SBAR Training

We had an awesome CEU program in our Haverhill office by a nurse practitioner named Sue Jamison from Educational Solutions for Long Term Care on SBAR communication. It was really interesting. SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment and Resolution. It is a system for health professionals to have precise and consistent communication with each other to relay a client's condition or a concern. The training helped us all to think about what needs to be communicated NOW to solve a client's problem. It seemed awesome for a facility, but I can definitely see how it could be applied to home health care. We may try to find a way to take this idea and create an in service for our aides on communication.

Lazy, Hazy Days

I had a lot of fun today delivering ice cream sundaes to the seniors that receive Meals on Wheels in Marblehead. North Shore Elder Services provided them to the senior centers and my Rotary Club delivered them. Everyone was home and I think they were all looking forward to their sundae. What a fun thing to do on a summer afternoon!

Light Exercise Prevents Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Elderly

I saw an article today on Forbes.com regarding another benefit of exercise for people over the age of 65. A sedentary lifestyle is killing Americans as a whole, but even a little bit of exercise can have a big benefit. The Forbes article states that light to moderate exercise -- just walking a few blocks or even dancing -- can help prevent the abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation in the elderly. Other than heart rhythm, it is known that exercise can help with weight issues and blood pressure. Check out the Forbes article here.