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Taking Care of an Aging Relative

7/30/2019

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Life has a host of speed bumps along the way to slow us down and add a bit more challenge to our lives.  It's not like we don't have enough on our plate with a chronic illness, already of course.

But the nuances of life keeps rearing its horns at the most inopportune times.  Sometimes there are days we don't expect like an aging parent that comes with little or no other family support. An aging parent can put quite a strain on your daily routine and when it starts you must seek help.

But where do you go?  

I was talking to a friend the other day when I found this website. She stated her mother, 93, already had an "aging policy" insurance that has kicked in.  She gets in-house nursing care, physical therapy, cleaning, and cooking.  I was shocked.  How many of us will have the same luck our parents had that particular insight? You can bet those numbers are low.  So, many of us will be scrambling these last years ensuring our loved ones are taken care of. 

Then there comes a point where you realize you can't possibly do it all to physical inadequacies and/or present responsibilities. You may not know, but ever state has a department that caters to the aging.  It was predominately established to keep our elderly at home and independent as long as possible.   I'm going to share a little of what Florida offers.

​Florida is home to nearly 5.2 million residents age 60 and older and currently ranks first in the nation for the 65+ populations. As our senior population continues to increase, Florida’s future is linked to the financial, health, and physical security of our elder population.

The Department provides most direct services through its Division of Statewide Community-Based Services, which works through the state’s eleven Area Agencies on Aging and local service providers to deliver essential services to a vital segment of the population. The Department also directly administers a wide range of programs, ranging from the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Office of Public and Professional Guardians, and Communities for a Lifetime to SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) and CARES (Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services).

The Department recognizes that individuals age differently, and therefore the state’s residents do not each need the same kind of care or services as others the same age. Some individuals may suffer from chronic conditions that began long before they reached age 60, while others may be able to live their entire lives without ever needing long-term medical or social services. One of the Department’s highest priorities is reducing the need for many elders to be placed in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

Ultimately, the goal is to efficiently use resources to ensure that the greatest number of elders possible get to spend their golden years living healthy, active, and fulfilling lives in their communities.

Mission Statement: To help Florida's elders remain healthy, safe, and independent.

Vision: All Floridians aging with dignity, purpose, and independence.

Goals:


Ensure that any Floridian in need of long-term care services receives a timely and appropriate assessment of need by applying a fair, objective, and transparent priority scoring methodology.

Protect vulnerable Floridians and their families by establishing the Office of Public and Professional Guardians.

Promote compassion and awareness for Floridians affected by dementia by expanding the Dementia Care and Cure Initiative (DCCI) across Florida.

Complete all federal and state statutory and regulatory requirements effectively by maximizing the number of elders served.


Let me tell you there is a whole host of services widely available. They are linked up with virtually every elder care facility in the state to offer assistance in your area.  All you have to do is call for an assessment.  It is that easy!  There is a 30 minute screening interview.  They will ask you your loved once physical state, present income, and areas you feel there is needed assistance. There is no need to provide proof of income at this point in time.  That will depend on other services he/she qualifies for.

Once you are done, the Department will send you a summary of your phone interview and the services your loved one qualifies for at this point in time.  You can update it each year.  Also, if at any point that person's state of health declines, you can call immediately for an update to more services.  

If you are in a situation with an elderly family member that is putting a strain on your own well-being, please seek out your department for the elderly in your state.  Have peace of mind.  The last thing we need to is cause our own health decline when this happens. 

Here's a list of what services are available locally for me:

​Home and Community-Based Programs and Services
  • Adult Care Food Program
  • Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative
  • Community Care For the Elderly (CCE)
  • Comprehensive Assessment & Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES)
  • Congregate Meal and Nutrition Sites
  • Elder Farmers Market Nutrition Program
  • Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP)
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home Care for the Elderly (HCE)
  • Medicaid Long-Term Care Services
  • Memory Disorder Clinics
  • National Family Caregiver Support Program
  • Nutritional Education for Older Adults
  • Nutrition Programs
  • Nutrition Services Incentive Program
  • Older Americans Act (OAA)
  • Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
  • Respite for Elders Living in Everyday Families (RELIEF)
  • Senior Companion Program
  • Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program (SMMC LTC)
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Other Programs and Services
  • Adult Protective Services
  • Communities For a Lifetime
  • Comprehensive Assessment & Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES)
  • Disaster Preparedness
  • Elder Abuse Prevention Program
  • Elder Helpline
  • Hospice and End-of-Life Care
  • Insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid
  • Intergenerational Connections
  • Housing
  • Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
  • Nursing Home Services (Agency for Health Care Administration Website)
  • Public Guardianship
  • Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
  • Senior Legal Services & Senior Legal Helpline
  • Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE)
  • Silver Alert and ListServ
  • Transportation

