Caregiver Relief Podcast

As we age, our bodies undergo numerous changes. Our movements become less steady, our vision less acute, and our reaction times slower. These changes can lead to an increased risk of falls, which can cause serious injuries and greatly impact our quality of life. But what if we told you that you could significantly reduce your risk of falling by understanding the causes and implementing some simple strategies? Intrigued? Let’s dive in!Short Summary

• Understand the causes of falls to prevent them and keep older adults safe.
• Exercise, home modifications, assistive devices & technologies, healthcare professionals help reduce fall risk.
• Community programs provide exercise & education for overall health & wellbeing.

Understanding the leading cause of falls is the first step towards prevention. Falls can result from a myriad of factors, such as certain medical conditions or poor dietary habits. These risk factors can increase the likelihood of falls in older adults, making fall prevention an essential part of disease control.

The repercussions of older adult falls can be severe, leading to fatal and nonfatal injuries, including serious injury, such as shoulder and forearm fractures, spine fractures, pelvic and hip fractures, and even head injuries. Such injuries can significantly impact an individual’s ability to lead an independent life among older adults.

Therefore, it becomes crucial to take proactive measures like regular exercise, medication management, regular vision checks, home safety improvements, and even considering physical therapy. These steps not only help prevent falls, but also empower older adults to live a safer, healthier life.

Alzheimer's, a degenerative brain disorder, can bring about subtle yet progressive changes in your thinking abilities and behavior. First signs may include memory problems or difficulty finding the right word. As the disease progresses, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships could become more challenging. Confusion and behavioral changes interfering with daily activity may arise as well.

Alzheimer disease is a progressive disorder of the brain, it can start during different ages of life. Late-onset Alzheimer's disease typically starts in later stages of life, in the mid 60s or later. I want to note here that developing dementia is not a normal aging process. On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives four to eight years after diagnosis, There are some that can live as long as 20 years, depending on other medical conditions.Early-onset alzheimer's disease (although very rare) appears as early as 30 years old. Research shows profound changes forming within the brain over 10+ years before memory and thinking problems appear in most related dementias.

As we age, our risk of Alzheimer's disease increases. Certain mutations to the gene can also increase your chances, as well as other factors like head trauma and untreated depression. Additionally, specific medical conditions such hypertension or diabetes may raise the likelihood you could find yourself dealing with this debilitating condition in years ahead.

Researchers believe two proteins, called amyloid plaques early signs of alzheimers. These proteins accumulate slowly until they reach levels that block brain signals between neurons and fatally damage brain cells. Ultimately the brain changes lead to a decline in cognition, behavior and personality functions

Dying to Know Straight Talk about Death and Dying? If you are like most people, you are not. There is a growing trend where strangers are meeting in places to discuss end of life issues.

As a nurse that has worked with the aging population for most of my life, I have come to be very open about death and dying. I am very comfortable discussing end of life issues.

In fact, I was fired from a world-class cancer center for discussing hospice and end of life with a young patient. She went on hospice the next day and was able to die at home, instead of at the cancer center. But, the facility could not allow anyone to discuss or even broach the subject of end of life.

It would affect the research numbers. Thus the money these organizations depend on to help Big Pharma find a cure.

Rarely will you hear the words from your medical professional, ” we do not have to treat this condition. We can make you comfortable. What are your concerns about end of life issues?”

For decades, many have tried to shield our children from death and dying. When I was growing up, I remember a boy in my class and neighborhood died from leukemia. He was “laid out” in his living room instead of a funeral home. I remember the feelings of confusion and loss. That same year, I lost my maternal grandmother. I was 7 years old.

I come from a very large family, and we all gathered with our cousins and friends at the funeral for 3 days. There were children running around and everyone was there to pay their respects.

Today, many do not know what to do at a funeral home or even support someone that has lost someone.

I know, from personal experience. After the death of my mother, when I was in nursing school and the death of my oldest son people avoid you. My oldest son was a disabled veteran that completed suicide. People tend to avoid those with a recent loss, because it makes them feel uncomfortable.

It is no wonder then, that an entire generation of baby boomers avoids discussions about end of life. They have had so many previous generations resist talking about death.

