National Social Worker’s Month — Thanks from Viki

I want to send out a big hug to all the social workers out there making a difference in people’s lives. Thank you for doing all that you do to make sure people get what they need, are protected and empowered to live their best lives. This may be the last day of National Social Workers Month but the value of social workers lasts all year long. If you are ever in the hospital and need a person to help you get what you need, the social worker is your best ally.

Here is some information from the National Association of Social Worker’s website: http://www.naswdc.org/

* Social workers inspire community action to improve lives.
* Social workers are integral parts of a vibrant community.
* Social workers know the full range of challenges facing families of every description.
* Social workers advocate for inclusion, fairness and non-discriminatory access to services that help people reach their full potential.
* Social workers make a wide range of social contributions throughout their careers.
* Many social workers work to resolve systemic issues that negatively affect a community. Some work in education or research, and others work as elected officials, in government or as heads of nonprofit organizations to create positive sustainable change in communities.
* Most social workers serve individuals and families. Working through private practices, agencies and organizations, they provide resources and guidance that support social functioning.
* People who become professional social workers believe that there are no limits to human potential and use their talents to help others lead rewarding lives.
* Social work is a profession of hope, grounded in practical problem solving expertise.
* Social work is a desirable field of study for bright and socially engaged people of all ages.
* Professional social workers have a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree in social work from a program or school of social work. Social work practice is guided by the NASW Code of Ethics.
* Social workers are employed in schools, courtrooms, drug treatment clinics, hospitals, senior centers, shelters, nursing homes, the military, disaster relief, prisons and corporations.
* Social work is relevant to the successful functioning of American society.
* Social workers are on the front lines, developing social programs that are responsive to such human needs as homelessness, poverty, family break-up , mental illness, physical and mental disability, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence and many other issues.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Speaker phone, conference call or webcam your patient’s condition to their family.

Are you frustrated when the patient goes home and doesn’t follow your instructions or when the family member calls you and wants you to repeat everything you said to the patient?

A great way to solve this is to use technology. And I don’t mean fancy technology, but using either the speaker function and/or conference call feature on everybody’s cell phone. Then the loved ones can give you more information, ask questions and can listen to your update about the patient’s health and treatment plan. This is also an opportunity for you to build a relationship with the family in case the patient can’t speak for him- or herself in the future.

Using technology can be especially important in the hospital. For those who can not travel, use a laptop with a webcam to help the family see how their loved one is doing. There is nothing like seeing the person with their own eyes to help them picture what you are talking about. An image, either by webcam or cell phone picture can give the family understanding of the condition of the patient and how his or her health has changed.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Speaker phone, conference call or webcam your loved one’s doctor appointment.

If you can’t go to the doctor’s appointment with your loved one, whether it is because of work or distance, you can go by speaker phone. Have your loved one take their cell phone or use the doctor’s phone and put it on speaker in the exam room. You can give the doctor more information if your loved one isn’t a good communicator and then listen as the doctor tells you both the treatment plan. You can also use the conference call function to make sure the other family members are included. Communication is essential to understand the situation and to make good decision making.

If your loved one is in the hospital and you can’t make it, have someone bring in their laptop or ask someone at the hospital to set it up so you can use your webcam to see how your loved one is doing. There is nothing like seeing the person with your own eyes to help you understand what the doctor is talking about. Too often we can’t imagine what the doctor is telling us as we still picture our loved one like they used to look. An image, either by webcam or picture can give you a better picture of the condition of your loved one and what he or she is going through.

I am not saying that you shouldn’t come in person to see your loved one or to the doctor’s appointment, but for those times when you can’t be there, use the technology available.

Have a kind and respectful day.

http://www.pallimed.org/ — For Great Palliative Care articles

I would encourage you to read http://www.pallimed.org/ if you are interested in up-to-date information about Palliative Care.  The writers bring new insights and updates about the good, the bad and the ugly of end-of-life care.  Today’s article about the media’s portrayal of cancer (and it’s lack of talk about cancer and end-of-life care) is startling but true. What I really like about this site is it commitment to facts. The writers are palliative care specialists who are dedicated to bringing you the latest in research, best practices and stories about the humanity of patients, families and doctors facing end-of-life situations.

