Southern New Hampshire Health’s Post

Please read this well written and insightful piece about VAD. The principle and intent behind the plethora of processes is understandable, but the criteria is restrictive and does not address non-terminal illnesses impacting severely on quality of life, or terminally ill persons facing a long period of deterioration before they meet the criteria of causing death within 6 months or 12 months if they are diagnosed with a neurodegenerative condition. Quality of life is not highly weighted as a criterion, rather it is a medically driven model based on diagnosis and prognosis. Agency is not yet properly recognised, by the time someone living with Dementia reaches the 12 month prognosis stage they are not able to meet the initial criterion of being sound of mind to make the choice. How do Advance Health Directives feature? Training, support and care for the practitioners involved in the process also needs to be improved, emotional load and burn out is briefly mentioned as an area of focus. Our family has had first hand experience of when VAD is not an option, we were not able to enact VAD for Johann Taylor as the processes were not finalised, but we often spoke of it. We would have chosen a dignified death on his terms if we could have. We owe it to ourselves to push harder for the criteria to be expanded, less bureaucracy in the process and more agency for the person seeking a good death.

Caring for someone we love is an act of immense compassion, but it can often leave caregivers feeling depleted and overwhelmed. It's also hard to know what to do in these situations as a friend, neighbor, or even family member. So, how do we turn the tables and ensure the well-being of those who dedicate themselves to the well-being of others? Read more at NextAvenue: https://lnkd.in/gMj-8jmV

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This eloquent article reminds us of the chronic trauma that so many carers face - from first responders to front line clinicians to caregivers. So important to name this phenomenon, acknowledge it, normalize it and develop systematic ways to address it. cc: Tina Shah MD MPH and Jonathan Fisher, MD, FACC who are doing important work in this space alongside so many others https://lnkd.in/edeRDiJM

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#WorldTraumaSymposium continues this afternoon with Paul Barendregt discussing #trauma in the Alaskan wilderness. Here are some of the best practices and tips he offers! -The Alaska prehospital & Trauma care system covers land equivalent of the territory encompassing Wisconsin down to Texas. They have 2 level II trauma centers and a few level III centers. -Every 911 call outside of the cities is a prolonged care environment. A 500 mile transport is common. -The simplest interventions and strategies are often the most effective. The fanciest tools are most likely to fail! Keep things simple! -It is ok to keep patients in a “little bit of pain” it keeps you from overmedicating patients when you are with them for extended transports! (Think 1-2 out of 10) -Maximize your use of good Samaritans during austere rescues. They want to help and it is a good use of resources to improve efficiency -Never be afraid to adapt, improvise, and overcome! If you know what needs to be done…do it with the resources you have. Don’t just complain about what you wish you had! -scene and operational safety is fluid and can change at any time and don’t stop reassessing it until at the hospital with your patient. -Knowledge is your most important tool National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians #EMSWorldExpo2023 #paramedic #wildernessmedicine Wilderness Medical Associates International

Extended care programs at Sustain Recovery aren’t just about teaching your adolescent lifelong habits and strengthening the foundation of their recovery. They’re also about setting your family up for success. We know you’re all better equipped for a beyond better future when your whole family has the tools to heal and time to get there together – without the pressures or dangers of handling it on your own too soon. Learn more about Sustain’s extended care programs and integrated family therapy: https://lnkd.in/efpFk64R

It’s also the foundation of all we do here at Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care services. Bringing Love into the lives of Seniors with Dignity and Respect®. https://lnkd.in/gtfdpmzf