Tip #11 Bibs and Bobs; The Hokey Pokey

     "You put your right foot in, you take your right foot out, you put your right foot in and you shake it all about. You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around, and that's what it's all about…." - the Ram Trio 

When I was little, I used to love that song. Unfortunately I can't say that it improved my right and left decifering skills all that much (I might be hopelessly inept that way), but it was such a fun song to sing and dance to, that it has stayed with me all of these years. And what does that have to do with anything recovery related?

     Well, it all boils down to one thing… 

Don't do the hokey pokey so you can do the hokey pokey. 

Huh? Allow me to explain. The first part of the above sentence is figurative, and the latter is literal. Lets start with the figurative part first.

How you ever noticed how slippery ice and snow can be? Of course you have. I'd bet that you have especially noticed this when sprawled on your back with one foot in the car and the other under it. Not so fun I know. Here's my big tip towards preventing that in the future: remember the words to the hokey pokey, and imagine something hokey poking you should you put those words into action when you are entering a car in winter. Why?
Well, have you ever noticed that when people talk about hurting themselves when getting into their car that their story begins with "I put my right foot in, and was getting the rest of my body in the car when I slipped..." Or, "I put my foot into the car, but just on the edge so that I could bend down and brush the snow off before getting the rest of the way into the car..." It's a common thing though, as movements involving rotation of the back - especially reflex postural ones (when your body is responding to the falling threat) are big culprits of back pain and injury. This is true even if you haven't actually fallen. When you are putting just one foot in the car, you are making your back do a rotational movement and so it doesn't take much for things to go wrong.
Also, you know that when the movies show cars riding on two wheels it's clear that it's more perilous than with all four wheels on the ground? It doesn't always result in damage but the potential is there in a large way? Well, the same can be said for getting into the car the way most people do (foot then bum while twisting,then other foot). If you add to that the big risk of falling in general given pronounced weakness or instability that may be present as a result of your current health status - well, in that case you are just asking for trouble.

So then, what do we do? Refuse to go anywhere that involves traveling by car in the winter? No, of course not!!!! But, there is a fairly easy remedy; put your bum in the car first. What? With both feet on the ground, face the driver seat with your bum. When you feel the seat at the back of your knees, plop your bum down. Watch your head if you are not used to getting in this way:). Now, once your bum is in, brush the snow off your legs to your heart's content and then bring your legs around carefully, turning your body all at once.Take the same precautions on your way out, remembering to scoot your bum to the edge of the seat before trying to stand (for better control and balance). Don't forget to ask your physician or physiotherapist before changing the way that you do something like this to ensure it is the right thing for you.
Of course this all gets trickier when we look at how big and high off the ground so many of today's vehicles are, but the same principles apply (i.e.turn your entire body towards the open car door, and put both feet on the ground before standing). You may need a little extra help from someone until you have it working smoothly, (or indefinitely if needed, but let's focus on the "till smoothly" plan). Still, there is no shame in asking for help. I'm sure that even if you didn't want to have to inconvenience your spouse or other caregiver at all by always asking for assistance for this, they'd be a whole lot happier assisting you in/out of a vehicle safely than having you in copious amounts of pain and doing another hospital trip too). Otherwise, you may find that many large vehicles have running boards and other aids to help people get into big vehicles, but be careful because they can also be a challenge in terms of balance for some. Ask for help if you need it, and, obviously, don't if you don't, and always ask for a spotter if you just aren't sure.
Okay, so, winding things up I say this: don't enter your vehicle all hooky-poke-i-ly-like by sticking a leg in, or putting it back in and out to brush off the snow. Instead, lead with your bum. Now you can brush off snow to your hearts content, and then turn your whole body in to face the steering wheel. It isn't hard, it's just hard to remember to do sometimes.
And the literal part of the hokey pokey I mentioned? Well, if you are putting the suggested methods above into place, you stand not only a better chance of feeling better, stronger, and in less pain than if you had added a fall to your current medical state, but it might actually be possible to do something fun in the absence of a fall. Like what you ask? Like finding a child(ren) you love and doing the REAL hokey pokey with them. What better gift can you give yourself than that of doing silly and fun things with a child? And don't forget to laugh while you are doing the actions with them, "'cause that's what it's all about!"

Happy bum leading!

