Are you ready for a storm?

Are you Ready for a Storm?

 

 

Hurricanes, snow storm, ice storm, torrential rains, tornado's, etc.

 ARE YOU READY??

Do you have mobility issues?  Cognitive issues?  Heat or cold issues?

For those in the Northeast baring down for Sandy (lets hope it fizzles out) or any other storm - here are some things to keep in mind that I have seen posted.  Please Comment if there is anything that was left out!!!


most of these shared by our co-founder Sharon

1- make sure your meds supply is up to date and you have all you need.

2-Flashlights- keep all flashlights in a specific spot so you know exactly where everything is.

3-Batteries- make sure you have different size batteries AAA, Double AA, C'S & D'S

4- Candles and Butane lighter ( the long ones you can use to start up your BBQ grill)

5- Gas up your cars/make sure your tires have proper air
 • Car charger for your cell phone. If your cell loses "juice" you can always run out to your           car and charge your phone.

6- Buy non perishable items to have on hand, soup, peanut butter, dry cereal, crackers, spam,  etc.

7- Get a "old school phone"  - a phone with a cord. If you lose power you can remove the battery powered phone from the jack and use the phone with a cord - put that into the jack which doesn't require batteries and you'll have phone service.You can go to a pharmacy, a 5 & Dime store they usually have them for under $10 (she sadly learned this during 9/11 so she could have phone service)

8-THIS IS KEY!!!!! Make sure your power company knows you are disabled (they keep that on file) and USUALLY if you lose power they attend to those first listed as "disabled"

9- Have distilled and regular bottled water.

11- Hand crank radio/flashlight (I found them at RadioShack) I have seen them run $40-$200 - but the one time investment is so worth it, especially when you need light or access to hear what is going on in the outside world (you can use it while camping too)

 12- Make an emergency bag. Extra clothes for you & your family ,tooth brushes toothpaste, brush, feminine items, spray shampoo, medications, and personal items. A list of meds, doctors names addresses. Also in this emergency bag keep all of your important documentation IE birth certificates, passports etc.

If your in a low lying area highly important in case of evacuation.

put this in a liquid tight bag or liquid tight plastic bin

13- DONT FORGET ABOUT YOUR PETS!!!! if you have pets make sure you have enough food and water for them, if they take meds for aliments make sure you have their meds on hand as well

14- if you have kids, charge their Nintendo DS, Nooks (even your own Nooks or Kindle) if you lose power you make sure the kids are occupied

15- I have bags of ice in my freezer. If you lose power put the bags of ice in your frig/frigs it will help keep things from spoiling. Don't open and close the door to the frig, keep it closed so the cold air doesn't escape. this is important especially if your medication require refrigeration



16 - fill your bathtub with water. if you are without power for extensive period of time you may need this for bathing - brushing teeth - during storms your running water can become contaminated and you wont have power to boil it first

17 - get cash out of the ATM - if no power  - no ATM's or Credit card machines will work

 

18 - if you have a portable AM/FM radio make sure batteries are fresh (if you don't have a hand crank radio)

19 - if you have a generator make sure it works. if its gas powered be sure you have gas for it (a few cans as backup)


20 -make sure you have gas/charcoal for your grill - if you lose extensive power and the ice runs out you can grill your meats and other foods before they spoil

21 - if you have portable/non electric powered fans/heaters make sure they work and if they take batteries you have enough strictly for them

22 - update your First Aid Kit

In Florida as most of our storms are hurricanes, we board up our windows - if the storm coming your way allows time for it, it may be a good idea.

if you are approaching a devastating storm, GET OUT!!!  Call a friend of family member in a different area or go to designated storm shelters

If you can - reach out to one person after the storm is over and let them know you are ok or if you need help  and have them spread the word. 

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Be a Take-Charge Patient

Award Winning Author Martine Erhenclou , patient advocate and speaker joined our SecureACure4MS Blogtalk Radio show on Friday October 5th. Her first book the critically acclaimed Critical Conditions~The Essential Hospital Guide To Get Your Loved One Out Alive, received 15 awards. Martine empowers patients to become pro active and well informed participants in their own healthcare. Upon further research Martine wrote another highly acclaimed book which we will be discussing this evening the title of this book is The Take Charge Patient.

