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A Caregivers Vacation Reflections
Atlanta Floods
The Atlanta floods began four days before I went on vacation. While at home, I was preoccupied with the damage and devastation resulting from the floods. One of the hardest hit areas damaged by the floods was in Austell, Georgia; about 5 miles from my home. Since that area isn’t in a flood plane, it was totally unexpected.
After I arrived in the Bahamas and had time to relax and reflect over some things, I began to wonder what we would have done if the floods had affected us. My main concern was how long it would take to get Gladys out of the house. We would not have had time to wait to see how much the water might rise. Because Gladys moves so slowly, we would have to act immediately. So I came up with a preliminary plan for flooding and just in case we needed to leave home quickly.
The Flood Plan
I needed a go bag for Gladys. I already had one that I got into the habit of keeping when I used to travel frequently. Now I have an emergency bag packed for Gladys that includes a night shirt, robe, disposable briefs, baby wipes, denture cleaner, a change of clothes and a copy of “How to Take Care of Gladys.” Her medicine is already in a pink hospital tub that is easy to grab.
There is a Comfort Suites that sits on a hill about a mile from my house. That’s where I would go for temporary lodging in case of a flood.
So, that’s my plan. Any upgrades to this plan are appreciated. I’m sure I forgot something.
Twitter and Facebook are Valuable Resources
Even though a lot of my friends and acquaintances think Twitter is nonsense, I find it to be a great networking tool. The main reason I have a Twitter account is to keep up with what’s going on in caregiving, elder care and dementia. However, I found a new appreciation for Twitter and Facebook during the floods and my vacation. When the flooding started, our television, primary phone and television were all out (so much for bundling). I was able to access Twitter on my cell phone and follow 11 Alive News to keep up with the latest flood information. Facebook kept me updated about my friends and church members who were flooded out.
While on vacation, there were some problems with my Internet service. I could receive e-mail but not send and the on-site IT was no help at all. Obviously, I needed to communicate with my husband, Fred and be available to answer any questions for the caregiver I hired to help with Gladys while I was gone. Fred sent me messages through Facebook’s private messages and my daughter sent messages through Twitter’s direct message. My only other option was International phone calls (not an option). I check messages several times a day so it worked out well.
Last but not least:
Stress can Cause Hot Flashes
This may not come as a surprise to some of you but it was a big surprise to me. I didn’t realize that stress induces hot flashes. How did I come by this realization? On the last day of my vacation I had a “disagreement” with the front desk about a partial refund for my Internet service. Almost as soon as I hung up the phone, a hot flash! My first since I left home. Of course, I didn’t want to rely on my own “realization” so I looked it up.
By far, the most common cause of hot flashes is a stress reaction that causes epinephrine and norepinephrine release into the blood stream. (Your Complete Guide to Menapause)
So to wrap this all up: I have a plan (of sorts) to move Gladys quickly in case of an emergency. I have newfound respect for Facebook and Twitter and I try to avoid stress induced hot flashes. Not bad for vacation reflections.
NFCA Teleclass: How to Prevent Medication Mishaps
The following information is from the National Family Caregivers Association. They asked members to forward it. If you are a caregiver for an elderly family member, please register for this free class.
Bad reactions to medications result in 100,000 deaths a year.
Don’t let your loved one become a statistic!
If you are caring for a loved one who is:
- Elderly
- Taking multiple medications
- Seeing more than one doctor, or
- Suffering from multiple illnesses
…your loved one may be at risk. What can a Family Caregiver do?
Join us for FREE to find out.
Safe & Sound: How to Prevent Medication Mishaps
A National Family Caregivers Month Event
Thursday, November 12, 2009
2:00 – 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Free by telephone or on-line
To Register go to
You will find answers to these and other questions:
- When are medication problems most likely to occur?
- What can I do to minimize risks associated with medications?
- What are the questions I should ask doctors and pharmacists?
For More Information
Email: Teleclass@thefamilycaregiver.org
or call: 1-800-896-3650
National Family Caregivers Month is proclaimed every November as a time to thank, support, educate and empower
everyone providing care to loved ones with chronic ailments, disabilities or the frailties of old age.
Please forward this invitation along to your families and friends and encourage all the family caregivers you know to register to participate in this free event by phone or on-line.
Proposed Changes to Georgia Personal Care Home Rules and Regulations
This information was forwarded from the Georgia Advocacy Team (part of Alzheimer’s Association – www.alz.org). If you love in Georgia, please respond.
Proposed Changes to Personal Care Home Administrative Rules and Regulations–In July, a person with Alzheimer’s disease wandered away from the personal care home where she lived in Augusta, and after two days of searching, was found deceased. The Association Vice President for Programs, Services and Public Policy Ginny Helms notified the State that this death reflects the fact that the Personal Care Home regulations do not have provisions ensuring the safety of persons with dementia.
Ginny was invited to discuss the regulations with the Healthcare Facility Regulations Division Chief, Doug Colburn. He and his staff made changes to the administrative rules and regulations that will better protect persons with dementia. The Board of Community Health is holding a public hearing on the proposed regulations on Wednesday, October 21st. We are asking that you write a letter in support of these new regulations and mail or e-mail it to the Board of Health. The deadline for the postmark on the letter, or for their receipt of your e-mail is 5:00 p.m., Thursday, October 22.
To e-mail comments: wmcgaha@dch.ga.gov
To mail comments:
Members of the Board of Community Health
c/o General Counsel Division
2 Peachtree St, NW
Atlanta, GA 30303-3159
Key talking points include
- I am concerned that current administrative rules and regulations for personal care homes do not have provisions to ensure the safety of persons with dementia.
- Nearly 70% of persons with Alzheimer’s disease wander.
- Of those who wander, if they are not found within 24 hours, up to 50% risk serious injury or death.
- Existing regulations do not adequately address the risk of wandering and leave residents with cognitive impairment at risk for harm or death.
- I believe that Requirements for Memory Care Services set forth in Section 111-8-62-19 of the Ga. Admin. Comp. Ch. 111-8-62, Personal Care Homes (new) proposed rules and regulations address the concern about lack of safety provisions in personal care homes and the risk of residents wandering from personal care homes.
- I appreciate the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division’s response to the concern expressed by the Alzheimer’s Association, GA Chapter, in developing these rules to help ensure the safety and well-being of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment. I appreciate the Board of Health’s supporting these changes to the administrative rules and regulations.
If you do send an e-mail or letter, please e-mail us and let us know!
Coordinating Council for Human Services Transportation (SB22)—Please contact the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Board Members in your area and ask them to approve the inclusion of Coordinating Council for Human Services Transportation (SB22) as part of their 2010 GDOT Agenda for action this upcoming Session. Please visit the GDOT website for a complete list of Board Members, district maps, meeting agendas, etc. Their website is: http://www.dot.state.ga.us/Board/Pages/BoardAgenda.aspx.
This would benefit individuals with Alzheimer’s, especially those newly diagnosed who may be beginning to have difficulty with driving and are worried about loss of independence when they lose their ability to drive—especially if their caregiver is a spouse or other individual who does not drive—this will provide another transportation option for them. This will also help to minimize costly duplication of routes and beginning and ending points as various human services agencies pass each other picking up passengers and transporting them often to some of the same facilities—doctor’s offices, banks, grocery stores, dialysis, etc.
If you do send an e-mail, please e-mail us and let us know!
Thank you for taking the action—one voice can make a difference—your VOICE does make a difference to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their families!
