AwareGiver with David Happe

Hurricane preparedness is crucial for everyone, especially caregivers who are responsible for the well-being and safety of others. When caring for individuals during a hurricane or any other natural disaster, it's essential to have a plan in place to ensure their safety and comfort. Here are some guidelines for hurricane preparedness for caregivers:

1. Create an Emergency Plan:

   • Identify the nearest hurricane shelters and evacuation routes.
   • Determine how you will transport the person you are caring for in case of an evacuation.
   • Prepare a list of emergency contacts, including healthcare providers, family members, and local authorities.
   • Share the emergency plan with other family members, neighbors, or friends who can provide assistance if needed.

2. Stock Up on Supplies:

   • Have a sufficient supply of necessary medications for the individual you are caring for, including any medical equipment they may require.
   • Stock up on non-perishable food items, bottled water, and other essential supplies such as batteries, flashlights, first aid kits, and personal hygiene products.
   • Consider the specific needs of the person you are caring for, such as dietary restrictions, mobility aids, or communication devices, and ensure you have the necessary supplies.

3. Maintain Communication:

   • Ensure you have a reliable means of communication, such as a charged cellphone or a battery-powered radio, to stay updated on the storm's progress and receive emergency alerts.
   • Have a backup power source, such as a generator or power bank, to keep essential devices charged.
   • Share your contact information with trusted neighbors, friends, or family members who can check on you and the person you are caring for.

4. Secure the Environment:

   • Clear the surroundings of any potential hazards, such as loose objects or debris that may be carried by strong winds.
   • Reinforce windows and doors with storm shutters or plywood.
   • Have a plan for safely moving the person you are caring for to a secure area within the home, away from windows and exterior walls.

5. Monitor Health and Well-being:

   • Stay vigilant about the health needs of the person you are caring for, especially during stressful situations.
   • Keep an adequate supply of necessary medical equipment, such as oxygen tanks or mobility aids, and ensure they are in good working condition.
   • Have a plan for accessing medical care if needed, such as knowing the location of nearby medical facilities that may remain open during the storm.

6. Stay Informed and Calm:

   • Stay updated on weather reports and follow the guidance of local authorities.
   • Remain calm and reassuring to the person you are caring for, as they may be more susceptible to stress and anxiety during the hurricane.
   • Engage in calming activities such as reading, playing games, or listening to music to help alleviate stress for both you and the person you are caring for.

Remember, every caregiving situation is unique, and it's important to adapt these guidelines to the specific needs of the person you are caring for. It is also recommended to consult with healthcare professionals or local emergency management agencies for additional guidance on hurricane preparedness for caregivers.

This edition of AwareGiver the Caregiver Radio Oasis is sponsored in part by Final Expense Florida. You can reach a licensed Florida agent for Final Expense Florida at (888)434-6471 Extension 2.

When someone dies and they don't have money, their family or loved ones may be responsible for paying for their final expenses such as funeral costs, medical bills, and other end-of-life expenses. If there are no funds available, it may become a financial burden for those left behind.

Final Expense Insurance is a type of life insurance that is designed to cover the costs associated with a person's final expenses. This type of insurance is also known as burial insurance, funeral insurance, or end-of-life insurance. It is typically a smaller life insurance policy that is purchased to cover the costs of funeral expenses and other final expenses.

The policyholder pays monthly premiums, and in the event of their death, the beneficiary receives a lump-sum payment that can be used to pay for funeral and burial costs, medical bills, and other final expenses. The coverage amount for final expense insurance is typically lower than for other types of life insurance policies, and the premiums are generally more affordable.

Final Expense Insurance can provide peace of mind for those who want to ensure that their final expenses will be covered without creating a financial burden for their loved ones. It's important to note, however, that like other types of life insurance, there are eligibility requirements and exclusions that may apply.

Each year, children are injured by hazards in and around the home. The good news is that the risk of injury can be reduced or prevented by using recommended safety practices, by using child products that meet safety standards, and by using child-safety devices. Most of the safety devices are easy to find and are relatively inexpensive. To be effective, they must be properly installed and reengaged after use. Follow installation instructions carefully. Remember, too, that no device is completely childproof; determined toddlers have been known to overcome or disable them.

This edition of AwareGiver - the CareGiver Radio Oasis is sponsored by KinderGard child safety products, with information provided by the Consumer Products Safety Commission of the United States Government.

AwareGiver is on the Spotify Podcast Network. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/awaregiver

The FDA Postpones A Long-Awaited Decision On Juul's Vaping Products

The Food and Drug Administration said it has ruled on whether some electronic cigarette products can remain on the market, but that it's also delaying action on products made by Juul, which accounts for 40% of the e-cigarette market.

The FDA said Thursday it has issued marketing denial orders for more than 946,000 flavored vaping products because their applications "lacked sufficient evidence that they have a benefit to adult smokers sufficient to overcome the public health threat posed by the well-documented, alarming levels of youth use of such products."

