A Guide to the Safe Use of Pain Medication

Click on the title of this post if you would like to see the new posting by the FDA about the safe use of pain medication.

I thought this was important to post, since we all know most of our Elders are dealing with pain issues on a daily basis (and, probably at least half of us).

Of note for Elders in particular:

1. Be careful of acetaminophen (tylenol) if your Elder is taking a prescription pain medication. Many prescription pain meds have some acetaminophen in them, so by giving more acetaminophen you are risking an overdose. Acetaminophen overdose can be deadly, impairing liver function.
2. If your Elder is taking acetaminophen as needed for pain relief, and s/he is doing this without your assistance, please make sure s/he is not taking more than the label says to take. It is very common for Elders to think they can take as much tylenol as they want, thinking it won't hurt them. Even at normal dosages, acetaminophen can cause liver damage in Elders who already have liver problems, or are taking medicines that put undue strain on the liver. If you are in doubt about any of this, consult the Elder's doctor about how much acetaminophen is OK for your Elder to be taking on a daily basis.
   
3. With NSAID's (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen, be mindful of the risk of stomach bleeding especially in Elders, and especially in those already taking blood thinners. NSAID's can also cause impairment of kidney function.
4. Use opiods (prescription narcotic pain medicines, such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone or hydrocodone) with caution in the Elderly. Opiods can cause drowsiness, and in Elders can cause confusion, unsteadiness and a higher risk of injuries from falls. Also, while taking opiods be careful not to mix them with alcohol, antihistamines, or other prescription medicines that cause sedation or drowsiness such as medicines for anxiety or for sleep.
5. Be aware of the active ingredients in all medicines your Elder is taking to avoid harmful interactions or accidental overdose.

That's it in a nutshell, along with some of my own experience. As always, this information is to ensure that you and your Elder have many Pleasant Days.

FDA's Health News for Older Adults

The FDA has posted the latest edition of "Maturity Health Matters". (just click to view the webpage).

This is the FDA Health News for Older Adults, their Families and Caregivers. There is information about food safety in regards to importing foods, and irradiating foods like iceburg lettuce and spinach for greater safety, with a FAQ section.

I have probably said before, you can't be too careful with your Elders and food to prevent foodborne illnesses. Elders (along with small children) tend to be extremely susceptible to contaminated foods. Infections like salmonella can hospitalize and Elder and cause an untimely death.

Speaking of which....you still need to be careful of peanut products.

Wishing you all Pleasant Days!

Peanut Butter Recall Widget

I found this on the FDA recall website for the current salmonella outbreak. Since many of our Elders love the things that peanut paste is a big part of----check out your products with this widget.

Safety Concerns for your Elder

While perusing the web as usual, I found something quite useful to many of you who are caring for Elders with safety problems. This device can be found at 1-800wheelchair.com
and looks fairly priced. The site has alot of things available for activities of daily living problems and mobility problems as well.

We have used similar devices while caring for our Elders, and they are a "God-send". You will be doing yourself and your Elder big favors by preventing accidents, falls from bed or from a chair with the resulting possibility of horrid injuries that your Elder may not be able to recuperate from.

If your Elder tried to get up without assistance with this device in place, an alarm will sound to let you know. For Elders with poor balance or coordination, combined with poor memory or confusion, that try to get up without your assistance and risk falls and fractures, this is ideal. You will also realize some peace of mind, knowing you can leave your Elder unattended for awhile.

Just trying to help you create some "Pleasant Days" for yourself and your Elder.

Is It Dementia, or Is It Depression?

Often, an Elder suffers with the symptoms of depression needlessly, because the signs of depression in an Elder can be very different than in a younger adult. Statistically, clinical depression affects about 6 million Elders, but only 10% get treatment. Depression late in life is more common than we like to think about, and makes for very Un-"pleasant days".

The main reason it is hard to recognize is because Elder Depression is often accompanied by other common problems of "old age":

• chronic illness
• medications treating those diseases
  
• loss of physical ability
• loss of mental capabilities, and along with this the ability to cope with change and stress
  
• loss of social support systems through death of relatives
• relocations

Not only is depression unpleasant, but it also can increase the risk of heart attacks, increase the risk of death from illnesses, increase the risk of suicide, and slow the convalescence from illness or injury.

