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A pri l 2022
Tips for
ATTENDING DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS W
hy should a person see a doctor if they are concerned about their memory? According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the earlier the better to rule out other possibilities. A doctor visit can assist in ruling out other possible treatable illnesses, such as a urinary tract infection or dehydration. If it is determined to be some form of dementia, then there is medication that can be taken right
is also more respectful to the person you may be assisting. When I attend appointments with my BY LAUREL HED mom or with my clients, LSW GCM, works for Security First, the doctor and nurse will SBC Adult Care Management Services ask them questions that they are no longer able to away to assist in main- appointment? Any medi- answer, and it is clearly taining the cognitive cal problems, changes in difficult for them. With the information already level the patient is at, for medications? Write everything down written down, often the a time, at least. Some good things to on a list and make a questions have already keep in mind prior to the copy to share with the been answered. This is appointment is to make nurse. This gives the less stressful for everya list of areas of concern. doctor the opportunity one. When my mother was What changes have you to review it before startnoticed since your last ing the appointment. It still living at home, we
The Family Circle
TREE
reasons. The trees are dormant, which means the insects and fungi that might cause problems are also From Page 6 dormant and won’t infest the fresh pruning wounds. Zeleznik also says it’s easier to choose which branches to remove and which to keep because there Last spring, I received many calls and emails about birch trees that were not leafing out. Zeleznik are no leaves on the trees, making branches and observed the same. “We saw this in 2021, especially their structure more visible. If you’re questioning whether certain tree branches with birch trees. Throughout the state, ornamental birch trees had a lot of dieback, and there was noth- are dead, perform the scratch test. With your thumbnail or a knife, gently scratch away the outer grayish brown ing we could do about it.” Addressing whether there’s anything else we can do for our trees this time of year, Zeleznik says March is a great time to prune trees for several Construction Inc. Construction Inc.
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would sit down the night before her appointment, and I would ask her if there were any areas she wanted to talk to the doctor about. As her Alzheimer’s progressed, this was a more difficult question for her to answer. I would bring up things that I had maybe noticed and then she would agree that it was a concern. This helped Mom feel she was still in control. The day of her appointment we would review
our thoughts, questions and concerns before going to the appointment. I always asked Mom’s permission to share it with the nurse and doctor. Always keep in mind the importance of helping your loved one feel in control and respected. These ideas are also a great help to both the nurse and doctor. The more they can understand what is happening behind the scenes the better they are able to treat your loved one.
bark from twigs. The presence of a fresh green layer immediately beneath the outer bark indicates life. If that layer has turned brown, and the twigs are dry and snap when bent, that portion is dead and can be pruned away. Don Kinzler, a lifelong gardener, is the horticulturist with North Dakota State University Extension for Cass County. Readers can reach him at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.
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