Life with dogs can make flooring a challenge

Miss Lexie enjoying her spot in the sun

As one who lives with challenges to mobility, I am acutely aware of surfaces underfoot, whether inside or outside. Paved. Gravel. Brick. I tune myself in to flooring in the homes of people I visit, whether I’ve been there previously; it’s all about setting the stage for how I move. Will I need my crutches? Is the distance between potential ‘touch spots’ sufficient for me to move along without the crutches?

Here at Chez Rockwell, the floors are a combination of clickable laminate that is textured and non-slip and a commercial, no pile carpet. 

I hate shoes and walk around in sock feet; textured laminate is safe to walk on without fear of slipping and it’s very easy to maintain. I had it installed in the most oft-used spaces in my home; TV room-office, kitchen, dining room, and on the landing at the front door. The rest of the main floor is a sand colored commercial, no pile carpet. Ceramic tile is in the bathroom. I don’t know where my head was on that choice. 

Then there are the hand-hooked rugs, 3 of which I  made as a young child, and 2 more created after I moved into my home in 1991. When I was young, my father felt that anything that  would strengthen the spine and improve sitting balance and posture was always a good thing. Rug hooking was the therapy that wasn’t; I just remember enjoying creating them. During that period, I also did a lot of knitting, having been taught by my paternal grandmother to knit right-handed; I was the only leftie under the MacInnis roof. Dad used to comment that I  was rather like Madame Defarge with her mad knitting. It reasoned that I’d have to become acquainted with the works of Dickens! Those three rugs created in my childhood I did not get until after Mom passed away. The same was true with other things I created over those years. 

For years, in my home, my first rug creation was in the hallway between the two bedrooms; the other two were downstairs. Of the two last rugs made, one is in the living room and the other is the TV/room office. The living room rug creation used to be in front of the sofa but I moved it, thanks to the puppy behaviour of Mr. Malcolm. He was a busy little fellow in those early days, after he became more reliable with potty training and had greater freedom in the house. I didn’t always check on him so I am party to his crime of  ‘chew it til there’s a big hole in it’.  

His first major offence was committed weeks before the rug rearranging in the livingroom. He took it upon himself to nibble away at the hooked rug in the hallway to the point where there was a noticeable chunk missing - right in the middle, which was a solid colour section; the border was a floral design. I still haven’t thrown that rug out. It’s in the laundry room - perhaps I could have it cut in half and bind the edges. Shame to get rid of it. Right? But I digress.

The busy boy puppy just couldn’t help himself with that first rug. It had years of dog and cat scents aged into it; though washed a few times over the years, a dog’s nose knows! That rug, in his little canine brain, was an interloper into his personal space and just had to go and he was going to make that happen.

As to his stealth attack on the carpet in the living room, I’m convinced he discovered a bit of dried on canned food thanks to Miss Lexie! He just had to eat it, taking a bit of the carpet along with it. The hole, though not huge, was certainly noticeable but I wasn’t prepared to replace flooring so I did the next best thing. I morphed into Martha Stewart and put down one of my rug creations, positioned between two ottomans, covering the spot. Mr. M. has shown no interest in chewing, as my sister in law thought he’d do. He’s a big boy now! On to our next adventure.

Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, the boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at  Carla MacInnis Rockwell

Well-meaning ‘helpers’ can create big problems for persons with disability

 A second wheeled walker ensures safety during recovery 

from transient ischemic attack (Photo Submitted)

“OMG, I broke you!,” words said to my friend, Kathy,  as we sat in her jeep in my garage, about to head off to the Stanley Health Center. The vehicle is high and has a step. I cannot efficiently lift my feet, so I would turn around and position myself against the side of the seat and Kathy would hold up both legs while I pulled myself in. Then it happened!  She screamed! In just a split second, Kathy injured her back. She actually asked me if I heard the crack. I did not. I was terrified and we both almost started to cry. It was a mess! Mess be damned we carried on to the  Center.

Once there, I slithered out of the passenger seat and grabbed my crutches and then noticed that I could not move my feet! No heel-toe lift. Nothing! I had struggled in the garage at home just moments earlier. For several days, I hadn’t been feeling ‘right’, having experienced a sharp pain at the base of my skull. It didn’t last long, but long enough for me to wonder about it. I was actually going to put the TENS pads on it for a bit of therapy. Never got around to it and carried on with my day. 

