Dealing with elderly patients & their physicians -- from the daughter of an elderly woman

Visiting my mother’s physician was often a challenge. When she was ninety years old and had to see him I accompanied her (in the last few years of her life).  He had a good reputation as a physician, and I trusted his diagnosis, but he often took a long time to coax the problem out of my mother who was not able to speak very coherently then. The physician ignored me, as I sat next to her, until I stepped in, and without invitation, interjected information and concerns which were legitimate. If he had asked me what was going on at the start I could have told him and he could have corroborated that with my mother. Instead, he took forever to get information from my mom. He was always rushed toward the end of the visit and was not able to address any other issues she wanted to discuss. That meant another trip back to his office.

He also seemed to put down my suggestions and regard them as insignificant, but toward the end of the visit he would make the same suggestion I had made earlier. I chalked it up to his inflated ego.

Looking back over the past few years before my mother passed away I have a better perspective. I did not want to cross the line between my mother and her physician, but I also found her to be frustrated by the visits. If I had it to do over, would I do it differently? Yes, but still maintaining respect. Maybe the experience will help me in the future. 

My mother often found comfort with her Maine Warmers' Neck Warmer. It helped a pinched nerve in

Sheep Neck Warmer

her shoulder and kept her warm on cold winter days.

Walking is the next step after running for those with arthritis

I was stunned the day my physician said to stop running and take up walking. As a child and teenager, running and other physical activities were an important part of my life. They made me feel good. When I started smoking cigarettes in high school I lost that desire. Nine years later, running helped me quit smoking and sustained me for the next fifteen years, until pain in my ankles and knees slowed me down to walking speed.

Microwave Heating Pad Relaxes Tired Feet

I remember watching Mary Decker on TV run and set records in the Olympics. In an article, Gaining New Ground by Bryan D. Vargo, (Arthritis Today,Nov-Dec 2015) I learned that she thought her injuries were due to over-training. But today she thinks they make have been related to undiagnosed arthritis. She finally listened to what her body was telling her and retired from running in 1999. An earlier diagnosis might have helped ease the pain and depression that went along with her having to retire from the sport she loved. She, like many of us have done as our bodies age, has turned her energies to other activities, including hiking and gardening.

Not overdoing physical exercise but doing enough and maintaining good form helps me participate in outdoor activities like walking, hiking, kayaking, and gardening. Being physically active also helps maintain a healthy mental and emotional balance in life.

If you have arthritis, you know the importance of staying physically active and keeping those joints moving. A microwave heating pad helps relax stiff or tired muscles at the end of a physically active day. Maine Warmers’ Extra Large Heating Pad for the Back is versatile and can be used to soothe tired feet. Heat stimulates circulation and increases flexibility. This pad can be wrapped around the feet, placed on top, or even used to relax leg cramps.

A gluten-free diet reduces inflammation in the body. It might help with some symptoms of arthritis, as it did with me. See Maine Warmers’ Gluten Free Recipes.

The benefits of massage while living with arthritis

Massage helps increase blood circulation and improve flexibility and may help relieve stiffness for those with arthritis. Some studies, though limited, show that massage can help reduce stress levels, pain, and may act as a natural anti-depressant, according to an article in Arthritis Today (Sept/Oct. 2011,page 96). Rutgers School of Health Related Professionals received a grant to study the effects of massage on osteoarthritis in the knee. Some research points to a correlation between massage and reduced pain and even how it may effect the immune system. 

Before you go to a massage therapist ask your physician or people you  know and trust for a recommendation. Find a reputable therapist through friends or your physician or through online Google Reviews. 

Make sure to talk with the massage therapist about areas that may be painful, where he/she should avoid or apply less pressure. Also ask your physician about types of pressure to avoid. Massage should make you feel good and not cause your worry or any more pain.

When a massage isn't possible you can stimulate circulation and help increase circulation with the use of a heating pad.  Maine Warmers' extra large Back Warmer is wireless and portable. Microwave it for soothing heat therapy. The cost is less than a massage, and with durable fabrics, it can be used over and over for long lasting value. This microwave heating pad, is washable, the filling is all natural whole corn, without any added perfumes or other fragrances, and it conforms to your body. Check out their extra large Neck Warmer and some of their unique Comforting Creatures -- functional & fun heating pads.

Hand, Back, and Neck Microwave Heating Pads

What to talk about with an older person who is terminally ill

Sometimes it is hard to know what to say to a person who is going to die from an illness in a relatively short period of time – maybe 1 to 3 months. Every person is different as is the experience of dying.

After watching my grandmother, my mother-in-law, father-in-law and my father pass away I have become less afraid of the discussions and conversations. I do feel discomfort at times when I am with someone who is looking at the end of life, but now I feel it is more important to share time with the person and give the gift of companionship rather than to run from those feelings.

If the person is mentally aware, then I find it is best to give them a chance to laugh and enjoy time together.

The illness may prevent the person from speaking clearly or at all, but you can engage them by asking for affirmation. Keep the stories light and talk about things the person can relate to, maybe stories from old neighborhoods, work, childhood, travels, and good times. Spend time looking at old photos together.

