Florida - Southwest

It takes time to deliver to patients all that the Medicare Hospice Benefit offers.Americas hospice programs are being rushed. Short-stay patients, those referred for hospice care mere days before death, typically are in a state of acute medical, emotional and family trauma. Hospices only have time for emergency medical response, family crisis intervention and hurried attempts to maximize quality of life in the few precious days before the patient dies.Although the Medicare Hospice Benefit is intended to provide comprehensive, quality care to those who are expected to live six months or less, half of all hospice patients nationwide receive only three weeks of care before they die. A third of hospice patients receive care for less than one week, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.That crisis-management approach is in sharp contrast to the hospice ideal: building trusting relationships; controlling distressing symptoms such as pain; encouraging meaningful emotional closure for loved ones; and facilitating a peaceful dying experience for the patient and grief support for loved ones.As important as crisis support is, hospice is about living. While hospice can work miracles when someone is referred in crisis, we can do so much more for patients and families if we're given three weeksor better yet, three monthsinstead of three days to provide care. The more time the hospice team has to support the patient and family, the better the quality of life for the patient and the better the memories for loved ones following the death.Customizing care to meet end-of-life needsHospice interdisciplinary team members care for each patient as an individual; his or her needs always come first. That kind of service reduces family calls to their physicians office and prevents unnecessary trips to the emergency department. And hospice provides timely communications to patients physicians, adds Joel Policzer, MD, VITAS senior vice president and national medical director, so they are never out of touch.VITAS Telecare support ensures that the patient and family have 24-hour direct access to experienced hospice staff, adds Policzer. Just a phone call away, these professionals can be a reassuring voice at 3 a.m., and they also can assess, advise and dispatch clinicians in moments.When there is a crisis or a spike in symptoms VITAS Intensive Comfort Care staff offer up to 24 hours per day of medical management in the patients home, where most people hope to remain at the end of life.Caring for body, mind & soulWith time to get physical pain under control, there also is time to evaluate psychosocial pain. Patients often learn to embrace this important stage of life, making connections, repairing relationships, rediscovering simple pleasures and making their peace with death, says VITAS Social Worker Lori Reardon, MSW. Hospice helps patients live each day.When the end comes, VITAS goal is not to let any patient face death alone, Reardon adds. Members of the team gather to be with their patient and to support loved ones at the final moments, and for a year or more after-ward. We help families to grieve, to live and to remember.By Pippa Steinhart, RN, General Manager, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Collier County. VITAS works with healthcare professionals in Collier County to bring quality of life to patients at the end of life. For more information, contact VITAS at 866.928.4827

Getting older should afford you more respect, not less. No one at any age should be subjected to physical or mental abuse. If you are a senior and believe that you are in an abusive situation, it is important for you to know that you have rights and realize that elder abuse is a crime. As Americans, we all have the right to live our lives free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.The Department of Elder Affairs is committed to working with the network of social services and law enforcement agencies throughout the state to protect Florida's elders from abusive situations and environments. The Adult Protective Services Act (Chapter 415 of Florida Law) requires the state to have specific procedures for reporting and investigating instances of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of disabled adults and the elderly. The Department of Children and Families Adult Protective Services Office serves as the lead agency for handling reports and investigations of abuse.How do you know if you have been abused? There are many forms of abuse. Any willful act or threat that causes (or is likely to cause) you significant physical, mental or emotional harm is considered an act of abuse. Common forms of abuse include: hitting, pushing, shaking, beating, yelling, verbal harassment, coercive behavior, intimidation and other acts that cause harm. Un-fortunately, many seniors know their abusers well. Sadly, reports of abuse conducted by adult children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors, or in-home health care providers have become commonplace.Neglect occurs when caregivers fail to provide elders with the essentials needed to maintain their physical and mental health. Your parent could be a victim of neglect anytime, someone in charge of their care deprives them of food, clothing or medical care. In most cases, neglectful behavior is repeated over a period of time.Exploitation involves the un-authorized handling or usage of an elderly persons money, property or other valuable resources. Un-fortunately, there are many ways in which unsuspecting elders can be exploited. Those who misuse their power of attorney or their guardianship status in a way that results in the unauthorized appropriation, sale, or transfer of property or personal assets is guilty of exploitation.For additional information on elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, contact the Senior Choices Helpline toll-free at 1-866-413-5337. If you suspect elder abuse, neglect or exploitation, call the Abuse Hotline at (800) 96-ABUSE (2873).

