Daily Preparedness

Despite of our best efforts to prevent and prepare, we may find ourselves tossed about by the winds of illness. Whether we are the patient or the caregiver, now is when you find out how prepared you truly are. How best can we weather the storm?

1. STAY HOME! When you are ill, you need time to recover and there is no better place to do that than your own home. Failure to do so puts you at risk for further illness or injury and spreads the ‘joy’ of contagious diseases. Keep yourself and your sick children home from school, activities and church. Stay home until you are COMPLETELY well and free from a fever (without the aid of a fever reducer such as tylenol) for at least 24 hours, or as long as your physician instructs.

2. SEEK COMPETENT MEDICAL HELP. If your symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, an altered mental status, loss of coordination, seizures, rampant bleeding or other significant change in status, do not delay getting help from a fully equipped emergency room. The first hour of a serious injury, heart attack or stroke is the most critical. For less serious, but still significant illnesses, get help from your physician or urgent care facility. If your symptoms are minor, stay home and take care of yourself. Those with other serious underlying medical issues (including pregnancy) should speak to their physician about when to seek an appointment. If you believe that you may have influenza (regardless of type), call your doctor’s office and ask about receiving Tamaflu or one of the other anti-viral drugs. These medications will not cure the ‘flu’, but they may shorten the duration and severity of your symptoms.

3. THE DOCTOR VISIT. If you need to seek medical help, take with you a list of your current medications. a list of your symptoms, when the illness began and how it has progressed. Stay away from other patients in the waiting room and avoid bringing well children with you–they will distract you and you are exposing them to more germs!

3. UNDERSTAND THE DOCTOR’S RECOMMENDATIONS. If you are too sick to remember, take someone with you and/or write down what you are told. Make certain you understand what the diagnosis is, prescriptions written, expected course of the illness, complications to look for, self-care or therapy needed, comfort measures and when to return for a follow-up. If in doubt, ASK before the medical provider leaves the room.  For more information, reread the post about “SPEAK UP”.

4. KEEP HYDRATED. Unless specifically told not to, nearly all illnesses are aided by remaining well hydrated. Keep water (a sports top bottle reduces spills), juices and electrolyte replacing drinks by the bedside. For small children, offer popsicles frequently. Anyone with a fever needs to be particularly careful to drink much more than normal.

5. RECORD FEVERS. Know how high your temperature is going and how often. Don’t guess, especially with young children.

6. SET UP THE SICK ROOM. Beside the patient’s bed position facial tissues, a small lined trash can, liquids in spill proof/resistant containers, small snack foods that are healthy & easily digested, a method of communication (baby monitor, intercom, cell phone), humidifier if a respiratory illness, entertainment, throat lozenges and other comfort measures suitable for the person’s age and illness, a container with a lid (in case of vomiting), night light, hand wipes or sanitizer, and necessary phone numbers. If you are caring for yourself, do all of this when you first feel sick!

If the patient must be left alone, also place near the bed a phone and phone numbers of family members or neighbors who can help.

7. HAND WASHING. Everyone in the house should be extra careful to strictly follow hand washing recommendations!

8. SLEEP. Sleep is restorative to the human body. Get plenty of rest, but try to maintain your normal sleep cycle.

9. FOOD. Eat healthy foods and remember that it is often easier to digest frequent small meals rather than three larger meals. Use disposable dishes for the ill person. Using disposables for the entire house can be a significant help in keeping the home running smoothly. Be extra careful about food safety. Your body is already fighting one issue, don’t compound it with food poisoning. Now is a good time to use those frozen entrees, canned foods and quick-to-eat foods. Remember that it is okay to eat vegetable soup and crackers for dinner! Keep it healthy, but simple.

10. HUMIDIFIERS. Especially in the winter, indoor air is often dry. Most illnesses with a respiratory component are aided by introducing moisture into the air. Keep the container clean and filled.

11. DRUG INTERACTIONS. Remember that over-the-counter and ‘natural’ remedies are medicine! Many can interfere with or interact with prescription medication. Check with your pharmacist to be certain.

12. COMPLICATIONS. Be watchful that secondary (and often more serious) complications are not developing. If in doubt about a new symptom–ASK! Many insurance companies offer 24-hour nurse hot lines that can often answer that dreaded 2 am ‘is this serious’ type of question.

13. BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT HELP. Be cautious and avoid exposing others to your germs. But, do accept help that is offered if you truly need it and the helper isn’t exposing themselves to illness. For instance, you might ask a neighbor to let you know when they are going to the store. Keep a list of items you need and have cash ready for when they make their next trip. If you need someone to drive you to an appointment and you have a contagious illness, wear a mask. Be certain that help offered and received is what you REALLY need!

14. WHINE APPROPRIATELY. When asked, “How are you?” we humans tend to reply, “Just fine.” Sometimes you need to vent! While recovering from Lyme Disease, I told my husband that I was going to allow myself ten minutes a day to complain. He listens kindly, sometimes offers a suggestion or asks if I need something in particular. Mostly, he is merely sympathetic and that is all that I need. By establishing a ‘time to whine’, I don’t feel guilty about complaining, he knows how I feel and I have successfully vented. Often times, the best gift you can give to a patient or a caregiver is a listening ear.

15. PRACTICE PATIENCE. It is trying to be ill or to be a caregiver. Take it a day (or an hour) at a time. Allow your body to heal completely. The world will continue to turn on its axis without you for a few days.

Prevention and preparation are the keys to riding out the storm of illness. When that storm hits, remember ‘this too shall pass’ and look forward to happier days ahead. And pat yourself on the back for doing such a great job of living providently every day!

NEXT WEEK: Part 4–Quarantine…could it happen and are you ready?

——–This week’s 10×100 Challenge Goals:

“We have been counseled again and again concerning self-reliance, concerning debt, concerning thrift. ….” President Gordon B. Hinckley

This week’s 10×100 Challenge Goals:

22. Make a list of everyone you plan to purchase Christmas gifts for.

23. Pick up Christmas Cards at a discounter or dollar store before the inexpensive ones are sold out.

24. Replace filters in your HVAC system. Write the date you replaced it on the filter. Mark your calendar for the next change date.

25. See what Christmas gifts you may already have on hand. Plan which ones you are going to make.

26. Do a quick comparison of current prices for internet providers. Do you need to change?

27. Clean out one kitchen drawer.

28. Have little ones at home or due to visit? Check childproofing & poison control.