Thanks Pallimed.org for being such a great resource. Thanks Dr. Christian Sinclair.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Putting The Human Back Into Nursing Homes

KindEthics Newsletter November 30, 2009
Sign up on the lower right side of KindEthics.com

Quote:

The great secret that all old people share is that you really haven’t changed in seventy or eighty years. Your body changes, but you don’t change at all. And that, of course, causes great confusion. Doris Lessing

Putting The Human Back Into Nursing Homes:

One day when I was visiting my aunt at the skilled nursing facility, the woman that shared her room was complaining to the nurses aide that she was tired and she wanted to put on her nightgown and go to bed. The aide told her that she couldn’t go to bed, because it wasn’t allowed until after dinner. I remember at the time thinking how strange this was. Why couldn’t this woman go to bed? If she was tired, why couldn’t she take a nap? My dad took naps, I take naps and lots of other people take naps. I realize looking back that what this woman wanted/needed didn’t fit in with the schedule of the nursing staff or the institution. When did the needs of the staff become more important than the needs of the resident? When did the nursing home staff become the boss of the resident? When did the residents lose their right to having their basic needs and decision making power taken away from them?

(This bothers me a lot as I am writing this. I can imagine the day when I am living in a long term care facility and someone won’t let me nap. I love to nap and can’t imagine that this would be taken away from me just because I am old. But it isn’t just about the nap, this is about our human need to be listened to and to be respected while we receive the care we need.)

I have been reading The Erosion of Autonomy in Long-Term Care written by Charles W. Lidz, Lynn Fischer and Robert M. Arnold. This book takes a look at the history of long term care facilities and where we are today. As you can tell by the title, the right of the patient to be heard in these facilities is slipping away.

The authors write that what once was a home-based environment to serve the needy in our small communities, has morphed into a hospital-like institution where the rules dominate the humanity. The residents who “behave” and are “compliant” are good and those who want something that isn’t on today’s schedule are “bad”.

This makes me wonder if the people we store in nursing homes are as impaired when they get admitted or if the institution itself, takes away their voice and their interest in life. (I know I just said store in nursing homes. Perhaps that is too harsh a word, but have you visited a nursing facility lately? Have you seen what kind of life these people are living? If you haven’t, I would suggest that you visit your local care facility.) Another concern I have is the growing number of people being abandoned by their families in nursing homes. There are laws against abandoning your pet, but we allow people to be disposed of and forgotten in these institutions. Something has to change and it has to change soon.

Now I am not saying that people are being mistreated in care facilities, (of course a few are and that is why we have ombudsman to protect them), but what I am saying is that it is no kind of life for the residents at most of these places. But this doesn’t mean it can’t be improved and that some people know how to get it right. I recently talked with a woman who raved about the place where her mom was staying. Her mom had been admitted to one facility and when it became evident that it wasn’t a good place, she took the time to find a better place for her mother. Advocacy and effort matter when it comes to our loved ones.

So, here are some organizations that are helping to get it right.

The Pioneer Network http://www.pioneernetwork.net/
The GreenHouseProject Homes http://www.ncbcapitalimpact.org/default.aspx?id=148
The Eden Alternative http://www.edenalt.org/
National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care http://nccnhr.org/

There are four states receiving financial incentives from Medicare to change the culture of nursing homes. Arizona, Mississippi, New York and Wisconsin. If these incentives work, then these programs will be spread to other states.

