IMPORTANCE OF CRAFTING "THE DAILY CHECK-IN"

This is another quick one meant to emphasize the importance of looking after your loved ones who are experiencing or may experience health changes...

Here EHC features a few suggestions on ways to ensure you can help look after your loved ones (while avoiding being annoying) and reduce your own anxiety about the experience.

We all have friends and love ones who experience a health crisis or require support/help routinely as they get older or deal with an unexpected illness. Having a plan to help them is vital for their success.

Disclaimer: Before undertaking any dietary or lifestyle changes, please consult with your physician for appropriateness and additional guidance. The information here is just that...information for educational purposes only, not to provide medical advice or treatment...

The situations below are just a few examples of an ideal time or situations where you will want to give your loved ones more attention.

1. Change in health status or recent hospitalization

This is a no-brainer but is vital nonetheless, make sure they get to their primary care physician pronto and assist with making sure medical records make it out of the hospital. Also, help with traveling to specialists and picking up any medical equipment.

Lastly, make a clear plan for follow-up visits and make note of any new medications or changes in medications.

2. Recent motor vehicle accident or head injury or falls

Follow-up with this person closely, especially if they live alone or are isolated by nature of their location. Make sure they receive a full physical and look over as soon as possible.

3. History of substance abuse/drug use

Everyone given an opiate prescription should also be given Narcan (a life saving medication that reverses the adverse effects during an opiate overdose), make certain this is available within their home.

As an added layer of coverage, if you know someone with a history or live in an area where opiate abuse is common, you should carry Narcan as well.

4. History of suicidal attempt or frequent crises

This can serve as an important indicator of likelihood of repeat suicide attempts and most importantly likelihood of success the second or third time.

If you have a loved one with this history (at any age, especially if they are young) you need to be aggressive about calling and checking on them - not just that they are alive and well but how their life is going and whether they need help or to get out and socialize.

Lifting a burden from someone during a hard time or crises can be a life saver and shows that someone cares.

5. Recently entered a Nursing home or long-term care facility

If your loved one enters a nursing home for an extended stay or a long-term care facility be sure to visit as often as possible. Get to know the nurses, medication schedules, protocols and procedures (and how well the staff knows them).

Have the contact number for the head nurse or management and make sure they have your contact information - always provide two numbers if possible. Also, take time and talk to the other residents and their families to get a sense of what is normal at the facility. Let them know that you will be a regular visitor, any background you may have in healthcare or if they have a particularly large family and to expect more visitors than on average. Then make sure your loved one has their favorite throw/comforter etc.

Finally, it helps to volunteer to help with some minor things if you can while you are there visiting and don't hesitate to show your appreciation if your loved one has a great care taker (or even if they don't, honey makes good grease for defective parts). This can often help them get the attention they will need to prosper and keep you informed.

Disclaimer: Before undertaking any dietary or lifestyle changes, please consult with your physician for appropriateness and additional guidance. The information here is just that...information for educational purposes only, not to provide medical advice or treatment...