13th New Neighbors 21st Armed Forces Day

Page 10 • May 2022 • Golden Gazette 5 questions to ask before a senior goes home from hospital

Older adults face unique perils from hospitalization, experts are quick to point out.

Delirium, functional decline, and medication toxicity represent just three problems that tend to affect seniors more than younger patients.

Recovering from a contagious disease can make decisions around leaving the hospital even more complex.

At discharge, seniors may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information they must digest, from pages of discharge instructions to a multitude of follow-up appointments they must coordinate.

Perhaps this explains why many seniors experience rehospitalization.

Here are five questions to ask to help prevent a loved one from winding back up in the hospital.

1. Does the older adult live alone?

When a senior goes home after a hospitalization, he or she may require a high level of care for some period of time in order to move about safely, perform Activities of Daily Living such as bathing, eat nutritiously and get to follow-up medical appointments.

Seniors who live alone may lack the support they need to recuperate safely.

Is someone available 24 hours a day to provide any care the senior may need?

If not, consider professional in-home care services to help your loved one stay safe and avoid re-hospitalization.

2. Does your loved one need to quarantine because of a contagious illness?

Assess a loved one’s ability to understand home isolation recommendations.

Consider whether the older adult has a psychiatric disorder or medical condition that could make understanding recommendations or maintaining social distancing difficult.

New Neighbors, May 13

New Neighbors Club of Lubbock will hold its last meeting / luncheon of the year at the Lubbock Women’s Club, 2020 Broadway on May 13.

The meeting will start at 10:30 a.m. and will be the installation of the 2022-23 officers.

Cost for the luncheon is $18, and reservations are required at least 3 days in advance. Members, check your email and spam email for your Evite, or contact Virginia by texting 806-781-4653.

If unable to attend, cancel by Tuesday before the event by calling Peggy at 806-798-1314 (no texts, not a cell).

Optional games afterwards; contact your game leader.

3. Is the older adult at risk for polypharmacy issues?

Seniors often get discharged home with a slew of prescriptions after a hospitalization — some of which may be in addition to any medications they have been taking routinely.

Seniors who take multiple medications may be at risk for polypharmacy issues, including poor adherence to their medications regimen or adverse drug interactions.

You can help them avoid possible polypharmacy issues by: • Evaluating their current medications list, including any new medications and over-the-counter drugs and supplements • Identifying potential drug interactions • Eliminating unnecessary or redundant medications • Creating a simplified medication schedule

4. Will the senior be able to maintain a healthy diet?

Hospital food may be the brunt of many jokes, but nutrition is a serious issue.

Eating poorly before or after discharge can put an older adult at risk for physical weakness that could lead to falls – and readmission.

You can help older adults avoid this scenario by talking with them about their nutrition, how much they eat, and how they plan to prepare meals once they get home.

If it appears they will have trouble maintaining adequate intake or preparing nutritional food, consider recommending an in-home care service provider like their local whose professional caregivers can develop menu plans, shop for healthful foods, and cook nutritious meals for seniors.

5. If the older adult needs to go out, does he or she have access to transportation?

Obtaining follow-up care on schedule after a hospitalization is important to a successful recovery.

Outpatient providers often can catch warning signs of health or recovery problems before they lead to a readmission.

Do your senior patients have either the functional ability to drive themselves to and from appointments or to take public transportation?

If they do not, help them secure assistance from family members or professional caregivers to take them to follow-up appointments.

Asking these five questions prior to discharge can help older adults avoid rehospitalization.

For additional resources, including sample checklists to help seniors stay safe at home, visit Prevent Senior Hospitalizations. Call 1-855969-6345. - CaregiverStress.com

Lubbock,Texas 806-744-2220

GOLDEN GAZETTE is published monthly by Word Publications, 2022 82nd St., Lubbock, Texas 79423.

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Photo by Layla Mays, dietetic intern One-pot pasta primavera with shrimp

Ingredients

• 10 ounces penne pasta, uncooked • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 1 (10-ounce) bag frozen broccoli fl orets • 6 ounces green beans, preferably haricots verts, trimmed • 10 ounces large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails left on • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half • 1 cup frozen green peas • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1 teaspoon fi nely grated lemon zest • ½ cup fi nely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving • ¼ cup coarsely chopped basil • Red pepper fl akes (for serving; optional)

Instructions

1. Place pasta in a large, wide-bottomed pot or large, wide, straight-sided pan. Add garlic, salt, black pepper, and 3½ cups hot water. Cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, uncover and cook, setting a timer for cooking pasta according to package directions and stirring often. When 5 minutes remain on timer, stir in broccoli and green beans. Cover pot and return to a boil. (If pot starts to dry out at any point, add another ½ cup water.)

When 2 minutes remain on timer, stir in shrimp, tomatoes, peas, and butter. Cover and continue to cook 2 minutes, then uncover and cook, stirring, until pasta is tender, shrimp are cooked through, and water is almost completely evaporated, about 1 minute more. 2. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon zest and ¾ cup Parmesan and toss to coat. Season with more salt and pepper, if needed. 3. Divide pasta among plates. Top with basil, additional Parmesan, and red pepper, if using.

I could retire at any time, but I still enjoy what I do. So, I’m going to keep doing it to some degree for a little while longer.

– MIKE ORR, 70, SIGN PAINTER I don’t know why some people change churches. What difference does it make which one you stay home from? Don’t wait for 6 strong men to take you to church. Forbidden fruits create many jams. God doesn’t call the qualifi ed, He qualifi es the called. God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. He who angers you, controls you.