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Please notify your doctor if……..

Have you ever seen those commercials for the different prescription drugs? This drug is good for this and that drug is good for that. They suggest that if you are experiencing X symptoms then this is the right drug for you and then prompt you to ask your doctor to write a prescription for you. You go to your appointment asking for these drugs by its brand name. The commercials also list a number of side effects that you should be aware of because they may happen. Some include nausea, headaches, pain, etc.. I’ll spare you of some of the more gruesome side effects. But do you ever really pay attention to the long list that they share? Do you ever read the fine print?

A relative of mine had been experiencing some pain and had trouble walking. So she scheduled an appointment and went in for a “routine” shot in her hip to deal with what was causing the inflammation. However, just after receiving that shot she started feeling some side effects like tingling and numbness on her side and had to go to the hospital shortly after leaving the doctor’s office. She ended up having an extended hospital stay for a mild stroke which left her speech slurred and with limited use of the left side of her body! Wow- right? Who would have thought that could’ve happened right?? They give out these shots every day!! Now she needed physical therapy and help with daily activities. She’s recovering, but it’s certainly going to take a lot of time to be fully restored. It’s likely and very possible that the stroke was caused by the medication that she was given. Perhaps it was an interaction with something else she was already taking.

Even though we don’t know for sure there’s a few things we can be aware of for ourselves and our loved ones the next time a medication is recommended.

1. Inquire about possible interactions:
• Ask the doctor why they are recommending taking this drug.

2. Know what your current medications are and the possible side effects:
• When your prescription is filled it often comes with a list; Read it and be and be aware.
• If anything strange pops up then you will know that something isn’t right!

3. If you feel funny don’t just chalk it up to being sick:
• You know your body! If you feel any kind of side effect – notify your physician immediately!

These are 3 key things to be aware of when a prescription is recommended. Be informed. Ask questions! Don’t be afraid to be an advocate for your loved ones and yourself!

Do you have a question that you’d like me to answer on a future live stream broadcast? Share your question with me HERE.

Holiday Senior Gift Guide

Is there an elder in your life who could use something that could make their life easier? This list contains things any senior would love to have in their home and for those who are always on the go. Share with your parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors. These handy gifts are not just for seniors but can make a caregiver’s life easier too.

Key Finder : Lost keys can be easily found with this handy gadget!
Roomba iRobot Vaccum: Save a little time with a vacuum that does the work by itself.
Handibar : A handy tool to help you get in and out of the car.
Grab Reach Tool: No need to bend or struggle to grab things that fell or are located in hard to reach places.
My Pillow: Enjoy a good nights sleep on this comfortable pillow!
Keurig Coffee Maker: If you are on the go pop in a Kcup, brew your favorite beverage and jet off to the activities of the day!
Hot Water Bottle : This handy hot water bottle is good for aches and pains and come with a stylish cozy cover so the heat won’t feel too hot!
Big Button Cordless Phone: With this big button phone you’ll be able to see who’s calling and make those important calls.
Magic Mug: Start your day off with a smile that forms as you pour!
Blood Pressure Monitor: Keep on top of your numbers by checking your blood pressure daily with a portable monitor.
Poloroid Instant Print Camera: Capture those memories and instantly print and share them with your loved ones!

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NY is the Latest State Joining Others Offering Paid Family Medical Leave

If you ever wondered how you would manage if you needed to take time off without pay look no further, New York has joined California, New Jersey and Rhode Island as one of a few states offering Paid Family Leave. Generally, if you have been at your company for at least a year, employees can get 12 work weeks of job protected unpaid leave with medical coverage under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This coverage will allow workers take time off to care for a newborn, a sick family member, take time off for their own serious illness, or any issues arising from a family member on active military duty. But that’s right, it’s unpaid medical leave. I don’t know about you, but how many people can take off for an extended period of time without pay? That’s right -not many.

So what does that mean for New Yorkers who are caregivers? As of January 1^st of 2018, as part of the New York State Paid Family Leave Program, New Yorkers can get up to 8 weeks and receive up to 50% of their salary for private sector works to do the following:

Care for a relative – a spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent or grandchild who has a serious health condition
Maternity and paternity leave -whether you are a parent expecting, fostering or adopting a child
Relieve those who are on active military duty -a spouse, domestic partner, child or parent or has been notified of an impending call or order of active duty

The program will gradually phase increases up to 67% of pay for up to 12 weeks over the next 4 years through the year 2021.

