RespiteMatch.com Health Blog

– Robert Preidt

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 14 (HealthDay News) — Computerizing medical records could save the U.S. health-care system more than $81 billion a year and improve health care, according to a study by the Rand Health, an independent health policy research program.

“Our findings strongly suggest that it is time for the government and others who pay for healthcare to aggressively promote health information technology,” study leader Richard Hillestad, a Rand senior management scientist, said in a prepared statement. Read the rest of this entry »

Robert Roos News Editor

Sep 14, 2005 (CIDRAP News) – National health officials made a major pitch today for healthcare workers and people most at risk for influenza and its complications to get flu shots within the next few weeks.

“There are going to be more opportunities than ever to get vaccinated, so go out and get your flu shot,” said Mark B. McClellan, head of the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, in appealing particularly to Medicare recipients. Read the rest of this entry »

More tests urged on prostate drug

By Bruce Japsen
Tribune staff reporter
Published September 14, 2005

In a setback for drug development at Abbott Laboratories, advisers to the Food and Drug Administration Tuesday rejected the company’s application to sell a prostate cancer pill. Read the rest of this entry »

A person who is bedridden usually needs full-time care and attention. This means that a care team will likely be working together (including family, friends, nurses and other professional help). Because of this, it is important to make sure that every care team member keeps a written record of the patient’s care. Any treatments and medications ordered by the doctor and given to the patient should be recorded. Your healthcare provider may also be interested in a record of the patient’s appetite, bowel movements, body temperature, pulse and respiration. Read the rest of this entry »

Caring for the elderly, particularly those who are bedbound, tends to involve a great deal of lifting—including lifting from the bed, bath and wheelchair. You may even have to lift your care recipient at times after they have fallen on the floor. Read the rest of this entry »

Incontinence—or the inability to control urination and/or bowel movements—can
be an embarrassing and inconvenient problem. Although women are more likely
to develop this problem, because of pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and the
structure of the female urinary tract, men, too, can have it. Read the rest of this entry »

New advances in the technology of telecommunications have changed aspects of home health care for the elderly that benefit caregivers as well. Simply put, telemedicine is the use of telecommunications technology to diagnose illnesses, manage conditions and transmit medical information. Read the rest of this entry »

Given the realities of modern day
life, many caretakers find themselves
far away from their elderly relatives
who need help. This long-distance
caring takes more work and a greater
level of commitment than if you
lived nearby, and it is not the ideal
situation. Some preparation, however,
can help to make long-distance Read the rest of this entry »

THE DAILY MOTIVATOR
Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Give life to your dreams
+++++++++++++++++++

How many times have you told yourself that you can’t? How many times have you put your most treasured dreams aside and sought refuge in flimsy excuses? Read the rest of this entry »

When doctors prescribe medication, they take into account a person’s illness, overall condition, weight, the chemicals in the medication, the proper dosage and any possible side effects. Therefore, make sure, when you are caring for a person, that medication is taken exactly how and when a doctor instructs. Any deviation can be dangerous. The following are some general guidelines for overseeing someone’s medication usage. Remember: if you have any questions at all, always ask a doctor or pharmacist. Read the rest of this entry »

Both you and your care recipient will benefit
from regular activity. Neither of you will want
to sit around the house all day. Whether
the person you care for is relatively
mobile or bedbound, there are activities
that can benefit the mind and body. And
don’t forget about yourself! It is easy to
forget that you, too, will benefit from
activity. Here are some ideas for things Read the rest of this entry »

Bathing can be a difficult task for the elderly, particularly those with dementia or debilitating physical problems. As a caregiver, you will be the one responsible for seeing that your care recipient can bathe safely. Here are some tips to ensure safety: Read the rest of this entry »

Maintaining personal hygiene enhances an individual’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
Helping your elder to smell fresh and look their best can be a great morale booster
for both your elder and you. More importantly, it keeps them healthy Read the rest of this entry »

Two new PowerPoint educational products are available on http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/drugcoverage.asp for health care professionals and others who want to learn more details about the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage program. These PowerPoint slides are available in two versions: Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Colleague,

ADAPT is headed to DC, September 17-22, http://www.adapt.org/bulletin.htm .
We’re in the process of gathering stories about people with disabilities impacted by Katrina. We’re particularly interested in people who utilize home and community based services (HCBS). Since last week advocates have been visiting evacuees in nursing homes and when possible, shelters. Some of the people PLACED in nursing homes were living in there own home. Our concern is without advocacy and service coordination they could get stuck. Read the rest of this entry »