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Vol um e 1 6 Is s ue 10
QUOTES
October gave
a party;
The leaves by
hundreds came The Chestnuts,
Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of
every name.
The Sunshine spread
a carpet,
And everything
was grand,
Miss Weather
led the dancing,
Professor Wind
the band.
Oc tob e r , 2 01 6
Emergency
Preparedness
for Caregivers
Caregiving
and Holiday
Rituals
M
assive fires burning entire
neighborhoods in the West.
Record floods in Texas,
Iowa and several other
states. Tornadoes ripping through
unexpected places at unexpected times of
the year. Natural disasters are perhaps the
most frightening of life events because
their massive power reminds us we really
are not in control of the world around us.
Communities and individuals can prepare
for disasters to minimize their effects. Fire
prone areas can clear dry brush and irrigate
to deny fuel to a feared fire. When rivers
run high, neighbors help to fill sandbags to
protect vulnerable areas. And community
sirens warn residents when to take cover
from possible tornadoes.
We are fortunate in West Michigan in that
our natural disasters are few and far
between. But the potential is there. Just last
year, an earthquake fault line was
discovered near Kalamazoo. Unexpected
tornadoes terrorized Allegan County in late
~George Cooper August. We all remember blizzards that
made us prisoners in our own homes.
must go to a shelter (flood). In either of
these situations, it is also advisable to have
a back up person who can help. This is
critical if you work outside the home or
become somehow injured or incapacitated
during the emergency.
Safety resources
recommend that all
caregivers have an
“evacuation bag” packed
and ready to go (like being
nine months pregnant). For this, you must
assess your own needs as well as those of
your patient. Because this would change
for each of you, we can only give a basic
list of suggestions.
1. Pack enough clothing for each of you
2.
“Everyone must take Natural disasters are of particular concern
time to sit and watch to caregivers who have a dear one’s life
depending on their foresight. Even a power
the leaves turn.”
outage caused by a suicidal squirrel
~Elizabeth jumping on a transformer can rise to the
Lawrence level of disaster if her loved one’s life
depends on having power.
As any good Boy Scout could tell us, being
prepared ~having a plan ~ is the key.
Failure to have an emergency plan costs
precious minutes during a crisis while
upping the anxiety level for all concerned.
The plan needs to provide for what to do if
~Bonaro W. Overstreet you are stuck in your home (snowstorm,
for example) and what is necessary if you
“October is a
symphony of
permanence and
change. ”
3.
4.
5.
for a couple of days. This may
ultimately not be enough but it will
give you time to catch your breath and
plan further.
Unless you evacuate to a friend or
relative’s house, you will not know the
conditions you will face. Thus you will
want basics like toilet paper, a bar of
soap, shampoo, tooth brushes and tooth
paste, deodorant, etc. Special items
your loved one may need ~ such as
blue pads or incontinence products ~
should also be in here.
Have a three days supply of each of
your medications. It may seem like a
hassle to keep this updated but will be
well worth the effort if an emergency
occurs.
Bottled water, energy bars, mints, etc.
can help with hungry moments.
Have a copy of each of your
medication and emergency contact lists
(handy forms to fill out can be found at
Continued on page 3
The Caregiver Link
Ask the Caregiver:
Q: I wor r y while watching my mother push away
food because of digestive issues or a lack of appetite. I
know that she needs nutrition and calories in order to
maintain and improve her health, but how do I make this
happen when she doesn’t want to eat?
A: Great question, first make sure she/you talk with her
doctor about her lack of appetite. In the meantime,
there are many ways to fortify a person’s diet – read
on:
 An Egg-cellent Idea Whole eggs ar e an excellent
source of protein and multiple vitamins and minerals. As
a lone ingredient, they are versatile, convenient and
relatively inexpensive. They are great for people with
dental and digestive problems, too, because they are easy
to chew and digest. Many people may worry about eggs
raising a loved one’s cholesterol and consequently
increasing their risk for heart disease, but it’s important
to know that the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
no longer suggests specific restrictions to dietary
cholesterol intake.
 Try Easy-to-Consume Dairy and Meat As a car egiver ,
I focused on protein first with my mom. Other easy-toeat protein sources besides eggs include Greek yogurt,
cheese, cottage cheese, tuna fish, salmon from a pouch or
can, and finely ground beef in pasta sauce. My mom got
to where swallowing was very difficult for her, so I
would make her protein-rich chili with meat and beans
and puree it. You can also put full-fat cottage cheese in
the blender to smooth it out if your elder doesn't like the
curds or cannot manage to swallow this texture. You can
use this creamed cottage cheese as a spread on top of
whole grain toast or add it to jarred tomato sauce to
create a rich pink sauce for serving over pasta.
