With all the talk of regular flu and swine flu shots, I thought I would remind everyone of the pneumonia shot. This has nothing to do with the "end of life" decisions related to treating or not treating pneumonia. I am talking about us, the caregivers, and our spouses who are NOT in last stage AD. The pneumonia shot protects against many, not all, but many strains of pneumonia for 5 years.
Having had pneumonia, I can tell you it is no fun. It was damn scary. Sid and I had it at the same time 5 years ago, and because of his diabetes, he had to be hospitalized. They gave him the shot right before they released him. I did not get the shot, but I have worried about it every year, so this morning, we both got pneumonia shots.
This is just my opinion, and something I felt necessary for us. Everyone can make their own decisions, but I think a lot of flu deaths are related to underlying pneumonia.
I agree, I got my pneumonia shot last year. We are the ones out among the sickies, touching shopping cart handles, door knobs, etc., and all we need do is wipe an eye to get live bacteria into our systems. The more prepared we are, the less violent the flu/pneumonia will be. I use the towel wipes on the cart handles, but they cannot be all that strong. It's amazing how many things we touch when we are away - including the ATM buttons. I watch the nurses and doctors who call on Foster. They do nothing without gloves on. I appreciate that. Who knows where they were last?? Still they wash their hands before putting on the gloves and after they finish...at least here, they do. I have antibaceterial soap pump dispensers at each sink because they use sinks all over the lower floor of this house.
Watch what they do, how long they do it...and copy their practice.
I agree, Joan, pneumonia is no fun! I've had it twice, then got the shot- been fine since. It's a great preventive inasmuch as so many other conditions may develop into pneumonia.
Last time I looked into the flu shot, the doctor said my DH shouldn't have the flu shot because of his neurological condition (it was actually on the consent form).
Both of us have had pneumonia shots. I may be due for another one next year, but my husband is set. At this point we both have had regular flu shots as well. I decided that neither of us needed to get flu this year. I'll decide about h1n1 when they say people over 64 can get it. Right now they want the health care people and the little children go get it first and that makes sense to me.
I forced Jim into getting the pneumonia shot when he was hospitalized last winter. He wasn't happy. He has never had a flu shot and still refused to get one. I have gotten the flu shot, but never thought about the pneumonia vaccine. I will get it at my next visit. Thanks for the reminder Joan.
"They" can mandate all they want, but it is still up to the patient (or family) to make the final decision. No one can force you to accept a treatment you don't want. All Medicare can do is agree to pay for the shots.
I went to get the pneumonia shot, the swine flue shot, and a regular flu shot, but the bartender told me that shots were likely to just get me feeling good, and would probably not prevent sickness....
Marsh, I'm not saying that anyone says you HAVE to take it, just that it is covered completely once you are 65.
I've had pneumonia. I've been taken to the hospital unconscious by paramedics. I do not remember being put in the ambulance or being taken into Emergency. Basically I was dying when I got there. I've spent 4 days there.
I agree ((Starling)) it is no fun at all. I didn't know a body could get that sick! Is why I often wonder why it is said it is such a peaceful way to die.... I certainly wasn't peaceful. I know that is debated by both sides, those who feel it is and those who feel it isn't. I guess we just need to follow our own hearts. We have both had our shots.
Nikki, if I had actually gone between the paramedics coming into the house and waking up in Emergency and asking the doctor "Where am I?" it would have been peaceful.
Two other quotes from that visit to the hospital. When they needed to get me off the gurney and onto the bed I told them I couldn't help. They said that is why there were three of them. They didn't get the transfer sheet out from under me for 24 hours.
And when my husband asked why I hadn't called him, I told him "It is hard to call someone when you are unconscious." He had found me when I didn't answer our home phone. I'd used that hospital before so that was where he tried.
Starling, who called 911 for you if no one was home? Your story is horrible...and reminds all of us what can happen if we get so sick and no one knows. Did you call for help yourself? (I understand your husband must not have been home when this happened.)
I came to, realized that something was very wrong, dialed 911 and told the lady "I'm so sick. I'm so sick." She told me to try to open the door so they wouldn't need to break it down. I did that and did not walk for another 4 days. She had to tell me to hang up the phone because I would have just dropped it.
And yes, I was alone in the house.
I've always called 911 on myself. I've done it 3 times now.
That is the worst story Starling..so scary. -- Your story is MY greatest fear. I'm so glad you were able to get to the door and back. Makes me wonder if I shouldn't hide a key outside the door just in case. I could tell 911 there's a key under the 'whatever'.. I wish all 911 people had keys to a special emergency lock box we could attach to the house. I know they all have a key to subdivision gates in glass boxes at the entries, and codes to most gates are something like *00911 or 91100(enter).... I've lived in several gated subdivisions and all had a 911 combo code..
Hope the bad guys don't figure that out..but they probably have already.
I currently have a panic button. The service has the code that will open my garage door. They will give the code to the police or paramedics if they have to send them to my home.
My husband keeps locking the door from the garage to the house, but if they have to break that one down it isn't as bad as breaking down the front door. I could also use a door lock box and keep a key in it. One of the kind the real estate companies use, but all the doors in this development are lever and not round. The lock boxes don't work on those.
My lock box is currently on a water faucet next to the door in the flower bed. - because they can scratch nice doors...(I had to get mine refinished!) Some can be attached to the house - others can be on side doors. All this being said, there needs to be a better way, especially in retirement communities. I am going to think about a solution to this and let you know what it is. I keep thinking about a glass box that can be broken in case of emergency...on a back or side door.
Nancy, I want a lock box. They also suggested hiding it in a decorative rock, but that won't work here either. If anyone can come up with a way I can attach the box to something so the box itself doesn't walk off, please tell me. I'd love it if they had two ways into the house just in case the garage door open doesn't do its thing.
Just leared that the Home Depot sells Lock Boxes with Combination Locks...you can set the numbers. Everyone who needs to know the combination can ... Good idea, Stella. I had not thought about buying a separate combo lockbox and called my Realtor who told me that she used to use them all the time before SUPRA locks were required by the local MLS.
I know where to buy them. The panic button people sell them but they told me about Home Depot too. The problem is that you have to put it somewhere. You have to fasten it to something. The gardening people (paid for by the community) couldn't use it to get into the house, but they could move it and then the paramedics can't use it to get into the house.
So how to I attach it to something so it stays put?
FRANK! iS THERE A WAY TO INSTALL A PIPE OR SOMETHING IN THE GROUND, NEXT TO THE DOOR, THAT A COMBO LOX BOX COULD BE ATTACHED TO? i do not know if the lock boxes at Home Depot can be attached (screwed?) into the exterior of a house. If anyone goes to a Home Depot or Lowe's, pls. chech this out for us.