Elderly and Falls

I’m actually on the plane right now writing this.  I'm on my way to see my grandmother in Houston.  She is turning 96 years old this weekend!

Part of the reason for my visit is to spend time with her and celebrate her birthday, but the other part is to be there when the home health agency sends a nurse to evaluate her for home physical therapy.  My grandmother has had three falls in the past year and fortunately did not break a hip.   Falls in the elderly are very common and more times than not result in hip fractures which then leads to a fast decline in health.  The rate of deaths associated with hip fractures and falls in the elderly is extremely high.  Therefore, it is very important to try to prevent falls.

Here are a few things that can help prevent falls in the elderly:

• Routine physician visit to screen for things that can affect balance such as:  
• vision screening
• hearing screening
• going over medication list for interactions and medicines that impair mental function
• taking vitamin D may help with prevention of fractures
•  Maintenance of strength, agility, and balance
• daily exercise is key
• sometimes physical therapy is needed
•  Making the home environment more safe:
• remove rugs and other items that can trip patient – often home agencies can send nurse to evaluate the home and make suggestion
• avoidance of stairs – best if can be on one level instead of having to go up and down stairs often throughout the day
• adequately light walkways
•  Using assistant devices
• install hand rails
• raise toilet seats with arm rests
• grab bars for showers and tubs
• plastic seat for shower and handheld shower head for washing
• use of walkers and canes

To take antibiotics or not?

Happy New Year, folks!  

It has been a busy past few weeks with extended family visiting.  Plus, I've been sick with a nasty upper respiratory infection which started out like a regular cold with sore throat and congestion.  I actually thought I beat it after a few days and was getting better, but then I came down with a cough that worsened and kept me up all night.  Finally, after a week of symptoms that did not seem to be resolving, I took antiobiotics.  Even then my cough lingered and only two nights ago did I finally sleep through the night without waking from coughing!

I was pretty miserable and probably took so long to recover because my immune system is stressed from the hustle and bustle of this season. Since I've been with my kids all week 24/7 I really worry that I transmitted my germs to them.  It is probably inevitable and I'm dreading the sleepless nights ahead.

So how do you know if your sickness is viral or bacterial requiring an antibiotic?  This is a busy time of year for our practice and we get a lot of requests for antibiotics.  Unfortunately, most upper respiratory infections are viral and antibiotics would not help at all.  It may just be coincidence that someone starts to feel better after they start taking the antibiotics prescribed.

Usually antibiotics are prescribed if there is clinical evidence of an ear infection or strep throat.  It would be indicated for sinus infection if there is significant facial swelling/pain or has lasted for more than 10 days.  Otherwise, most sinus infections will resolve on its own with supportive care.  However, most people cannot wait that long and come to the office after only a day or two of symptoms.  Most claim they fear a worsening of symptoms if they do not "nip it at the butt".  Therefore, most doctor offices will give in and prescribe more antibiotics than really necessary.  This in turn can lead to resistance where antibiotics will become less effective.

My rule of thumb is to at least give it a good week to see if there is improvement.  If no improvement after one week or if symptoms are worsening, then perhaps antibiotics is warranted.

The most important rule of thumb is to wash hands frequently and adequately!

When Tragedy Strikes

My heart has been very heavy... and honestly when my husband and I paused to pray for the tragedy in Connecticut the other night, I did not really know what to pray.  I didn't want to just pay lip service. I was gripped with such grief and can only imagine what those 20 moms might be feeling...

This poem caught my eye today and I thought I'd share it:

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  - John 8:12

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

Christmas Traditions

Long time no write!  This time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is pretty crazy.  I try to avoid all the hustle and bustle by doing a lot of my shopping online.  However, even so there seems to be an endless list of things to do.  

Thankfully... at least this year... my kids are not focused on gifts.  Since my oldest is five years old this year, I really hope to share and instill in her the true meaning of this season.  I've gotten so many great ideas from the last MOPS meeting I went to last week.  I wish I can do them all!  I plan to try some ideas this year and maybe some other ideas next year and see what goes.  

I'm excited because I don't remember too many set traditions growing up other than a great time of gathering with family and cousins.  The focus was mainly on just family, fun, and presents.  I remember how all us kids would put together little shows and skits and perform for our parents.  I also remember going to Atlantic City almost every year on New Years Day!  Haha... those were the "traditions" I grew up with.

Therefore, I am excited to set some traditions now for my kids... but instead of focused on just family, fun, and presents... though that should probably all still be a part of it... I want the focus to be on Christ.

Here is a list of some ideas I got from either my MOPS group or online or some other source...

Advent Candles and Wreath
We never did advent candles at home growing up though I remember our church would light them the Sundays leading up to Christmas.  I'd like to try the advent candle idea this year with my kids and see how it goes.  Oops.. we missed the first two Sundays but I figured we'll just catch up this Sunday and go from there.  Click here for a pretty good explanation of the meaning behind the candles and wreath.

Advent Calendar
I actually found an advent calendar that I started to do with my kids from the beginning of December.  My kids are excited to do this everyday because they get to open up a little compartment which has a verse for the day and a surprise chocolate treat inside.