For more information on The Pineapple House, Click Here.As we head towards Summer, these months bring to mind family picnics, cool drinks on the porch, and lazy afternoons at the beach. But, as temperatures soar, warm weather activities can increase the risk for another staple of summer: dehydration. Not getting enough fluids, especially when it is hot outside, can pose serious health problems for anyone, but older adults are at particular risk for dehydration.Why Seniors Are at RiskThere are a few reasons why older adults are more susceptible to fluid and electrolyte imbalances. With age, our body's ability to conserve water is reduced. This can make it more difficult to adapt to things like fluctuating temperatures. Additionally, the sense of thirst diminishes with age. By the time someone actually feels thirsty, essential fluids could already be extremely low. Certain medical conditions and medications can affect a seniors ability to retain fluids. Individuals with dementia may forget to eat and drink, and in more advanced stages may have difficulty swallowing. Drugs like diuretics, antihistamines, laxatives, antipsychotics and corticosteroids can cause frequent urination that depletes water and electrolytes. Furthermore, seniors who experience incontinence often purposely refuse or limit fluids in order to avoid accidents.Signs and Symptoms of DehydrationAs a family caregiver, its important to be mindful of the signs and symptoms and to communicate with a doctor or health professional if you notice red flags that could indicate complications from fluid loss. Picking up on the more subtle, early signs that a senior needs to up their fluid intake is crucial. Keep in mind that thirst is not usually a helpful indicator, because a person who feels thirsty may already be dehydrated. Initial signs to look for include headache, constipation, muscle cramps, dry mouth and tongue, and sleepiness or lethargy. Urine color is another helpful indicator and should be clear or light yellow for someone who is properly hydrated. If severe dehydration goes unchecked, it can cause seizures due to electrolyte imbalance, a reduction in the volume of blood in the body (hypovolemic shock), kidney failure, heat injuries, and even coma or death.Signs of Severe DehydrationLittle or no urinationDark or amber-colored urineDry skin that stays folded when pinchedIrritability, dizziness, or confusionLow blood pressureRapid breathing and heartbeatWeak pulseCold hands and feetPreventing DehydrationFor most of us, drinking plenty of fluids and eating foods with high water content is a great way to keep our bodies properly hydrated in warmer weather. Most adults need about 64 ounces of fluid every day, but that amount increases with heat and humidity and can change based on various medications and health conditions. A good rule of thumb is to try balancing fluid intake with output. If a senior is sweating or urinating more frequently, then their fluid intake should become more frequent as well. If a loved one is suffering from an illness that causes fever, diarrhea or vomiting, carefully monitoring fluid intake is crucial. Keep in mind that you can become dehydrated in cold weather, too!

A Shining Star in Home CareSusan Nimnuan earned degrees in business admin-istration and criminal justice while living in Michigan in 2005. However, she felt drawn toward a different field healthcare and f ollowed in her fathers footsteps after graduation. After working in radiology, she moved to Florida in April 2012.While interviewing for positions in Florida, she learned about BrightStar Care. Founded in 2002 and franchised in 2005, BrightStar Care has 380 locations nationwide and offers premium medical and nonmedical home care to seniors and others.John Botsko Jr., owner and president of the BrightStar Care of Naples and Fort Myers, was looking to hire a scheduler. Nimnuan was hired, but, at first, she only saw the company as a stepping stone toward her ultimate career goal. However, she loved the company and the role she played in the lives of seniors so much that she stayed. She worked her way up to director of operations in 2016 and vice president in 2020.Botsko, a former hospital CEO, opened his franchise in 2006 to have a closer relationship with the patients, and Nimnuan aligned closely with his vision. I connected and valued his commitment to the patients and community, she said. I love every minute of it and would never change it. I see people live fuller, healthier lives in their later years. Being able to make an impact in someones life is very rewarding.Nimnuan and Botsko also are members of C12, a Christian leadership organization that focuses on building great leaders and businesses for a greater purpose. Additionally, she volunteers with the Parkinsons Association of Southwest Florida and other charities.She has led relief efforts through two hurricanes, Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Ian in 2022, which devastated Southwest Florida Many clients and staff were greatly impacted by Ian, losing vehicles, homes and personal effects. Nimnuan and the BrightStar Care team moved clients into hotels with generators and drove clients and caregivers to survey their homes post-hurricane when it was safe. They also collected and distributed clothing, food and essential items and established a benevolent fund to help with recovery.However, of all her outreach efforts, Nimnuan is most proud of her teams work during the pandemic. It speaks to doing whats right for the community, she said.When the pandemic hit in the spring of 2020, emergency rules applied to most aspects of health care, except home care. As a result, Nimnuan arranged for free COVID-19 testing for healthcare professionals and home care clients. Then, obtain-ing the vaccine was challenging because it required state certifica-tion, special refrigeration and other supplies. Through Nimnuans efforts, BrightStar Care became the only home care agency in Florida to be a certified vaccine provider. Nimnuan appeared on local and national news stations to highlight the need for testing and vaccinations among individuals who require at-home care. She and her team vaccinated over 500 home care clients, staff members, caregivers and families for free, with no aid or support from the state or government. It was quite an undertaking, but its something that I am very proud of. Home care was an overlooked piece of the health care pie, and I was committed to advocating for them, Nimnuan said, adding that she and Botsko feel blessed to do this for their community. Giving back and doing the right thing is my passion. BrightStar Care gives me the platform and ability to do that, she said.