Globe Syndicate

For release Friday June 25, 2004

The Sandwich Generation . . . Helping Your Aging Parents

by Carol Abaya, M.A.

MORE BAD NEWS ON DRUGS

Whenever I (1) recommend people ask a lot of questions before taking any medicines and (2) say people who have negative reactions to medicine should stop them, I get an outcry from the medical profession. I’m told I have no right to give medical advice.

MY advice is now supported by a recent study by the National Center for Health Care Statistics.

The study shows that in 8.3% of visits to the doctor, the senior is given prescriptions for inappropriate (in other words the wrong) drugs. Women were twice as likely to have this problem.

As reported in the AARP Bulletin, the study “found that pain relievers, sedatives and anti-depressants -- all with possible adverse reactions ranging from delirium to falls -- were the drugs inappropriately prescribed most often.”

Margie Goulding, author of the study, says, “For every inappropriate drug, there IS a safer alternative. Be aware and ask questions.”

Question: My father, 73, has been taking the same blood pressure medicine for years. He recently had pneumonia and is still recovering. While in the hospital, for several days he was not given the blood pressure pills and seemed more mentally alert. Now he’s again “mental fuzzy.” Why?

Answer: The blood pressure medicine which may have been ok when your father was younger may no longer be appropriate. Tell the doctor about the confusion experienced by your father. Ask him whether your father really needs the medicine in the first place and what would happen if he discontinued it. If medicine is really needed, a change in brand might be better and not make him confused.

Bogus Insurance companies:

I try to keep readers alerted to new scams in order to protect them and their family.

The latest, which is taking a great financial and health toll, involves fraudulent (and often non-existing) medical insurance companies. Given the high cost of medical care, consumers shop around. They certainly should get the most for their money. As people, of all ages, lose their jobs and/or those in their late 50s and early 60s take early retirement, they are vulnerable to sharp talking salespeople.

Small employees and the self-employed are especially vulnerable and need to beware of what seems too good to be true. Before buying any new insurance, check out the company.

Useful web sites: (1) www.healthinsuranceinfo.net (by Georgetown University);

(2) www.dol.gov/ebsa and then click on “Health Benefits Education.”

(3) www.insurancefraud.org.

Remember?? A couple of weeks ago I talked about the unconditional love given by pets and plants. So some quotes from this year’s “The 3.6.5.Puppies A Year” calendar.

* “A dog is like an eternal Peter Pan, a child who never grows old and who therefore is always available to love and be loved.”

* “There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.”

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.

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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, mail direct to her at PO Box 132, Wickatunk, NJ 07765-0132 or contact her through her web site: thesandwichgeneration.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 = 530 words; other material = 160 words

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