When a patient or caregiver visits the doctor(s), it would be an interesting question to ask… “why do I have to fill out another patient medical form?” The answer typically given, “we need your current information and health updates and changes”. If that hasn’t changed… at all, “why do I need to come in 15 minutes earlier to fill out a form that was filled out in my last visit?” But the question falls on deaf ears. Medical teams need what they need.  But what caregivers need is more time. That 15 minutes could be used meditating or relaxing, something caregivers need to do more to relieve stress.

On Twitter today, there is an article about standardizing all medical forms, so that when you visit the doctor, just make a copy of it and hand it to the receptionist. We hear that doctors complain that the medical history forms are inadequate anyway and we, the patients, complain that we are duplicating our efforts and wasting valuable time. In addition to this, patients or caregivers may not have available, medical information handy at the time. Yet studies have shown that 80-85% of diagnoses are made based on historical information provided by the patient.

An immediate solution could be when caregivers or patients go to the medical office for the first time, they still fill out a basic medical history form by hand, containing basically the same information that could be shared with all medical offices. If we have a standard form, the patient can maintain that information themselves at home, and provide a copy when visiting a new provider. Now that’s a solution we all would buy into! One standardized form. Then our physician could provide corrections and updates to both the caregiver and the patient. The patient would have a transparent view of their health and make clearer, better informed decisions. The goal being, to have patients take responsibility for their own health data.

Read the full article on One Med Form.

Seniors and Caregivers – Long Distance Arrangements Can Work

Caring for a senior takes a lot of time and patience and these two aspects are even more important for those who are long distance caregivers. It may seem impossible to be able to care for a senior when there are many miles between you, but it is possible. Below is a list of suggestions and tips that can help long term caregivers continue to provide the care a senior loved on needs.

1.    As a long distance caregiver, you will not be able to do everything, which is why it is important for you to ask for help when you need it. Meeting the crucial needs of the senior is the first priority.

2.    It is possible to do an assessment from a distance. This will help caregivers determine if changes have to be made or if the senior would benefit from certain improvements. Pay attention during phone calls with the senior. Listen for warning signs and whether the senior refers to any changes in their situation, including physical, financial and social.

3.    Plan face-to-face meetings with the senior. While this cannot be done on a regular basis, it is important to develop some type of schedule where you can physically check on the senior. Some long distance caregivers will try to visit once a month. Take this time to assess the senior’s abilities and their living conditions.

4.    www.aarp.org offers a lot of information that can help long distance caregivers, including a list of resources available including The FamilyCaregiversOnline.com

If you are a over the age of 55 and don’t want to be scolded by your doctor each time you set foot in the clinic or office, then you need to avoid eating certain foods. It can be tough to say “no” to cookies, potato chips, red meats, french fried potatoes, ice cream, and soft drinks but if you want to avoid the rath of your doctor, then stop eating them. You can begin by adopting a healthy, nutritional meal plan that’s healthy for you. Unlike your doctor; we won’t just tell you what you need to do – here are some tips to help you follow through!

1. Limit red and processed meats – processed red meats are high in saturated fats and come with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease

2. Avoid artificially sweetened drinks – you might have already cut back on soda, but sweetened juices and other drinks can also lead to future heart problems through the development of conditions like diabetes. Even one soda per day increased the risk of developing metabolic syndrome by about 50%, a condition that includes three of the following: a large waist, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting blood sugar, elevated fasting triglycerides, or reduced HDL or “good” cholesterol and can increase the chance of developing both heart disease and diabetes.

3. Cut out the salt and fat – the fact that you should limit these foods shouldn’t surprise you, so avoid fast food, limit salt and saturated fats (a Mediterranean diet is a great way to go!)

4. No more bad cholesterol – it’s a myth that all cholesterol should be avoided. It’s just the bad kind that comes from saturated and trans fat that should be cut out from a healthy diet. Trans fats are mostly man made and absolutely can be reduced to nearly zero. Most trans fats are formed during the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils.

The best way to avoid aging quicker in an unhealthy way is to exercise, eat right, and avoid smoking.

Senior Home Care or Nursing Care?

When seniors become ill or injured, they may require additional care. While many people believe seniors who require care should be placed into a nursing home, there are many seniors that would benefit from at home care instead. There are some major differences between these two things. Seniors who are cared for at home actually stay healthier and heal faster than those in a nursing home. The information below discusses the major differences between the two.

1.    Home care can consist of different services. Some seniors will only require one while other may need a combination of services. The most common at home care services include home health aides, physical therapy, speech therapy, nursing care and occupational therapy.

2.    While these same services are available in a nursing home, seniors who are in a nursing home will lose their independence. This is an important thing to consider when making a decision regarding the right form of car for a senior loved one.

3.    At home care must be provided by an approved Medicare group.

4.    The services offered at many nursing homes, aside from the senior being watched around the clock, include wellness programs, meals, assisted living and activities.

5.    While it may seem a nursing home is the easier choice, it does depend on the functioning of the senior. If they are able to care for themselves and just need some additional assistance, there is really no need to place them in a nursing home.

HealthCoreFAQ.info

Author notes: A good article from Lorence Glorence on Healthy Eating – reminds me of the book Eat This, Not That! Has anyone read that book? I have and found it very useful. Another good book on nutrition and healthy eating is Engine2Diet – about all the good food to eat… of course, it did not include meat or chicken in the recipes! I think I need to read that one.

What are your favorite nutritional foods?

Good Nutrition for a Healthy Lifestyle
by Lorence Glorence

The phrase ‘Health is Wealth’ gets more significant with age. It’s what we preserve the most, especially after retirement. Most seniors would love to foresee a life of health, fitness and relaxation. Some active seniors would also want to travel and explore places, and realize a lifetime’s desire. A fit and healthy life is nothing but a result of a wholesome lifestyle. It stems from preventive care and making sure your body gets all it needs to remain in the pink of health. It really isn’t difficult to find important nutritional guidelines to follow. Internet for seniors is a readymade ocean of information.

That’s where you go when you need reliable information or health tips.

The importance of good nutrition is the first thing that your doctor would have spoken to you about. Most diseases are a result of a person’s life pattern over the years that add to genetic factors.

Seniors should strive to educate themselves about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Kids should think of computer for seniors as a gift idea, so they can keep themselves abreast about the latest health and nutrition tips.

Important foods for health:

1) Leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, oranges and apricots for Vitamin A and beta-carotene.

2) Milk and other dairy products for calcium.

3) Nuts, egg, lean meat, tofu and other soy products for protein.

4) Whole grains for complex carbohydrates.

5) Fresh fruits for various kinds of Vitamins, fiber, and a minimum amount of sugar (check with your doctor if you’re a diabetic).

Keep Away From:

1) Sugar filled foods like ice creams, candies, sodas, etc (sugar cravings are strong with some seniors).

2) Hot dogs, bacons, deep fried foods, fat filled chicken wings are laden with bad cholesterol.

3) White breads, pastas, pizzas, have been wiped off nutrition during the polishing process.

Needless to say, smoking and excess consumption of alcohol will do your lungs and liver no good. They also serve as catalysts to cancerous cells. Seniors are also better off sticking to vegetarian foods as often as they can, since age slows down the digestive system as well. Apart from following these tips, put in a good bit of exercise and take your nutrition supplements according to prescription and you’ll be raring to go.

Note: Each person’s nutritional requirements differ. Please consult your physician before you start any kind of diet.

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