Takeya USA
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Increase Water Intake Decrease Fibro Pains

7/22/2019

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​One of the most substantial benefits you can add to your daily regimen is to increase your day to day intake of water.  Fresh, filtered water expunged of impurities can make a remarkable difference in your overall health.  I've personally opted off bottled water due to unknown carcinogens in plastic and have adopted a stainless steel water bottle to house my drink.  

How does drinking considerable amount of water become a healthy source of Fibromyalgia Nutrition?  The body functions properly when it is replenished with sufficient  water and nutrition, this has been noted in fibromyalgia patients especially.  Every day you  lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel  movements.  Optimum re-hydration with water is  absolutely necessary for proper fibromyalgia nutrition. Water is pure liquid refreshment and accounts  for a large percentage of what makes each of us “human”. The average 150  lb. adult body contains 40 -50 quarts of water.  Almost 2/3rds of our  body weight is “water weight”.  Our blood is 83% water, muscles 75%, the  brain  74%, and bone is 22%.

So how much water should you be drinking each day?  Take your body weight and divide by two.  That is how many ounces of water you need daily to adequately flush your system, digest and  absorb vitamins and nutrients, and detoxify your liver and kidneys.

Increase water intake and notice the following benefits:

* Improve your energy

*Increase your mental and physical performance

*Remove toxins and waste products

*Keep skin healthy and glowing

*Help you lose weight

*Reduce headaches and dizziness

*Allow for proper digestion

*Help to keep you more alkaline

Takeya USA
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Great Flicks: Netflix Streaming In June

7/7/2019

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Howard Wakefield, a New York City lawyer, hides out in the attic of his home for weeks, coming out in the daytime when his family is gone to shower and eat. His withdrawal leads him to examine his life, and he rationalizes that he has not abandoned his family because he is still in the house. When a former boyfriend re-enters his wife's life, he realizes that he may not be able to return to life he has abandoned.

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Scientists and spiritual teachers discuss how thoughts, beliefs, and emotions impact human health and the ability to heal.

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This 13 episode lifestyle series is focused around a vibrant, healthy diet and what it means to live a Paleo lifestyle. Series 1 recently aired on Channel 7 with an incredible Series 2 currently in post production. 

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​When Nader (Payman Maadi), a bank employee, refuses to leave Tehran, his wife, Simin (Leila Hatami) sues for divorce in the hope that she can make a better life for their young daughter abroad. Needing someone to care for his senile father while he's at work, Nader hires Razieh (Sareh Bayat), a married woman whose chador hides her pregnancy. One day, after becoming angry with Razieh, Nader shoves her, and she has a miscarriage, leading Razieh's husband to take Nader to court.

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​Chinese food is popular in America, and this series brings viewers information about a certain type of the ethnic food, Chaoshan cuisine. Each episode focuses on an ingredient that is often used in Chaoshan cooking, exploring where the ingredients come from and what they are used for, as well as bringing to light the stories of the people behind the cuisine's creation. The featured ingredients range from common foods like olives to more exotic fare like yusheng, a freshly sliced raw fish that is eaten with vegetables and dipping sauce.

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On the way to meet with an independent artist in the South, newlywed art dealer Madeleine (Embeth Davidtz) is convinced by her husband, George (Alessandro Nivola), that they should stop to meet his family in North Carolina. Madeleine's affluent lifestyle clashes with the family, but she befriends George's wide-eyed and pregnant sister-in-law, Ashley (Amy Adams), who is nearing her due date. Through the family, Madeleine gains greater insight into George's character.

