By Sheila Warnock
WHO TAKES CARE OF THE CAREGIVER?

People facing a medical crisis try to “circle the wagons” and tough it out. The result is usually caregiver burnout. While the doctors, nurses, therapists and medical community take care of the patient and the illness, the needs of the caregiver are often overlooked. Who will drive the kids to school? How can we get the shopping done? How do we schedule and keep doctors’ appointments? Ordinary tasks quickly turn into major needs-and soon overwhelm the primary caregiver.

There is a way to make a difference…SHARE THE CARE^TM

Share The Care is a cost effective, supportive, community-based group caregiving model born out of the experience of 12 people (mostly strangers to each other) who came together and stayed together for over three years to care for a friend with terminal cancer. Two of them wrote the book so others wouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel.
It’s called Share The Care, How to Organize a Group to Care for Someone Who Is Seriously Ill, Simon & Schuster (1995, 2004)

Share The Care details how ordinary people can pool their talents, time and resources and create a “caregiving family” to help someone they know facing a health or medical crisis. A Share The Care group supports not only the person in need but their entire family as well. And if someone has no family nearby the group becomes “family.” It’s a sure way of turning offers of “What can I do to help?” into positive action.

A Share The Care group can help regardless of the situation-whether the person (or child) is in need of short-term rehabilitation, suffering from a long-term or terminal illness, or someone is just facing the increased difficulties associated with aging. For example, a church group in Texas recently organized to help a new family in town with the care of their newborn quadruplets.

The model has served as a blueprint for groups in at least 38 states, as well as internationally in Canada, Iceland, and Israel. In May 2005, The Library Journal cited it as “One of the best consumer health books of 2004.” Share The Care is also a winner of Today’s Caregiver magazine’s 2008 Caregiver Friendly Award.

The mission of ShareThecaregiving, Inc. (a 501c3 organization) is to promote and educate people about group caregiving. We offer Share The Care trainings, lectures and customized workshops for health professionals, clergy and caregivers. Our web site www.sharethecare.org provides in-depth information about the model. Visitors can read about groups, find helpful resources, link to purchase the book, download all the forms in the book, and provide feedback on their experiences through a questionnaire. We offer weekday e-mail, and phone support to caregivers and health professionals.

Donations can be made through Network for Good on our web site. Your gifts help us cover the costs of producing our educational materials. And we’d love to know if you start a Share The Care group to help someone in need.

By Laura Heuer

In the state of Illinois you have to join the NEW First-Person Consent Organ/Tissue Donor Registry http://www.lifegoeson.com . It only took a few minutes to fill out. Before you get started, have your drivers license with you, they will ask for the number, your name as it appears on your license and your address.

For other states please click here http://www.organdonor.gov/donor/registry.shtm

Go to www.jakoter.com for organizing your health journeys and for expert medical advocacy and consulting.

by Laura Heuer
Expert Health Organizer Consultant

Prescription Drugs have been said to be the “new drug” on the street. So how do we dispose of unwanted prescription medication safely?

I did some searching and here is what I found. In my area there does not seem to be a place to take your medication. I called the pharmacy, the local doctors office and they said to put your old medication in the garbage. I still suggest contacting your local pharmacy and doctor offices and see if they would take your old medication so that it can be disposed of properly. But, if the answer is what I received “no” then here are some guidelines that I found.

1) Do not put your unwanted medicines in the waterway-down the toilet or sink.

2) I found two schools of thought on this, either take your pills out of the original container so no one will be able to identify that these are pills or keep the pills in the original container and use a permanent market to mark out your name and prescription number. The original container is for safety.

2) If your container contains pills, add water or soda to start dissolving the pills. If your container is liquid, add cat litter, saw dust or flour to make it inedible.

3) Tape the container closed with good tape. Duct tape or packing tape.

4) Put these bottles in another container that is not see through and tape this container closed as well.

5) Hide in the trash.

6) That should do it. There still seem to be a better way. If you have a wonderful solution please find a way to make it happen in your community.

Please go to www.jakoter.com for organizing your health journeys and for expert medical advocacy and consulting.

