Category: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

On the topic of Death

agingwithadvocacy

Most people I know don’t want to think or talk about death. However, death is the one thing in life that we can count on. Why is the subject so taboo especially here in America?

Today I spoke with Gary Wederspahn who is on the board of Final Exit Network (“FEN” as he calls it). I reached out to him to learn about how he became involved with FEN. Gary said he spent the 1960’s and 70’s overseas serving as a Peace Corps Director in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Ecuador and also traveled in over 20 countries.

Due to his cross cultural experiences and life oversees, Gary observed many end of life rituals and traditions that normalized death and gave joy to both life and death. Upon his re entry to the United States, he was shocked at that contrast.

Gary has written a book and many articles on cross cultural communiations as well as end of life rituals and traditions. He is now 84 years old and lives in Minnesota. He welcomes discussion around end of life and right to die. He also wants to reduce fear by having agency and resources.

Check out some of these resources to educate yourself and maybe even invite discussion.

Home

https://finalexitnetwork.org/

https://www.thegooddeathsocietyblog.net/

End of life University https://www.eoluniversity.com

care management, healthcare, healthcare resources, medication management, medication managment, Uncategorized

And what about your meds/vitamins and supplements?

agingwithadvocacy

Have you ever questioned the interactions of the medications or vitamins or supplements you take? When should you take them? With food? On empty stomach? What’s the real value of each one and when taken together…..WOW! Who is paying attention to all your medications? Your PCP? Your neighborhood pharmacist that changes regularly?

Further, I am increasingly aware that I am getting prescribed more and more as I age, including vitamins and supplements. Vitamin D and a Calcium supplement have recently been added to my list of medications. There are so many brands and versions of these and I realize their effectiveness can be limited by what and when I eat and anything else I put in my mouth. YIKES!!!! 

Recently I met two pharmacists who know this to be real and a very concerning trend as more and more pills are consumed by Americans. Thus, Irene Croswell and and Carol Van Horn joined together to offer personalized clinical pharmacy services. They call themselves Coordinated MEDucation Team https://meducationteam.com/ . 

The following is written by Irene Croswell, PharmD for my blog. Thanks Irene!!!

This is a true story. Maggie lived in her own home for many years. She had several health conditions and took many medications – prescription, over the counter, vitamins, and herbal and nutritional supplements. Some of these medications caused serious side effects. And some of them, even the supplements, interacted with each other. Eventually, her medications did not work as well to manage her health conditions. Maggie began to lose her eyesight and the prescription labels became harder to read. She began to fall occasionally but did not recover as quickly as before. She did not go out to lunch or go shopping with her friends as much. Eventually, Maggie moved into a care facility. Unfortunately, Maggie had never had a medication management review.

All of us have different health challenges that may change over time for a variety of reasons. Sometimes things get worse when we make certain choices such as seeing several doctors or other healthcare providers, using multiple pharmacies, ignoring signs that our medications may not be right for us, or being afraid to ask questions or speak up about our concerns. A patient advocate can help you navigate some of those challenges and work with you and your healthcare team.

Another valuable resource is a specially trained, clinical consultant pharmacist who can partner with you to complete your personal Comprehensive Medication Management Review (CMMR). The process of a CMMR includes collaborating with you and your healthcare team as well as reviewing all of your medications, your health concerns, your challenges, your preferences, your lifestyle, or even your individual genetic makeup that may influence if or how a medication works for you. You are given a comprehensive report that you can share and discuss with your healthcare team. If your health changes, we could do another CMMR and work with you and your healthcare team to update your care plan. The Comprehensive Medication Management Review serves as a compass to help you navigate and improve your health. The goal of a CMMR is to help empower you take control of your well-being, optimize your health, and make the best use of your health care spending.       Your story doesn’t have to be like Maggie’s story. You Can Make A Change for Life !  With us, it’s all about person-centered care at Coordinated MEDucation Team.   Please email us at carol@meducationteam.com  OR  irene@meducationteam.com

Uncategorized

Acute Care and Then What?

agingwithadvocacy

After a 911 event like a stroke or car accident, the person becomes a patient who needs medical evaluation and care in a hospital setting. Of course, the patient needs to be evaluated and stabilized.

Soon after, the Acute Medical Rehab team may be consulted by the hospital team. This may include a swallow evaluation (by SLP/Speech-language Pathologist) for safe oral intake as well as a simple cognitive and/or communication evaluation. The PT (physical therapy) may be asked to evaluate the patient’s strength, mobility, and function while the OT (Occupational therapist) may be consulted on upper body function/mobility/strength for self-care activities, including feeding, grooming, and dressing. This can all happen in the first few days and will contribute to the next steps.

All of these medical and therapy evaluations as well as the patient’s previous medical issues, contribute to the patient’s options, e.g., the next step. What’s the discharge plan? In fact, from the moment a patient enters the medical system, discharge plans are in the works. Can this patient return to their previous setting? Is this patient a rehab candidate? What are the patients’ resources, e.g., family and insurance?

My experiences working in health care started in 1990 at the University of WA Medical Center. Back then, medical and subsequent acute rehabilitation stays were usually weeks to months, rarely days. Some medical social workers walked with the family and supported them in considering the next steps. Minutes were not calculated in every interaction. Today. The average hospital and following rehab stay is 12.4 days. The social workers are called discharge planners, and they rarely can take the time to sit and talk with the family.

This partially explains why I have become an Aging Life Care Consultant, a private pay advocate who can step in and help you and your family navigate healthcare options. I believe health care is more confusing and expensive, and therapists and medical providers are no longer encouraged/reimbursed for helping their patients weigh their choices or seek resources particular to their needs. I am saddened by this change, but I am here to help.