The Nursing Reform Act is also working to promote and mandate the changing of nursing facilities from institutions into a more home-like environment. Where people can live without hearing bells and alarms going off or being told when they are tired. Where people can get up when they want to, eat when they are hungry and be treated as an individual. You can download information about the Nursing Home Reform Act at http://www.resource4nursinghomeabuse.com/images/pdf/nursing_home_reform_act.pdf

I think if I was granted one wish, this is what I would wish for. That long term care facilities could become home-like and that people wouldn’t be abandoned in them. I don’t have the answers but I do know that others do. If you are interested in being part of the change, volunteer at your local nursing home. Connect with one of the organizations that are making a difference. And if you are a healthcare professional, make sure you visit the facilities you are recommending to your patients. Don’t take someone’s word for it that it is a nice place, go there yourself. See what is being served for dinner and sit and watch what is happening. You will be surprised by what you see.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Seeking Family Caregivers of Veterans for a New Study – (thanks for the update – The California Coalition of Caregivers)

The National Alliance for Caregiving is Seeking Family Caregivers of Veterans for a New Study

This study will provide an opportunity for caregivers of Veterans to be heard and improve services for caregivers and Veterans now and in the future. If you are a family caregiver of a Veteran or know of one, and wish to take part in this study, please sign up at: www.gwsurvey.com/caregiversofveterans.html

The National Alliance for Caregiving is seeking participants for a new study of family caregivers of Veterans. This study is intended to determine how caregivers of Veterans are coping and what community and VA services, resources, and programs would support and assist them with their caregiving activities.

Caregivers are defined as those providing unpaid assistance, such as personal care, bathing, dressing, feeding, help with medications and other treatments, transportation to the doctors’ appointments, and arranging for services. Caregivers of Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War through the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will be included in the study. Caregivers include relatives and friends.

The study will use discussion groups, telephone interviews, and an Internet survey of caregivers of Veterans. The National Alliance for Caregiving is recruiting many family caregivers of Veterans from across the United States, and especially caregivers for the discussions groups living in or near: San Diego, San Antonio, and Washington, DC.

Cash incentives will be available for study participants and Veterans who refer them. Information obtained from the discussion groups, telephone interviews, and Internet survey will be confidential and will not be connected to the individual caregivers participating in the study.

Thank you for your consideration to participate in a study that could make a difference in the lives of caregivers of Veterans. Please contact Kathy Cameron at kathleen56@caregiving.org for more information.

This project is funded by a grant from the United Health Foundation.

Interview with Dr. Eric Shapira, author of “A New Wrinkle,” on March 25th at 9AM pacific on blogtalkradio.com/kindethics.

Interview with Dr. Eric Shapira, author of “A New Wrinkle,” on March 25th at 9AM pacific on blogtalkradio.com/kindethics. Listen live or download later.

Eric Shapira practiced Dentistry for over 30 years on the Half Moon Bay Coastside. He received his Masters degree in Clinical Gerontology from Notre Dame de Namur University. He is an educator and has taught courses in “Healthy Aging” and “Successful Aging,” as well as courses in “Geriatric Esthetic Dentistry and Special Patient Care.”

Dr. Shapira holds an MHA (Masters in Health Administration) from the University of Phoenix. He is a Board member of the American Association of Senior Peer Counselors, a Bilingual Senior Peer Counselor for the San Mateo County Department of Mental Health and a former commissioner on the San Mateo County Commission on Aging. He is a Certified Hypnotherapist, Author, Consultant and Lecturer. Dr. Shapira is a caring, involved clinician with extensive knowledge in the aging field. His personal motto is: “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

In 2008, Dr. Shapira was awarded the title of Visiting Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Nursing by People’s Hospital #2 and the Government of China for his volunteer teaching efforts and work there this past summer.
Aging Mentor Services is Dr. Shapira’s consulting service. He helps seniors and their families with many of the complex issues about aging. ‘

His website is www.agingmentorservices.com.
His services include: Assessments (Physical, Mental, Home Safety Analysis, Care Giver analysis)
Counseling for individuals and families in transition
Memory training
Telephone counseling
Care Giver procurement and management
Care Giver training
Care Giver Evaluation
Certified hypnotherapy
Crisis Management
Strategic Elder Planning
Guided imagery
Patient advocate
Family mediation
Financial counseling
Transportation issues
Second opinions on dental treatment and treatment plans
Referral base for ancillary aging specialists: medical, dental, social and psychological
Education for family and care givers on the aging process, Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Nutritional analysis
Exercise facilitation
Bilingual/Spanish