Blend Up a Smoothie These chilly bever ages ar e a
wonderful vehicle for nutrition, and the best recipes are
rich in protein. You can make your own smoothies totally
from scratch or use the highest protein nutrition shake
you can find in the pharmacy or grocery store as a base.
You can use alternating protein-rich bases like ice cream,
Greek yogurt or a supplemental beverage to blend with a
variety of fruits and even vegetables. You could also add
healthy fats. Your combinations are entirely up to you
and your loved one. Just make sure you work in all of the
protein elements. Most nutrition shakes are highly
fortified with vitamins and minerals, so if you use this as
a daily smoothie base, you probably won’t have to worry
about giving your loved one a multivitamin. If they are
on a blood thinner, though, you need to account for the
vitamin K in any shake you use, and in all foods, for that
Page Two
matter.
 Try Protein Powder These ingr edients ar e ver y useful
for increasing an elder's protein intake because they don't
require chewing, and they don't add bulk to foods. I
prefer whey protein powder because it promotes
protein-building in the body better, but you can also use
dry milk powder or peanut butter powder. There are so
many varieties and flavors on the market. My mom loved
oatmeal for breakfast, so I found a way of transforming
this favorite of hers into a vehicle for protein, using a
powder. Luckily, she was also accustomed to preparing
her oatmeal with milk rather than water. The combination
of the dairy and the powder doubled up the protein
content of this meal.
 Add Fats Butter , tub mar gar ine, canola, coconut and
olive oils, and creamy peanut butter can be added to
foods such as mashed potatoes, smoothies, pureed
vegetables, soups, and so much more. I would load my
mom's foods up with healthy fats whenever I was given
the chance.
 Fill Up on Fiber A good r ule of thumb is to encour age
consumption of whole grains instead of white (whole
grain bread, cereal, pasta and rice), and fruits and
vegetables every day. Legumes, such as black or white
beans, can be served pureed, mashed or whole. They are
packed with fiber and other nutrients. Fruits and
vegetables are also packed with fluid, which works with
fiber to ease constipation. One of my mom's favorite
meals was Amy's Kitchen canned lentil soup, which I
would try to have her eat with a high-protein grain (such
as couscous) and a sprinkle of cheese on top for some
extra fat. Any port in a storm!
 When in Doubt, Opt for Extra Help With my mom, I
liked to use a supplement called Benecalorie with a goal
of adding 1 small container each day to her food. One
container provides 33 grams of fat, 330 calories, and
seven grams of protein, so it can add a lot of nutritional
value without increasing the volume of the food you
serve. This option is not inexpensive, but it was worth it
for my needs. It can go in most foods and is easy to add
to smoothies.
The Caregiver Link
Page Three
Continued from page 1
out that we realize how dependent we are upon it. If you have
the money for it and someone in the home with the
www.AgingInStride.org).
6. Include a reasonable amount of cash for unexpected costs know-how to use it, having a generator is wonderful. They are
usually gas powered so they have to be run outside to prevent
since banks and ATMs may not be available to you.
carbon monoxide poisoning. Unless it is huge, it will probably
7. Take your Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
not power all your electronics but can keep the most
form as well as any other documents you anticipate
needing. If your loved one has dementia, include a recent important items going. Since many events can make the
electricity go out, a generator may be a good investment.
picture in case s/he wanders off in unfamiliar
surroundings.
Most emergency planning information now includes the
danger of a worldwide flu event. To be prepared for this, you
Some items you will have to add at the last minute. For
can consult the government’s web site for this at
example, if you or your loved one needs a C-Pap, you will
www.pandemicflu.gov.
need to remember to take it. You’ll want to grab your cell
phone and its charger to keep in contact with others. It is
By definition, it is worrisome to plan for what to do in a
wise to keep a list of the last minute items in your bag since, disaster. But, once that planning is done, all you need do is
in times of emergency, your thoughts may be too scattered to occasionally update information or materials. We fervently
remember everything. If you have pets, have a Plan B for
hope no disaster befalls any of us but, if it does, it is best to
them since most shelters do not welcome animals unless they be prepared.
are service dogs.
