“The right direction in life is determined by choice, not chance. If you are going to pedal like crazy, make sure you are going in the right direction! ”- Tom Ziglar
We can’t always anticipate what’s around every corner, but there are often signs telling us of things that will get in the way of our success.
Pay attention to the signs and reroute, even if on a road less traveled.
-Jill Bilka
“You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it.”- Paul Coelho
I had hoped to swim out of the 2020 funk like an Olympic swimmer when the calendar flipped to a new year, but I may need to just “tread water”. This is still better than drowning! We need to give ourselves and others a bit of grace, and take pride in the times we just tread water- it is better than the alternative. As Dory in Finding Nemo tells us… Just keep swimming!
“What would you attempt to do, if you knew you could not fail?” – Robert Schuller
Have you noticed the little dare devils children can be, seemingly “fearless”? The possibilities are so much more attractive than considering the fall. Watching my son on his skateboard is both terrifying, as well as inspiring as he repeatedly dusts himself off. Why can’t we all recapture that feeling of possibility, what really is the worst that will happen? Take a new chance in 2021 and try something new. Feel the fear, but do it anyway. But only listen to the positive self talk this time!
Prescription drug misuse is among the fastest growing drug problem in the United States and the vast majority of this misuse is due to prescription opioids. Opioids can negatively affect the reward center in the brain, leading users to need more and more over time and as a result these drugs can be highly addictive. Beneficial when used according to a doctor’s instructions, opioid pain medications should be taken only by the person for whom a doctor has prescribed them. People should never share or take a prescription prescribed for someone else. It’s dangerous and illegal.
Wondering what you can do to prevent medication misuse, abuse and accidental poisonings in your community? By having honest conversations with family and friends and taking simple, yet vital steps to safeguard your medications and protect your loved ones. Take the next step. Implement a plan for safe storage and disposal of the medication in your home. Being aware of the location of medications in your home makes a difference. These strategies make your home safer for children, pets and the environment. Take a look around. What are you doing to safeguard your medications?
Your Checklist: Simple, yet vital steps to safeguard your medications and loved ones
Store medications safely by keeping them out of reach – lock them in a drawer or cabinet or a medicine lock box.
Properly dispose of unused and expired medications at a free take-back site near you. Find a take-back site anywhere in Washington State at TakeBackYourMeds.org.
Talk to your doctor about other ways to manage pain.
Ask your pharmacist to fill prescriptions partially.
Never share or take a prescription that wasn’t prescribed for you. It’s dangerous and illegal.
Have conversations with friends and family about the dangers of opioids and the risks of misusing prescription drugs.
Talking to your friends and family about the risks and dangers associated with opioids and prescription drug misuse can be tough, but it may be the most important thing you do. Learn more at GetTheFactsRx.com.
* It Starts with One campaign is funded by Washington State Health Care Authority.
Article Provided by:
Community Prevention Project Specialist
360-952-3461
https://www.preventcoalition.org/
|
“Do not judge others by your own standards, for everyone is making their way home, the way they know best.”
– Leon Brown
I have a secret… this Thanksgiving I went to Hawaii with my family for vacation. I was afraid to post a single photo on social media because of the judgement of others for traveling during COVID. We did everything possible to be safe for ourselves and others. Quarantined, tested before leaving, direct flights, masks and face shields, testing after arrival, all activities were outdoors with my family only, testing upon return, and quarantine now. For those that sit in judgement…I get it; my family is managing stage 4 cancer and have rescheduled this trip 3 times since diagnosis due to the pandemic. Remember when judging others… we never know the choices another person is making and what they are weighing
“You can disagree without being disagreeable.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
With the election results looming, this seemed like a fitting reminder for all of us. We do not need to agree, we don’t even need to debate, but we should try for a bit more civility. I don’t agree with most of my family on political issues, but that does not mean that I don’t love them. We can still value the person, and dissent with an opinion.
The answer to this question may surprise you. There are some conditions that mimic dementia and cause cognitive impairment. This is what we refer to as reversible dementia. In order to define the term, we first must understand what dementia is. Dementia is a collection of disorders involving cognitive impairment, and there are many different types. Alzheimer’s disease is the most frequent diagnosis, but not all dementia is Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s cannot be improved and is irreversible dementia. Reversible dementias on the other hand can be improved or eliminated. As we care for people with all sorts of conditions and diseases it is important to be aware of any behaviors or issues that we observe so we can inform healthcare professionals and an accurate diagnosis can be given to the patient. Let us define reversible dementia.
Reversible dementia is any type of dementia caused by a condition or agent that, once treated, or removed, can be controlled, cured, or improved. There are many different conditions that cause potentially reversible dementia. The most common conditions are:
So, are these dementias always reversible? Sadly, no, not always. Because in order to be reversed, the underlying condition causing dementia must be diagnosed and treated correctly early on in its presence. If these conditions are not brought under control or cured, or are left untreated, then brain damage can result, and that can be permanent. Many cases cannot be reversed because people assume that since the condition is dementia it cannot be cured. However, if the dementia diagnosis is in question the next step should include a physical exam, bloodwork, imaging, and neuropsychological testing. Once a diagnosis has been made, it must be followed by proper treatment of the underlying condition. Then, and only over time, might it possibly be reversed.
Getting a memory screening is a simple and safe “healthy brain check-up” that tests memory skills and other thinking skills. A memory screening is not used to diagnose any particular illness and does not replace consultation with a physician; however, it is an important first step toward finding out if an individual may have a memory problem. Individuals who score below the normal threshold, or who still have concerns about their memory, are advised to follow up with their physician for a thorough evaluation. A memory screening once a year, like an annual physical, is an effective way to determine if your cognitive skills are changing.
Article Provide By:
ComForCare Home Care
503-400-6637
www.ComForCare.com/Oregon/Salem
“A rising tide lifts all boats.” -John F Kennedy
This quote was shared with me after our last sponsor breakfast call, and I think it really speaks to our efforts surrounding case management week, managing COVID updates online, and postings about Fire resources this past month. When we all work together- every one of us benefits. Not every provider is able to be a sponsor in our Retirement Connection Guide, but everyone of us has an opportunity to be a resource.
“People cry, not because they’re weak. It’s because they’ve been strong for too long.” -Johnny Depp
This weekend I had a minor (very, very minor) miscommunication with my husband about dinner, followed by my uncontrollable crying. Needless to say, he was confused! I wasn’t really crying over what was for dinner- as it may have seemed. Maybe… I was crying because cancer has altered so many of our other plans; or because COVID doesn’t allow us to go to “our place” for our anniversary; or… who the hell knows. In reality, I was crying because I had kept it together long enough and it had to come out. Our feelings have to go somewhere, find a safe place for them. Thanks Lyman for being that safe place!