Eligible workers include full or part-time employees who work 20 or more hours after 26 weeks of employment. So after 6 months you can be eligible! For those working less than 20 hours a week can be eligible after 175 days. To learn more click here.

It’s important to note that Paid Family Medical Leave does not cover prenatal conditions and is only for those caring for a child after the birth during maternity leave. It also cannot be used for one’s own disability or qualifying military event.

Rhode Island, New Jersey and California currently offer Paid Family Leave. To learn more click here. Washington State and Washington, DC is slated to offer Paid Family Leave effective as of the year 2020. According to Catherine Valenti’s ABC News article, “Paid leave bills have also been introduced in at least 24 states and the District of Columbia this year, with Connecticut, Hawaii and Montana passing paid leave bills into law, according to the National Partnership for Women & Families, a New York-based nonprofit organization that promotes policies to help women and men meet the demands of work and family.” If your state is not listed here, keep watch. As more states adopt this legislation and witness its success, more will follow suit.

‘Tis the Season to Be Thankful!

We are embarking on a national holiday here in the US. For some of us we’ll be looking forward to some days off and some heavy eating of some rich food and drink and being merry – well merry times will be coming in about a month or so but let’s just say we’ll share in some joy and laughter. However, I’d like to remind you that not all of us will be sharing in joyful moments. For some of us, we may be grieving and mourning the loss of a loved one and this may be the first holiday without the matriarch or patriarch of the family gracing the table with us this year.

For others, we may be sitting in the hospital at the bedside of our loved one. One year that was me -my Mom was in the hospital on Thanksgiving day. I cooked all day and brought her favorite macaroni and cheese dish along with the traditional Thanksgiving fixings so she would not miss out. I was home cooking solo while my Dad, who also had limited mobility, was there missing his beloved wife. I still enjoyed because I was being of service to them, helping them to have the benefits of a good home cooked meal even though we couldn’t all be together at one time. And still yet, we may be at home trying to cook a meal and trying to keep up with the needs of the ones we are caring for and just wishing for a break. So on this upcoming holiday season, I ask you to think of someone who has been taking care of everyone else and just check in. There are things that you can do that would be very thoughtful and could make a world of a difference to someone at this time of the year.

If you are wondering what you can do, I encourage you to think from a place of service and support.

We must take care of those who are taking care of those who are looking out for our elderly relatives at home. What can you do to show thanks? Here are some suggestions:

Offer to cook a meal and bring it over.
Volunteer to do a load of laundry.
Offer to relieve the caregiver so they can run an errand.
Drop off a few bags of groceries.
Take the kids on a fun outing.
Give the caregivers a break by babysitting the kids.
Send them some notes of encouragement.
Offer to clean up.
Pray for them.
Ask them what can I do for you?

These are just a few ways that you can show your support by serving those who give their days to serving others.

Can you think of some additional ways that you can help give thanks to a caregiver? Please share your thoughts.

Free AARP Online Family Caregiving Fair 2017

wocintech stock -8 by #WOCinTech Chat is licensed under CC BY 2.0

This is the ultimate resource for caregivers! The AARP Online Family Caregiving Fair is an online event where you’ll get the opportunity to chat one-on-one with live with reps from different government agencies, non-profits and none other than the guru in caregiver resources -AARP. There will be all sorts of resources, videos and live events. And to top it off, you’ll get to participate in live events including a webinar with Holly Robinson Peete!!!

Ok ok I know that you are wondering how do I sign up? How much does it cost? When is it???

So here are the details:

Date: Thursday, November 16, 2017

Time: 6PM – 9PM EST

Cost: Free

Where: Online – Click here to sign up!

Be sure to attend to get the tips and resources you’ll need first hand if you are caring for a loved one.

I know you are probably saying what happens if I can’t make the time because it happens during the middle of the day. No worries! This is the beauty of technology. Don’t fret register anyway!! Why? You will get ongoing on-line access to the 2017 Caregiver Fair including resources and you will be able to view the recorded webinars on-demand. Now isn’t that convenient?!! Don’t delay register today!

Do you have a question that you’d like me to answer on a future live stream broadcast? Share your question with me HERE.