ewsletter November 2012 Issue 1, Vol. 1 Emergency Preparedness Arthritis Awareness and Action
Emergency Preparedness by Janet Fulfs, President Include Medications and Medical Supplies: If you take medicine or use a medical treatment on a daily basis, be sure you have what you need on hand to make it on your own for at least a week. You should also keep a copy of your prescriptions as well as dosage or treatment information. If it is not possible to have a week-long supply of medicines and supplies, keep as much as possible on hand and talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what else you should do to prepare. If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital or if you receive regular services such as home health care, treatment or transportation, talk to your service provider about their emergency plans. Work with them to identify backup service providers within your area and the areas you might evacuate to. If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity to operate, talk to your health care provider about what you can do to prepare for its use during a power outage, Additional Items: In addition, there may be other things specific to your personal needs that you should also have on hand. If you use eyeglasses, hearing aids and hearing aid batteries, wheelchair batteries, and oxygen, be sure you always have extras in your home. Also have copies of your medical insurance, Medicare and Medicaid cards readily available. If you have a service animal, be sure to include food, water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other emergency pet supplies. Include Emergency Documents: Include copies of important documents in your emergency supply kits such as family records, medical records, wills, deeds, social security number, charge and bank accounts information, and tax records. It is best to keep these documents in a waterproof container. If there is any information related to operating equipment or life-saving devices that you rely on, include those in your emergency kit as well, and also make sure that a trusted friend or family member has a copy of these documents. Include the names and numbers of everyone in your personal support network, as well as your medical providers. If you have a communication disability, make sure your emergency information list notes the best way to communicate with you. Also be sure you have cash or travelers checks in your kits in case you need to purchase supplies. Taken from Ready.gov Preparedness Tip #3 Choose an emergency contact person outside your area because it may be easier to call long distance than locally after a local/regional disaster. Take a minute now to call or e-mail an out-of-town friend or family member to ask him or her to be your family s designated contact in the event of an emergency. Be sure to share the contact s phone number with everyone in the family. During an emergency, you can call your contact who can share with other family members where you are; how you are doing; and how to get in contact with you. Taken from http://www.alertchicago.com 2 American Home Health Newsletter November 2012
Arthritis Awareness and Action Nursing Talk YOUR MOTHER WAS RIGHT Dear Cassandra, My mother and I both work for American Home Health as nurses. She says the preceptor should turn the Competency Evaluation in to the office after she completes an orientation of a nurse who is new to the case. I say the preceptor should give the Competency Evaluation to the nurse to turn in to the office. Who is right? Daughter in Darien Dear Daughter, World Arthritis Day October 12, 2012 This year s theme for World Arthritis Day is Move to Improve. Arthritis is the most common cause of disability among U.S. adults.1 One-quarter of adults with arthritis report severe pain, 45% report limitations in usual activities due to their arthritis, and almost 15% report that arthritis limits their ability to participate in valued social activities such as shopping, going to church, or attending a concert or sporting event. Using 2009 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC created an arthritis impact profile for each state and the District of Columbia (see map below). States with a poor arthritis impact profile were in the worst third for each of three outcomes: Don t let arthritis limit you. But, if you are one of the 50 million living with arthritis, there are some simple things you can do to reduce symptoms and live well. State Arthritis Impact Profile* Among Adults With Arthritis Good (10 states; 19.6%) BRFSS 2009 prevalence of severe pain, arthritis-attributable activity limitations, and social participation restriction among adults with arthritis. Fourteen states (27%) were classified as having a poor arthritis impact profile. More than 14.5 million adults with arthritis reside in these poor impact profile states. States with a poor impact profile were concentrated in the southern half of the United States. Tennessee had the worst impact profile overall, ranking 50th, 51st, and 51st in severe pain, activity limitation, and participation restriction, respectively. These data identify the states that have high need for widespread dissemination of proven arthritis interventions. Moderate (27states; 52.9%) 3 American Home Health Newsletter November 2012 District of Columbia Poor (14 states; 27.5%) *Arthritis impact profile created using age-adjusted (2000 standard US population) prevalence rates of impairment (severe pain), arthritis-attributable activity limitation, and social participation restriction. Poor = highest tertile for all 3 measures, good = lowest tertile for all measures, moderate = combination of high medium and low. Continued on page 4 Precepting/orienting a new nurse is one of the foundations American Home Health uses to ensure competence of a new nurse. It is not just the completion of a piece of paper. The safety of the client, satisfaction of the client, and reputation of the company hinges on this task of precepting a new nurse. I know it pains you to hear this, but your mother is right again. The preceptor should turn the Competency Evaluation in to the office. She should not give it to the orientee. Think back to your childhood. Who taught you the skills you use today? Your mother! My mother s advice was practical and to the point. Do any of these bits of advice sound familiar? 1. Always wear clean underwear. She said if you get into an accident and you are wearing underwear with holes, the medical responders will think you are trash. QUESTON: As the medical team cuts or rips your bloody clothes from your mangled body, are they really checking for holes in your underwear? 2. Use the bathroom before you get into the car. She said you do not want to have to stop and use a corn field or bean field. Picture yourself climbing through a drainage ditch on the side of the road while desperately trying to reach the cover of the corn stalks. 3. Pick up your toys. Keep your work surface clean. Put away your toys, books, magazines, newspapers, gloves, coat, keys, etc. Continued on page 4
Arthritis Awareness and Action Continued from page 3 Move to Be Active The pain, activity limitations, and participation restriction due to arthritis can be managed, thus improving quality-of-life and reducing disability. Both aerobic and muscle strengthening exercise have been proven2,3 to reduce pain and improve functional limitations, thereby delaying disability and allowing people with arthritis to maintain independence. Physical activity can also help people with arthritis manage other chronic conditions they may have such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Scientific studies3 have shown that participating in moderateintensity, low-impact activities such as walking, dancing, biking, swimming, and water aerobics are good forms of exercise that are safe for most adults with arthritis. Several group classes specifically appropriate for people with arthritis are recommended by CDC and are made available in communities across the country. Move to Learn Skills Self-management education classes, such as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, have been proven to improve selfefficacy, exercise, ability to do house and social activities, and decrease depression, frustration and worry over health, and pain. Self-management education classes help people learn techniques to reduce pain and improve function and learn to develop skills and confidence to manage arthritis and other conditions on a day-to-day basis. Move to Manage Your Weight Obesity is common among people with arthritis and is a modifiable risk factor associated with arthritis-related disease progression, activity limitation, disability, reduced quality-of-life, total joint replacement, and poor clinical outcomes after joint replacement. Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight may be challenging, but it is particularly important for people with arthritis. Low impact physical activity (like walking) and dietary changes can lead to successful weight loss for people with arthritis. In fact, losing as little as 10 to 12 pounds can improve pain and function. Move to Talk to Your Health Care Provider All people with arthritis should be under the care of a health care professional and should see them on a regular basis. For people with inflammatory types of rheumatic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, proper medical management through medications and other treatments are crucial to managing pain, inflammation, fatigue, and preventing potential disability. References 1. CDC. Prevalence and most common causes of disability among adults, United States, 2005. MMWR. 2009;58:421-6. 2. US Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee report, 2008. Washington, DC: US Depart of Health and Human Services; 2008. http://www. health.gov/paguidelines/committeereport.aspx. Accessed September 14, 2012. 3. Kelley GA, Kelley KS, Hootman JM, Jones DL. Effects of community-deliverable exercise on pain and physical function in adults with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases: a meta-analysis. Arthritis Care Res. 2011;63(1):79-93. Source: http://www.cdc.gov/features/arthritis/ Nursing Talk Continued from page 3 4. Wash your hands. Often! Wash them before eating, after using the bathroom, after changing diapers, before performing medical procedures, ad infinitum. 