Need for Caution in a Hospital

All of us at one time or another are likely to be hospitalized. Understandably, we expect to be taken care of and for medical personnel to do their jobs in a competent and professional manner. Unfortunately, with shocking frequency, that is often not the case.

According to Consumer Reports, more than 400,000 people a year die in American hospitals due to staff mistakes.

The best protection you can have against some of these mistakes is to have a family member or a close friend visit you frequently while you are hospitalized and do his or her best to monitor the care and attention received.

That person -- and you, if you’re able -- should verify that you are receiving appropriate medication, are protected against falling out of bed if that is a risk, and that medical personnel are faithful in following sanitary practices. For instance, does a doctor or nurse use an antibiotic lotion before touching you? (One usually doesn’t focus on this obvious fact: Hospitals are full of germs that may cause infections.) 

Spotting Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

There is a common misperception that memory loss is a reliable forecast of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. That is not true.

To be sure, loss of memory is one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. However, simply being forgetful as one ages does not automatically mean one has Alzheimer’s. All of us are forgetful at times. The fact that one forgets the name of an old boyfriend or what he or she had for dinner last Saturday is not significant.

Memory loss that matters is of the sort that affects one’s ability to function in daily life -- as in forgetting where one lives. (A failure to recall where one left the car keys does not qualify.)

And, do note that Alzheimer’s often includes the person displaying confusion, agitation and mood, and personality changes.

Does Attitude Affect the Onset of Alzheimer’s?

Recent research suggests that people who are optimistic and feel a purpose in living are able to ward off Alzheimer’s symptoms better than those who do not share such attitudes.

Surprisingly, a of people whose brains show the presence of Alzheimer’s disease never exhibited memory loss or intellectual impairment. Of course, these findings may simply be coincidental but, certainly, having a purpose in life gives life meaning, and certainly leads to a higher degree of happiness as opposed to others who are not upbeat.

There is certainly no downside to trying to make one’s life more meaningful.

Make A List of “Need To Know” Information for Your Loved Ones

When the time comes, alas, as it does for all of us, to leave this earth for our eternal reward, the ones left behind often don’t have a clue as to what to do next. Don’t put your family in that bind.

Compile a binder or make a list of where your assets are with account numbers and addresses, including bank and brokerage accounts. Provide information on your life insurance. Indicate whether you have a safe deposit box and where the key is located. Make note of any special assets such as coin and stamp collections, and the like, which may be hidden somewhere in your house. List names, addresses, and contact information for your lawyer, accountant or financial planner.

In other words, don’t leave your loved ones in the dark. Don’t compound the grief your loved ones will feel by leaving them in a quandary about what to do.