Jim was a 52-year-old ex-marine built like Adonis. He had no significant medical problems, but had been experiencing vomiting and diarrhea that he thought was a stomach bug. Jim was not big on going to doctors and decided to wait it out. Jim’s wife, Kim, called 911 when she found her husband unresponsive. He was dead on arrival to the emergency … [Read more...] about The Caregiver’s Code Green
Summertime Blooms for Caregivers
Karl looked to be in the prime of life. He was 62-years-old with an athletic build and an easy-going personality. He came to the ER with his wife, Julie, for difficulty breathing. Karl had experienced a series of unfortunate illnesses that began with an ankle injury. Following surgery, he developed a flesh-eating infection that resulted in … [Read more...] about Summertime Blooms for Caregivers
Advance Care Tools for Caregivers
As Ryan sat at his desk, it seemed like any other workday — until he felt a sudden wave of pressure in his chest. He took a couple of deep breaths, hoping it would pass, but the pain began to radiate into his left arm. Just 45 years old and slightly overweight, Ryan wondered if he could be having a heart attack. He didn’t want to overreact, nor was … [Read more...] about Advance Care Tools for Caregivers
Anticipate Happily Ever After
Despite wearing a patient gown, George was a distinguished-looking 72-year-old gentleman. He arrived in the ER with his charming wife, Jill, for difficulty breathing. George had end-stage lung cancer that was not responding to aggressive chemotherapy. He was also receiving treatment for congestive heart failure due to a prior heart attack. After … [Read more...] about Anticipate Happily Ever After
Grip the Coping Tool of Denial
“I’m never sick,” Sally said. She was nearly 70-years-old and said she had never even had a cold. She sat off to the side while her husband, Bob, was reclined on the ER gurney. Bob had been feeling weak for several days and went to his physician for a checkup. Routine laboratory studies showed that his red blood cells, white blood cells and … [Read more...] about Grip the Coping Tool of Denial
Be Prepared For Emergencies
“Belinda had a seizure,” according to her husband, Ron. He heard a loud noise and ran to check on her. She appeared to be convulsing - Ron immediately called 911. When EMS arrived, Belinda was awake, and claiming that she just passed out from the stomach flu. While treating Belinda in the emergency room, the physician felt trapped in the middle of … [Read more...] about Be Prepared For Emergencies
Adopt Your Caregiving Philosophy
Linda was aware that her mother, Rose, was not getting better. This was Rose’s third emergency visit in a month for shortness of breath. Rose was 86-years-old and had a bad heart valve that triggered congestive heart failure. After Rose described her symptoms to the physician, Linda prompted her mom to speak up by saying, “We need to talk about … [Read more...] about Adopt Your Caregiving Philosophy
Bringing Your Personality to Caregiving.
What do people like about your personality? Are you fun-loving or organized? Do you see the glass half-full or half-empty? Do you tell it like it is or mince words? Do you like to speak on behalf of others or prefer to listen to what they say? Do you know how to act when the physician walks in the room? While Helen was telling the ER doctor about … [Read more...] about Bringing Your Personality to Caregiving.