The summer before my father passed, I took him for walks in a wheel chair along the bay. He enjoyed being outdoors and seeing people walk by pushing strollers, some on bikes and roller blades, others jogging, and some just strolling along. Seventy-five percent made eye contact, smiled, and said hello. Even that minimal human interaction was huge to my father.

If the person wants to talk about dying then listen, and don’t be afraid to laugh when the person cracks a joke about it. Try not to belabor the subject, but let the person talk freely. It is likely to make you uncomfortable, but just your listening may be the best thing you can do to help.

At Maine Warmers, we often receive phone calls from friends and relatives who are looking for gifts of warmth to for people who are terminally ill. When people are not active then circulation is poor and the hands and feet are hard to keep warm. Our Hand Warmers can also slip over the feet, or our extra large Back Warmer can be used to warm extremities as well. We are happy to talk with you about your needs and we try to ship orders within 24 hours for fast delivery.

Tips to help relieve the pain of Osteoarthritis

As you age you may find that you have to deal with the effects of osteoarthritis. Yoga may be just the thing to help you feel good and keep moving. Those who exercise, within a range of appropriate activities, tend to feel better according to Arthritis Today, May/June 2014. Brian Teacher tells how yoga has helped him deal with the effects of osteoarthritis. 

When joints aren’t moving, just like car parts, they get rusty and freeze up. Talk with your physician about exercises that might help you feel better, ask about yoga, and then proceed gradually to avoid muscle pulls.

I practice Yoga 2 to 3 times a week, lift light weights, and do other types of cardiovascular exercise. I respect the age of my body and don’t do every move the teachers do or what the younger set in the class does. After Yoga, I am amazed at how much better I feel.

According to another article in this issue, keeping a positive attitude, feeling genuinely grateful for the things and relationships you have, laughing, and helping others may reduce stress levels and help you feel better. Permission granted to go out and have fun with friends

 Try a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, like fruit and veggies. I found that a gluten-free diet reduced inflammation in my body and allowed me to live without the pain of arthritis. Check out the gluten-free recipes on the Maine Warmers' blog. There is a new recipe every month.

When your joints are feeling stiff, try the heat from a Maine Warmers’ microwave hating pad. Comforting Creatures such as a Cozy Sheep or Dachshund Neck Warmers provide soothing relief and often times bring a smile. Back Warmers can be used for a variety of body parts, like hand, feet, elbows, and knees. 

Avoiding Sugar to Feel Better

According to Arthritis Today (Nov/Dec 2013) lots of sugar can increase inflammation in the body.  So, if you suffer from arthritis, a high blood sugar level may cause you some added pain. How can something that feels so good going down make you feel so bad after?

There are some indications that high blood sugar levels impact cartilage and may be responsible for the deterioration of this important body part. So, to help keep inflammation down and to feel better, a limited amount of sugar in the diet may be just the thing. This is much easier said than done.

This article talks about surviving holiday parties by not overdoing the sugar thing.  But when the party is over and there is an abundance of leftover cookies and chocolates, staying away from them may seem impossible.

If you need to reduce sugar in your diet, enlist the help of other family members. Let them know what you want to do and why, and ask them for gentle help – no ridicule or put-downs.

What can help you avoid giving in to cravings and unnecessary eating? Relaxation techniques recommended by the Mayo Clinic include yoga, meditation, massage, deep breathing, music, and art. Check out the full list and descriptions.

A Maine Warmer is a microwave heating pad that relaxes tense muscles and may help you relax too. Try a Neck Warmer in the shape of an alligator with a big smile on its face. It will warm you as well as help you relax, and during the cold months any extra warmth is welcome. Or give yourself the gift of comfort and relaxation without the calories with an extra large Back Warmer, a healthy indulgence that can help to get you past that feeling of needing something sweet. Have dessert once a week (not every day), and chances are you’ll be feeling better.

Are arthritis and diabetes related?

Scientists are finding a connection between arthritis and diabetes, as sited in the most recent issue of Arthritis Today Magazine, in an article by Linda Rath, Nov. – Dec. 2013. The article states that both arthritis and diabetes are autoimmune diseases that seem to have a genetic relationship.

The author points to concerns that high blood sugar damages nerves and blood vessels and causes inflammation which contributes to cartilage loss.  A direct connection between diabetes and osteoarthritis is still theoretical, but one thing seems certain, joint pain discourages physical activity, and being active is important in managing diabetes.

Maintaining appropriate weight and sugar levels is important in dealing with both arthritis and diabetes, whether or not there is a medical connection between the two.

Heating a sore joint with a microwave heating pad may help stimulate circulation and improve flexibility, making exercise less painful. At least thirty minutes of activity a day is recommended in the article and avoiding long periods of sitting also helps.

Maine Warmers has a variety of heating pads that can be used to warm hands, knees, hips, feet, and backs. Check out their Alligator heat wrap – a great gift for a child with juvenile arthritis or diabetes or their hand warmer selection for products that bring soothing warmth to painfully cold hands.Their neck and back warmers also bring comfort and could be used instead of turning to high sugar comfort foods.