for release December 15, 2000
The Sandwich Generation . . . Helping Your Aging Parents
by Carol Abaya, M.A.
Are you juggling doing errands for your aging parents, your children, yourself and working at the same time? Are you tired, stressed out and upset that your once vibrant parent is now frail and needy?
Do you feel alone? Rest assured you are not alone! The Sandwich Generation is dedicated to the 50 million Americans who may have elder/parent care concerns and/or responsibilities.
Alternates To Help People Take Medicine
Question: We just learned that my mother, 78, has been hiding the pills she's supposed to take because she can't swallow them. She's confused as it is, but says she was ashamed to tell us. What now?
Answer: We all know that medicine needs to be taken properly in order for it to be effective. Missing dosages can be counter productive - and even deadly.
There are gadgets that can split a pill in half, which makes it easier to swallow. Also, there are pill crushers. Then the powder or insides of capsules can be mixed with a little juice, milk, coffee, or soda, and then drunk.
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Question: My father 82, never liked to take medicine. He now needs to take several pills after having a stroke. He refuses to take the pills. We're afraid he'll have another stroke.
Answer: Often with kids or pets, we camouflage a pill in food. Sometimes, like your father, the person refuses to take it. Other time because the pill may taste terrible, it's not taken.
Pills can be crushed and capsules emptied and put in a food your father likes - anything from ice cream, cottage cheese to mashed potatoes, soup, meat loaf or sauces. This may create cooking problems, but it is one way of making sure the medicine is taken properly.
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Question: I've recently developed arthritis. I also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I'm having difficulty keeping track of all the pills I'm supposed to take. What happens if I don't take one on time?
Answer: This situation is more common than we'd like to think. Medicine must be taken properly and regularly to help you.
I was playing bridge one afternoon, and a beeper went off on the hand of one of the players. We all thought it was his cell phone. It wasn't. He has a special watch, which beeps 20 minutes before, then 10 minutes before, and then when he's supposed to take his medicine.
There are a number of other gadgets that can simplify taking several pills at different times. A local medical supply store will have information.
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Question: My mother, 70, complains she's exhausted and dizzy. She likes to eat, so it's not that she's not getting the proper nutrition. Her doctors haven't been able to identify her problem. We're looking into herbs, but don't know how to evaluate them.
Answer: I'm not a doctor, but do know often doctors overlook simple things that are treatable.
Have her doctor test for: thyroid and adrenal functions, and for low blood sugar. Most doctors test for diabetes, but not for hypoglycemia (low sugar). She may be eating too many sweets and starches (pastas and bread).
You shouldn't use herbs if you don't know what you need to treat. And you should work closely with her doctor.
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Do you have a question? Send it in. Although letters cannot be answered individually, appropriate letters will be answered in this column whenever possible. Letters may be edited. Send letters to Ms. Carol Abaya, c/o Name\Address of YOUR newspaper (or mail direct to her at PO Box 132,Wickatunk, NJ 07765-0132) or e-mail her at SandwchGen@aol.com.
Carol Abaya is an international-award-winning journalist and creator of the unique magazine The Sandwich Generation: You & Your Aging Parents.
NOTES TO EDITORS: text = 450 words; other material = 160 words
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©2000 by Globe Syndicate, all rights reserved.