Management Made Easier for Senior Living

Adult children face a difficult decision when choosing an assisted living environment for a parent in need. Finding a community that offers a comfortable, homelike setting, along with one that addresses safety and medical needs is extremely important. Technology advancements have greatly improved the management of both delivered and self-administered medication for seniors.
Electronic Medical Administration Record (eMAR)
Electronic medication administration records (eMAR) is a software program that uses bar coding technology to submit and fill medication prescriptions. The system uses hand-held scanners that read bar codes and utilize Bluetooth wireless technology to transmit drug data to a terminal. The information is relayed to the pharmacy and then connected to nursing stations. With this technology, nursing staff are assured that they have the right patient with the right medication. The eMAR system manages prescription data including medication classification, types, dosages, number of refills and patient refill history. The system also utilizes real-time prescription status tracking.
Electronic Prescribing (e-Scribe)
The technology of e-Scribe is being used more frequently with both physicians and pharmacies in providing improved medication management. This software program uses paperless prescriptions that allow pharmacists to process prescriptions electronically. Using e-Scribe technology makes it possible for pharmacies to effectively monitor patient medication status. With e-Scribe, physicians can also directly enter and change prescriptions as needed, including medication dosage and schedule, without needing to call or fax orders to the pharmacy. The result is a faster response time and reduced errors that are common when paper prescriptions are used.
Automated Dispensing Carts and Cabinets
Another advancement that helps to improve the safety and efficacy of medication administration is the use of both automated dispensing cabinets and carts. Cabinets provide computer-controlled storage, tracking, dispensing and documentation of medication distribution. Carts provide the same medication security features but are also portable to be used by the bedside of patients. Automated dispensing units contain drawers that lock electronically to secure medication, further ensuring patient safety. Along with improving safety, implementing automated dispensing units aids in accountability of medication inventory and supports improved efficiency with billing processes.
Self-Administered Medication Support
For seniors who are able to take their medication independently, there is newer technology to support their continued autonomy in carrying out this important task. In regard to self-administered medication, there are devices such as multi-alarm watches and pill boxes that provide reminder alerts to help seniors take their medication at the correct time. Talking pill bottles are another technological advancement to support self-administration of medication for patients. With these devices, providers can record a message about specific medication instructions. The instructions can be played back as a helpful tool to assist with independent medication management for seniors.
Currently there are many important innovations in technology being utilized to improve medication management for seniors. These useful tools facilitate increased accuracy, efficiency and overall safety of medication management for patients. When families are faced with the decision to seek an assisted living community for seniors, an important consideration is its use of advanced medication management to best ensure resident health and safety.

About the author:
Founded by Chris Sides and Todd Barker in 1997, Senior Solutions Management Group specializes in senior living. SSMG works with a comprehensive network of professionals, including home health agencies, medical specialists and hand selected vendors, to provide the highest quality living and care facilities available to senior citizens.

Top 10 Healthy Foods That Can Help You

Radish

It's more than just a garnish, particularly if you want to lose some pounds! Radishes are very low in calories, high in fiber, and decompose slowly into your digestive system keep you full for longer.

Scallion

Scallions, is also known as green onions, are the perfect low-calorie, low-sodium, and fat-free flavor addition to almost any meal. Plus, Research has shown that the scallions (with onions and garlic) can help reduce the inflammation and the risk of some cancers. Add chopped scallions to omelets, salads, or stir-fries. You can go crazy-100g of fresh leaves is just 31 calories!

Spinach

This leafy green is especially known for its muscle building capacity. But spinach is also a wealthy source of herbal omega-3 and folic acid, This helps reducing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or 1/2 cup cooked per day.

Hearts of Palm

They can not be the most common vegetables, but these white wonders expected to be a a staple food in your diet! With a minimum of calories, loads of fiber, and a delicious taste of artichoke, they are a wonderful addition to any meal.

Cucumber

A cucumber is approximately 90 percent water, which makes it an ideal snack for when you are trying to lose weight. It is also a perfect ingredient for cool summer dishes like Sicilian Orange Cucumber Salad.

Romaine Lettuce

Not every lettuce is created equal. Choose Romaine as the base for your salad and you'll not only add a variety of food textures and flavors to your meals, but also a big success nutritional value. Very low in calories and high in water content, romaine lettuce is a great source of vitamin A, vitamin K, folic acid and vitamin C.

Lemon

Lemons offer some amazing benefits to health. Studies have shown that the odor of the lemon oil can actually create a greater feeling of concentration, while increasing vigilance. Lemons also contain pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to help with weight loss, so add a little lemon to your water for a sensation of fullness and prevent cravings between meals.

Cabbage

We touted bok choy (a type of cabbage) as an excellent food for losing weight, but this is just one of the hundreds of varieties of cabbage that offer fantastic benefits to health. For maximum rewards, cook your cabbage by steaming. Research has shown that cabbage steamed retains more cancer-fighting enzymes than raw or microwaved versions.