At the clinic, to find that my mobility was messed up, was concerning. Two nurses saw me and came out with a wheelchair.  One of them, Nancy, had to resist the urge to ‘help’ me. Her hands were outstretched. Thanks for the welcomed boost into the car, Nancy. 

Here’s why helping is not always a good thing — I have spent decades fine-tuning mechanisms that get me from point A to B, whether inside or outside my home. At home, growing up, Dad would always remind my younger, very tall brother to pull his feet in as I passed by him in the TV room, usually free walking; wobbly walking without my crutches.  Occasionally, I had to alter my walking/stepping behaviour to accommodate extra bodies in the house with the likelihood that, at any moment, one of them might move, throwing my balance into chaos. A ‘helpful’ person who puts their hands on me unawares, startles me. I could twist. I could fracture a hip, or even my spine, trying to ‘save’ myself from a perceived threat to my upright mobility and safety; a harm created by someone interfering with how I move. That ‘save’ could potentially land me in the hospital where I’d be at even greater risk with even more ‘manhandling’. Scary proposition! How would you feel in the circumstance? Think!

It turns out that I experienced a TIA and the residual effect of that sharp pain in my head is that I can no longer lift my feet to heel-toe step/walk; at present, the ability to use my crutches is gone.  I’m in rest and recovery mode. 

I am actually terrified to go to hospital for anything. Far too many bedside caregivers do not listen; do not hear. That is unacceptable. Full stop! How I move myself, seat myself, plan to stand up and step are always issues that I point out to staff only I must be responsible for. Though well meaning, one wrong move from them trying to assist, could cause me to lose the privilege of continued living in my home and being able to care for my dogs. That, people, what a caregiver not thinking about me as a person could cost me. Mentally, that is not a good place to be.

Across the province and across the country, in each and every hospital and facility that provides in-patient care, there must be standards in place specific to those with challenges to mobility whether since birth or late onset. Many of  us live independent lives, are home owners, have jobs and contribute to the economy. Our disabilities must not define us as people, but so many perceive us as persons in need of help and care and they must do their part. Okay, if you must, fine, but ask first! And if your help is turned down, do not view that as a slight. View it as my expression of independence and a right to be!

Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, the boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at Carla MacInnis Rockwell

Too many medications? Speak with your physician

In these pandemic times, I am sure many people who live with health concerns have had conversations with their doctor about the drugs they are taking to manage the day to day. It’s important to have another conversation  - “Am I taking too many medications?; how many of the drugs I take interact with each other and I may not even know it?”

Polypharmacy occurs when a patient takes too many medications. It is most common among seniors and individuals with multiple medical conditions. Since older people metabolize drugs differently, the combined effects of numerous medications can be especially harmful. It’s the simultaneous use of multiple medications. While this may not seem like a bad thing, being on too many medications can lead to potentially dangerous drug interactions and exposure to many different side effects all at once. The same is true for  over-the-counter (OTC) medications and various supplements, which patients often use as needed without informing doctors.

It is vital to have an honest conversation with your doctor. Without that, they cannot give fully informed advice; that does no one any good and it’s actually an insult to a professional’s credibility. Think about that.

Treating only one chronic medical condition may require several prescriptions, but for seniors who often have several ailments, medication regimens can be complex, getting to the point where the patient does not know all the drugs they are taking, why they are needed, or how to take them properly. Medication errors are more likely with complex regimens and can be dangerous as well. What is worse is that physicians may not be aware of all the medications their patients are taking.

‘Brown bag’ appointments is a way to clean out the cabinet as it were. If an elderly person lives with an adult child or other provider of help, include that individual in all discussions. Armed with a list of all  drugs taken and names of prescribing physicians allows for a dialogue about why, for example, a pain management drug prescribed for a fixed number of days  for an issue that’s been resolved for years, is still being used.  How many other drugs are used for conditions that no longer exist?

The average older adult is thought to take four or more prescription drugs each day, but a whopping 39 percent of seniors take five or more prescriptions each day. While each one was created to treat or manage a specific medical problem, each also comes with its own risks and side effects. The more medications a person takes, the higher the chances are for experiencing adverse reactions, negative side effects and even life-threatening conditions. Overall, polypharmacy in the elderly is a major contributor to disability, frailty, falls, long-term care placement and a decreased quality of life.

