Archive for the ‘Ocala’ Category

I haven’t posted in a while largely due to family health emergency. We learned a few months ago that one of our family members had Stage IV Small Cell Lung Cancer that metastasized to the liver and brain. We also found out he had two brain tumors.

This information was a lot to take in, especially since he entered the emergency room for mild confusion and dizziness. Up to a few weeks before this awful news, he was out golfing and mowing the yard on a regular basis.

I still remember that day vividly, when the ER doctor walked in and abruptly told us that he had Stage IV Cancer and he had only a few months to live. Not only did it catch us all off guard, there was no warmth or sentiment there. It was just cold hard facts. Even for me, someone who works in health care, I was stunned by how matter of fact this physician was with us. If I hadn’t been involved in the conversation I would have thought he was diagnosing a common cold or some other minor illness.

Shortly thereafter the physician referred us to a radiologist that met with this family member and his wife, who began the treatment process. Later the wife called and told me that she had a horrible experience. Supposedly, while her husband was working with the nurse, she had a candid discussion with the radiologist who admitted that there was a slim chance of recovery. This of course we already knew. However, he went on to say “you should be happy, because he has lived a long life.”

I was stunned when I heard this. Telling her that she should be “happy” that her husband has lived this long doesn’t make it any easier. In fact it came across that the radiologist wouldn’t be try as hard because of his age. Since cancer is more or less “expected” at the age of 85.

In the end, the cancer won over within less than three weeks from diagnosis. This period was emotionally draining on us all, especially the rapid decline. My very dear family member who was diagnosed with this dreadful disease had always been the rock of the family. But when the ER doctor came in that first horrific day and gave us the shocking news, it was the first time I had ever seen him cry.

I sometimes wonder if the situation could have been better if his doctor had been more empathetic. Maybe not…I don’t know. However, I do feel that more attention should be given to a patient and family when delivering such a significant blow. Because I can attest, he was never the same after he heard those few abrupt words.

On a more personal note, I would like to share that this family member was my Father, who is and always will be deeply missed.

Honesty is something we expect from most people. We assume that the cashier will accurately give us our change, the police officer will protect us from criminals, and our boss will pay us on time for the work we do. Unfortunately, not everyone treats us fairly.

Yesterday someone close to me was robbed in Ocala. Two men wandered up to her property the day before, asking for farm labor. They claimed to be hard workers and would do a good job for her. Needless to say, she hired them on the spot. To her surprise the next day, all her lawn equipment and tools had been stolen, adding up to about $4,000. This left her feeling violated and extremely angry.

She stated, “How could they do such a thing? When no one would hire them. I gave them work and paid them fairly. Why couldn’t they treat me with the same respect?”

Later, she found out from the police that these men had long criminal records including assault. One of the men even had a warrant out for his arrest. Although this incident is truly upsetting, she is fortunate to be alive.

Honesty is something my friend expected, and they violated it. In long-term care, we often entrust strangers to provide quality care. But truly–how do we know they are honest individuals? And, how do we know they will do a good job? Hiring someone new is a gamble…that’s why people often look to an outside agency to provide quality workers, and also to take on the liability.

Most companies whether nursing facilities or home health agencies, thoroughly background screen their employees. If these dishonest men had worked in the health care field, they likely wouldn’t have been hired. At the same time, if my dear friend had checked into their background, she would have been aware of their dangerous history.

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long-term care

Just a quick note to congratulate Jennifer Mikula who is Florida’s Nursing Home Administrator of the Year! I am proud to say she runs one of our local facilities, Palm Garden of Ocala.

Jennifer was nice enough to give me a tour of her facility a few months ago. With her visionary mindset, she has made many changes that have improved the quality of life of Palm Garden’s residents. For example, instead of having a standard hospital-like shower room, Palm Garden now has a Spa. These days residents who use to avoid bathing now line up to enjoy the beautiful tiled room with stained glass windows and a nail tech.

Palm Garden also has a quiet zone. In this silent area, residents can relax and enjoy the smell of fresh baked bread (also to eat), the sound of water flowing, and places to sit and nap if one so desires. According to Jennifer, residents who normally tend to be combative or act out, seem to change in this still and relaxing environment. In this comfy and cozy room, I don’t see how anyone could stay upset long.

For nursing home residents, I am glad to see these improvements and hope more Medicare/Medicaid nursing homes will join Jennifer in continuing to reinvest in their facilities.