Baby boomers are a generation that has worked to acquire things.

Giving up things is not something many are familiar with or know how to deal with loss. It therefore is a difficult concept for many boomers to leave life and everything behind.

Falls among the elderly are a critical issue, often robbing them of their independence and ability to age in place. IndeeLift emerges as a groundbreaking solution, offering a safe and effective method to assist individuals in getting up from falls. This innovation is particularly significant given the alarming statistics on falls and their impact on seniors' lives.Statistics reveal that falls are the leading cause of loss of independence among seniors. A single fall can dramatically alter a senior's ability to return home and live independently. This threat to elderly to maintain dignity and autonomy underscores the need for effective solutions like IndeeLift, designed to assist in these critical situations.Falls are not just minor incidents for seniors; they are a leading cause of loss of independence. The statistics are clear: a single fall can drastically change a senior’s ability to live independently, turning once-simple tasks into insurmountable challenges. This is where IndeeLift’s innovative solutions, specifically designed for fall recovery, become crucial. The floor beveled seat front allows the caregiver or EMS provider to use the absolute least expended energy, even with a person weighing over 300 lbs to over 600 lbs. This allows the person that has fallen to maintain their dignity. That is priceless. In fact, the lifts simply are easy to access for the physically disabled. It enables a person who has fallen to use the convenient operation easy transfer alone without the support of others.

Navigating the complexities of Medicare, especially the infamous "donut hole" in Part D, can be a daunting task for many. Understanding what the donut hole is, its implications for 2023, and exploring viable solutions like MyFreePharmacyPlan.org are essential for Medicare beneficiaries to manage their prescription drug costs effectively and enjoy savings. This episode delves into the intricacies of the Medicare donut hole and presents MyFreePharmacyPlan.org as a strategic solution to circumvent this coverage gap.

What is the Donut Hole in Medicare Part D?

The Medicare Part D donut hole, formally known as the coverage gap, refers to a period within a Medicare drug plan where there is a temporary limit on what the plan will cover for drugs. After spending a certain amount on covered drugs, beneficiaries enter this donut hole, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions until they reach the catastrophic coverage threshold.

I experienced this a year ago when I was prescribed duloxetine to help me manage my chronic pain. I was so glad to find a medication that seemed to help me manage my pain. You can imagine how shocked I was to get a call from my mail order pharmacy that I hit my donut hole. Having worked with seniors for decades, I was well aware of the dreaded donut hole.

Seniors for decades have been struggling as they hit their donut hole. Hitting the donut hole has caused pain and suffering to many seniors over the decades. This is the time of year that seniors become non compliant with their medication regime. They have been forced to choose between eating, paying bills and taking their life saving medications.

This was one of those moments for me. When I asked the pharmacist what was the cost of the medication, he replied, " That will be $700." To say I that I totally shocked was an understatement. This was a life altering decision for me. There was no way that I was going to pay $700 a month for the next 2 months. So, I made a very difficult decision. I had to stop taking the duloxetine. My years of nursing had me well aware that this decision was could cause me withdrawal. And it did. Duloxetine is an antidepressant that is used off label for chronic pain. Abruptly stopping an SSRI can lead to withdrawal symptoms, often referred to as SSRI discontinuation syndrome.

In a groundbreaking move, the FDA recently approved a new medication for major depression. Meet esketamine, a nasal spray derived from ketamine—an anesthetic that has proven astonishingly effective in treating depression. This approval was expedited because esketamine has shown promise in helping patients with treatment-resistant depression. In fact, one study found that 70 percent of patients who received esketamine alongside an oral antidepressant saw improvement, compared to just over half in the placebo group.According to Dr. John Krystal, a pioneer in ketamine research, this nasal spray is a game changer. Unlike traditional medications, which only provide temporary relief while they're in the system, ketamine triggers reactions in the brain that enable the regrowth of brain connections. It's the reaction to ketamine that produces its antidepressant effects, not the presence of the drug itself. This unique mechanism sets ketamine apart as an antidepressant.

ow that this nasal spray is available via prescription, patients are naturally curious about how it works and whether it's safe. Keep reading for answers to these questions.

