By: Grace Blanchard RN, CHPN According to the American Heart Association, more than 140,000 implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are placed each year. There is no question that these devices can be life-sustaining for the majority of these patients. The question is whether these devices should be deactivated when a patient […]
by Grace Blanchard RN, CHPN Indiana’s Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) legislation was signed into law in July, 2013. POST is a new document that allows patients to make specific decisions related to medical interventions and treatments. POST is not a living will, which states a patient’s wishes, […]
The legalization of marijuana in the state of Colorado has recently made national news. Although, I have mixed emotions about the decision for recreational use legalization, I do believe there are medical benefits to medical cannabis. Throughout history, the properties of CBD and THC in medical cannabis have been prescribed […]
There are so many facets of Alzheimer’s that can be draining for both the patient and the caregiver. At dusk or during the early hours of the evening, an individual with Alzheimer’s disease may experience an increase in anxiety, agitation, and disorientation. These episodes are referred to as sundowning or […]
Senior LivingTopicsby Grace Blanchard, RN, CHPN A colleague of mine at the St. Vincent Heart Center passed along a wonderful article she’d read in the Indianapolis Star. ( http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013309070049) The article describes a program where prisoners have been trained to care for fellow inmates at end of life. It’s […]
The ability to take charge of your own health is a great way to stay ahead of all the health care changes. www.drugwatch.com is a website that continually updates the latest prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and medical devices that have the potential to cause serious harm. In addition, the […]
By: Grace Blanchard RN, CHPN According to the American Heart Association, more...
by Grace Blanchard RN, CHPN Indiana’s Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment...
The legalization of marijuana in the state of Colorado has recently made national...
There are so many facets of Alzheimer’s that can be draining for both the...
by Grace Blanchard, RN, CHPN A colleague of mine at the St. Vincent...
The ability to take charge of your own health is a great way to stay ahead of...
The legalization of marijuana in the state of Colorado has recently made national news. Although, I have mixed emotions about the decision...
Bruin, Age 14 Our beautiful chocolate colored Dachshund will celebrate his 14th birthday this month. As most pets are to families,...
The ability to take charge of your own health is a great way to stay ahead of all the health care changes. www.drugwatch.com is a website...
by Grace Blanchard RN, CHPN Indiana’s Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) legislation was signed into law in July, 2013. POST...
The changes with our healthcare system can be very overwhelming for the average consumer. A philosophy of “patient-centered care” is becoming the norm for patients as they navigate through the health care system. Patient-centered care puts the management and responsibility of care in the hands of the patient. There are […]
The latest news coverage on the health care Insurance Marketplace can be very confusing for the average consumer. Eligible participants need to understand the basics behind the new healthcare insurance initiative prior to the enrollment date of October 1st. Consumers can navigate their state’s insurance marketplace to: • Compare health […]
A patient’s daughter said to me, “My mother isn’t afraid to die. It’s the time between now and then that she’s scared of.” When I talk to patients and their families about hospice, many of them want to discuss the dying process. What will it be like? How long will […]
“I live by this credo: Have a little laugh at life and look around you for happiness instead of sadness. Laughter had always brought me out of unhappy situations. Even in your darkest moment, you usually can find something to laugh about if you try hard enough.” Red Skelton And […]
Last month’s untimely death of the King of The Sopranos, James Gandolfini was a huge wake-up to call to my overweight baby boomer husband. Fifty-one year old Gandolfini, who stood at 6 ft. tall and weighed in at about 300 lbs., was one of an estimated 2,150 people who die […]
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