EPAGA University

In general, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is widely considered a positive process to regain life from an individual who has suffered cardiac arrest. "What we usually see on TV paints a rosy picture of CPR and leads many of us to think everyone would want it. After all, the CPR shown on TV is quick, painless, and almost always works.  In real life, the CPR process is brutal and survival rates are low" (DailyCaring). 

Before a cardiac arrest event occurs, it is important to discuss with your aging loved one about the risks, benefits, and survival rates of CPR and decide wether or not they want to endure it if the situation were to arise.

Join us this week as we discuss what events necessitate CPR and what actually happens during the resuscitation process, as well as special risks older adults must consider, their chances of survival, and the reality of a post-CPR quality of life.

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Kidney dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys are failing. When you have kidney failure, your kidneys don’t filter blood the way they should. As a result, wastes and toxins build up in your bloodstream. Dialysis does the work of your kidneys, removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood (Cleveland Clinic).

This week we're talking about kidney disease and dialysis! Join us as we discuss the ins and outs of kidney function, how to know when there might be a problem, types of dialysis treatments, and more!

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According to the American Red Cross, someone in the United States will need blood every 2 seconds, and a single blood donation has the potential to save three lives. Donating blood helps supply hospitals and other settings with blood for those who need it during their treatment, but it can also have many positive effects on the donor, with potential emotional and physical benefits on health.

Join us this week as we discuss the process of blood donation, who it benefits, the staggering statistics, and what to expect on your trip to the Red Cross bus!

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We are back and better than ever with a refresher course on all things Inga, Julie, EPAGA Home Care, and of course, Caregiven! AND, for the first time ever... an exhilarating guest appearance by none other than THE Kevin Lake.

Though he needs no introduction around here, Kevin is our General Manager at EPAGA Home Care. He also holds other titles such as Inga's husband, former powersports mechanic, current sheep farmer extraordinaire, and, depending on who you ask... Julie's Babysitter! Join us this week as we dive into who we are as a collective trio, sharing more than you really needed to know about what we do inside and outside of the office.

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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately the dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra. Symptoms generally develop slowly over years, and the progression of these symptoms is often a bit different from one person to another due to the diversity of the disease (Parkinson's Foundation). While there currently is no cure for PD, researchers are working diligently to develop new technologies to make living with PD a little bit more bearable.

Join us this week as we discuss the symptoms, causes, treatments, and advancing research surrounding Parkinson's, as well as 10 early signs of PD and how to proceed after receiving a diagnosis.

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When you're trying to navigate aging in place or managing an illness or disability, it can be hard to keep up with all of the lingo. To help, we're going to explore a popular term that you're likely to encounter as you age: durable medical equipment (DME).

DME might sound straightforward since you already know what each word means, but it's actually a specific term used by Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurance companies. In general, durable medical equipment is medically necessary supplies and devices that you can use over and over again. Seniors who are more likely to have a chronic illness or mobility difficulties need durable medical equipment more than other age groups. 

Join us this week as we discuss specific DME items, insurance coverage options for durable medical equipment, and more to help you be better prepared for navigating through the purchase and implementation of your own DME.

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Vertigo is a sensation that the environment around you is spinning in circles. Your senses tell your brain that your body is off balance, making you feel dizzy and causing you to incorrectly perceive your surroundings. Vertigo isn’t a disease, rather, a symptom of varying conditions.

This week, we dive into the underlying causes and conditions that result in vertigo, various symptoms that may indicate to you that it's present, as well as treatment options to help you or your affected loved one kick this miserable feeling.

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Winter weather brings many hazards for those individuals who have to experience it where they live and work. Whether it is driving in poor conditions or having to clear snow, any task done in winter weather conditions often results in a higher chance of injury. One winter weather work task that can easily result in injury is shoveling snow.

The good news is that 15 minutes of snow shoveling counts as moderate physical activity. A 170-pound person shoveling for 30 minutes will burn about 250 calories. The bad news is that researchers have reported an increase in the number of fatal heart attacks among snow shovelers after heavy snowfalls. This rise may be due to the sudden demand that shoveling places on an individual’s heart. One study determined that after only two minutes of shoveling, the heart rates of sedentary men rose to levels higher than those normally recommended during aerobic exercise.

Join us this week as we discuss how to safely navigate the challenge of maintaining walkways and driveways through snowy winter weather!

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Why doesn’t Grandpa play ball with me anymore?

As parents, these are difficult questions to hear from our children as our own parents age. But for children, the answers we provide and how we discuss them can allow our kids to continue to enjoy a healthy relationship with their grandparents for as long as possible.

As we head into the holiday season, more time with family can reveal distinct differences in grandma compared to last Christmas. Join us this week as we discuss what to expect when the reality of change sets in, how to start these conversations, and how to best avoid our kids' awkward or inappropriate reactions to this change through prior lessons in empathy and compassion.

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Exercise and physical activity are good for just about everyone, including older adults. No matter your health and physical abilities, you can gain a lot by staying active. In fact, studies show that “taking it easy” is risky. Often, inactivity is more to blame than age when older people lose the ability to do things on their own. Lack of physical activity also can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, and more use of medicines for a variety of illnesses (National Institute on Aging).

Join us this week as we review the benefits of exercise as we age, discuss functional flexibility, and give tips and tricks on how to integrate more activity into your daily life!

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