But first, let's dive into the history of antidepressant research. In the 1990s, Dr. Krystal and his colleagues were among the first to explore ketamine's potential as an antidepressant. At the time, depression was largely a mysterious condition with an unknown cause. One theory, known as the serotonin hypothesis, suggested that low levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, were to blame. This theory led to the development of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac for treating depression.

When facing a serious illness, navigating the healthcare landscape can be overwhelming. It’s crucial to understand the differences between palliative care and hospice care, two approaches that aim to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. With a fresh perspective on these types of care, we’ll explore their unique benefits, how they compare, and how to choose the right approach for your loved one.

Short Summary

• Palliative and Hospice care both provide improved quality of life, support for families, and coordinated care.
• Knowing the eligibility requirements & timing can help make the right decision for loved one’s care.
• Talking to healthcare providers & understanding differences between Palliative & Hospice Care helps choose best option.

Imagine being the rock that supports others, consistently providing care and emotional support, but forgetting to care for yourself. For caregivers, the risk of neglecting self-care is all too real. In this blog post, we’ll explore the essential practice of mental health self-care for caregivers and provide you with tips and resources to help maintain your well-being while caring for others.

Short Summary

• Understanding Mental Health Self-Care is about creating a proactive routine to maintain emotional, psychological and social well-being.
• Practicing self care and having a strong support system are key elements in managing stress for caregivers.
• Establishing a comprehensive self care routine involves making time for activities that promote wellness & accessing helpful resources like therapy or counseling.

I am a mother of an army veteran that completed suicide. He was a disabled veteran with a chronic pain condition, as well as PTSD and depression. His first attempt to commit suicide was when he was in Madigan Army Medical Center. My son, Geoff had a terrible pain condition, also called the suicide disease. This pain condition, Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome caused my son unrelenting pain.

A slight change in temperature, such as a slight breeze or a change in water temperatures, would send Geoff in to terrible pain levels. Three times in the course of a year, while Geoff was in the hospital, he was given so much dilaudid, he stopped breathing and had to be given Narcan to revive him.

Even those high doses of dilaudid did not relieve his pain. So many, with this horrible condition, are mistreated by health care professionals. They are accused of drug seeking and their feelings of pain are discounted and dismissed. I understand why so many with this horrible condition commit suicide.

Because he expressed suicidal intent, he was placed on a one on one in the hospital. He was having a mental health crisis. He was having thoughts and feelings of hopelessness.

Geoff started to have thoughts of suicide, as medical professionals accused him of drug seeking behaviors. The attitude of these medical professionals made him feel worse. His feelings of suicidal thoughts worsened. He lacked support services, while in the VA hospital. The healthcare professionals did not offer support. They did not spend time trying to understand his condition. His mental health condition was deteriorating and the lack of professional support made Geoff's suicidal thoughts worse.

His first attempt at suicide was in his hospital room. His one on one left the room without a replacement. Geoff had a suicide plan in place. When his one on one left, he decided to take his own life and cut his wrists.

Geoff was found on the floor in his hospital room, by the hospital chaplain. The irony here is, this chaplain never enters a room with the door closed. And Geoffs door to his room was closed. But, something compelled that chaplain to go into Geoff's room. Geoff was revived and had many stitches to both arms.

So, as I learned about how ketamine reduced suicide ideation almost immediately, I felt compelled to share this information with my audience. You see, suicide in the elderly is growing problem. Since the pandemic, the mental health of our seniors has deteriorated.

Before I share more about this groundbreaking medication let's talk about the growing rate of suicide in this country.

Imagine having a treasure chest filled with precious memories, sentimental keepsakes, and items that tell the story of your life. Memory boxes are exactly that - a beautiful and functional way to preserve and cherish the moments and memories that make us who we are. In this audiocast, we will explore the importance of memory boxes, different types of memory boxes, and how to create one that is meaningful and special for yourself or a loved one.Short Summary

• Memory boxes are a valuable tool for seniors with dementia, helping them stay connected to their past.
• They come in different forms like baby memory boxes and wedding memory boxes, as well as those for loved ones who have passed away.
• Create meaningful memories by choosing the right box and involving family & friends - add photos/mementos/family heirlooms that represent passions & hobbies!