Why Must We Keep Our Own Health and Medical Records
If you ask CK Wilde why she thinks you should keep your own medical records she will tell you:
Reason Number 1 - Medical Records Get Lost or Destroyed
Reason Number 2 - Memory Fails & Doctors’ Notes are Impossible to Read
Reason Number 3 - Doctors Don’t Always Communicate With Each Other
To Read the whole post please click here 3GenFamily Blog
While you are there, please check out all the other wonderful articles that have been written and posted.

Help Your Cause With GoodSearch

By Laura Heuer

Expert Health Organizer Consultant

Is your nonprofit organization looking for away to make money? I found this really innovative way to easily pick up some extra money by doing what you already do and there is no cost to you! This was brought to my attention by the catfish connection publication. So if you do not have an organization to pass your proceeds on, please consider Jim Catfish Hunter.

Here is how it goes. Just start using GoodSearch.com as your search engine and online shopping mall. Every time you search the Internet or make an online purchase at one of their partner merchants, GoodSearch makes a donation to your favorite nonprofit or school and it’s powered by Yahoo! so you get great search results!

1)Visit www.goodsearch.com

2)Enter your Jim Catfish Hunter Chapter or create one for your charity.

3) Begin goodsearching!

It is that easy! Get everyone you know to Goodsearch, everyone in your office and see what happens!

Jakoter can work with you on organizing your health journeys and for expert medical advocacy and consulting.

Waiting Room Material

By Laura Heuer

Expert Health Organizer Consultant

So you sit in the waiting room…. Are you prepared? Prepared for what, you might ask? If you are in a waiting room or in the actual doctors office you should be prepared. Here are a few simple steps you can take to ensure a better visit.

• Write out your questions-if you have not done this prior to your office visit go ahead and do it while you are waiting.

•  Write out your symptoms and be specific - again if you have not done this prior to your office visit do this now while you are waiting.

• Write out your medications - you will always be ask what medications are you taking and what dose.

You may think you can wing it and of course you can but what happens when you wing anything? It just does not have as good as an outcome as it could have. Lets face it our health should be a higher priority then that.

The Medical Group Management Association says the average patient wait time is 15 minutes. The time spent with the doctor is on average 20 minutes.

Be fully prepared for your visit, your health is so important to you and to your loved ones.

If you are a long time patient and always waiting here is a way to past some of the time, click on the how to draw the impossible triangle and print if you wish. No drawing skills necessary.

How to Draw an Impossible Triangle

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

The “rule of three”, where arrangements of triplets have a pleasing effect on the eye, makes this triangle an intriguing shape to ponder and to create. It appears frequently in the art of MC Escher. It is also known as a Penrose triangle or tribar.

Steps

Method 1

1. Sketch an equilateral triangle. This will be the center of your triangle.
2. Lightly sketch two parallel lines outside one side of the triangle. The lines should be equally spaced. Take caution that your lines are drawn straight.
3. Do this for each of the other two sides. Your sketch should look like three triangles nested together.
4. Choose one side of the “center” triangle. Extend one end of that straight line until it reaches the “middle” triangle.
5. Find the same side of the “middle” triangle. Extend one end of that straight line, in the same direction as before, until it reaches the “outside” triangle.
6. Repeat steps for the other two sides of the triangle.
7. Erase short segments so that the triangle begins to look three-dimensional rather than flat. Each edge of this “3-D” shape should look like a reverse “L”.
8. Add short segments at an angle in the corners. These short segments will finish off the outside points.
9. Cleanup your drawing by erasing the points outside of the short segments drawn in the previous step.
10. Add shading if desired.

Method 2

1. Draw a triangle and extend the ends of the lines past where they join.
2. Draw lines from these tips, extending them beyond the corners of the inner triangle.
3. Draw in the ‘corners’.
4. Draw in the final long lines to connect the corners.

Tips

• After you learn this basic optical illusion, you can experiment with more complex arrangements.

