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Take charge of your health

Negotiating your way through the complex healthcare jungle can be tricky. Here are some suggestions that may help you to achieve skilled self-care.

The most important thing to recognise is that ultimately you and you alone are responsible for managing your health. See health professionals as consultants rather than gods. They have knowledge about the “science” of the body and psyche, but you are the only one who is an expert on you.

To get the most out of your health care, see yourself as a customer who is purchasing a service. Have faith in your life experience and in your common sense.Because you’re called a “patient” doesn’t mean that you have to rely totally on your doctor’s advice. Research has shown that people who participate in their relationship with their physician have results that are more positive. If you allow your doctor to get to know you, he or she will see you as an individual rather than a textbook or theoretical case.

As it’s impossible for your doctor to be an expert on everything, you can’t expect him or her to know all there is to know about your condition or disability. By educating yourself about your situation, you’ll be able to partner with your doctor in making decisions about your health.

When going to see your doctor, consider taking someone with you who thinks objectively, is a good listener and is able to provide emotional support. Ask the person to support and assist you without taking over. At the end of a visit, make sure that you understand your doctor’s instructions or diagnosis by briefly repeating what you heard your doctor say.

Ask open-ended questions such as “What are the chances of my recovery?” and “What are the implications of the treatment?” Never be afraid to say, “I’m having trouble understanding. Could you describe the problem in plain terms?”

Sometimes what you hear may surprise, shock or upset you. Don’t hesitate to ask for more time to make a decision that could affect your life. Ask how much time you can have for making a decision without endangering effective treatment and don’t hesitate to get a second opinion, especially if you’re dealing with a life-threatening condition or risk of increased disability.

Source
Kailes, June Isaacson. 2007. Be a savvy health care consumer, your life may depend on it! Journal of Disability Policy Studies. Sage Journals

2021-03-16T12:53:03+00:00

Compatible roommates

It can be tempting to select a roommate based on how friendly the person is, but you’re better off knowing how compatible you’ll be when sharing the same living space day in and day out.

Here is a list of suggestions to help you share your living space harmoniously.

Compare your daily habits

- Does the prospective roommate have enough money to cover the bills?

- Is he/she an early riser or night owl?

- How much TV does he/she watch?

- What are the roommate’s political, cultural or religious views?

- When should one roommate worry if the other is not home at a certain time?

- Is he/she sensitive to fragrances and/or odours? This may affect what you choose as cleaning products etc.

- How messy or clean does the person keep his/her space? Does he/she understand the importance of getting the dishes done and rubbish taken out?

- Does the person smoke or do any other kind of recreational drugs?

- What kind of personality does this person have, is he/she an extrovert or an introvert?

- What kind of music and TV shows does he/she enjoy? Moreover, does he/she prefer loud music and a blaring TV?

Rules

- Write down rules that both you and your prospective roommate agree to and both sign a copy. Don’t be too rigid. Dirty windows never hurt anyone and a broken plate should not ruin a friendship

- Control the amount of noise you make. Wear headphones when you listen to music, and go into another room when on the phone. If you’re going to engage in a noisy activity, ask your roommate beforehand

- Be careful about lending money

- Decide what to share. For example, state what contents in the fridge are off limits, and if you borrow something, let your roommate know and (if necessary) replace it

- Divide responsibilities. If your roommate is a good cook and you’re not, have him/her cook and you do the dishes

- Set up a chores schedule. Take turns cleaning the bathroom, taking out the rubbish, etc

- Follow the Golden Rule. Treat your roommate as you’d like to be treated.

Communicate
If there’s a problem, talk about it right away. If you simply cannot communicate openly and there’s tension all the time, find a new roommate. You may be better friends if you choose to live separately.

Sources
http://blog.checkfloor.com
http://collegelife.about.com
http://www.wikihow.com

2019-11-18T15:31:22+00:00

Experience the joy of being a hospice volunteer

When I tell people that I volunteer at a hospice they say, “It must be depressing working with people who are dying”. I smile and say, “Hospice work is not just about dying, it’s about helping people to live their lives as fully as possible despite having an illness that can’t be cured”.

If you’re looking for a way to share your knowledge, talent and heart that will have a meaningful impact on the lives of others, volunteering at a hospice may well be the answer. You’ll be a vital and valued member of the hospice care team providing compassionate care to others. I find volunteering at a hospice one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

What do I do as a volunteer?

As a hospice volunteer, you’ll be contributing in your own way to provide comfort and support to the terminally ill and their loved ones.

To become a volunteer, I first had to attend an orientation meeting with other volunteers. We were told of the aims and purpose of a hospice and asked where we would like to fit into the “hospice family”.

Volunteers are required in the following areas:

- Administration (answering telephones, secretarial work)

- Caring

- Homecare. Many people who are terminally ill with diseases such as cancer, Aids, motor neuron disease or multiple sclerosis are cared for at home

- Day care. The terminally ill meet at hospices once a week to interact with others and learn new hobbies and interests. Sometimes a tasty meal is included

- Social work (welfare, bereavement, spiritual care)

- Driving (providing transport for the terminally ill)

- Catering

- Gardening and flower arrangement

- Arts and crafts

- Charity shop assistant

- Assisting with fundraising events.

There are two types of volunteers: enablers and caregivers. If like me, you qualify as a caregiver, you’ll attend further training in palliative care. If you choose to become an enabler, you won’t have direct contact with the terminally ill but you’ll attend further training, if necessary, on how to assist in the area of your choice.

There is a drastic need for the services a hospice provides. The incidence of cancer alone is expected to rise by a staggering 400% in Africa during the next 45 years according to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). The reasons for this increase are mainly due to an ever-ageing population and the widespread adoption of Western lifestyles.

You can volunteer for as little or as much time as you can give – one day a week or one hour a month. If you would like to be a part of this rewarding experience and truly make a difference in the lives of others, please visit http://www.hospicepalliativecaresa.co.za/map.html to find your nearest hospice. They’ll be happy to provide more details.

Sources

www.ehospice.com
www.health24.com
www.hospicepalliativecaresa.co.za
www.stlukes.co.za

2021-04-12T06:27:41+00:00