senior home care delray beach floridaPoisoning is the dangerous effect that occurs when a toxic substance is swallowed, inhaled, or makes contact with the skin, eyes or mucous membranes in the mouth and nose. It is essentially the most typical trigger of nonfatal accidents inside the residence.

Poisons can be identified inside and outside your house and may be things you use each and every day. Essentially the most frequent supply of severe poisonings and poison-related deaths come from drugs, which may be, either prescription, nonprescription, or illegal. Other poisons consist of gases, household goods, agricultural goods, plants, industrial chemicals, vitamins, and foods. You’ll find also animals that will lead to issues, such as snakes, spiders, and scorpions, whose bites or stings may be poisonous.

Damage caused by poisoning will depend on the poison, the quantity consumed, and the age and wellness in the person taking the poison. Some symptoms occur inside seconds, where others take hours or days to occur.

Poisons have to be kept inside a protected location, and locked away from young kids or confused seniors. Make certain the lids are tightly secured and labeled appropriately, and do not keep poisons around food.

Typical poisons for adults include:

  • Pain medicine-prescription and over-the-counter
  • Sedatives
  • Antidepressants
  • Cardiovascular drugs
  • Alcohols
  • Household cleaning goods

Most hazardous poisons include:

  • Antifreeze and windshield washer fluids
  • Drugs (medications)
  • Corrosive cleaners (drain openers, oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners)
  • Pesticides
  • Fuels (gasoline, kerosene)
  • Carbon monoxide

First Aid

In case of poisoning, get support if an individual eats, breathes, or touches poison, or get it in their eyes.

Call 1-800-222-1222 if:

a. There may possibly be a poison problem however the individual seems OK
b. You have questions about poisons

Contact 911 if somebody:

a. will not wake up
b. is having a hard time breathing or is just not breathing
c. is having a seizure

The Poison Center Help number is 1-800-222-1222 with experts who will aid if you have queries about poisons. They are medical professionals that are really knowledgeable about poisons.

Anybody who has been exposed to a toxic gas ought to be removed from the source quickly, in to the fresh air, by a professional. Special instruction and precautions must be considered to prevent getting overcome by the toxic gases or chemicals.

In a chemical spill, all contaminated clothes and jewelry ought to be removed quickly. The skin really should be washed with soap and water, as well as the eyes must be flushed with water or saline if exposure occurred.

Any containers from the poisons or any drugs that may have been taken by the poisoned individual ought to be saved and given to the physician or rescue personnel. Identifying the poison is going to be helpful in their treatment.

Prevention

To prevent accidental poisoning:

a. All medicine should be kept in its original container.
b. Over the counter medications and toxic substances should be in locked cabinets.
c. Clearly label household products, or keep in their original container.
d. Dispose of expired medications.
e. Read directions before using chemical products.
f. When taking medications, read the label each and every time.
g. Use carbon monoxide detectors.
h. Put the Poison Center Help number near the telephone.
i. Do not mix different cleaners together.
j. Protect your eyes and skin.

Should you feel that a Comfort Keeper’s of Delray Beach, Florida could assist your family’s home health care needs, please call us at 561-338-4884, or click here to send us an e-mail to learn more about the home health care services we offer.

photo credit: greschoj

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senior home care Greenacres FloridaRetired seniors understand that well-planned packing assists make vacations a lot more enjoyable. Likewise, what you pack for a personal or loved one’s admission into the hospital will help make a smoother, less stressful for the hospital can make to get a smoother, less stressful experience.

The following is list of necessary items that should always be included on a hospital packing list.  Also included in this list should be items that will help make a hospital stay more comfortable. And last but certainly not least you will also find a list of items that you should keep at home and not bring to the hospital.

Must-Have Items and Information
Important medical documents and any health care information you have serve as your or your loved one’s passport to the hospital. You should be sure that you have this items with you:

  • Photo ID
  • Insurance and Medicare cards, in addition to pre-certification as well as other documentation essential by insurers
  • A list of all the medications-prescription and over-the-counter-you or your loved one is at present taking, as well as what the dosage is. (However, in most instances, hospitals ask that you bring only those medicines that the physician requests.)
  • A copy of advance health care directives, for example durable power of attorney for well being care and living will
  • A personal well being record that contains details such as allergies, health conditions, immunization record and reports of recent tests or physical exams
  • Reports your physician gave you to bring for the hospital
  • A list of telephone numbers of family members and friends to be contacted as needed

To prevent misplacing any of this critical paperwork and information-which is critical for facilitating a patient’s treatment-keep it all together in a single folder.

For your Comfort
Hospitals encourage patients and their families to bring other items to help make a hospital stay a lot more pleasant or comfortable. Hospitals offer gowns and toiletries, but they generally invite patients to bring their own pajamas, bathrobe, cardigan sweater, non-slip socks or slippers, comb, brush, lotions, toothbrush and toothpaste, and lip balm. However, steer clear of perfumes and any highly-scented goods. Bear in mind that short sleeves are greatest to accommodate intravenous lines.

Find out ahead of time what the hospital will allow. This information can more than likely be found out by doing a simple search on the hospital’s website.

Other things you can bring:

  • Protective containers for holding eyeglasses or dentures when not in use
  • Books, magazines, crossword puzzles to help pass the time
  • Paper and pen for jotting down notes and questions so you don’t forget to ask medical doctors or nurses when they are in the room
  • A tiny amount of cash for newspapers and magazines and also other items from the gift shop or vending machines.
  • Photos or small personal items. Keep in mind that space is very limited.
  • Clothing to wear when you are released from the hospital

Items to Leave at Home
Hospitals can not be responsible for patients’ personal belongings. Typically they suggest against bringing valuables. Certain things to leave off the packing list:

  • Cell phones. In most circumstances, these are not permitted in patient care areas as they can interfere with heart monitors along with other patient monitoring gear
  • Tobacco items, because smoking is prohibited in health care facilities
  • Credit cards, checkbooks, big amounts of money, jewelry, high-end portable music players and other valuables, as they’re able to easily be stolen amidst the activity of a hospital patient care unit

Before bringing any electronic item, check the hospital’s policy. Items that need to be plugged in typically are forbidden as their wiring will not meet hospital-grade requirements. If you or a loved one do bring a portable electronic device, ensure it is within the care of a buddy or loved one when the patient is sleeping or out of their room for any test(s) that is being administered.

Should you feel that a Comfort Keeper’s of Greenacres, Florida would be the right choice for your family’s home health care needs, please call us at 561-338-4884, orclick here to send us an e-mail to learn more about the home health care serviceswe offer.

photo credit: Bubbels

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Help Your Senior Loved One Out By Being a Patient Advocate

May 10, 2012

For any patient, a hospital stay is more than likely going to be overwhelming. There will be test and procedures done with several doctors and nurses coming and going. This whirlwind of medical activity could be particularly distressing for elderly patients. But if a loved one or caregiver sits with them it can calm a [...]

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