Senior Resource Guide - 2014

Page 1

Senior www.kentreporter.com

October 31, 2014 [ B1 ]

FALL 2014

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RESOURCE GUIDE

Prepare for travel with older adults By Dr. Nick Jansson

P

reparation for travel

with older adults is important to review year-round. The following tips are not only for seniors but also for family members and caregivers who may be traveling with them. Medicines: Bring a supply of daily medicines to last the trip but also carry an extra two weeks of medicine in case plans change. It’s easy for prescriptions to be transferred to

a pharmacy, but this is difficult to do if you’re cruising at sea! Also, bring important medicines that are only taken as needed but could be potentially life-saving, such as nitroglycerin (for chest pain), asthma inhalers, extra insulin or portable oxygen. ASSISTIVE DEVICES: Make sure to have a standard or folding cane, walking stick or walker for trips involving prolonged walking or standing, particularly the device is something an individual usually uses for walking or balance. AMBULATION: On long car or plane

rides, it is important for seniors to ambulate at least once every one to two hours. Individuals with arthritis should get up and stretch. Moving also helps prevent a type of blood clot called deep venous thrombosis (DVT), which can form when blood doesn’t get pumped up from the legs to the heart as well as when leg muscles are not working as much during rest. These clots can travel to the lungs and cause blockage of blood flow and even death in extreme cases. If it is difficult to ambulate, do leg exercises while sitting. Flexing and extending the calf muscles by pointing toes upward with the heels on the ground (dorsiflexion) or moving heels up off the ground with the toes still planted (plantar flexion) can help contract and stretch calf muscles. Other preventative measures include wearing compression stockings and staying

well hydrated. LISTS: A list of medicines, medical conditions, allergies, surgeries, advanced directives and physicians that the individual sees is important to have at all times in case of medical care or emergency. This list can be typed or written and kept in a purse or wallet. HOSPITAL/AMBULATORY CARE CENTERS: It is a good idea to know of nearby hospitals, urgent care centers or other forms of ambulatory care centers in the area of your travel. These suggestions will help make travel much easier, safer and potentially life-saving for our senior family members! Dr. Nicholas Jansson is a board certified Internal Medicine physician at Franciscan Medical Clinic – Seahurst in Burien, WA.

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