The decisions encompass 93% of the applications companies submitted for approval – but Juul, the largest vape company, was not included in Thursday's action.

A federal judge had given the FDA one year to act on a flood of applications submitted by vape companies in a decision stemming from a lawsuit brought by anti-tobacco groups. The agency said it's made progress but needs more time.

"We continue to work expeditiously on the remaining applications that were submitted by the court's Sept. 9, 2020, deadline, many of which are in the final stages of review," the FDA said.

This audio news story was provided to AwareGiver by NPR

Pufferfish Toxin Holds Clues To Treating 'Lazy Eye' In Adults

A treatment that simulates the loss of an eye may help adults with the vision impairment known as amblyopia or "lazy eye."

This audio story provided to AwareGiver by NPR.

The Best Time For Rehabilitation After A Stroke Might Actually Be 2 To 3 Months Later

People who have had a stroke appear to regain more hand and arm function if intensive rehabilitation starts two to three months after the injury to their brain.

This audio story was provided to AwareGiver by NPR.

A study of 72 stroke patients suggests this is a "critical period," when the brain has the greatest capacity to rewire, a team reports in this week's journal PNAS.

The finding challenges the current practice of beginning rehabilitation as soon as possible after a stroke and suggests intensive rehabilitation should go on longer than most insurance coverage allows, says Elissa Newport, a co-author of the study and director of the Center for Brain Plasticity and Recovery at Georgetown University Medical Center.

"Two to three months after a stroke is when people are at home," Newport notes. "That's not when most people are having their rehabilitation."

Americans may be able to breathe a tentative sigh of relief soon, according to researchers studying the trajectory of the pandemic.

The delta surge appears to be peaking nationally, and cases and deaths will likely decline steadily now through the spring without a significant winter surge, according to a new analysis shared with NPR by a consortium of researchers advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This audio story provided to AwareGiver by NPR.  

For its latest update, which it will release Wednesday, the COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub combined nine different mathematical models from different research groups to get an outlook for the pandemic for the next six months.

"Any of us who have been following this closely, given what happened with delta, are going to be really cautious about too much optimism," says Justin Lessler at the University of North Carolina, who helps run the hub. "But I do think that the trajectory is towards improvement for most of the country," he says.

The modelers developed four potential scenarios, taking into account whether or not childhood vaccinations take off and whether a more infectious new variant should emerge.

The most likely scenario, says Lessler, is that children do get vaccinated and no super-spreading variant emerges. In that case, the combo model forecasts that new infections would slowly, but fairly continuously, drop from about 140,000 today now to about 9,000 a day by March.

Deaths from COVID-19 would fall from about 1,500 a day now to fewer than 100 a day by March 2022.

The US Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved the use of the experimental drug aducanumab for early phases of Alzheimer's disease 

The FDA approved aducanumab, also known as Aduhelm, using its "accelerated approval" program, which allows for the earlier approval of a drug for a serious or life-threatening illness even though more study into the drug's benefits may be needed.

Jojn Dave Happe from AwareGiver as he announces an endorsement of the Credit for Caring Act which will provide up to $5,000 to caregivers to help offset caregiving expenses and provide for technology subsidy to help caregivers taking care of people in residential settings.  

You can see the AwareGiver endorsement letter for the Credit for Caring Act here :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DVcO3ktdXBjbb7GGZdXX5Mq8c6pNUaN-/view?usp=sharing

On the AwareGiver® Radio Show, we'll be teaching caregivers and people over the age of 60 how to connect with the ElderCare locator, a FREE network of services provided by the United States Government. The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Whether help is needed with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver needs training and education or a well-deserved break from caregiving responsibilities, the Eldercare Locator is there to point that person in the right direction.

This episode of Awaregiver - the CareGiver Oasis Radio Show is focused on preventing childhood injuries.  Drawing on resources from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other research, Dave put together an exhaustive list of how to think about child safety and baby proofing your home.  Topics include drowning prevention, preventing falls, window safety, preventing burns, preventing poisoning, preventing scalds, microwave and kitchen safety, choking and harm caused by swallowing objects, a serious warning about the danger of button (watch sized) coin batteries, and blind and curtain cord warnings.  Thanks to our sponsor of this episode, KinderGard.  KinderGard has been keeping babies safe with baby proofing products since 1974.  Search for KinderGard on Amazon or Walmart.com, or visit www.KinderGard.org for baby safety products.  Please share this episode with expectant parents and parents of toddlers and young children.  Visit AwareGiver on Facebook for copies of some of the CDC articles discussed during the broadcast.  

Sometimes things are better left unsaid.  Here's a list of 10 of them.  There's also some bonus content at the end, with a few things EVERY caregiver would want to hear.  Comments? Questions?  Ideas?  Talk back at https://anchor.fm/awaregiver