Truth in the Tinsel
This is highly recommended by many and it truly intrigues me.  I don't think I can manage it this year but it is on my list to try for next year.  Click here to read more about it but apparently this is an e-book and there is a daily lesson, craft and verse leading up to Christmas.

Jesse Tree
This is also a daily devotion starting on Dec 1 that starts with creation and ends with the birth of Christ.  The idea is you read a verse and hang an ornament a day on a small tree leading up to Christmas.  I've heard some families use a quilt instead of a tree.  Here is one link that has the list of verses and ornaments... there are many online.  Here is a link on Amazon where they are selling a variety of ornaments/books related to this.

Nativity Interactive Set
So after hearing about this at MOPS, I ordered "What God Wants for Christmas Interactive Nativity Kit".  This is for the week leading up to Christmas where the kids get to open up a gift box a day which six of them contains a character in the Christmas story and the seventh a mirror.  Going to try it this year and see how it goes.

25 Jesus-Centered Christmas Books
I've heard about this idea from different sources and love it.  However, this year we'll just read these books during nap or bedtime without the wrapping part.  Perhaps next year I may try to wrap them up.  Realistically we'll have to see because wrapping up 25 books would take some planning during the month of November when we have Thanksgiving and two birthdays to celebrate.  Here is a great list of Christmas books from Vanderbilt Wife blog.

Tinsel Box
I hope I got this one right but my understanding is that every "service" or "act of kindness" done in the month of December or all year round for that matter... gets written on a sheet of paper and slipped into this box.  Then the box is opened on Christmas day and the family can read and go through all the slips of paper put in there.  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  (Matthew 25:40)

Christmas Caroling
I really want to do this.  I love singing and think it would be a lot of fun for the kids.  I'm just not sure if there is any specific etiquette.  I googled and didn't really see anything too earth shattering.  Hmm.. maybe we'll try it with one or two neighbors that we are more familiar with and see how it goes.  When I mentioned the idea to my kids they thought the door to door part was similar to trick or treating... ha.  Well, I want to give cookies or baked goods or something when we do this instead of asking for candy.

Cookie Exchange
Not sure if this is so much a tradition... but most people probably bake or eat cookies around this time.  I'm going to try a cookie exchange this year so we'll have more variety to choose from.

Alright, what else?  Any other traditions out there? 

Terrible Three

My middle child just turned three years old this past Tuesday.  Many of you may agree with me that the three year old stage is far more challenging than the famous "terrible twos" stage.  It definitely does vary from child to child, but this was certainly true with my older one and several parents I've spoken to have agreed with me.

What is it that makes this stage so hard?
It is all related to development and how their little minds are learning new things, their wills are earning to be independent, yet their emotions are difficult to control.  They get frustrated easily when their little hands and bodies can't keep up with what their minds want them to do.

Now our middle child is fairly mild and even though this stage is a challenging stage for her, we are not experiencing the all-out body thrashing tantrums that our older child use to throw.  No.. with this one it is more of a stubborn and silent defiance.  She will sometimes have a scowl on her face if she is not getting her way but she does not melt down nearly as much as our first.

I wrote this entry when my oldest was in her two's...  her three's were actually much harder to deal with.  Now that she is five, I think it is safe to say that she has outgrown the tantrums.  She will always be my emotionally sensitive one, but she is learning to control her feelings better...

Now, my third child was starting to throw mini tantrums after turning one.  We are already bracing ourselves for when he turns two then three...  too bad they don't stay this cuddly and compliant!

Ok.. so some practical things I've learned to deal with tantrums:

• try to stay calm while child is freaking out (this is not always easy but important)
• we may both need a time out to calm down
• physical hug and assurance of love
• don't give in to the demand or they will learn that tantrums can get them what they want
• avoid triggers that will set off tantrums (routine really helps)
• make sure getting enough sleep (tiredness definitely leads to more emotional breakdowns)

Five Years And Counting...

Yesterday was my first child's fifth birthday.  Five years ago, we brought home our teeny little baby and began this adventure called "parenthood"... did we really know what we were getting ourselves into?  

There are so many books out there... but really... until I actually stepped into this role of "mommy" I don't think I ever could have imagined all the highs and lows that come with mothering.

It has been such an intense journey... filled with lots of giggles, sweet kisses and cuddly hugs... but also has its moments of agonizing frustrations and exasperated explosions.  Sometimes I feel inadequate and defeated and worry about how my reactions and actions will affect this little being.  
Those are the times I look up to my loving, patient Father in heaven in desperation and plea that His grace covers over the multitude of my mistakes.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Counting Blessings

November is here!  Which means Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  Many blessings to count for this year... especially with the recent aftermath from Hurricane Sandy, I'm reminded of all the things I often take for granted (like lights and hot water).  We were very fortunate to gain back power so quickly and to sustain little loss.  Here is a photo of the only damage from the storm really that I can see in our backyard.  Pretty impressive that the winds picked up these ceramic tile pieces and smashed them.  Oops.. we had put away the chairs and didn't think to put away this little table as well...

My prayers and thoughts go out to all those who have suffered much more loss and damage to their homes and those still without power and heat.