Listen to internet radio with SecureACureForMS on Blog Talk Radio

The Doctor-Patient relationship is very important for you and your health.  Here is what Martine suggests we do when seeking a doctor:

Find a doctor:

       • who you like;

       • who you can talk to and who listens to you;

 

       • who you can collaborate with in a partnership;

       • who respects you;

 

       • who will reach out to other physicians for more information, putting

         ego aside

       • who returns phone calls;

 

       • who is invested in your health and well-being.

 Be mindful that our Doctors are not House - they are not mind readers, we need to communicate with them about what is going on so they can effectively help us.  With holding information is a disservice to you, your doctor and your health.



When you see a doctor, at the end of your visit, get your medical records for that visit!!!!  You have a right to them.  Get write up of visit, any test results, copies of MRI's or other scans.

Tips from Martine to prepare for a successful doctor’s appointment:

1. Prepare a list of questions for your doctor. What do you want addressed in the office visit?
2.  Create a brief health summary that includes:
-your top three medical concerns
-your list of current medications and their dosages, over the counter medications, herbs and supplements
-any symptoms you’ve been having, when they occur, what makes them worse or better (for example: exercise or eating) and what you have tried for symptom relief.
-List any medical professionals you’ve seen for your current condition or for other conditions that pertain to your visit.
3. Prior to your appointment, obtain copies of any test results and reports that were done by other physicians. Bring these copies with you. Never rely on a doctor’s office to send them as medical offices are very busy and your request can be easily overlooked.
4. If you are seeing this doctor for the first time, create a brief health history including major medical events such as surgeries, serious illnesses, medical conditions and more.

Please know it is OK and encouraged that you get a 2nd opinion's or more.  We know our bodies and know when something isn't right.  Don't just settle if in your gut and with your research you find more information.  Talk to your doctors about what you find.

Being a Take-Charge Patient means you are knowledgeable about your condition. RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!!!!!

Please don't do what a lot of people do (including myself at one time) and just start typing your symptoms into Google:
1 - you are going SCARE yourself
2. - you are more than likely not get the information you need
3 - you wont receive credible information

Research at sites that end in .edu, .org. gov

Go to the Disease's specific websites, such as National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nmss.org), Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (http://www.msaa.com) Nancy Davis Foundation (http://www.erasems.org)

Make sure your Sources of information are credible - for your sanity and health.

There are too many times that we hear about Medical Errors in health care.  What can we do to help prevent them?

One of the most common medical errors is in prescription medicine. Its important that EVERY doctor or medical professional you are seeing knows what drugs you are on to avoid double dosing or prescribing something that will cause a bad reaction due to other medication you are on.
when you receive your prescription for the pharmacy - verify you have the CORRECT medication. Sadly, its been know that the wrong medication is filled or you are handed someone else's prescription.


Martine recommends:

Every patient should carry a Medical ID card.  This will list information that is needed in case you are not able to speak and it allows others to see medication and illnesses you have been diagnosed with.  As well as Emergency information.  Below is a snippet of the card

 

Martine has available on the Take-Charge patient website a FREE download of the Medical ID card template.  Please go to http://thetakechargepatient.com/pdf/MedicalIDCard.pdf

Martine has provided to everyone on her website resource to assist us such as:

Sample Questions to Ask Your Doctor and Yourself

Questions to Answer Before You See Your Doctor

Questions to Ask Before You Select a New Doctor

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Your Diagnosis

Questions to Ask about Your Health Insurance Provider

Questions to Ask about Medications

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about a Surgery

Questions to Ask Yourself about Your Symptoms

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Tests and Procedures

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Your Treatment Plan

 

This is such a small portion of what Martine's provides.  This is a resource we strongly encourage EVERY person to pick up. You can get more information at www.thetakechargepatient.com

 

BE A TAKE-CHARGE patient