Medicines, Medical Equipment And Poisonous Products

  • Do you know the proper management and operation of all medical equipment?
  • Do you understand the safety requirements to operate the equipment properly?
  • Do you know the proper cleaning of the equipment?
  • Do you understand the hazards of the equipment and how to avoid them?
  • Do you know who to contact in case there is a problem with the equipment?
  • If Oxygen Is Used
  • Are you aware of the danger of smoking where oxygen equipment is present? Is there a no smoking sign posted?
  • Do you know how to store the cylinders properly?
  • Do you know the correct way to administer oxygen and in what amounts?
  • Medications
  • Make sure all old or expired medications are thrown away.
  • Make sure medication covers are easily opened if your loved one must take their own medications.
  • Make sure medications are clearly hidden if your loved one is not coherent or if children are present.
  • Poisons
  • Make sure all poisonous substances are out of view and reach.
  • Make sure all toxic products are marked with a contrasting tape.

Author

  • Ms. Mitchell began her full-time caregiving experience in the early eighties when her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Later on she became the primary caregiver for her father, along with her mother who had become critically ill from burnout prior to her dad’s passing. In recent years, she cared for several friends with AIDS while continuing to care for her mother and actively providing support, information, referrals and resources for caregivers.

    Gail's leadership on the Internet and her success with Empowering Caregivers led her to found National Organization For Empowering Caregivers (NOFEC) INC in 2001.

    Prior to founding NOFEC, she created the iVillageHealth Chat: Empowering Caregivers, which she hosted for over 5 years. Within a month of hosting she created Empowering Caregivers: www.care-givers.com in 1999 as a resource for caregivers around the globe. Over three million visitors have frequented the website.

    She has presented at national and international care-related conferences and programs and has been a keynote speaker for many programs as well.

    Ms Mitchell has assisted thousands of caregivers online and offline in ways to empower themselves in their roles in caring for loved ones.

    For a list of clients and/or her resume, please contact info@care-givers.com

    Gail's articles have been published in many venues nationally and in Canada. Presently, she is a member of American Society on Aging and National Quality Caregivers Coalition.

    Gail has discovered that there is life after caregiving: She has become a successful ceramic artist and installation artist. She created Crystal Illumination Art to bring the transformative quality of illumination, light and color to the human experience and celebrate its ability to inspire, heal and nourish our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being.

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By Gail Mitchell