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February 2010
In This Issue:
Heart Attacks – Know the difference between men’s and women’s symptoms
Caregiving in America – The nation's newest magazine for family caregivers
Tip of the Month – Keep dangerous items away from your loved one
Online Resources – Web sites and Twitter feeds to encourage caregivers
Winter Itch – Tricks and tips to keep your loved one comfortable |
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Understand Heart Attack Symptoms |
February is American Heart Month. Each
year since 1963, The American Heart
Association has worked with the presidential
administration to draft and sign this
annual proclamation in an effort to urge
Americans to join the battle against cardiovascular
disease and stroke.
This is a great time for a
refresher on men’s and
women’s heart attack
symptoms, because they
can differ. The symptoms
of a male heart attack are
more well known and
include chest discomfort,
arm and back pain, sweating and shortness
of breath.
In women, however, fatigue and shortness
of breath are the most common symptoms
of a heart attack, and nearly half of the
women in one study had no chest pain at
all during their heart attack. Women
should also watch for nausea, indigestion,
and palpitations as signs.
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If your loved one experiences signs of a
heart attack, don’t wait to see if the symptoms
will subside. Call 911 and describe
what symptoms your loved one is experiencing
and where you are located. Then
crush or have them chew a full-strength
aspirin and swallow with a glass of water
to prevent further blood clotting. If you
can’t find water nearby, just have your
loved one chew and swallow the aspirin.
Every second counts during a heart
attack.
When you arrive at the emergency room,
demand that the medical staff take your
loved one’s symptoms seriously. The doctor
should give them an EKG and/or blood
enzyme test to confirm that they are having
a heart attack.
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Caregiving In America |
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Tip of The Month |
Caregiving in America is the
nation's newest magazine
for family caregivers and
their support network.
Through a collaboration of
experts and strategic partners
who offer helpful services,
information and education,
this monthly magazine
will encourage, inspire and
uplift family caregivers
nationwide.
In it, you'll read personal
stories, professional articles
and other valuable
resources. You'll feel
recognized and supported
in your role as a caregiver.
And most importantly, you'll
discover that you are not
alone.
Visit their Web site at
www.caregivinginamerica.com
for a 12-month introductory
offer for only $10.
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Keep dangerous items away from your
loved one. This is especially important if
your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or
dementia. This type of patient may not
remember that certain items, such as
knives, are dangerous and can easily cut
themselves.
Also, keep away plastic bags from a loved
one with memory problems. It would not
take long for them to suffocate.
Furthermore, phone
cords and other cords are
a concern, as your loved
one could accidentally
become entangled in
them and choke themselves.
Pick one day a week to do a quick safety
check and one day a month to do a complete
safety inventory.
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Online Resources |
Are you on Twitter? Here is a list of family
caregiver and senior advocates to follow on
Twitter:?
 http://twitter.com/caring
 http://twitter.com/GilbertGuide
 http://twitter.com/mike_gamble
 http://twitter.com/Caregiving
 http://twitter.com/ForCaregivers
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Not into Twitter yet? Check out these great
caregiving Web sites instead:
www.caring.com – This site was created to
help you care for your aging parents and
other loved ones. Their mission is to give you the information and other resources you
need to make better decisions, save time,
and feel more supported.
www.gilbertguide.com – This site is the
leading senior care website where families
can find practical solutions, expert
information and the most comprehensive
senior housing guide and homecare
directory for aging parents and loved
ones.
www.caregiving.com – On this Web site,
eleven family caregivers share their days
through their own blogs.
www.familycaregiving101.org – This site
is designed to provide caregivers with the
basic tools, skills and information they
need to protect their own physical and
mental health while they provide high
quality care for their loved one.
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Dealing with “Winter Itch” |
Is your loved one suffering from “winter
itch”? Winter itch is that dry, cracked, red
and scaly skin that seems to creep up
during the cooler, windier winter months.
Scratching doesn’t help and taking baths
or showers only seems to make the skin
even drier.
Older people are especially at risk for winter
itch. As skin ages, the outer layers
tend to thicken and crack. This can happen
all year long, so when the temperatures
and humidity both drop, winter itch
only exacerbates the problem.
How can you help your loved one combat
winter itch? One way is to run a humidifier
in their house during the winter months
to bring some moisture back into their
environment. Also, limit your loved one’s
use of hot water and soap. Bathing with
lukewarm water is better for winter itch.
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Additionally, you should protect your
loved one’s skin from the cold wind and
sun and be sure they moisturize often.
Gold Bond offers
anti-itch creams
and lotions that
are great at combating
winter itch
because they are
medicated. You
can receive $1.00
back on every eligible purchase of Gold
Bond products. Just visit www.caregiversmarketplace.com for a list of eligible products
and a printable rebate form.
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| Follow Us On Twitter |
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Find Us on Facebook |
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You can get cash back every time you buy the following brands. Simply complete and return a cash back form and send in your receipts to receive your cash back check.
It's really that easy!
The Caregivers Marketplace does not sell products but makes cash back available on purchases made
at your favorite retailer. New products are added often. Visit www.caregiversmarketplace.com for up-to-date product listings. |
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Aspercreme® |
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Gold Bond® |
| External rub works fast for hours of relief from muscle and joint pain. |
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A complete line of medicated, anti-itch skin care products. |
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Balmex® |
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Icy Hot® |
| Treats diaper rash, other minor skin irritations and helps prevent recurring skin conditions. Available in zinc oxide or white petrolatum formulas. |
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Long-lasting pain relief from sore muscles, aching joints and arthritis. |
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Benzodent®
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Kaopectate® |
| An analgesic cream containing benzocaine for the temporary relief of minor mouth and gum irritation caused by dentures, orthodontic appliances or injury. |
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Anti-diarrheal and upset stomach, indigestion and heartburn reliever.
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Cortizone-10
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Oasis® |
| For temporary itch relief from minor skin irriations, inflammation and rash. |
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Oasis Moisturizing Mouthwash and Mouth Spray have been specifically designed to help patients suffering from a dry mouth.
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Cottonelle Fresh Folded Wipes® |
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Poise® |
| Moist wipes that deliver a cleaner, fresher feeling than dry toilet paper. |
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Protects women of any age who experience loss of bladder control. |
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Depend® |
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Surfak |
| Provides comfortable and effective bladder control protection for both men and women. |
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Gently relieves constipation in a once-a-day dosage. Restores natural balance with no stimulants. |
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