The Essence of Survival
“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed…every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle…when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”
~ Successories
Every day I wake up, hoping to be the Lion. Sometimes I am, but not always. My days are more successful when I am proactive in managing my schedule and look a bit into the week or month, instead of reactionary when my schedule begins to get the best of me. I hope on the days when I am the gazelle- that I go quickly and peacefully.
~ Amy
Opposition
“Don’t be afraid of opposition. Remember, a kite rises against, not with, the wind.”
~ Hamilton Wright Mabie
Sometimes competition doesn’t always feel warm and fuzzy. But in reality- competition drives improvement and innovation. Our competition makes us stronger and better by forcing us to provide improved service and products.
~ Amy
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) chambers work by surrounding the patient with 100% oxygen at higher than normal atmospheric pressure in sessions.
Breathing 100% oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure is a painless, proven way to help the body heal. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) chambers work by surrounding the patient with 100% oxygen at higher than normal atmospheric pressure in sessions, or dives, that last 90 minutes to two hours. This increases the amount of oxygen in the patient’s blood allowing red blood cells to pass more easily through the plasma into the wounds to heal them from the inside out.
Introduced in the mid-1960’s, HBO chambers have evolved to treat patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections, compromised skin grafts and flaps, and wounds that haven’t healed within 30 days.
Weighing more than one ton each, the HBO chambers resemble a reclining bed encased in a clear acrylic shell nearly a yard in diameter. Patients can listen to music or watch movies on televisions and VCR/DVD players mounted above the chamber while remaining in constant contact with those outside the chamber through an intercom and private handset. The only physical sensation resulting from the treatment is a slight pressure on the eardrum, such as that felt when a plane lands, as the air in the chamber is compressed.
This non-surgical, painless procedure, called hyperbaric oxygen therapy, allows oxygen molecules to pass through blood plasma more easily and speeds healing. HBO may be used for wounds that haven’t healed in 30 days despite multiple treatments, or for other medical conditions. These include:
- Diabetic ulcers
- Lower leg ulcers
- Bone infections
- Gangrene
- Radiation skin irritations
- Post-operative infected wounds
- Wounds from brown recluse spider bites
- Failing or compromised skin/muscle grafts or flaps
- Vascular disorders resulting in poor blood circulation
The Wound Healing Center uses HBO to treat patients referred by a variety of medical specialists. In most instances, Medicare, Medicaid and the majority of insurance plans cover HBO.
Article Provided by:
PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center
360-514-4325
www.peacehealth.org/southwest/woundcenter.org
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Coping with Parkinson’s Disease
If you or someone close to you has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), you probably have many questions and concerns and you may be on an emotional rollercoaster.
If you or someone close to you has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), you probably have many questions and concerns and you may be on an emotional rollercoaster.
Remember that you are not alone. As many as one million people in the US and an estimated seven to ten million worldwide live with Parkinson’s disease.
With a diagnosis now in hand and the freedom to learn at your own pace, you can begin to understand Parkinson’s and its treatments and the role they will play in your life. Your diagnosis can be the first step to taking charge of your life with Parkinson’s disease. What are some next steps?
Inform Yourself about PD:
You will need time to adjust to the new diagnosis, so educate yourself about PD – slowly. Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon provides individual counseling, educational workshops, a HelpLine, suggestions of local support groups and classes to help you and your loved ones become informed.
Assemble a HealthCare Team:
Managing PD and the varied symptoms that arise over time requires expertise and a team of health professionals. In addition to a neurologist you trust, you might seek connection with a social worker, physical therapist, speech therapist and of course your primary physician as well.
Make a Plan for Telling Friends and Family:
As Parkinson’s symptoms progress, friends and family may notice changes and become concerned – even though you are feeling fine! Remember, you control the information about your diagnosis and how you share with others. A simple explanation is typically sufficient. If you have concerns about disclosing at your workplace, ask your physician or seek advice.
Accept Support From Others:
You don’t have to cope with Parkinson’s alone. There is a community ready to accept you, share stories of success and bolster you on down days.
Get Moving!
There is no better time than today to take action to control your health and wellness. Find an exercise class, learn about nutrition and engage with your neurologist to optimize your treatment plan.
With Parkinson’s disease, situations will change. You will need to be prepared, flexible, and willing to seek information and support as needed.
If you have questions about Parkinson’s, resources in the community or would like to schedule a time to talk with one of our counselors, please call: 800-426.6806.
Article Provided by:
Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon
800-426-6806
www.ParkinsonsResources.org
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Home Health Services and Medicare
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers eligible home health services
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers eligible home health services like intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language pathology services, continued occupational services, and more. Usually, a home health care agency coordinates the services your doctor orders for you.
Medicare doesn’t pay for:
- 24-hour-a-day care at home
- Meals delivered to your home
- Homemaker or Companion Services
- Personal Care or In-Home licensed care
Who’s eligible?
All people with Medicare who meet all of these conditions are covered:
- You must be under the care of a doctor, and you must be getting services under a plan of care established and reviewed regularly by a doctor.
- You must need, and a doctor must certify that you need, one or more of these:
- Intermittent skilled nursing care
(other than just drawing blood) - Physical therapy, speech-language pathology, or continued occupational therapy services. These services are covered only when the services are specific, safe and an effective treatment for your condition. The amount, frequency and time period of the services needs to be reasonable, and they need to be complex or only qualified therapists can do them safely and effectively. To be eligible, either: 1) your condition must be expected to improve in a reasonable and generally-predictable period of time, 2) you need a skilled therapist to safely and effectively make a maintenance program for your condition, or 3) you need a skilled therapist to safely and effectively do maintenance therapy for your condition.
- Intermittent skilled nursing care
- The home health agency caring for you must be Medicare-certified.
- You must be homebound, and a doctor must certify that you’re homebound (you have trouble leaving your home, or leaving your home is not recommended).
You’re not eligible for the home health benefit if you need more than part-time or “intermittent” skilled nursing care.
You can still get home health care if you attend adult day care.
Note: Home health services may also include medical social services, part-time or intermittent home health aide services, medical supplies for use at home, durable medical equipment, or injectable osteoporosis drugs.
Your costs in Original Medicare
- $0 for home health care services.
- 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for durable medical equipment.
Before you start getting your home health care, the home health agency should tell you how much Medicare will pay. The agency should also tell you if any items or services they give you aren’t covered by Medicare, and how much you’ll have to pay for them. This should be explained by both talking with you and in writing.
Article acquired from:
www.medicare.gov
Provided by Retirement Connection
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Opportunity
“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Every time we hire a new person, add a new feature to the website, promote a new event, or open a new market – I am always afraid. Afraid of failure; afraid I will disappoint others; afraid of the financial implications and more. But in the long run I need to remember that I did my due diligence, made an informed decision and remember I can adjust course as needed. My advise to you- feel the fear and do it anyway. Use the fear to motivate yourself.
~ Amy
Work Ethic
“Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.”
~ Babe Ruth
As we grow our new guide in Southern Oregon and start working with our new team in Puget Sound we must continue to focus on the basics that helped get us here- customer service and networking. Being somewhat successful once, by no means guarantees our future success in any market. We still need to attend batting practice every week, even though we have previously hit a home run. The game changes and so do the pitchers.
~ Amy
Take Ownership
“A man can fail many times, but he isn’t a failure until he begins to blame somebody else. ”
~ John Burroughs
We try very hard on our team to manage those above, beneath and beside us. When we fail, we will each own it (even if we are not the cause). When it goes well- the team did it. When it goes badly- the person taking the call owns it. Blaming another person never makes it better.
~ Amy
Print Guide – Portland/Vancouver – January 2014