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Be Alert for Medication Overload |
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Written by Denise M. Clark
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Antihypertensives. Diuretics. Beta Blockers. Anticoagulants. Antiarrythmics, vitamins, minerals, herbs. Insulin and diabetic medications, cardiac medications. What do these all mean? With hundreds, no, thousands of medications on the market, how do you know for sure that you are not being overmedicated? How do you know if your medications are causing side effects that are causing you to take yet another pill to cure?
With modern medical care comes a specialty physician who often never communicates or may not even be aware that an individual may be seeing several other physicians for other issues. How do we, as laypersons, let our doctors know what medications we are receiving and more importantly, if they are the right medications and do not interact with the other pills you may be taking?
There are several things individuals can do to do prevent errors.
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Make a list of every medication you are taking, including over-the-counter medications.
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Give a current list of all your medications, over-the-counters included, to each physician, including dentists, therapists, etc.
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Insist that when any medications are changed, your physician communicates these changes with your other doctors.
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Take responsibility to know what medications you are taking, and why. Educate yourself or ask for education from your physicians.
Know what types of food may interfere with your medications. For example, don’t eat grapefruit if you take coumadin. |
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Dementia Caregivers need Care too |
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Written by Leonard Holmes. Ph.D.
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Caring for a patient with Alzheimers Disease or another dementia can be a frustrating and stressful experience for family caregivers. A 2003 study looked at a way to help dementia caregivers. The researchers evaluated the effectiveness of a "psychosocial intervention model" that was designed to help family caregivers cope and feel more positive about their caregiving. Even though the study is a few years old, its results are relevant today.
The study found that carefully designed psychosocial interventions can make life better for those caring for loved ones with dementia. The carefgivers were trained in problem solving, behavior management techniques, improving coping skills, improving their own diet and exercise, and making time for pleasant events and leisure activities. They reported that they experienced reduced stress, felt more positive about their caregiving roles, and experienced increased satisfaction with leisure activities. The researchers worked to create culturally appropriate training for the white and African American caregivers in the study, which was conducted in Forida and Alabama. The researchers stated that race and culture are known to affect the experience of caregiving, but no previous studies evaluated the effectiveness of a caregiver intervention across racial, ethnic and cultural lines. |
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Tai Chi for Arthritis Pain Relief |
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Written by Webmaster
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One of the most popular exercises utilized today, which is a combination of both meditation and a series of slow and deliberate movements, is Tai Chi, developed around 2000 years ago in China. You may have seen Tai Chi performed by older adults in your local park, on TV, or perhaps by someone who attends Tai Chi classes.
The benefits derived from Tai Chi have been well known and documented. It not only relieves stress, but enhances one’s balance and flexibility as well. In addition, the moves implemented in Tai Chi are one of the best exercise programs in alleviating health problems in older adults.
While anyone can master the art of Tai Chi, you will find mostly older adults engaging in this beautiful and graceful exercise. Considered to be low impact, there are no major strains put on the body or joints and is particularly effective for those who suffer from any form of arthritis.
Recent studies have shown that Tai Chi, when utilized by older adults, offers calm and balance, dissipates anxiety and depression, helps older adults to sleep better, reduces bone loss in menopausal women, decreases blood pressure, helps in alleviating pain, and prepares one for tasks performed on a daily basis.
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