I’m still having difficulty wrapping my brain around the reality that I am a senior. Wow! When did that happen? Living on my own and  only taking one script medication for a thyroid disorder, I am fortunate that I never got into a cycle of taking drugs just because a doctor or specialist said I must because they’re glued to that  bulky blue book aka The Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties. While in university, when  I was prescribed a combo of drugs to manage CP, I browsed through Dad’s CPS to learn about the medications I was taking. Up that point, I took no CP-management protocols. I was concerned about one, Dantrium, a muscle relaxant. Over time it can cause liver issues. I took the trio of meds for a few more years and then stopped, using only one, Tylenol #3 ‘as required’ rather than ‘as directed’. I typically take that when my spine hurts  but I don’t take it during the day, always at night at bedtime, so I’ll be safe in my bed and not roaming around loose risking a fall down and go boom episode. Been there, done that!

Key to successful management is to have an effective ‘hall monitor’; someone to police the flow of drugs and who is knowledgeable about interactions and will confer with physicians if there is a concern about a patient’s use or mis-use. Sticking with  one pharmacy reduces the paper trail and minimizes the potential for patient self-harm.

So far, I’m able to self-care. Let’s hope it continues for some time to come.

Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, the boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at  Carla MacInnis Rockwell

Casual COVID clothing is here to stay

Long before ‘pandemic PJs’ became a thing, I embraced the wearing of this comfortable clothing item. Since 2007, after my husband passed away, Mr. Jake the Cairn terrier and I were home alone. Since I don’t drive, I didn’t have the ability nor the desire to go out and about on a regular basis. Aging in place with cerebral palsy and living with the implications of fibromyalgia and a cardiac defect, I had little energy to ‘dress to impress’; the daily going out to work grind had long passed and my labour is now being done from home. So, why not be comfortable doing it, and fashionable, too. I have an assortment of what I call stylin’ jammies, in plaids, in prints, with bears, with rabbits, with teddy bears, oh my! The PJ pants lack one thing. Pockets! 

The word pajama comes from the Hindi "pae jama" or "pai jama," meaning leg clothing, and its usage dates back to the Ottoman Empire. 

Ah, yes, the spelling. The word “pajamas” wasn’t always spelled that way. In fact, in England, they are still pyjamas. The word pajama comes from the words pae jama in Hindi which means leg clothing or leg garment. I spell it ‘pyjamas’. What about you?

Middle Ages PJs were shapeless with simple trimmings; only royalty and those of noble birth wore pyjamas that were more than a simple long dress. Fabrics chosen were in keeping with the climate, often silk. Being a frugal Scot and all about comfort, I prefer flannel PJ pants with a loose cotton top. Velcro is a popular closing instead of buttons if custom designing clothing items for the elderly or bedridden. 

In the 1800s, many people started wearing pyjamas as a matter of practicality; the poor couldn’t afford to heat their homes so layering with long tops and close fitting bottoms allowed them some measure of warmth which contributed to health and wellness. The rich, on the other hand, were more inclined to wear ‘designer’ pyjamas fashioned from exotic material. I browsed around online and found a few high-end styles that I liked and suited my quirky tastes while at the same time being  compatible with the way I live and move about my home.

Historically, pyjamas were tight the full length of the leg, or wide at the waist and tight at the ankles. People with orthopaedic challenges that involved limited movement of the legs, such as I experience, benefit from drawstring PJs with a bit of elastic waist as we’re often quite thin. I came across a clothing line for those living with dementia; they were designed in such a way that the wearer couldn’t disrobe. PJs that are ‘escape proof’ would be ideally suited in care homes where some patients are able to move about freely but may have mental lapses and disrobe inappropriately

In the early 1900s, PJs were becoming more decorative, with the introduction of bows and lace on pyjamas moving them into the realm of style, going beyond function. Glamour was taking center stage with The Roaring Twenties. Were I living in those times, I would have preferred the manly smoking jacket with co-ordinating pyjama pants. Instead of an ascot, perhaps pearls, for that touch of class. Did I just have a Coco Chanel moment? I doubt I’d dare wear something like that out and about, but who knows. I’ve been wearing jeans out in public in recent years. I got my first pair in my 30s. I now own two pair. Just two!  

