Posted by Hotel Recovery Blog Manager on Sun, Aug 29, 2010 @ 05:34 PM
A recent study about the benefits of palliative care gained much attention in the media, as it suggests that patients facing a serious illness may feel better and even live longer if they receive palliative care.
The Center to Advance Palliative Care defines palliative care as “the medical specialty focused on improving overall quality of life for patients and families facing serious illness.” Palliative care is coordinated with their other health care providers and focuses on communication and pain and symptom management.
Research published in the most recent edition of the New England Journal of Medicine showed that patients suffering from a form of fast-growing lung cancer reported a better quality of life when they received early palliative care in addition to regular cancer treatment as opposed to cancer treatment alone.
Patients participating in the study who received palliative care self-reported better quality of life including less pain, less nausea, less worry and more mobility. The palliative care group also were less frequently diagnosed with clinical depression and ended up living close to three months longer than those who did not receive palliative care.
The increase in life expectancy comes even though patients receiving palliative care were less likely to choose aggressive treatment at the end of life. Researchers hypothesize that this is because aggressive treatment can be painful, interrupt sleep, and force patients into a hospital where infections or bedsores shorten their life span.
Caring for a loved one with a serious illness is never easy, but palliative care can be an important component of treatment. By minimizing symptoms and helping a seriously ill person remain independent, palliative care can be instrumental in improving overall quality of life.
Posted by Hotel Recovery Blog Manager on Sat, Aug 21, 2010 @ 08:31 AM
A good night’s sleep is essential to feeling good throughout the day. Sleep habits can change with age, however, and special attention must be paid to the elderly to ensure they’re getting enough rest. A hospital stay can disrupt sleep, and recovering from an acute medical event at home may help to restore natural sleep patterns.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, older adults can have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. This can be exacerbated by medications and schedule disruptions, the kind that can occur after a hospital stay or an acute injury.
The National Institutes of Health offers some helpful information on how older adults can get a good night’s rest.
- Follow a regular schedule each day, going to sleep and waking up at the same time. Don’t try to nap during the day, try to get some natural light during the afternoon and develop a routine at bedtime.
- Exercise during the day, and watch what you eat. Don’t drink caffeine during the afternoon, and remember that nicotine is a stimulant. Alcohol can disrupt sleeping patterns, making it harder to stay asleep.
- Make sure a bedroom is both safe and comfortable. Darkness and quiet can help sleep. Use a bedroom only for sleeping.
Sleeping too little is associated with serious health consequences. According to the National Sleep Foundation, too little sleep can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, heart problems, or psychiatric conditions.
When recovering at home, home care workers can ensure that you or your loved one adheres to a schedule and has a comfortable place to sleep. This is especially important for older adults receiving care, for whom getting enough rest may already be hard enough.
Posted by Hotel Recovery Blog Manager on Sat, Aug 14, 2010 @ 12:23 PM
After surgery or an acute medical event, a doctor may recommend a cane or walker for safe mobility. Last week, as part of a two part series, we looked at how to choose a walker. This week, we will examine how to choose and use a cane.
A cane can support up to 25% of a user’s weight, and can assist in mobility and confidence. Typically, walkers are recommended for people who are recovering from injuries to the foot or leg, who have a mild balance disorder or who have arthritis of the knees or hips.
The correct height for a cane is measured from the wrist to the floor. The American Geriatric Society offers some recommendations for how to choose a cane:
- Wear your normal shoes and hold your arm with a 20-degree to 30-degree bend in the elbow.
- Ask someone else to measure the distance from your wrist to the floor. This measurement should be about equal to the distance from the point where your leg bone fits into the hip socket to the floor.
- If necessary, adjust the cane to match your measurement. Too-short canes can upset balance, while too-long canes are harder to pick up.
- Aluminum canes can be adjusted with a spring-loaded lock button that allows the tube length to be adjusted, while wooden canes must be cut to the desired length. Talk to a physician or physical therapist if, after adjustment, a cane still doesn’t feel right.
In addition, the Mayo Clinic recommends that cane users who need to bear weight choose a model with four tips, while single-tip canes can be used for balance. Numerous kinds of grips are available to fit any hand.
If using a cane for stability, either hand can be used to grip the cane. If recovering from an injury or if a particular leg is disabled, the cane is usually placed in the opposite hand from the affected leg unless a physician recommends otherwise. In either case, the cane should be moved in unison with the leg opposite the hand holding the cane.
A cane can be an important tool in keeping or regaining mobility after an injury or when having trouble with balance. Choosing the right cane can help you or a loved one remain independent and mobile.
Posted by Hotel Recovery Blog Manager on Sat, Aug 07, 2010 @ 01:30 PM
When you or a loved one is coming home for a recovery, a doctor may recommend the use of a walker or a cane to safely move around the house. In a two part series, we will look at how to choose and use a walker and how to use a cane.
A walker is used to provide support and balance while in motion and may help improve confidence. Typically, walkers are recommended for people with severe arthritis of the knees or hips, weakness in legs or hips or a balance or gait disorder that is moderately severe.
The correct height for a walker is measured from the wrist to the floor. The American Geriatric Society offers some recommendations for how to choose a walker:
- Wear your normal shoes and hold your arm with a 20-degree to 30-degree bend in the elbow. (If your upper arm is at 12 o’clock, your hand points to 5 o’clock.)
- Ask someone else to measure the distance from your wrist to the floor. This measurement should be about equal to the distance from the point where your leg bone fits into the hip socket to the floor.
- If necessary, adjust the walker to match your measurement. Most walkers are adjusted by pushing in buttons on each side and sliding the tubing to the new length until the buttons lock in place.
- If your walker doesn't feel right, ask your physician or physical therapist to check the fit.
In addition, the Mayo Clinic recommends that walker users select a comfortable grip that encourages a steady hand. Some grips are comfortable but become slippery if hands are sweaty, while other grips are too small for people who have trouble grasping things tightly.
The tips of a walker should have non-skid rubber tips that keep the walker from moving too far forward. Check tips and replace them if they’re worn. If you are using a walker on carpeted surfaces, a tennis ball cut and placed over the tips of the walker can ease movement.
A walker can be an important tool in keeping or regaining mobility while in your home or in the community. Choosing the right walker can help the user feel comfortable enough to remain independent.
Please call 617.542.9991