5. Play nice with others. Share your toys, your skills, your time. Be compassionate. Listen. Offer to help. 6. Watch your mouth. Don t swear. Respect your parents, teachers, and elders. Respect authority. Don t talk back. WARNING: Don t use a mirror to actually watch your mouth as you make faces at her. Your mother would consider that disrespectful if she found out. 7. Pick up your feet. Don t drag your feet along the sidewalk because it looks cool. Don t wear your pants too low or your skirt too short. Dress appropriately. 8. Say your prayers. Thank God for the wonderful country you live in, the blessings and beauty of nature, food to eat, clothing to wear, religious freedom, freedom of speech, advances in medicine, etc. 9. Think of the poor, starving children in Africa. Don t waste your food. Eat your vegetables. WARNING: Don t offer to send to Africa the food your mother has prepared for you. 10. Behave yourself. When you were walking out the door to hang out with your friends, what did your mother say? Get drunk? Get arrested? Drive too fast? Do drugs? Sleep around? No, she said, Behave yourself. You had to protect your own reputation and the reputation of your family. So, my mother was right after all. She was a travel agent, fashion guru, social arbiter, religious adviser, medical consultant, humanitarian, dietician, motivational speaker, and more. Mother was pretty smart for a woman with only an eighth grade education. Cassandra We invite you to submit questions for this column. E-mail edward.lara@ahhc-1.com. 4 American Home Health Newsletter November 2012
add more vegetables to your day 10 tips to help you eat more vegetables It s easy to eat more vegetables! Eating vegetables is important because they provide vitamins and minerals and most are low in calories. To fit more vegetables in your meals, follow these simple tips. It is easier than you may think. 1discover fast ways to cook Cook fresh or frozen vegetables in the microwave for a quick-and-easy dish to add to any meal. Steamgreen beans, carrots, or broccoli in a bowl with a small amount of water in the microwave for a quick side dish. 2be ahead of the game Cut up a batch of bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli. Pre-packagethem to use when time is limited. You can enjoy them on a salad, with hummus, or in a veggie wrap.. 3choose vegetables rich in color Brighten your plate with vegetables that are red, orange, or dark green. They are full of vitamins and minerals. Try acorn squash, cherry tomatoes, sweet potatoes, or collard greens. They not only taste great but also are good for you, too. 4check the freezer aisle Frozen vegetables are quick and easy to use and are just as nutritious as fresh veggies. Try adding frozen corn, peas, green beans, spinach, or sugar snap peas to some of your favorite dishes or eat as a side dish.are good for you, too. 5stock up on veggies Canned vegetables are a great addition to any meal, so keep on hand canned tomatoes, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, mushrooms,and beets. Select those labeled as reduced sodium, low sodium, or no salt added. 6make your garden salad glow with color Brighten your salad by using colorful vegetables such as black beans, sliced red bell peppers, shredded radishes, chopped red cabbage, or watercress. Your salad will not only look good but taste good, too. 7 sip on some vegetable soup Heat it and eat it. Try tomato, butternut squash, or garden vegetable soup. Look for reduced- or lowsodium soups. 8while you re out If dinner is away from home, no need to worry. When ordering, ask for an extra side of vegetables or side salad instead of the typical fried side dish. 9savor the flavor of seasonal vegetable Buy vegetables that are in season for maximum flavor at a lower cost. Checkyour local supermarket specials for the best-in-season buys. Orvisit your local farmer s market. 10 try something new You never know what you may like. Choose a new vegetable add it to your recipe or look up how to fix it online Source: www.choosemyplate.gov 5 American Home Health Newsletter November 2012
E D H G C C M A A N P W Y I R N R H C Q J D L E D N W N I T O P A D V O C A C Y Z A N J D E Z V T C T D V T P Z L G K P O E V E P Z Z I G Q X I P H K F A S S E S S M E N T R B Q J L I M L O T J V X C O D C X N R N S K X Y H F U T M A P P C H E R S M R Q A Q W X G Y T P N R V A Q Q O N E G O P W I Z Z Y R F T N D H G O H L T F C Y J F N V H W B E N L M N Z I O C Q I L R Z L D T I F R M I T Y P R V G P S V Y W T T Q A R M R I P E L C Z Q N D J U B A C A U Q D I G E K H E L D T K B I C Y Z G D P T N S J W C S L B T N S A E S D U F A T L F Z P M N S C Q N N X Y X E Q U R O U J A E W V A M W S W E M H E A H L X H Y Q U C F O J J Z H S Q T U F D S J R R G W S B D J P G B E S E W W A U T V I H C R Q T U Y J X R S X Q T G F N C Z W B X X J G O M I J Z J J Y C O O R D I N A T I O N L B U F L D N B D S W K G U L E C D G M N W O T W A F B Z C R S H Happy Case Management Week Word Search Puzzle October 14 October 20, 2012 Find the following words hidden in the word search puzzle: they emphasized the professionalism of case managers. Transition Quality Coordination Savings Assessment Planning Facilitation Advocacy Cost Effective Follow us on YouTube. Our channel is www.youtube.com/amerhomehealth. You Tube AHHC Newsletter Editors: Karen Centowski & Edward Lara Designer: Edward Lara Contributions: Edward Lara, Jan Fulfs, Karen Centowski For Contributions, please e-mail hr@ahhc-1.com or write to 1660 N. Farnsworth Ave., Ste.3, Aurora, IL 60505 6 American Home Health Newsletter November 2012