Related wikiHows

• How to Draw an Impossible Cube
• How to Draw an Impossible Cube with a Highlighter
• How to Draw an Impossible Cube Using a Pencil
• How to Draw the Triforce

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Draw an Impossible Triangle. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

What is a Professional Health Organizer Consultant?

By Laura Heuer
Expert Health Organizer Consultant

At the bottom of each of our blog post you will see the below caption.

Contact Jakoter @ 847-719-2054 or www.jakoter.com for products that will assist you in organizing your emergency and everyday health needs, for a Professional Consultant to help organize your health journeys and for expert medical advocacy and consulting.

What exactly is a Professional Consultant? Good question!
With so many professional labels and consulting firms I think we should clarify this a bit.

Jakoter has products that do a great job to organize YOUR health. Sometimes though YOUR health can be way to complicated or you just may not be feeling up to the task depending on your situation. That is where we kind of put the chocolate and the peanut butter together and created a hit! Jakoter Health Organizer Consultants consist of individuals or businesses that are mostly comprised of Professional Organizers. They know how to organize your information clearly, although they are not and I repeat they are not medical professionals. The JHOC for short are taking virtual seminars to learn about how all are products and services work to best fit your needs.
The best part is that we are not just in one location! Call us and see if we can help you where you reside.

Why is this a benefit?

Situation one-You have just been blessed with a set of twins, yet you already had three children and now you are in need of a little help. A Jakoter Health Organizer Consultant can help you organize your new babies health records, the rest of your families records, and how about that spare room that really is needed now? Let’s get that organized!

Situation two- your Mom has been diagnosed with diabetes. New food, new doctors, new medications and new routine. You live three hours away. Call us we can help. Organizers are a great way to get you and our Mom on the right track.

Situation three- you really cannot handle the hospital paper work, the bills, you are just not ready yet. We understand but they bills keep coming anyway.  Call us.

Other situations

Seminars
Workshops
Fundraising at all Walks, Runs
Expos

I think you get the picture. Not only do we have organizing products we have people to help do the leg work.

Call us 847-719-2054
Email us info@jakoter.com
Visit our web site www.jakoter.com

By Laura Heuer

Expert Health Organizer/Consultant

Answers By Megan Gardner, MS

Executive Director
The ALS Association
Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter

Q-First can you tell me how long it usually takes to get an actual ALS/Lou Gerhigs diagnosis?

A-ALS is a very difficult disease to diagnose. To date, there is no one test or procedure to ultimately establish the diagnosis of ALS although the ALS Association is currently funding research that will hopefully make diagnosing ALS as simple as having a blood test or a spinal tap. Currently however, it is through a clinical examination and series of diagnostic tests, often ruling out other diseases that mimic ALS, that a diagnosis can be established. A comprehensive diagnostic workup includes most, if not all, of the following procedures:

• Electro diagnostic tests, including electomyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV)

• blood and urine studies, including high resolution serum protein electrophoresis, thyroid and parathyroid hormone levels and 24 hour urine collection for heavy metals

• spinal tap

• x-rays, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• myelogram of cervical spine

• muscle and/or nerve biopsy

• thorough neurological examination

These tests are done at the discretion of the physician, usually based on the results of other diagnostic tests and the physical examination.

Q-Are there any tell tale signs of ALS?

A-At the onset of ALS, the symptoms may be so slight that they are frequently overlooked. With regard to the appearance of symptoms and the progression of the illness, the course of the disease may include the following:

• Muscle weakness in one or more of the following: hands, arms, legs or the muscles of speech, swallowing or breathing

• Twitching (fasciculation) and cramping of muscles, especially those in the hands and feet

• Impairment of the use of the arms and legs

• “Thick speech” and difficulty in projecting the voice

• In more advanced stages, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing and swallowing

The initial symptoms of ALS can be quite varied in different people. One person may experience tripping over carpet edges, another person may have trouble lifting and a third person’s early symptom may be slurred speech. The rate at which ALS progresses can be quite variable from one person to another. Although the mean survival time with ALS is three to five years, many people live five, ten or more years. In a small number of people, ALS is known to remit or halt its progression, though there is no scientific understanding as to how and why this happens. Symptoms can begin in the muscles that affect speech and swallowing as well as in the hands, arms, legs or feet. Not all people with ALS experience the same symptoms or the same sequences or patterns of progression. However, progressive muscle weakness and paralysis are universally experienced.

