Volume 2, Issue 2 |
June 28, 2004 |
The new Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card that is in effect now was designed to help some Medicare recipients with their prescription drugs costs.
The first important thing to know about this card is: If you DO have outpatient prescription drug coverage through Medicaid, you DO NOT qualify for the Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card. The second thing is: These cards will be good UNTIL December 31, 2005 only. Third, there may be an annual enrollment fee of no more than $30.00 per year.
Once approved, you also may qualify for up to a $600.00 credit each calendar year to help pay for prescriptions depending on your income.
They will not send you a $600.00 check, but each time you go to the pharmacy they will deduct a portion of the total price of your prescription from that credit amount.
What you are going to save really depends on what your prescription is and where you are used to buy it from. That means you will need to compare each card to find out which one is offering the best possible deal.
To help you do that Medicare added a tool to their web site: www.medicare.gov, select “Prescription Drugs and Other Assistance Programs”. You can also ask Home Health Care Professionals to check it out for you: We will be happy to mail you the results.
One major problem is that companies offering the card can change their discount drug list and the discounted prices ANYTIME. They will give you information about, and changes to, their discount drug list if you ask for them. Also, you can’t switch to another card for the rest of the calendar year unless: (i) you move to an area that does not offer your current card, (ii) you join or leave a Medicare Managed Care plan, (iii) you enter or leave a long-term care facility, or (iv) your current card is cancelled.
If you have any doubts on a card, call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.
Even though a connection in between hypothyroidism and high cholesterol has been well established, millions of Americans are still being undiagnosed or under treated! People who have been diagnosed with high cholesterol should ask their physician about having their thyroid checked. If they have an underlying thyroid condition in addition to their high cholesterol, the cholesterol problem will be difficult to control until normal levels of thyroid hormone are restored. It is not really understood why doctors still fail to ask for thyroid testing consistently when high cholesterol is found, especially in women.
Who said that tofu is tasteless and hard to prepare?
Tofu is made out of soymilk from soybeans. It is prepared like cheese would be, by soymilk being separated into curds and whey. You can find it soft, firm or extra firm. Try my version of the Tofu a la Marinara; you’ll be surprised! I guarantee it!
| Ingredients: | 2 cups of Marinara sauce |
| 1/2 pack of firm tofu | |
| 3 medium button mushrooms | |
| 1 cup of cooked broccoli florets | |
| 6 slices of mozzarella cheese |
Directions:
Unpack, rinse and drain tofu. Leave in the fridge overnight with a weight on top so most of the water runs out. In a medium skillet over medium heat, pour 1 cup of the Marinara sauce. Let heat up for 3-5 minutes. Wash and slice mushrooms. Add to sauce. Cook for 2 minutes. Add broccoli. Slice tofu about ¼ inch. Layer tofu on sauce and vegetables. Use the remainder of sauce on top. Cover. Cook for 10 minutes. Add slices of cheese. Let melt for 3-5 minutes. Serve with a mix greens salad and light Italian vinaigrette. Makes 2-3 servings.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency when your body does not sweat enough to lower its internal temperature. It can develop rapidly and needs immediate attention. The Elderly population is particularly vulnerable; last year nearly 15,000 people died in France during the August heat wave.
There are several heat related illnesses. Most of them, although not life threatening, can lead to heat stroke if ignored.
Heat cramps are caused by muscle contractions in the gastronomies or hamstring area (muscles in the back of calves). They are forceful and painful. When they occur, drink water, move to a cool air environment and rest.
Heat syncope happens when the body compensates for too much heat by diverting blood from the brain to the skin, making you faint. Stay in the shade, or better, stay inside in a well vented cool environment. Drink water and rest.
Heat edema is the swelling of hands and feet. Drink water and rest.
Heat rash happens when the sweat pores are blocked. As a result a red itchy rash appears. Often it is a sign that you are overdressed. Most elderly always “feel cold” and have a tendency to layer clothing. Undress, stay in a cool environment, and make sure you are properly hydrated.
Excessive heat and dehydration can cause the body to overreact, raising body temperature to over 102. Symptoms include: muscles aches, paleness, nausea, weakness, dizziness, vomiting, fainting, clammy skin, rapid pulse, and diarrhea.