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​Spurred on by a promise he made to his daughters, Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) embarks on what would become a 20-year quest to obtain the movie rights to "Mary Poppins." The author, P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson), proves to be an uncompromising curmudgeon who has no intention of letting her beloved characters become mangled in the Hollywood machine. However, when the books stop selling and she finds herself in need of money, Travers reluctantly agrees to consider Disney's proposition.

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A husband (Morgan Freeman) and wife (Diane Keaton) spend a hectic weekend pondering the sale of the apartment they've shared for more than 40 years.

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Former Texas Rangers Frank Hamer and Maney Gault join forces to try and capture notorious outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.

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Quirky dog-lover Jocelyn and many-time married Bernadette decide to start a book club exclusively dedicated to Jane Austen, primarily to help distract their friend Sylvia from the fact that her husband has just dumped her. Frustrated French teacher Prudie, Sylvia's daughter Allegra and sci-fi fan Grigg join up as well.

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​Gertrude Bell's life as a writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century.

Berrylook Free Shipping Over 55+
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Wasp Stings With Fibromyalgia

7/6/2019

2 Comments

 
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It never fails, I always have a new tale to tell with an adverse reaction.  I'm wondering out there: Has anyone had adverse reactions to stinging insects since being diagnosed with fibromyalgia?  

The other day I was trimming in my garden.  It had just down poured and released a few degrees off the heat wave we're having here. This allowed me to grab a few minutes outdoors to get some much needed gardening in.

Now, I'm quite aware that I have adverse reactions since being diagnosed so I'm extremely careful when out doors and around insects that bite or sting.  Bushes, in particular, can hide wasp nests.  So I broached it stealthy eyeing every nook and crevices between the leaves.  Nothing!  Nonetheless I exerted extreme caution while tackling and clipping the overgrown branches.

I was moving at a fairly smooth pace at one point since I could see the entire trunk of the bush easily.  All of a sudden, a wasp flew directly at me forming a straight line, onto the tip of my nose and stung with force.  No other wasp accompanied it so he must have been rouge, possible drenched from the torrential down pour and just got his wits about him.  .

Oh what pain! Everything is a 1,000 times worse when you have fibromyalgia.  It resonated through every cranny in your body.  I felt dizzy, pained, and off balance.   I rushed inside following suite with the normal wasp procedure:
  • wash the sting area with soap and water to remove as much of the venom as possible
  • douse the area with vinegar
  • apply a cold pack to the wound site to reduce swelling and pain
  • keep the wound clean and dry to prevent infection
  • cover with a bandage if desired

I also lathered on hydrocortisone cream.  Then I waited like usual to see if anything unexpected will begin to pop up.  Nothing.  I thought I was in the clear.

Two days letter I woke up with severe swelling in my nose and below my left eye.  "Oh, no!" I lamented. "I thought I was in the clear!"  It seemed I had developed some form of Cellulitis which is a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection. The affected skin appears swollen and red and is typically painful and warm to the touch .Left untreated, the infection can spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream and rapidly become life-threatening. 

I had most of the symptoms:

​
Possible signs and symptoms of cellulitis, which usually occur on one side of the body, include:
  • Red area of skin that tends to expand
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Pain
  • Warmth
  • Fever
  • Red spots
  • Blisters
  • Skin dimpling

Off to see the doctor!  Once diagnosed I was told I could be given a steroid shot.  Knowing my chemical sensitivities and the fact that if this is a bacterial infection, my immune system may go a bit haywire, I opted for the antibiotics.  Several years ago I was released on antihistamines only to find out several days later I had incubated a severe case of cellulitis.  Which, in turn, sent me back to the doctors office for antibiotics.

The PA was a bit gruff indulging me in his self-wisdom of the correct route, but knowing that my illness is not something a medical professional can fully understand, I opted for personal intuition this time.  In fact, I found personal intuition was what got me on my feet working again to begin with.  If I spent my life basking on every word my doctors told me, I'd be on 20 different pills and in bed most of the day.

This is by no means telling you to counter what your doctor is telling you.  It is encouraging you to use common sense on minor situations.  

Ktafx
2 Comments

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