Muscle weakness is a hallmark initial sign in ALS, occurring in approximately 60 percent of patients. Early symptoms vary with each individual, but usually include tripping, dropping things, abnormal fatigue of the arms and/or legs, slurred speech, muscle cramps and twitches and/or uncontrollable periods of laughing or crying.

The hands and feet may be affected first, causing difficulty in lifting, walking or using the hands for the activities of daily living such as dressing, washing and buttoning clothes.

As the weakening and paralysis continue to spread to the muscles of the trunk and of the body, the disease eventually affects speech, swallowing, chewing and breathing. When the breathing muscles become affected, ultimately, the patient will need permanent ventilatory support in order to survive.

Since ALS attacks only motor neurons, the sense of sight, touch, hearing, taste and smell are not affected. For many people, muscles of the eyes and bladder are generally not affected.

For the vast majority of people, their mind and thoughts are not impaired and remain sharp despite the progressive degenerating condition of the body.

Q- What are some steps you can take to help the process along if there are any in getting an accurate diagnosis?

A-There are several diseases that have some of the same symptoms as ALS and most of these conditions are treatable. It is for this reason that The ALS Association recommends that a person diagnosed with ALS seek a second opinion from an ALS “expert” - someone who diagnoses and treats many ALS patients and has training in this medical specialty. The ALS Association maintains a list of recognized experts in the field of ALS. Contact the Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter for a list of local physicians and/or clinics.

Q-What are some of the best tips you feel will help a patient once they have been diagnosed?

• A-If you suspect you have ALS but are not diagnosed yet, look into the possibility of getting additional term life insurance and/or long term disability insurance.

• ALS is difficult to diagnose. If you were not diagnosed by a neurologist who specializes in neuromuscular diseases, request a referral to one for a confirmation of the diagnosis.

• Recognize that ALS is bigger than any one person or family. You will need help. There are agencies and organizations out there whose specific purpose is to help. Find them and take advantage of what they can offer.

• Register with your local ALSA Chapter. Request information about services and publications available.

• Register with the National ALS Association (800-782-4747). Request an ALS Patient and Caregiver Resource Manual and information about available services and publications.

• Register with your local ALSA Certified Center or ALS Clinic. Request information about services and publications available and sign up to receive the monthly ALS Support newsletter.

• Contact your medical insurance provider and request that you be assigned a case manager to be your primary point of contact.

• Contact an attorney who specializes in elder care law and make an appointment to discuss legal and financial planning recommendations.

• If you served in the military, contact the Department of Veteran Affairs(800-827-1000) about eligibility for health, vocational rehabilitation and disability programs and services.

• If you are employed, contact your state Vocational Rehabilitation Division and request information about available services.

• If you don’t have a computer and internet access, consider getting one. There is a wealth of information and support available on the internet.

• If you can, participate. Research ALS on the internet, attend an ALS support group meeting, join The ALS Association, go to advocacy day, write your congressional delegates… Be active. Do what you can. Do not expect others to do it for you. Being active, involved and participating is the best medicine you have.

• When the time comes, use the cane, walker, and wheelchair to conserve energy and protect your body. The last thing you need is a broken leg, arm or head.

And finally, be careful with alternative treatments that claim to slow down, stop or cure ALS. If the claims were true, they would be front-page news. Unfortunately, there are many individuals offering treatments designed to take your money rather than to cure ALS.

Q-How do you feel is the best way to get your family and friends to understand your diagnosis?

A-Talking openly about what is happening is a wonderful way for family and friends to begin to understand ALS and the impact that is has on you and your family. You can also send them to various internet websites to read more about the disease as well as the various ways they can support you.