March is Brain Injury Month. For more information: www.biausa.org

Thanks to the Brain Injury Association website http://www.biausa.org for the following information: Check out their site for more information and resources.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

In recognition of March as Brain Injury Awareness Month and the Brain Injury Association’s ongoing commitment to sports and concussions, BIAA and its nationwide network of 44 Chartered State Affiliates is launching a year-long, nationwide education and advocacy campaign: “A concussion is a brain injury. Get the facts.” The campaign will launch in March with radio and print public service announcements, awareness proclamations and special events. A state advocacy effort to introduce legislation to train coaches and protect youth athletes will continue throughout the year along with ongoing nationwide education.
A concussion is a brain injury period. BIAA believes coaches of every school athletic team and every extracurricular athletic activity should be trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of brain injury, including concussions and second impact syndrome. BIAA also believes young athletes who appear t have sustained a concussion should have written authorization by a health care professional before returning to play.
A concussion is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, or from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Most concussions occur without a loss of consciousness and according to the CDC, a lack of proper diagnosis and management of concussion may result in a serious long-term consequences, or risk of coma or death. Signs and symptoms may be noticeable immediately, or it may take days or weeks before they are present.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions occur in the United State each year. Of that estimate U.S. emergency departments treat approximately 135,000 sports- and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions, among children ages 5 to 18.
To support year-long education and awareness efforts, click on the downloadable materials below to distribute throughout your community today! BIAA encourages the use and distribution of these materials throughout 2010.
To learn more about these initiatives or to learn more about awareness and advocacy events taking place in your state during the month of March and throughout the year, or to learn how you can get involved, contact your Chartered State Affiliate today! For more information on media materials contact the Brain Injury Association of America at 703.761.0750, ext. 622.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) an estimated 1.6-3.8 million sports and recreation related concussions occur in the U.S. each year. Concussions occur even if an athlete doesn’t lose consciousness and in fact, is the most common type of brain injury sustained in sports.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of such an injury may range from “mild,” i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe,” i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. A TBI can result in short or long-term problems with independent function.
How many people have TBI?
Of the 1.4 million who sustain a TBI each year in the United States:
• 50,000 die;
• 235,000 are hospitalized; and
• 1.1 million are treated and released from an emergency department.1
The number of people with TBI who are not seen in an emergency department or who receive no care is unknown.
What causes Traumatic Brain Injuries?
The leading causes of TBI are:
• Falls (28%);
• Motor vehicle-traffic crashes (20%);
• Struck by/against (19%); and
• Assaults (11%).1
Blasts are a leading cause of TBI for active duty military personnel in war zones.2
Who is at highest risk for TBI?
• Males are about 1.5 times as likely as females to sustain a TBI.1
• The two age groups at highest risk for TBI are 0 to 4 year olds and 15 to 19 year olds.1
• Certain military duties (e.g., paratrooper) increase the risk of sustaining a TBI.3
• African Americans have the highest death rate from TBI.1
What are the costs of TBI?
Direct medical costs and indirect costs such as lost productivity of TBI totaled an estimated $60 billion in the United States in 1995.4
What are the long-term consequences of TBI?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 3.17 Million Americans currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living as a result of a TBI.5

According to one study, about 40% of those hospitalized with a TBI had at least one unmet need for services one year after their injury. The most frequent unmet needs were:
• Improving memory and problem solving;
• Managing stress and emotional upsets;
• Controlling one’s temper; and
• Improving one’s job skills.6
TBI can cause a wide range of functional changes affecting thinking, language, learning, emotions, behavior, and/or sensation. It can also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other brain disorders that become more prevalent with age.7,8

For more resources:

Guide to selecting legal representation for brain injury cases
https://secure.biausa.org/OnlineDirectory/Pdf/SelectingLegalRepresentation.pdf

A Guide to Selecting and Monitoring Brain Injury Rehabilitation Services
https://secure.biausa.org/OnlineDirectory/Pdf/SelectingRehabServices.pdf

Have a kind and respectful day.