Green Beans

Do not be misled by their rich green color. Green beans are an excellent source of pigments such as carotenoids, the same powerful antioxidants found in carrots and tomatoes. For maximum flavor and nutrition, cook green beans whole by steaming them.

Strawberry

Strawberries served many great health benefits! According to researchers from the University of Warwick, nibble on this popular summer treat could help prevent heart disease and diabetes.

Aid Techniques Everybody Should Know

Accidents do not come with a warning sign, they just happen. In situations when there are emergencies and accidents, the situation is usually chaotic and there is a lack of leadership. At such times, taking control of the situation is very tough and more harm is possible if the right steps are not taken at the right time. Be it your workplace, the school you study in, the vacation you are on or just a regular day to the grocery market, emergencies can come up anytime and anywhere and you should have the appropriate know-how to deal with such situations so that the situation doesn't get out of control. One of the most important things you need to know for handling situations better is the knowledge of first aid tips that you can use and how to implement them when the need arises. Here are a few of those techniques people of all age-groups must know.
Burns are very painful and intense and can cause a lot of damage if not handled with proper care. The intensity of the damage depends on the severity of the burn which can be determined by the look of the area. If the burnt part of the body is slightly red with swelling, then it is a 1st level burn, however if the 2nd layer of the skin is also burnt and the color of the skin is deep red, the burn might be more severe. For minor burns, keep the affected area under cold running water for around 5 to 6 minutes. Remember, ice and ointment directly on the wound is a bad idea and cold water is the best first aid. Also, do not try to use things like butter and toothpaste as they can damage the skin further. If the wound is severe, look for medical assistance immediately.
Another very dangerous situation you might yourself into, is the stoppage of breathing and problems in breathing. This can happen due to various reasons and you might have to perform CPR or Cardiovascular Pulmonary Resuscitation on the person to bring back his breathing. It is advisable that you take a first-aid training course for effective CPR technique, but here are the few basic steps that are used in CPR. The first thing you should do when in such a situation is, call for medical help and then get down to work. Start by trying to wake up the victim and see if he or she is breathing properly. IF not, begin the chest compression by keeping your hands by their heels on the person's chest and pressing it to facilitate the blood circulation. When you compress the chest, do it for 2-5 inches and let the chest recoil before you do it again. Do it continuously at regular intervals (100 contractions per min.). Rescue Breathing is the next step but it can only be executed if the person has been trained in CPR.
Bleeding is a common injury that people face in their everyday lives. Bleeding can happen through cuts because of sharp objects or other accidents. When there is bleeding, make sure the person lies down so that the direction of the blood is towards the brain. Place a clean gauge or cloth over the wound and apply pressure on the area till the bleeding stops. If the cut is more than 1.5 inches deep, seek medical help immediately.

Coping With Incontinence Through Adult Diapers

Incontinence is a bladder condition that causes involuntary leakage of urine. It is a common problem among older people. The most common consequence of having this embarrassing condition is to frequently wear dark clothes to hide urine stains. Incidentally, one practical way to cope with incontinence is to use adult diapers.
Many products are now available for incontinence care like drip collectors, pads and underwear, but the most appropriate and beneficial are adult diapers. Adult diapers may be reusable or disposable. The reusable type can be washed and dried for reuse while the disposable variety is thrown away after use. Reusable adult diapers are made up of cotton fibbers which are less absorbent, and come with a coat of plastic pants to prevent leakage. However, frequent use can cause rashes as the skin is directly in contact with ammonia. Disposable adult diapers, on the other hand, are multilayered and with high absorbent quality. Hence, it keeps the skin dry and prevents itching and rashes. The reusable type is more environment-friendly as it causes fewer hazards to the environment with its disposal as compared to the disposable type. The disposable variety, however, is more convenient and not as labor-intensive since no washing and drying is needed, just proper garbage disposal.
Both varieties have their advantages and disadvantages, but the important thing is to use one which best suits your lifestyle and budgetary considerations. Reusable diapers are most suitable for those who are staying at home and are not inconvenienced by washing and drying, while disposable adult diapers are best for those who travel a lot. The reusable variety is slightly more expensive than the disposable type, but using it is more cost efficient in the long run because lesser packs are needed in a daily or weekly basis.
Incontinence is common among the elderly and may be embarrassing to most sufferers, but it is not the end. It is a medical condition shared by many people, and there are many support groups and message boards available for you to share experiences and ideas on how to cope with it.
The adult diaper is not solely for the elderly. Mothers suffering from stress incontinence also use it, as well as many young people with special medical conditions and circumstances. The adult diaper benefits a wide range of people who are seeking comfort and relief from incontinence. Fortunately, it is available for sale even online, so one doesn't have to leave the comforts of their home to purchase it.