Nurse Savage on Your Side: Recent Episodes
Nurse Savage
Our mission at “Nurse Savage on your side” is to improve lives of seniors and their families everywhere. With more than 20 years experience as an RN, Victoria Savage repeatedly saw folks admitted to facilities for reasons that were absolutely preventable so she stepped out of facility work and into the community to educate seniors and their families about common pitfalls and how to work to prevent them. She is also a fierce advocate in the healthcare setting to ensure that seniors have a voice and the best care possible.
Victoria is an accomplished public speaker and is available for speaking engagements where she not only encourages and educates, but she acts as a Senior Success Coach as well.
Week #3- Socialization and connection. As my radio show draws to an end I've decided to do a summary of the main factors that directly effect how, successfully someone ages, and how long they'r able to remain independent. These are short episodes that re-cap the most important and popular topics previously discussed. Week #1 is Nutrition Week #2 is Medications Week #3 is Socialization Week #4 is Environment
Final Episode #2 Medications. As my radio show draws to an end I've decided to do a summary of the main factors that directly effect how, successfully someone ages, and how long they'r able to remain independent. These are short episodes that re-cap the most important and popular topics previously discussed. Week #1 is Nutrition Week #2 is Medications Week #3 is Socialization Week #4 is Environment
Fianl Episode #1- Nutrition. As my radio show draws to an end I've decided to do a summary of the main factors that directly effect how, successfully someone ages, and how long they'r able to remain independent. These are short episodes that re-cap the most important and popular topics previously discussed. Week #1 is Nutrition Week #2 is Medications Week #3 is Socialization Week #4 is Environment
This is the first chapter of my new “Map Out Your Aging” program. Life is an adventure and the last 20 to 25 years is no different. But unfortunately most of us are just “hoping” that things go well for us. For many of us that is how we’ve lived our whole lives. But for others you’ve planned, set goals, worked, adjusted your plan, started to work again and made adjustments accordingly to get to your desired goal. Aging is no different. We need to realize as a society that we can take control of the aging process now. We start by defining our goal just like in other projects throughout our life. That is the end point. So this chapter of the “Map Out Your Aging” program deals with just that- What do you want your life to look like three weeks before your death? Together we define what we want various aspects to look like. We define our endpoint goal for our aging and we begin to move forward from there and examine what has to happen for this goal to be achieved.
Most of us don't look forward to getting old. Why do you suppose that is? Is it the unknown or the assumption that it's going to be bad? Either way few of us are excited about it or are looking forward to it. My research shows it is because we percieve that we have no control over, or effect on how it happens. We assume that it's not going to be good. And that is part of the problem. Join me for this broadcast and learn about how you can steer the aging process (no matter what your age) rather than just hope for the best.
Most people have heard about how effective goal setting can be for your career, your income, weight loss, etc. But what about aging in place well? Would setting goals help the aging process be more successful. ABSOLUTELY! The areas the directly effect whether we end up in pre mature facility placement can all be goal oriented to help keep the focus on where we want to be instead of where we hope we don't end up. Join me for this episode to see how goal setting can be very effective for maintaining maximum independence for as long as possible.
Many times as we age, the thing or things we were passionate about when we were younger gets pushed to the side. Sometimes because we can no longer participate in them because of physical limitations and sometimes life just seems to get in the way.
Humor is an effective tool for promoting good health at any age but the physical effects of a good belly laugh might even be more important in our later years. Join me for this program to learn how to emply this anti aging tool in your everyday life.
Tonights broadcast deals with a very emotional time for most everyone. It's what I like to call, "The last great adventure." I recently saw a quote the I felt was so appropriate to discuss what hospice is. "Hospice doesn't help you die as much as it helps you finish living." (author unknown) When the end of the life cycle is near, choosing a hospice is often uncharted territory for most of us. Tonight my guest is the owner of a local hospice agency. Together we will take some of the guesswork away when it comes to hospice. We will be discussing when hospice is appropriate, the various things people should know when choosing a hospice agency, and what is reasonable to expect from your hospice agency.
Third time is a charm. This is a recorded re-broadcast of this very important episode on Dementia. Dementia effects several million people nationwide and will effect many million more in the coming years. Early identification is key to possibly slowing the progress of some of the different typess of dementia. This show helps you to identify the signs and symptoms of the various types of dementia and touches on the caregivers role and need for relief.