By Andrea Heeres
Of course, the more likely scenario for Michiganders would
be to be stuck at home with snow up the wazoo. This requires
an entirely different emergency stash that does not need to be Questions about Medications for Physicians
and Pharmacists
stuffed into a rolling suitcase. In this case, you need to be
prepared to be at home and quite possibly without electricity. One responsibility of patients and their caregivers is to fully
Electricity is a major issue for patients dependent on oxygen prepare for medical appointments. Before visits, write down
or endangered by the cold. Make sure your energy provider is everything you want to talk about, including important queswell aware that a vulnerable adult lives at your address so
tions related to medications. Take notes during appointments,
you will be high on their list of areas to serve. Here are more and review the notes after the appointment. You may have
items you want to have in the house in case of emergency.
additional questions to ask of doctors and pharmacists, such
1. Several flashlights and a generous supply of the proper
2.
3.
4.
5.
sized batteries. Many folks prefer candles, which lend an
ambience as the flames flicker off the snowflakes as they
cover your windows. But they are also a fire danger at a
time when help may not be able to get to you in a timely
fashion.
Bottled water.
Food that does not require refrigeration or cooking. You
can purchase freeze dried fruits that won’t spoil. Canned
meats such as Spam work as long as you eat it all at one
sitting. Energy bars, juice boxes and peanut butter are
other good choices.
At least a three day supply of your prescriptions and
medical supplies you routinely use. In addition, a first
aid kit for unexpected issues is wise.
Battery powered radio.
as:
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Unless the power is out for an extended length of time,
sheltering at home will not be greatly different than needing 
to stay home with a bad cold or flu. It is when the power goes
Why is this medicine prescribed?
How does the medicine work in my body?
How can I expect to feel once I start taking this
medicine?
How will I know that the medicine is working? Is there a
typical time period after which my symptoms should
improve?
How long will I have to take the medicine? Will I need a
refill when I finish this prescription?
Will this medicine interact with other medications—
prescription and nonprescription—that I am taking now?
Should I take this medicine with food? Are there any
foods or beverages I should avoid? (Grapefruit, for
example, may interfere with the action of certain
medications.) Is it safe to drink alcohol while on this
medicine?
Are there any activities I should
avoid while taking this medicine?
Continued on page 4
Senior Resources of West Michigan
560 Seminole Rd.
Muskegon, MI 49444-3720
The Mission Of Senior Resources
An Area Agency on Aging
To provide a comprehensive and
Nonprofit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Permit #777
Muskegon, MI
Return Service Requested
coordinated system
of services designed
to promote the
independence and dignity of
older persons and their
families in Muskegon, Oceana,
and Ottawa counties —
a mission compelling us to
target older persons in greatest
need but to advocate for all.
To contact us, please call
Amy or Mary at:
231-739-5858 or 800-442-0054
October’s web: http://www.caregiveraction.org/family-caregiver-toolbox
Continued from page 3
Questions about Medications for Physicians
and Pharmacists continued
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Can this medicine be chewed, crushed, dissolved, or
mixed with other medicines?
What possible problems might I experience with the
medicine? How can I prevent these problems from
occurring? At what point should I report problems
with the medicine?
What should I do if I miss a dose of this medicine, or
take too much?
What is the cost of the medicine prescribed? Is there a
less expensive alternative prescription?
Is a generic version of this medicine available? If so,
should I purchase the generic instead of the brand
name medicine?
Do you have written information about the medicine
that I can take home with me?
Does the pharmacy provide special services such as
home delivery or comprehensive medication review
and counseling?
Learn how to maximize Medicare
pharmacy benefits
Senior Resources is offering an event in Muskegon to
answer questions about pharmacy benefits. The free event,
in partnership with Walgreens, will include Medicare
counselors answering questions and providing steps to
maximize pharmacy benefits and save money.
Senior Resources of West Michigan, located at
Tanglewood Park, 560 Seminole Road, Norton Shores,
will host a free event at 3 p.m. on Thursday,
October 20. Call 231-739-5858 for more information.
The event is free and open to the public. Those attending
can be using any pharmacy they choose. The focus is on
learning how to talk to a pharmacist no matter the
pharmacy chosen.
Page Four
The Caregiver Link is published monthly by Senior Resources of West Michigan, 560 Seminole, Muskegon, MI 49444