Long-Term Living recently featured Palm Garden of Ocala in their magazine. To read this article, click on this link.

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Nursing Home Administrator, Ocala, nursing home residents, nursing homes, Long-Term Living

For those of you who are Florida Nursing Home Administrators or are health care managers in North Central Florida, I would encourage you to attend the Florida Health Care Association‘s (FHCA) district meeting. This is an excellent way to meet some of your peers, along with gain knowledge on important topics related to the field and our community. Below I have listed information pertaining to the meeting, which is also posted on www.fhca.org.

DISTRICT VIII
David Minnic, President
Hawthorne Health and Rehab of Ocala
Phone: (352) 237-7776
Fax: (352) 237-5551
District VIII Meeting Information
Date: 2nd Thursday of each month
Time: 11:30 AM
Location: Ocala Hilton, Ocala

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Florida Nursing Home Administrator, North Central Florida, Florida Health Care Association, Ocala

Often in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, I have had caregivers come to me and ask:

– “Dad keeps forgetting how to act in public. The other day he started to take off his clothes in the grocery store. What can I do to stop him?”

– “I am completely exhausted from caring for my wife. The moment I take a break, she is headed for the front door, or attempts to use the stove or other unsafe appliances. How do I keep her safe?”

These are just a couple of examples. A caregiver of these individuals has a lot of responsibility which can often lead to stress, and sometimes burnout. Just in Marion County it has been estimated that 11,455 persons have been diagnosed or show signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.

Marion county has been very fortunate in the last year. A new not-for-profit organization began that specializes in this field. It is called The Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance Education & Support Inc. (www.adaesinc.org), led by Terrie Hardison of Ocala, Florida.

The purpose of this organization is to bring knowledge and hope to caregivers, the community at large and professionals through education and support. As a volunteer for this organization, I have seen many benefit from their services.

In a way, Marion County should thank the Alzheimer’s Association for the origin of this new organization. Prior to the Memory Walk of 2007, Terrie Haridson ran the local headquarters for the Alzheimer’s Association in Ocala. Unfortunately, after the county raised significant funds for the Memory Walk, it was canceled due to rain. Following this event the local Alzheimer’s Association office was abruptly shut down.

Soon after Terrie Hardison began the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance for Education & Support (ADAES). This organization now gives a voice to local caregivers. While the Alzheimer’s Association continues to remain a national figure for Alzheimer’s research, I would recommend to local caregivers and those interested in volunteering to catch a course offered by ADAES. You won’t regret it.

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Alzheimer’s disease, caregiver, dementia, Marion County, Alzheimer’s Association, Memory Walk, Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance for Education & Support, Alzheimer’s research

Recently, I learned of a V.A. aid and attendants program available to veterans or their spouses. Under this program, a veteran can receive a maximum of $1673.00 per month in benefits, and a spouse can receive up to $869.00 per month.

To qualify for this program a veteran must have had 90 days or more of active duty, only one day of which was during wartime. It is not necessary that they saw combat. They must not have had a dishonorable discharge.

In addition, the veteran or spouse must be determined to be “permanently and totally disabled.” This includes but no limited to: trouble dressing/undressing him or herself, blindness, and mental or physical incapacity.

The veteran or spouse does not need to be house bound or considered helpless. You just have to prove the person is in need of aid and attendance on a regular basis. The V.A. will generally accept a letter from a physician, which should state that the person has an incapacity that requires care or assistance on a regular basis to live safely at home.

There is a net worth requirement for this program. This is something the V.A. could assist you with since it changes on a routine basis. The last known net worth cutoff was $80,000, not including your home.

In addition to the net worth requirement, there is also an income requirement. The veteran’s countable income should not exceed the maximum annual pension rate which is currently $1,673 (adjusted periodically), or $869.00 per month for the spouse. However, some items may be deducted from income in order to meet this criteria. For example: doctor and dental visits, co-payments, medical supplies, therapy, transportation to the doctor, ect.

It can take up to ninety days to receive approval. However, once approved payments are made retroactively from the first month after the month that you apply. So, funds you previously spent on home care may be reimbursed to you when the V.A. aid and attendants coverage starts.

This information was provided by Interim Healthcare Private Services (Ocala, Florida), which provides quality home care to veterans and others needing assistance. To view their website, click on the link: www.interimhealthcare.com

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V.A., veterans, Interim Healthcare Private Services, Ocala, Florida