Sometimes in order to keep our loved ones home we need to bring in aides to assist them with their activities of daily living. In most cases we will be hiring a home care agency to provide these aides. But how do you choose the right agency? Tonight we will be discussing this very dilemma with my special guest Matt Klinger. Matt has been involved in home care for the last several years and will be answering some of the most common questions and he'll give us a strategy for how to make the most informed choice.
Although keeping one independent at home is the focus of Nurse Savage on Your Side, there may come a time when moving to a facility is not only necessary, but the best choice. My guest on this episode is Vickie McCuistion who has been a well respected assisted living administrator for more than 20 years. This episode is going to provide you with tips on choosing a facility, to incude what you want to look at within the facility, services that are provided, where you can find out how the facility is performing in relation to state regulations, the key questions what you want to ask and,what is reasonable to expect.
Last week we discussed how important attitude is to Aging in place and doing it well. But if we suffer from an attitude that is less than good, how can we change the way we view what is going on in our life or the life of our aging loved one? Join me in exploring how we can change the we experience the aging process by developing a new way to look at the reality that is staring us in the face. Small changes can have big results.
Can changing our attitueds and thoughts change how well we age? Research has shown that how people feel inside, and their expectations of their capabilities, can have a greater impact on health, happiness and even longevity than the date on their birth certificates. Can we think ourself young? Join me in this eipsode to learn how attitudes effect our aging processes.
Falls in the elderly is almost an epidemic. Each year, one in every three adults age 65 and older falls. Among older adults (those 65 or older), falls are the leading cause of injury death. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. A study done by Colorado State University found: The risk of falling increases with age and is greater for women than for men. Two-thirds of those who experience a fall will fall again within six months. A decrease in bone density contributes to falls and resultant injuries. Failure to exercise regularly results in poor muscle tone, decreased strength, and loss of bone mass and flexibility. At least one-third of all falls in the elderly involve environmental hazards in the home. In this weeks episode we will look at common causes of falls and explore ways to prevent them.
Depression in the elderly is often difficult to recognize. Several of the symptoms can be confused as being caused for other reasons. In this weeks episode I will discuss some common signs and symptoms that might otherwise be missed allowing the dpressive symptoms to worsen needlessly, and offer some suggestions on how to treat it.
Studies show that although between 25 and 80% of all seniors experience pain, pain is often under reported in the senior population because some elderly patients incorrectly believe that pain is a normal process of aging, they don't want to appear to be a malingerer,or they don't want to be a nuisance. It's not only under reported, but it is also under treated for many reasons.
When I'm attending MD appointments with my clients, this is something I have to remind them to report.
If you are able to, accompany them to their MD appointment to be sure they mention the fact that they have pain.
If your aging loved one is experiencing pain there are some very effective treatments both with medication and some non medication options.
One very effective way to help decrease their pain is through regular exercise. This doesn't have to be vigorous. Gentle stretches and moving their arms and shoulders through all the range of motion and some slow steady walks can produce great results. This keeps their joints mobile, releases some "feel good" chemicals in their brain called endorphins. Endorphins help decrease pain by improving mood. Exercise also gives them a way to help themselves during a time when they may be feeling hopeless to effect much of the downward trend they may be facing. Many studies show great benefit from exercise for people in their 70's, 80's and 90's even if they've never exercised in the past.
There are many other non medication choices for pain control. To learn more, join me for this episode and find out what possibilities are available for treatment.
Many of us have pets and we know just how much joy they can add to our lives, but are they possibly worth more than just enjoyment? Some information is coming to light that for seniors pets can be so much more than enjoyable. Join me for this episode to see if theres more to pets than just unconditional love....but really wouldn't that be enough if that's all there was? Here is a site with great information on which type of dog to choose and why. http://www.dog-adoption-and-training-guide.com/senior.html
Over 40% of people over the age of 65 take 5-9 medications every day. And 40% of these use at least one medicaiton inappropriately. Every year there are nealy 100,000 ER visits by people 65 years and older due to adverse drug interactions. Although we've visited in the past a bit about medications, this episode goes into much more detail on the risks seniors face daily with medications and steps on how to minimize them. This episode is a must listen to for anyone taking several meds themselves or for those helping them.
