Soure: Winston-Salem Journal

By Annette Fuller
Published: February 09, 2011

Doctors’ busy schedules are no excuse for them not taking the time to discuss end-of-life care options with their patients, said Dr. William Blackstock, program director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

“Some of my colleagues do a fabulous job of discussing these issues with their patients,” Blackstock said. “But too many of my colleagues almost never have these discussions until the patient is seriously ill. At that point, they may be taking pain medication that can confuse them. We need to have these conversations sooner than that.”

And it’s not just an issue of doctors not having enough time, he said.

“There is a skill set to this,” Blackstock said. “We are not trained to do this. It’s not something that we emphasize during residencies or fellowships.”

That’s why Blackstock is glad that the American Society of Clinical Oncology recently published a 24-page booklet, available online, that advocates for more involved conversations between patient and doctor earlier in the process about the patient’s choices for care and treatments during his or her last few months of life, if treatments are not successful.

Cancer patients are “at different places” when doctors first bring up this topic, Blackstock said.

“Some want these discussions early; some want it later,” he said. Even if the patient puts off the topic, due to fear, “it is still the doctor’s responsibility to engage the patient in this discussion. It’s part of taking care of them, just as much as the medical treatment.”

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For more information about Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, contact Ann Gauthreaux, public relations director, at 336-768-3972, or see Hospice’s website at http://www.hospicecarecenter.org!

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Some people maintain strong driving skills as they age. But over time, most of us lose physical abilities that are key to safe driving. Indeed, only teens have more accidents per mile than do adults over age 65.

Advanced years alone are not a reason to stop driving, however. Health, fitness, and thinking power, not age, determine a person’s ability.

Following are signs of possible problems:

- Trouble with vision or hearing. Watch for problems seeing lane lines or pedestrians, overlooking stop signs, or judging the speed of oncoming traffic. Other signs include discomfort with glare or driving at night.

- Inability to twist or turn easily. Arthritis and stiff muscles can make it painful to turn and look when needed. This can lead to trouble when backing up, changing lanes, or merging with traffic.

- Medication use. Many medicines can slow thinking and response time. Drugs for depression and anxiety can do this, as can sleeping pills and medicines for heart conditions, colds, and allergies.

- Dementia. At “early” stages, many individuals can still drive safely. Talk to your loved one’s doctor about a driving skills evaluation.

- Two or more recent tickets. Consider tickets a yellow, warning light. Common infractions include poor parking, running a stop sign, or going the wrong way.

- Two or more recent accidents. Parking lot and sideswipe accidents indicate driver error. Poor depth perception also causes seniors to have a very high rate of left turn accidents.

Take regular ride-along outings. Notice your loved one’s skill level and confidence level. Ask for input from friends and neighbors.

It is important to approach this subject with sensitivity. In the meantime, you may want to explore self-assessments your loved one can take privately, at home. These two were created by the American Automobile Association’s Foundation for Traffic Safety.

AAA Roadwise Review (30-minute multimedia screening tool measuring specific mental and physical capabilities)

AAA Drivers 55 Plus: Self-Rating Form (15 multiple choice, text-based questions)

For more, visit http://www.hospicecarecenter.org!

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Our Annual Hospice Yard & Bake Sale is Saturday, June 12th!

Hospice & Palliative CareCenter will have their annual Yard & Bake Sale on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at Maple Springs United Methodist Church at 2569 Reynolda Road.

The Hospice Yard & Bake Sale helps raise money for Hospice patients and families who need help with groceries, heating costs, fans, etc.

WE NEED DONATED ITEMS TO SELL!! – We are accepting items at Maple Springs United Methodist Church on June 10th, 8a – 5p and June 11th, 8a – 7p.

Come hungry and ready to browse and buy! Homemade BBQ, cakes, pies and cookies will be available. No early birds please! Cash only please.

Check out The Offical Flyer!

For questions or to donate items, call: 336-331-1472

For more, Visit us online at: http://hospicecarecenter.org!

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If your family member needs medical oxygen, the crucial ingredient for successful vacation travel is planning ahead.

First, decide how you will be traveling. By air, train, or cruise ship? By bus or car? This information will help determine how much oxygen your loved one must carry.

Advance planning

• Consult with the doctor for medical clearance to travel. Obtain a brief medical history to carry along. Include a list of current medications and an oxygen prescription.
• Create a list of contact information of health care providers.
• Check the health insurance plan for guidelines regarding out-of-area medical emergencies. The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers has a planning tool for international travel that can help you identify health issues for your specific destination. They also list resources for traveling with lung (pulmonary) conditions.

Oxygen supply

• Have a respiratory therapist calculate how much oxygen will be needed. Allow for an extra supply in case departure or arrival times are delayed.
• Contact the airline, train, cruise ship, or bus company to make arrangements for oxygen. The requirements are different for each mode of travel.
• When flying, prepare for getting through the security checkpoint with oxygen.
• When traveling by car with oxygen, secure the tank in an upright position. Ensure that no one smokes. Crack the window to prevent oxygen build up.

Vacation days, have your loved one

• Wear emergency medical identification. Keep medications on hand at all times. Pack them in carry-on luggage and day-trip gear. Include a current prescription list and contact information for all health providers.
• Stay hydrated. Airplane air is especially dry. Drink lots of water and skip the caffeine or alcohol.
• Avoid sitting for long stretches of time. Try to move around every hour or so.
• Keep up to date about air pollution and weather at their destinations. Be alert to conditions that may make breathing more difficult.

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For more, Visit us online at: http://hospicecarecenter.org!

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