Pandemic PJs are here to stay for  some time to come so it’s important that folks be comfortable as they make their way through these challenging days ahead. Working from home, though isolating from the routine of the day-to-day we previously enjoyed, can be made more palatable when we embrace our inner child and wear those bright green PJs with ducks. Fuzzy socks are a must. Make sure to get a few pair to mix n match to really make a statement, even if only the cat or dog sees it. Surprising how liberating it is to bring out your inner child to dress you.

Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, the boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at  Carla MacInnis Rockwell

Salvation Army's Food Store's Focus On Dignity Is Model For Social Support

Photo: Michael Staples/Daily Gleaner

     

       Michael Staples’ article of several weeks ago, “Salvation Army’s Food Store allows clients to go ‘shopping’”, provides valuable insight into the lives of those who avail themselves of the services of the Salvation Army and other such agencies of care and support.

Adding a level of dignity, the food insecure are able to prepare their own food boxes, eliminating a lot of waste while saving money in the long term. ‘One-size fits all’ doesn’t work when delivering ‘social services’ like food/nutritional support to the at risk who are not always able to afford to eat as well as they should to stay healthy.

Whenever I read about various agencies that provide social services supports to those who are disadvantaged by life circumstances, I find myself thinking of ways that we and they could be even more helpful. One thing that struck me from the outset was the notion that having clients choose their own food from a grocery store like environment would ensure they select what they like, which would eliminate waste, concurrently saving money. Turns out that is what motiviated the Salvation Army to go that route.

Research shows that people who visit food banks have high rates of food-related health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity. Therefore, it is critical that the "charitable" food provided should be of high nutritional quality.

The person first approach reduces cost and waste as food bank dollars are spent on items that will  be eaten and not thrown away. The ‘sameness’ factor is eliminated; one size fits all food boxes is not effective use of time and money if client doesn’t want or need the item. Given that, labour costs at food banks are reduced as volunteer resources get acquainted with clients and get a better handle on just what their needs are and how shelves cans be stocked with items that focus on health and wellness. As food banks revamp communication style with clients they can then take that process into consultation with suppliers who will then know what is needed and how they can procur it at the least possible cost. Communication with donation providers allows a seamless transition from ‘one for all’  to ‘variety is the spice of life’.

Local farmers routinely contribute to food banks. Milk and meat are not cheap so food banks aren’t able to purchase a lot of it. Protein rich foods are critical to health and in partnering with local farms, client choice food banks will appreciate over time, that clients are getting healthier as nutrition improves. It’s a win-win in the the final analysis.

A surprising number of people simply don’t know how to cook, to plan a menu, prepare a budget or choose wisely at the grocery store. Those are skills that have been under-utilized, which is a tragedy, particularly in these currently economically stressed times. Living well skill sets could be enhanced with something as simple as recipe cards slipped into food boxes. Or, go big and bold — organize recipe books. Years ago, churches had cookbooks available to raise funds for various projects. Perhaps the time has come to revisit that scheme to improve the quality of life for those who need a little bit of help and encouragement. 

The old adage ‘you don’t get if you don’t ask’ is a truism. Those of us who’ve spent decades honing our domestic goddess/god skills have much to offer with regard to the ‘how to’ of meal prep, particularly on a budget.

At the local level, to expand community services, perhaps vacant buildings could be donated and converted to accommodate services of food distribution to more people and reduce the stress on existing food banks. 

It’s vital that we don’t insult the food insecure by scrutinizing their choices at food banks and other such venues that provide nutritional bumping up to families who struggle. Client choice food banks is a way for those very recipients to improve their own lot in life, over time, and ultimately become a contributor to the process of giving back. The whole exercise becomes a self-esteem building mechanism.

Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, the boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at carmacrockwell@xplornet.ca

Proper hydration in a summer heat wave can be a matter of life or death

Photo: Flickr/Mussi Katz

      Recently, I had an online conversation with a gal from my STU Vanier Hall days. A member of the Elsipogtog First Nation, a polio survivor and a wheelchair user since childhood, she is now a senior impacted by the implications of post-polio syndrome; what can best be described as the ‘wearing out’ syndrome. 

