Dr. Thompson's Blog

Caring for an Elderly Parent

It is hard work to have to care for an elderly parent particularly if they are not close. I know because I flew 400 miles twice a month to care for my father who was in a nursing home. The staff knew I was checking on him regularly, so they mostly did a good job. The medical care was not great but I always checked the orders that were written and called the on-call doctor if I saw a problem. Dad was a very non-complaining patient. The principal problem was a lot of things, including clothes disappearing from his single room and the worst was when he didn't have his glasses so he could read. I'm not sure why they disappeared. Most health care workers in nursing homes do not receive much pay but many are very caring.

With the nasty virus that is now present, I understand that family members are not being allowed into nursing homes. I am not sure how the  patients are surviving such confinement. Even homes for seniors are very restrictive and the individuals have little freedom.

Some doctors use nursing homes as a way to make quick money. They visit infrequently and may over bill. It is important if your parent is on Medicare to be sure the charges are correct. If not you can call 1-716-586-1770.

All seniors need to have signed a Living will, so you will know what their wishes are if a serious illness occurs. I would not be willing to be kept alive with lots of tubes etc. Your primary doctor, a family member and the senior center or nursing home should have a copy. 

 

 

 

 

 

How Each Individual Can Make a Difference During This Pandemic

I now live in a beach town, which I do not like, and am constantly amazed at the behavior I see of far too many young people and adults. Few people wear masks and social distancing is not practiced. No wonder many of the beach and border states are seeing a great increase in the number of corona virus cases and deaths. No it is NOT cool to go without a mask and to attend parties or to carry on as though the pandemic did not exist. Being deprived of activities such as eating out, going to bars, and attending big parties seems to be intolerable to many. The virus is NOT a hoax, as Trump likes to insist. I do not know what bubble he lives in. Where are the courageous Senators and others when we need them. I applaud Senator Romney for being the only one to stand out against what the White House is saying. We must listen to the medical experts, such as the great patriot, Dr. Anthony Fauci. How lucky we are that he is still speaking  out and in practice. My friends in other countries, many of whom are in the medical professions, are puzzled about how this country got into such a mess. We can beat this virus, as we have others, such as polio and measles. However, we all have to help and those who think they are entitled to act however they wish are hurting  the rest of us.  If they have ever seen someone die of a serious illness, as I have, they would re-think what they are doing. At least we can HOPE!

 

Leadership and Epidemics

I was an intern at Children's Hospital in San Francisco during the bad polio epidemic. The hospital was the place where all the children and private polio patients were sent. It was a difficult time for me but how glad I was that President Eisenhower didn't say, as has Trump, "You just have to live with it or get used to it." Fortunately, Dr. Salk was busy working on a vaccine and how delighted I was when it was available for wide spread use. 

I remember growing up  during the polio years how we were not allowed to go to swimming pools, movies and similar things. Now many people in the U.S. are following Trump's lead  not wearing masks, not social distancing, and attending events with large crowds. I am often the only one I see wearing a mask in the beach town where I now live. I hope that  because of their arrogance that they do not have an encounter with the virus. I also hope that parents will protect their children since Trump and his group don't seem interested in doing so. Maybe if more of his intimate circle are affected with the virus, as seems to be happening to the Secret Service men and women, that Trump will begin to realize  we have a very SERIOUS problem. I am sorry that President Eisenhower or another real leader is not in charge. Hopefully, that will change in not too many months.