In short, this is something that your Elder and you should not have to deal with. So, pay attention, look for these symptoms:

• increased confusion or memory problems (the most common sign, in my experience)
  
• less energy, sleeping more (or insomnia)
• restlessness, irritability
• loss of appetite (more common in Elders than eating more)
• loss of interest in things that used to hold the Elders attention, or things that were enjoyable.
• increased pain, or more physical complaints
  
• sad facial expression most of the time
• verbalizing negative, pessimistic, hopeless type things more often
  
• unable to be "cheered up"

If your Elder exhibits even 1 or 2 of these, have her/his physician evaluate for depression.

For an article on Depression in the Elderly on WebMD click (here).

This will explain risk factors and treatment options. And there are links to other articles on WebMD that explain how different treatments work.

There are many ways to treat depression for your Elder, and it is worth the effort to diagnose and treat this problem.

I would recommend that you work closely with the Elder's physician rather that trying home remedies, herbal remedies and such. Your Elder is likely taking other prescription medications that may interact badly with homeopathic remedies. And the risk factors for a depressed Elder are too great to try to deal with this problem without medical guidance.

Wishing you and your Elder Pleasant Days!

New "Links" section Added

Just wanted to let you all know that I have added a new section for your assistance. Occasionally I run across news articles that are pertinent, helpful, informative, etc. When I do, I will post a link under "Links to Helpful, Informative, Interesting Articles."

Happy New Year to all:
May all of you and your Elders have Pleasant Days throughout the New Year.

We're Right in the Middle of Flu Season

(Side note: Sorry, I've been away, getting everybody ready for Christmas).

Winter is not my favorite season. Even here on the bay, where the sun shines most of the time, it still gets cold and damp during a few months in winter. It does, however, make for spectacular sunsets and sunrises.

Here we are, having a wonderful Holiday Season, Christmas being the most important time for many people, especially our Elders, and now we are suddenly struck with the threat of severe illness. It happens every year.

Flu season for our Elders can be a life threatening time. This is serious stuff. Many Elders, especially those who are very old, and those with chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable. Illness can come on even when others in the household appear well. Influenza by itself is not usually life-threatening if you are healthy, but it can cause a series of problems that the Elder can not handle physically.

First, the FDA has a wonderful article called "Get Set for Winter Illness Season". So, I will not state again what is already in the article. If you are a caregiver for an Elder, please read this article and follow the advise. It will keep you and yours well.
But, I would like to remind everyone of the special concerns for the Elders.

Many Elders have poorly functioning immune systems, whether caused by chronic illness, physical deterioration, poor nutrition, or the types of medications that have to be taken. This puts them at higher risk than anyone, even around people who "appear" to be well.

Many cold medicines sold over the counter are laden with drugs that many Elders should not take because of chronic illness, or because of possible interactions with prescription medicines. There have been several articles about this problem. Here is one of them, called "A Prescription for Problems".

Many Elders are particularly prone to respiratory complications when suffering from viruses like a cold or influenza. This puts them at risk of life-threatening pneumonia, worsening heart conditions, and long hospitalizations.

Along with all the other physical problems Elders may have, there is often a problem with nutritional and fluid intake. This can become worse when your Elder is sick and not willing to eat or drink, quickly becoming a serious dehydration, malnutrition problem. Now you have a virus, dehydration, and more strain on all body systems. It's a downward cycle that soon requires hospitalization to correct.

Then there are all the other complications that come along with poor nutrition, poor hydration, respiratory viruses, and the resulting bedrest and/or hospitalization: like loss of the ability to walk, incontinence, weight loss, skin breakdown, and acute confusion. Your Elder ends up having to go to a nursing home after a lengthy hospitalization, and now we all have very unpleasant days.

So, a little prevention can go a long way. Check out the articles above, and arm yourself with the information you need.

Wishing your Elder and you many Pleasant Days during the Holiday and Winter Season.