Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate: Dr. Cynthia Speaks
Topic: Caregivers, Don’t Let Someone Else’s Experience Be Your Outcome
All caregiver journeys aren’t created equal. What do I mean by this statement? In caring for older adults, it is essential to pay attention to signs, and symptoms of chronic health conditions and situational outcomes shared by other caregivers. Caring for loved ones on blood thinner medications requires diligence. As always, I use real-life experiences to encourage my audience to improve and augment their journey in the caregiving space. Never say “That Will Never Happen To Me.”
If you are caring for a loved one on blood thinners, don’t let someone else’s experience be your outcome.
As nurses, we are taught to subjectively and objectively report any concern voiced or demonstrated by our patients. This practice is also necessary for the caregiving space. Even with caregiving being a noble and helpful role, observing and sometimes abiding by the advice of others can prevent harm. Any relationship between caregiver and care recipient must have periods of agreement. It is not about a power struggle; it is more about ensuring care is provided safely and effectively.
If someone says…I am feeling faint, and my leg hurts…believe it. Assess it! Never ignore it! Seek more information. Look around the body for bumps and bruises. Do not delay medical intervention. Ignoring any voiced or observed sign or symptom by a loved one is dangerous.
Blood Thinner Medication Demands Diligence
Loved-ones on blood thinners with poor mobility should be monitored closely when falls and bumping into furniture occurs. Any bruised skin found should be evaluated by a medical professional. Why?
Blood disorders are dangerous. Internal bleeding and abnormal clotting factors can be fatal. If blood levels are low, fainting is possible. All blood thinner medication must be monitored by the doctor to ensure blood levels are in acceptable ranges. You cannot bypass labwork when blood thinner medications are in use. As Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate, here are things I want you to be mindful of:
Stated feelings of weakness or faintness
Bruising on the skin(black and blue blots)
Blood in your urine
Coughing up blood
Black bowel movements
Do not ignore… call your doctor immediately!
Be well, Be safe, Bye for now!