
• Possible headache, weakness, thirst and nausea
• Increased pulse rate
• Increased temperature over 100 F

 The main characterizing difference of heatstroke results from its potential life-threatening consequences.  It occurs because of a disturbance to the body’s temperature regulating mechanism.  An individual’s temperature can rise above 105 F and can cause damage to other bodily functions and organs.  Infants and the elderly are at particular risk of heatstroke.

 Symptoms can include:

• Unconsciousness or abnormal mental status (dizziness, confusion, hallucinations)
• Flushed, hot, and dry skin
• Slightly elevated blood pressure at first that drops later
• Hyperventilation
• Temperature rises above 105 F.

 What to do?

If you suspect heat exhaustion, you can try a few things to bring down the body temperature:

• Rest in a cool, shaded area.
• Give cool water to drink.  Do not give any beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
• Loosen or remove heaving and restrictive clothing.
• Apply cool water or cool damp cloth to skin.

 Treating heatstroke is not something you can do on your own.  If you suspect heatstroke, call an ambulance or go to the hospital right away.  If symptoms of heat exhaustion don’t alleviate, you will need medical help!

 Prevention is key

• Drink. Drink. Drink – even when you are not thirsty.  Hydrate your body before you need it.  No caffeine or alcohol.
• Rest and Relaxation – avoid exertion and exercise.  You can afford to sit this one out.
• Keep it casual – wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.  Avoid wools and heavy knits.
• Back to basics – avoid using appliances like stoves or hairdryers.  Make simple foods and let your hair air dry.
• Communicate – tell someone you know that you are OK or check in with your loved one throughout the day.
• Chill out!  Take cool showers as often as needed or keep some damp cloths in the refrigerator to fetch when you need a cool down.

Don’t let the heat get you down.  Be smart and be aware; the sun can be fun if you let it.

References: www.emedicinehealth.com

The World Health Organization estimates that adherence to daily medication averages 50 percent for those suffering from chronic conditions.  In other words, more than 800,000 Canadians over the age of 65 are not taking their medication properly.  This is bad news. 

Non-compliance costs millions of dollars to the Canadian health care system every year, not to mention the devastating effect it has on an individual’s health condition.  Forgetting to take the medication at the right time ranks as the #1 reason why people aren’t complying to their medication schedule. 

Seniors represent the highest percentage of hospital readmissions due to medication errors.  With the average senior taking more than 5 medications daily, a strict medication regime is of the utmost importance. 

Boquete et al. (2009), a medical engineering group involved in electronic solutions to medication management suggest that “tele-assistance represents one of the best prospects for improving the quality of life and autonomy” of patients who fail to adhere to their medication schedule. 

By using medication dispensers with tele-assistance, companies like Equinoxe can closely monitor a patient’s adherence to a medication schedule via their call centre.  Equinoxe can provide security and ease-of-mind by informing family members that their loved one’s medications are being taken at the right time.

What does a medication dispenser do?

• Supports independent living by improving medication adherence and reduces risk of missed doses and dosing errors;
• Easily organizes pills and schedule through it’s user-friendly format;
• Easily programs up to 6 daily medication reminders;
• Dispenses medications and vitamins;
• Provides a locked security feature to prevent overdosing.

How does a medication dispenser work?

• A flashing light and sound alert reminds you that it is time to take your pill;
• Equinoxe LifeCare Managers are alerted when medications are not taken;
• Equinoxe LifeCare Managers can follow up with patients or inform family members of any issues via phone, e-mail or text message.

Why a medication dispenser would work for you or someone you know:

• You or someone you know has forgotten, on numerous occasions, to take medications on time;
• You or someone you know has taken the wrong medication;
• You or someone you know has difficulty remembering which medication(s) to take;
• You or someone you know takes different kinds of medications at different times of the day.
• You or someone you know has been hospitalized 1 or more times in the last year due to a medication error
• You or someone you know has trouble opening or manipulating a pill bottle, dispill package and/or dosette box.

As the field of medical technology advances, devices such as the electronic medication dispenser not only save the health care system time and money, but they can save lives too.

References:

http://mobihealthnews.com/

www.statscan.gc.ca

Boquete, L., Rodriguez-Ascariz, J.M., Artacho, I., Cantos-Frontela, J., Peixoto, N.  “Dynamically Programmable Electronic Pill Dispenser.” J Med Sys 16 January 2009