Should You Get a Shingles Vaccination?

It is estimated that 30 percent of Americans will get shingles (herpes zoster) over the course of their lifetime.  The risk for getting the disease increases as we age and 50 percent of those affected are 60 years or older.  The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends “a single dose of zoster vaccine for all adults age 60 years and older whether or not they report a prior episode of herpes zoster. Persons with chronic medical conditions may be vaccinated unless a contraindication or precaution exists for their condition.”

Vaccinations appear to decrease the severity of shingles if you develop the disease after getting vaccinated.  In a clinical study done in 2011, the vaccine was found to be 66.5% effective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a complication of shingles that affects nerve fibers and skin.  Common side effects of the vaccine as reported by the Mayo Clinic include “redness, pain, tenderness, swelling and itching at the injection site, and headaches.”  In some cases patients may get a chicken pox-like rash.  

Anyone who has had chicken pox is at risk of getting the disease, and generally people only get shingles once although there are cases of people having it a couple of times.  If you do get the disease, there are antiviral medications that can be taken at the first signs of shingles and help to reduce pain, speed healing and reduce the risk of complications.

The CDC states that there are no documented cases of the varicella-zoster virus being transmitted from adults given the shingle vaccination so you do not have to be concerned about infecting children or pregnant women.  However if you do get a rash, the Mayo Clinic recommends covering the bumps until they crust over.   

**This blog is intended for informational purposes only.  Always consult your health care provider regarding all medical decisions. **

As one of the most respected agencies for home care in the Greater San Antonio area, SYNERGY HomeCare offers families affordable and compassionate services for all ages, from expectant mothers to seniors.  We work with you to create a customized CarePlan for in home care for yourself or a loved one.  Please contact us to learn more about our range of services for professional in home care.  

Sources: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/expert-answers/shingles-vaccine/faq-20057859 immunize.org/askexperts/experts_zos.asp

Is a Living Will Necessary?

An advanced health care directive or living will is a good idea for every adult and especially for seniors.  Preparing for end-of-life questions can offer comfort to both you and your family.   A living will can also include a power of attorney for health care.

The purpose of an advanced health care directive is to make your healthcare preferences clear to family members and medical providers in the event you are unable to speak for yourself.  A power of attorney for healthcare lets you appoint someone of your choosing the legal right to make decisions regarding your care.  This document is probably just as important as a living will since there many circumstances where medical care decisions are not straightforward.  Having a trusted appointee who knows your directives about end-of-life decisions and adheres to your wishes can provide real peace of mind.

The Mayo Clinic offers advice for individuals interested in creating a living will.  They recommend considering the following issues (it may also be helpful to consult with your doctor): 

·     Do you want to be resuscitated by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or by a device that delivers an electric shock to stimulate the heart?

·         Do you want to be placed on a mechanical ventilator, and for how long?

·         Do you want to be tube fed, and if so, for how long? 

·        If your kidneys no longer function, do you want dialysis?  And if so, how long would you want to receive this treatment?  

·        If you are near the end of your life, do you want antibiotics or antiviral medications administered to treat infection? 

·     What type of comfort care (palliative care) do you want used to keep you comfortable and manage pain, while abiding by your other treatment wishes? 

·      You can also use your living will to specify if you want to donate your organs and tissue for transplant as well as specify if you want to donate your body for research. 

Sample forms for living wills can be found online from organizations such as the AARP and the American Medical Association.  You just need to download the form for your state and follow the instructions.  

As one of the most respected agencies for home care in Central Texas, SYNERGY HomeCare offers families affordable and compassionate services for all ages, from expectant mothers to seniors.  We work with you to create a customized CarePlan for in home care for yourself or a loved one.  Please contact us to learn more about our range of services for professional in home care.

 

Sources:mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/living-wills/art-20046303 

Caring for a Family Member with Alzheimer’s

The number of older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s disease is increasing.  The Alzheimer’s Organization states that there are now 5.3 million Americans with Alzheimer's.  Of those numbers, “an estimated 5.1 million people are age 65 and older, and approximately 200,000 individuals are under age 65 (younger-onset Alzheimer's).”   As the population of 65 years and older adults continues to grow, it is believed as many as 7.1 million adults will be affected with the disease by 2025.  Furthermore, the disease is the only one of the ten top causes of death that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed down.   

The reality of these sobering statistics is that today more and more families are finding themselves in the situation of assisting a loved one suffering from the disease.  The Alzheimer's Organization also has studied the overwhelming toll on family caregivers.  Their statistics indicate that almost 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers “rate their stress level as high or very high”.  In addition approximately 40 percent of them suffer from depression and have required healthcare services related to the emotional and physical toll of caregiving.

The FamilyDoctor.org website recommends that family caregivers learn as much as they can about the disease while their loved one is still in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, now is the time for the whole family, including the patient, to plan for the future.  This may include having an attorney help to update legal documents and creating an advanced healthcare directive and power of attorney for health care.

Your research should include finding out what you can about area resources including local training, counseling, and support groups.  Also get referrals for in home respite care agencies such as Austin’s SYNERGY HomeCare.  We provide professional respite care services that make it possible to take some much-needed time for yourself while ensuring the needs of your loved one are being met by our compassion caregivers.   Our services are flexible and will be customized to meet your family’s needs.    

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted agencies in the Greater Austin area for non-medical home care.  Our affordable, reliable and compassionate services provide families with everything from live-in care to short term wellness visits.  Contact us for a complementary home visit to discuss the ways we can provide your family with the best professional care.   

Sources:alz.org/facts/overview.asp#prevalence,familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/seniors/caregiving/caring-for-a-relative-who-has-dementia.html