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Tip #57 Planning & Emergencies; Laying Life on the Line

     Don't worry I am not asking you to put your life on the line. No, actually I am wondering if you already have  - well ON the "lifeline" anyway.  What's the lifeline? Well, I'm going to ask you to keep an open mind right now and read beyond this description. It'd be great if you could hear me out instead of just deciding that this isn't for you.... Here it is:
     By Lifeline I basically mean a non-staples-easy-button-recovery-handy-service-and-as-a-last-resort-panic-button type of button for your home. How's that for a description? Unfortunately, what people tend to remember are the commercials from years ago that depicted various elderly people on the floor in their homes crying out to someone "Help I've fallen and I can't get up," and if not for Lifeline, they wouldn't them be able to get help.  Quite the slogan. Unfortunately that doesn't seem the least bit appetizing to anyone younger than 70 or so - and maybe not even then... It sure wasn't on the top of my priority list. And now I am so glad I have it. And I'm not eighty, and I don't seem to make it to the floor all that often these days.... but I digress...
     Professionally I ran into this a lot - people (lets say Joe) not liking the idea of needing a lifeline service, or the idea others might have when seeing Joe with it. Double whammy. No, not many people want it, but I think most everyone recovering from serious illness, trauma, injury and/or caring for someone thereof could benefit from it. And, incidentally, they are not just for help if you've fallen - despite website depictions! Here's a link the "Plillips" Lifeline page. Note a) there's a box to pick your country in the top right hand side of the page, and b) one of the pictures rotating through their site still has the elderly person laying on the floor as if they've fallen. Get with the times people! I do admit though, that is one very good reason to use it, and an amazing service to have for that reason - but it doesn't always have to be a senior does it? Once again, I digress....
     How does it work? You sign up for life line (or comparable product), they give you a waterproof necklace or bracelet (your choice), and you push the button when you need to. Stay tuned and I will tell you what constitutes you needing to press that button. After you press the button, someone from the company will speak to you through a speaker phone kind of unit (you don't have to get close to it), and he/she asks you what you need. Their last resort is to call an ambulance (unless you ask them to or you aren't answering at all). Instead, when you sign up, you give them three emergency numbers so that when you press the button, they can automatically go through your list of people so your family can come to you. Needing the button doesn't mean you need an ambulance. If you do -fine, if you don't - fine. Either way, it increases your safety and helps to give you a sense of growing independence.
     And, they also provide a medication reminder service with their Lifeline - and I actually just discovered that a few minutes ago when I was looking for the link. Guess what though? They talk about it in the context of seniors again! Still, you don't need to be a senior to use this. From what I saw, it looks like they can call to remind you when to take your meds, and which ones to take when, and that is lowering the amount of medication errors in the home. Awesome service.
     So, you may be asking "if I don't want the Lifeline for meds, and I don't want it because I'm not a falling risk, and I'm not a senior (or maybe you are, and that's okay too:), why on earth would I want to use it?" Here are a few of the instances that lend themselves to having the Lifeline service:

• It's great for people who are isolated; you live alone and/or in the country. Someone comes to the door (eg. unexpected delivery), and you feel vulnerable. You press the button, tell the person on the other end what the deal is, and they stay quiet on the line in case assistance is required. 
• It is helpful for people who need to "check in." You can receive an automated timer that prompts you to press a button. If you do press the button in response - great. If you don't, those emergency contacts you listed are called.
• You have an emergency and can't get to the phone to call 911. They'll call for you.
• You have an emergency and CAN get to the phone to call the 911, BUT are unable to have the energy or ability to do more than that. So, they'll reach your contacts for you to let them know for you.
• You have mobility issues: you're prone to falling down the stars or when navigating obstacles: both the panic button and.or the "check in" calls can be helpful in this instance (even if you're not a senior, and that's just fine too if you are!).
• You need the police called immediately. 
• You want to feel safe, but independent and okay to be on your own. Or you are safe and independent, and very able to do normal routines - but have an unpredictable illness.
• It's amazing for caregivers: if manual labour like lifting someone is required, caregiver can be harmed, and lifeline helpful then too - since that means you're likely to find both of you on the floor away from the phone at once.
• The phone rings, and you are not near it; you press your button and lo and behold, it answers the phone (and your call is still private).
• I've been told that some also use it for safety reasons when there is a history of domestic violence.
• Overall, it promotes independence, and provides peace of mind in may situations. 

Okay, so you get the gist. Many people find it hard to admit that they need this device. I say, maybe don't think of it as something you NEED, but something that will make you and your loved ones be safer, communication possible whatever the circumstance (for the most part), and increases independence too. Note that there is a charge per month, and it varies by company. I see it as a good investment if it is at all possible to achieve financially. 

     Well, I hope you are not as resistant to the idea of embracing the Lifeline service. Maybe check out the site, keep an open mind, and look at whether it's right for you. It may not be, but I think it's worth looking into. You can't plan emergencies after all, but you can make a plan to minimize them, and to minimize drug errors too. No I don't work for lifeline or anyone there...  

Happy Lifelining!