Education

Managing Bedbug Infestations

Roger Bray — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Click on the Link above and then read about Managing Bedbug Infestations HERE.

Emergency Preparedness

Roger Bray — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 06:00:00 GMT

It is important for you, family and /or caregiver to have an emergency disaster plan. Natural occurring disasters and human caused disasters can strike at any time and any place. There are three actions one may take to prepare, make a difference and save lives: get a kit, make a plan, and be informed.
The first step is Get a kit. You should pack basic supplies in an easy to carry emergency kit to use at home, or carry with you in case you have to evacuate from home. When preparing the kit, consider all of the needs of the family including your pets. Some of the supplies recommended by the American Red Cross should include:
 Water- one gallon per person per day (3 day supply for evacuation from home and 2 week supply for home)
 Food- non-perishable easy to prepare items
 Batteries & flashlight
 Battery or hand-cranked NOAA Weather Radio
 First Aid Kit
 Cell phone with charger
 Medications, medication list, pharmacy /physician contact numbers
 Medical assistive devices
 Copies of personal documents & family emergency contact information
 Emergency blanket
 Map
 Extra Cash
The next step should include all family members to Make a plan. When discussing the plan, make sure you decide and assign responsibilities for each member of the household. It is important to decide what to do if separated during an emergency by deciding on two places to meet in case of a home fire, or outside your neighborhood in case of evacuation. You should decide on an emergency route and emergency shelter for the family and pets. Choose an out- of -area emergency contact person in which you can stay in touch by text or cell phone.
The most important step is to Be informed. When natural disasters strike your neighborhood, the community can change in a minute and resources can be disrupted such as groceries, utilities, and fuel. It is important to be informed of possible weather alerts in your area and know what actions to take. Make sure at least one family member knows CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Influenza (Flu) & Flu Vaccine Updates 2011-2012

Roger Bray — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Influenza (flu) season is once again here and is important to consider a preventative program for you and your family. The flu virus is unpredictable and can be severe as flu related deaths over a period of 30 years from 1976 and 2006 have ranged from 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 deaths.
Flu is considered highly contagious and is spread by the influenza virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. Symptoms of the flu can include: fever /chills; cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting/diarrhea,& at times without fever. The virus is spread to others one day prior to symptoms appearing and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. High–risk individuals such as children younger than 5 years of age, pregnant women, adults 65 years of age and older, American Indians and Alaskans Natives, & people with medical conditions affecting the pulmonary, cardiovascular and immune systems should be immunized.
The best way to prevent and/or minimize the symptoms is to have a flu vaccination. Everyone 6 months of age and older should receive a flu vaccine every year. There are three types of injectable influenza vaccines: flu shots with inactivated vaccines that are given by needle; a high dose vaccine given for people 65 years & older (made available in 2010-2011); and an intradermal vaccine for people ages 18 to 64 years of age (offered for the first time in 2011-2012 season).In addition, to the injectable vaccine, there is a nasal-spray flu vaccine for healthy people ages 2 to 49 years of age and are not pregnant. Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting their physician. They include: people with a sever allergy to eggs, people with severe allergies to the vaccine, people with fever, & people with a history of Guillain-Barre’ Syndrome.
The first defense in preventing the flu is vaccination. Along with receiving the flu vaccine, it is also important to remember to wash your hands frequently and to cover your cough to prevent the spread of infection.

¹2011,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

Risk of Heat-Related Problems Increases with Age

Expedient — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Hyperthermia is the name given to a variety of heat-related illnesses that can include heat stroke, heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after exercising in the heat), heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Older adults are particularly at risk for developing heat-related illness because the ability to adequately respond to summer heat can become less efficient with age. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has some advice for helping older people avoid heat problems during the summer months.

A person’s risk for hyperthermia is not based only on the outside temperature—it includes the general health and lifestyle of the individual. Health factors that may increase risk include:

Age-related changes to the skin such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat glands.
Heart, lung and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever.

High blood pressure or other conditions that require changes in diet. For example, people on salt-restricted diets may increase their risk. However, salt pills should not be used without first consulting a doctor.

The inability to perspire caused by medications including diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers and certain heart and blood pressure drugs.

Taking several drugs for various conditions. It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible problems with a physician.

Being substantially overweight or underweight.

Drinking alcoholic beverages.

Being dehydrated.

Lifestyle factors can also increase risk, including extremely hot living quarters, lack of transportation, overdressing, visiting overcrowded places and not understanding weather conditions. Older people, particularly those at special risk, should stay indoors on particularly hot and humid days, especially when there is an air pollution alert in effect. People without fans or air conditioners should go to places such as shopping malls, movie houses and libraries. Friends or relatives might be asked to supply transportation on particularly hot days. Many communities, social service agencies, religious groups and senior citizen centers also provide services such as cooling centers.

Heat stroke is an advanced form of hyperthermia that occurs when the body is overwhelmed by heat and unable to control its temperature. As a person’s body temperature rises rapidly, the body loses its ability to sweat and cool itself down. Heat stroke is especially dangerous for older people and requires emergency medical attention. A person with a body temperature above 104 is likely suffering from heat stroke and may have symptoms of confusion, combativeness, strong rapid pulse, lack of sweating, dry flushed skin, faintness, staggering, possible delirium or coma. A person with any of these symptoms, especially an older adult, should seek immediate medical attention.

Here are a few tips on what to do if you suspect someone is suffering from a heat-related illness:

Get the person out of the sun and into an air-conditioned or other cool place.
Offer fluids such as water, fruit and vegetable juices, but avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Encourage the individual to shower, bathe or sponge off with cool water.
Apply a cold, wet cloth to the wrists and/or neck, places where arterial blood passes close to the surface and the cold cloths can help cool the blood.
Urge the person to lie down and rest, preferably in a cool place.

For a free copy of the NIA’s Age Page on hyperthermia in English or in Spanish, contact the NIA Information Center at 1-800-222-2225 or go to www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/hyperthermia.htm or www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/Spanish/hyperthermia-sp.htm for the Spanish-language version.

The NIA leads the federal effort supporting and conducting research on aging and the medical, social and behavioral issues of older people. For more information on research and the aging, go to www.nia.nih.gov.

The NIH—the nation’s medical research agency—includes 27 institutes and centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

Advocate Guide Medicare Preventive Care Benefit

Expedient — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMT

This fact sheet is a troubleshooting guide for advocates who are assisting beneficiaries as they navigate the new coverage of preventive services in Medicare. A companion fact sheet, Medicare’s New Preventive Care Benefit: What It Means for You, written especially for Medicare consumers, explains how the new benefit works and what is covered.