About nursing homes. Elderly, infirm or senile people are
difficult to take care off and can lead to a lot of guilt
feelings as well as overwhelming resources and needs —
both emotional and physical — to deal with them. Hiring
foreign workers is sometimes an option, but this is not
always viable for some families and isn't cheap. Nursing
homes, as in most countries, are expensive [but generally
cheaper than in America].
The care is extremely variable. There is a specialty called
geriatrics, but it hasn't attracted many quality physicians,
and many places just use doctors who have no special training
at all. Nursing staffs do tend to be better. Very careful
research must be done before deciding on which facility to
choose.
One other medical question to ask is: Do these places
transfer patients to the emergency department at the drop of
a hat? This is incompetent and makes for many technical
problems, as well as exposure to hospital bacteria. Also
ensure that the place is clean, airy, and well maintained.
Activities for seniors should be available as well as a
strong physiotherapy department.
Heart attacks are often misdiagnosed. Elderly people and
people with diabetes often have very vague symptoms and many
people put off chest pain and do not even come to the
hospital.
Chest pain from a heart attack can also present as only
shortness of breath, indigestion or abdominal pain. Pain that
goes into the arm, or arm tingling, are especially
suggestive. Do not take chances. Get an EKG and find out
where the good cardiology centers are. I will just say that
in the middle of the country the competition in cardiology is
intense and many centers give excellent care around the
clock. Write me in care of the Yated or at
jbleibmd@yahoo.com.
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