COVID-19

Being prepared for the hospital

Cheryl WirtleyLeave a comment

COVID has continued much longer than any of us anticipated. How many of you have discussed hospital logistics with your loved ones? COVID has caused hospitals to restrict visitors.  If you take a family member to the emergency room you may be asked to wait in your car.  Some hospitals are beginning to allow visitors, but only one per day.

It is important to be prepared for a  hospital visit, even if you do not have plans to be in the hospital.  Pack a bag or backpack as if you were going to the hospital.  Here are things you should include in your bag :

  • Current medications
  • Medication list by name (multiple copies)
  • Medication list by the time (multiple copies)
  • Copy of Living Will
  • Copy of Durable Power of Attorney for health care
  • Paper and pen
  • Sweater
  • Change of clothes
  • Parkinson’s Foundation Aware in Care Kit.
  • Paperback book

The Parkinson’s foundation created a hospital kit, called the Aware in Care Kit, which is free and available from their website.  You will find the following things in the kit: fact sheets for the nurses, a hospital action plan, a medical alert card and bracelet, and a medication form.  This kit is invaluable to you and the medical staff.  The nurse fact sheet shows which medications are harmful to patients with Parkinson’s.  Take one sheet and stick it in your wallet.   There is an online form to fill in with your medications.   Enter your information in the table and print it out.  How easy is that?  The link below will take you to the page where you can order your kit for free. I have not seen this information anywhere else.  Order yours today.

Last, but not least, be your own advocate. Speak up if you did not receive your medications or they were not given on time.  Let the nurses know if there is a problem or you are feeling worse.  Your partner/spouse/friend may not be with you to advocate on your behalf.  Speak up, speak out.  Use your voice.  Your goal is to get well,  so you can return home to your family.

Diversion

Cheryl Wirtley2 Comments

COVID and wearing masks is on everyone’s minds.  Many of us are staying at home to avoid contracting COVID-19.  We are all trying new ways to adjust to the new normal because none of us have ever been through anything like this.  I keep remembering, when I was working, all I wanted to do was stay home.  Now that I’m staying home, I want to go out.  Isn’t that the way?  We always want something else.  I realize that I should only refer to myself.  I’m sure all the readers of this blog are not wanting to get out of the house.

What do we do to get through this? One of my goals is to get outside,  so I have been walking in the park regularly.   Distraction is the best way to deal with staying home.   Do you have projects around the house you can do?  Fun projects, not the maintenance or decluttering project: painting, coloring, crafting, sewing, knitting, crocheting?   Start working on the project again and see if you can finish it.  I’m going to do the same thing myself. 

I find that baking can be a nice diversion. Certainly, looking for delicious desserts is fun.  I found two links to different cheesecakes:

Now, I have never made these, but that’s the fun of it, right?  Cook or bake something you have not made before.   Take up a new hobby: drawing, coloring, painting, knitting, crocheting, or crafting?  Any hobby will work.  Hopefully, this time will pass quickly and we shall soon see our family and friends.  In the meantime, be safe.