STAYING OUT OF THE HOSPITAL

I hope that you want to stay out of the hospital.  The doctors want to be able to care for us outside of the hospital.  But, when we need to go, then we go.

Staying out of the hospital requires work on our part.  The fact is that being in the hospital can be harder and is certainly not as comfortable.  There are many downsides to being in a hospital.

What's My Role? Staying out of the hospital
from the University of Minnesota - Earl E Baaken Center for Spirituality and Healing - the website has HONcertification

• Maintain recommended body weight
• Eat a plant-based diet with moderate portions (get your protein and if that means some red meat, do it)
• Engage in regular physical activity
• Prioritize healthy sleep
• Don't smoke or use drugs
• Use alcohol in moderation
• Take steps to master your stress (mindfulness is being stressed these days)
• Nurture strong personal relationships or just get out, walk at a mall and go to coffee shops
• Cultivate a healthy personal environment
• Find meaning and purpose in life - don't live as a victim, just a little
• Taken directly from the University of Minnesota - Earl E Baaken Center for Spirituality and Healing

More things that we can do:
Some of these are:

1. Medication compliance

Studies show that up to 50% of people cannot or will not keep up with their medications

And, this is understandable for many reasons:

• there are too many medication to keep track of.
• did I take this one today or didn't I?
• these medications make me feel crummy.
• I can't pay for all of them - it's too expensive.
• I can't get to the pharmacy.
• I forget to take them.

Try to talk to your doctors office about these difficulties
Ideally, they will work with you to remove the obstacles

2. Move - get out of bed, get out of the chair, WALK

• Maybe you're just too tired.
• Make yourself stand up.  Are you dizzy?  Then, don't step away from the chair or bed until steady.

Exercise is supremely important
From TedEd

3. Let the physician know what is difficult to do:

• like taking the medications for one or many of the reasons listed above
• pain that gets in the way of moving/exercise and anything else
• nausea that gets in the way of eating and QOL
• diarrhea that causes your rectum to hurt, ruins QOL, sucks the energy from you
• it will also, if it is fairly constant, disturb the blood's electrolyte balance and dehydrate you -- not good
• see what the doc has to say (actually it will probably be a nurse unless you are at an appointment and not on a phone) - anything helpful? Does she care about your QOL?
• If you are not getting the help that you need, see if the nurse will have the physician call you to discuss your concern
• If you can't talk to the doc on the phone, then you probably need to make an appointment to see him
• Unfortunately, not all clinicians understand the importance of respectful communication

Link to resources for Elder care - Senior Care
Good senior care can keep your older loved out of the hospital