This episode continues the series called "The Great Cascade." In this episode we are exploring how nutrition and hydration play into the great cascade. My guest tonight is Sue Linja, Registered Dietician. She has 24 years working in the field of nutrition for the geriatric population. She has worked in the capacity of nutrition services director, clinical dietitian, health facility surveyor and dietitian consultant. Sue is active in her local and state dietetic board and is currently the President of the Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is on the board of Licensing for Health Care Administrators. Sue recently received the Area 1 Distinguished Member of the Year award from ADA/CDHCF and was Idaho's outstanding Dietitian of the year in 2007. She has been widely sought as a speaker for nutrition and the aging seminars in the Northwest.
Continuing with the series on "The Great Cascade" of decline. This week we'll visit the effects that Exercise and Enviornment have on ones ability to stay independent. This is an overview of how these two components factor in and contribute to the "Great Cascade" of decline. We hear daily how important exercise is for shedding excess pounds and keeping our body functioning at it's best, but what about the body thats past it's prime? Isn't it inevitable that we get weaker, have decreased balance and stiffer joints, less muscle and more fat as we age? What if this wasn't the total story? Is there anything we can do to combat and even reverse these things? We'll talk about several things in the enviornment that need to be addressed as soon as possible and which ones can be put off until later if funds are an issue. Tune in and bring your questions comments or dilemmas and lets strategize on how to decrease the speed and actually reverse some of these risks.
There are 5 key areas that directly effect how successful someone is at remaining independent longer. Each area directly effects the others and can begin the rapid downward spiral that ends up in premature facility admission. When one area is successfully addressed it slows the cascade and can possibly stop the downward spiral. Tonights show is going to address the area of socialization, mental stimulation, and connectedness. Each one of us can directly effect how successful someone can be at staying independent longer. "Be the Catalyst" for someone's greater independence.
Every one of us have memories that are special to us, of seniors who have made an impact of some kind in our lives. Whether it's an idiom that our grandfather always used to say, or words of wisdom from the old lady up the street that have held us in good stead throughout the years, or maybe it's a memory that keeps them present with us every time we think of it. Whichever it may be, this episode of Nurse Savage On Your Side is the place to share and honor memories or acknowledge the contributions they continue to make in your life. One of the wisest things my father ever said to me was, "You'll have many acquaintences in your life but very few real friends." I thought "he just doesn't know". I was 15. I, of course, came to know what a wise and true statement that was. Please join me this Tuesday night, call in, and memorialize your special memory by sharing it with others. Or, if you don't want to be on the live show but would like to memorialize your special senior, email me at: nursesavageonyourside@gmail.com We have such a treasure trove of wisdom and joy in our senior population. It is my hope that we can all begin to be more aware of this.
It's a given that everyone would like to be able to live in their own home until the end but often this is a pricey option. On tonights episode, 2 guest speakers will introduce you to two options that are available. They'll discuss the advantages and disadvantages so you can decide which might be the best option for you to consider.
"Nurse Savage on you Side" is dedicated to helping seniors remain in their own home longer with better health and improved quality of life. The area of medication is one in which seniors are faced with one of the biggest threat to staying indpendent longer. Interactions, side effects, intended effects and administration errors all place them at hugh risk for accidents, compromised health and decreased mental function. In this broadcast we will discuss how these problems develop, and what we can do to head them off or get help quickly. Come join me in helping to solve some problems, offering support and sharing humorous, heartwarming stories of your senior loved ones and friends.
"Nurse Savage on you Side" is dedicated to helping seniors remain in their own home longer with better health and improved quality of life. As well as supporting the families and friends helping them to be successful doing so and helping to decrease caregiver burnout. If you're part of the sandwich generation and you're looking for answers, feeling alone in the journey or just looking for a place to vent where others understand what you're going through, then join us We offer support, answers, insights and humor in this often difficult situation. It is said that it takes a village to raise and child; at "Nurse Savage On Your Side," we contend that it also takes a village to help seniors finish their journey with dignity. Come join me in helping to solve some problems, offering support and sharing humorous, heartwarming stories of your senior loved ones and friends.