Heat exhaustion is serious and should be carefully monitored. Cool, shady environments, liquids, cool but not icy cloths placed on various areas of the body and replacement of electrolytes are used to treat this condition. If you are elderly a call to the emergency room is certainly a good idea.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and the most severe form of heat related illnesses. Anyone exhibiting the signs and symptoms of heat stroke should be rushed to the nearest hospital. Unlike other forms of heat illnesses, heat stroke does not have to be caused by exercise or exertion. High temperatures, lack of body fluids and overexposure to the elements can all bring about heat stroke.
The first sign to look for in a victim of heat stroke is: hot, dry skin that is red and flushed but not sweaty. It is critical that they receive emergency care immediately to relieve their body of heat. Other signs of heat stroke will differ from person to person and include: a body temperature of 106 or higher, confusion, agitation, hyperventilation, lethargy, convulsions, hallucinations, seizures, headache, rapid pulse, unconsciousness.
While waiting for the emergency services to come, they are few immediate measures you can take: (i) if outdoors, get the person inside where it’s cooler, (ii) remove clothing and apply cool but not icy water patches on the body, (iii) have the person lay down with their feet slightly elevated, (iv) apply ice packs to the neck, underarms, and groin, and (v) use a fan.
Be aware that even weeks after a heat stroke, the body temperature, especially in the elderly, can still fluctuate abnormally.
Hydration
Always keep your body well hydrated no matter the temperature outside. Water is your best bet. In extreme heat avoid drinks with caffeine like coffee, tea, or some sodas. Do not drink alcohol.
Ventilation
Stay in a place where there is plenty of airspace which will help allow your body to naturally cool itself. Sitting in a shaded, wide open area will help your body rid itself of heat through sweating. If you're indoors, always open windows, or use a fan, turn central air or air conditioning on during excessively hot days.
Clothing
Lightweight, tightly woven, light colored, loose fitting clothing will help your body in breathing and cooling itself down naturally. It’s okay to wear a hat to shield yourself from the sun, but once you feel yourself getting warm, it’s best to remove any items that are covering your head and get indoors as soon as possible.
Talk to your Doctor
If you are taking medications like (i) gastrointestinal drugs containing atropine; (ii) antidepressants or antipsychotic; (iii) antihistamines (for allergies); (iv) cardiovascular drugs including beta blockers and diuretics; or Parkinson’s disease drugs, you want to be extra careful during heat waves.
Assessing pain can be difficult in impaired patients. The most difficult part is measuring the severity of the pain. There is little information available about how behavioral cues can be used to quantify pain severity. The University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital Pain Care team suggests using the following scale for cognitively impaired adults.
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|
0 |
1 2 |
3 4 |
5 |
|
Vocal/Cry |
No cry |
Occasional whimpers |
Moaning, gentle cry, or whimpering |
Consistent cry that increases in volume and duration |
|
Facial |
Smiling, calm, relaxed |
Neutral expression, frowning, occasional grimace |
Occasional tense expression, slightly negative expression (e.g. grimace), brow bulge, shallow naso-labial furrow |
Marked distress. Brow bulge, eyes squeezed shut, open mouth, taut tongue, deepening of naso-labial furrow |
|
Behavioral |
Neutral, moves easily, interacts with people or environment |
Easy to console with position change; winces when touched/moved |
Consoles with moderate difficulty; cries out when moved/touched |
Inconsolable; high pitched cry or scream when touched or moved |
|
Body Movement/Posture |
Normal motor activity, baseline muscle tone |
Fidgeting; mild hyper tonicity above baseline |
Moderate agitation or moderate immobility; intermittent flexion; moderate hyper tonicity above baseline |
Incessant agitation or strong voluntary immobility; pronounced flexion; strong hyper tonicity above baseline |
|
Sleep |
Sleeping quietly with easy respirations; normal sleep/ rest periods |
Restless while asleep |
Sleep periods shorter than normal, awakes easily, sleeps intermittently |
Unable to sleep or sleeping for prolonged periods of time interrupted by jerky movements |