You can also encourage your family and friends to attend ALS support groups. Support groups exist entirely for you, the person with ALS, and your family or loved ones. Here is a list of some things ALS support groups provide:

• A forum to share information and practical experience, whether it’s learning how to improve physical function, discussing new drug trials, or experiencing the latest augmentative technologies all geared to helping you live more fully with the disease.

• A safe place to allow your emotions to speak for you. The group offers anunparalleled opportunity to learn how other people cope with various problems similar to yours, to see that patients and family members are not completely unique, and that others experience the same type of feelings and emotions about the disease as you do.

• An educational gathering spot where speakers and caregivers address subjects of major interest and exchange; how to incorporate physical and occupational therapy into your life; how to counteract problems in swallowing and chewing; safeguards that can help you avoid pulmonary complications; and ways of coping with depression and caregiver “burnout”, among many other topics.

• A place to witness firsthand the constant miracle of people continuing to live productive, fulfilling lives in spite of having ALS.

For more information on lou gehrigs, ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis disease or diagnosis, go to www.CatfishChapter.org

Contact Jakoter @ 847-719-2054 or www.jakoter.com for products that will assist you in organizing your emergency and everyday health needs, for a Professional Consultant to help organize your health journeys and for expert medical advocacy and consulting.

By Laura Heuer

Expert Health Organizer/Consultant

Answers by Dawn EIsherwood RNHealth EducatorLupus Foundation of America, Inc

Q- First can you tell me how long it usually takes to get an actual Lupus diagnosis?

A- Unlike other chronic illnesses, trying to reach a diagnosis of lupus isn’t always easy. It can take months or even years for the doctors to put together all of the information that is required to make a firm diagnosis of Lupus. However, today’s physicians have more precise techniques and tests to detect signs of disease. How ever there are many challenges in confirming that a person has lupus and not some other disease. Lupus is known as “the great imitator,” because its symptoms mimic many other illnesses. Also, lupus symptoms can be unclear, can come and go, and can changes.Therefore, a lupus diagnosis is made by a careful review of your current symptoms, your laboratory test results, your medical history, the medical history of your close family members (grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins.

Q- Are there any tell tale signs of Lupus?

A-Symptoms of SLE may include: Extreme fatigue , Headaches, Painful or swollen joints, Anemia (low numbers of red blood cells), Fever (over 100 F), Hair Loss, Mouth Ulcers, and a Skin Rash.Q- What are some steps you can take to help the process along if there are any in getting an accurate diagnosis?Open communication with your doctor about your symptoms and health status. Let the doctor know of your concerns and ask questions.

Q- What are some of the best tips you feel will help a patient once they have been diagnosed?

A- When you receive a diagnosis of a chronic illness such as lupus, many things about your life will change. One of the most important tools you have is yourself! Your own awareness is the key to successfully managing lupus. Your will want to be aware of: your particular symptoms and any changes in your health that could mean new symptoms; what you can do to help prevent lupus flares, and how to know if a flare is starting; and how to identify and control the sources of tension and stress in your life that often go along with chronic illness. Follow the instruction of your doctor. Take your medicines as prescribed. Know when to seek help for drug side effects or new symptoms that might be related to your lupus.

Q- How to you feel is the best way to get your family and friends to understand your diagnosis?

A- Family life will inevitably change when a family member receives a diagnosis of lupus. Good communication will be crucial in making sure that home life remains as normal as possible after you are diagnosed with lupus. Sharing information about the illness, including its symptoms, its treatment, and its prognosis, can lessen everyone’s fears and concerns. The most important thing you can do is let family members know the extent of your pain and fatigue. This will help them know when they need to chip in.

Q- If you have received a Lupus diagnosis where can someone go to on the Internet for more information?

A- For more information on Lupus go to the Lupus Foundation of America web site at www.lupus.org . This web site will give you information on lupus and how to contact the foundation to receive printed fact sheets or to talk to the Health Educator.
Contact Jakoter @ 847-719-2054 or www.jakoter.com for products that will assist you in organizing your emergency and everyday health needs, for a Professional Consultant to help organize your health journeys and for expert medical advocacy and consulting.