Like me, as I age with CP, she and I share a common feature of the process of growing old with disability. Because we use our good muscles to compensate for deficits, we wear them out more quickly than the able-bodied. In my case, my shoulders, elbows and wrists are impacted by the greatest wear and tear as a result of alternating use of  crutches and wheelchair and the constant extending of my arm to use my hand to touch ‘the spot’ as I walk about. That being so, I have frequent sessions with my TENS unit. 

My friend admits she doesn’t drink enough water; she used to, telling me that getting to the bathroom was a challenge as she needed help and she didn’t like being dependent on others. I told her to get over herself! To my way of thinking, if she has help, she should drink up and hydrate her body as required so that it performs well, from head to toe.  She did say she’d try to step up her intake and see how she feels. I pointed out that once she gets a routine established it will be easier to accommodate bathroom visits.  She acknowledges gratitude for a husband who’s ‘in it for the long haul’, who would do anything for her.  No doubt he’ll keep her supplied with the water she needs to stay healthy.

In BC, just this past week, 719 deaths were attributed to the heat wave that grabbed the province in a poker-hot grip. That’s a wake-up call, folks. Water, water must be everywhere; available especially to children and older adults who may not remember to drink up! Frequent fill-ups are vital to those populations to ensure that they don’t suffer from heat-related collapse. 

Friendly visiting of home alone seniors is a way that we can contribute to community wellness. How many of those who died in BC were home alone seniors or persons with challenges to daily living? In the nursing home setting particularly, care staff must be diligent about making the rounds with pitchers of ice water, encouraging water drinking and helping  those who are challenged accommodating the need. Necessary as well is assisting with bathroom needs, since they’re going to be increased. 

Sufficient water intake contributes to  a greater level of alertness and concurrent lessening of combativeness which is found in some patients with early, or even fully involved dementia. Sufficient hydration really does improve mood and that makes life more pleasant for everyone. After all, our bodies are approximately 60% water so filling up after a bathroom visit is a good way to get into the habit of keeping the ‘fuel tank’ full.

Symptoms of dehydration in the elderly may sometimes be subtle, but not drinking enough water and fluids can have impact on aging bodies such as mine. Severe dehydration can lead to confusion, weakness, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, bedsores in bedridden patients, and other serious conditions. Though I do walk, I limit moving about, particularly in really hot weather, opting to ‘sit it out’ with a binge watch of a favorite TV series. Give me winter!

During these extended periods of dangerously hot weather, we must look after ourselves and drink water. From the medical/physical perspective, severe dehydration is a potentially life-threatening emergency and can cause serious damage to kidneys, heart, and brain; to avoid severe dehydration, respond to signs of dehydration by drinking fluids that rehydrate. Consuming hydrating foods is another way to take care of yourself; watermelon, strawberries, oranges, peaches and canteloupe, to name a few, are ideal hydrating foods. Those on fixed incomes might look to sharing cost of an assortment of ‘good eats’. There are lots of creative ways to stay   hydrated and healthy during hot weather. What are your tips to stay cool?

Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, the boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at Carla MacInnis Rockwell

Valuing ourselves adds value to our community

      

  Photo: Postmedia Network

      Though my physical presence is not often felt in my community nor was it in the community where I previously lived, I do believe that I am of value — from a distance. I use my voice, via my writing, to share what it means to be differently able and how that impacts  those who are and how we conduct ourselves as we carve out a niché that meets our needs, whether in the short or long term. How we live our lives, in our differentness, is noticed, though perhaps not commented about. Perhaps we’ve influenced the thinking and behaviour of others and will never know about it. Are we supposed to?

According to Martin H. Fischer, a German born and educated physician, “a machine has value only as it produces more than it consumes — so check your value to the community.”

Having been a people watcher from the time I could sit up unaided and explore my world, crawling around before walking became a milestone, I saw boys and girls, men and women, making their way through days, weeks and years, seeming to question their own  worth based on the value, perceived or otherwise, of other people. Frankly, that’s self-defeating and wastes time that could have been spent pulling out the best of ourselves through study, reading, writing,  speaking, sharing.

The word community is, without question, central to human experience. Being part of an engaging community gives us a sense of belonging, enabling us to share a relatedness and support continued personal growth and the growth of others. We are also growing in communion with our environment which leads us to a greater understanding of why it is so important to be WE people.  As best as we are able, we participate, making contact with other human beings; to deny that need diminishes ourselves.

So often we hear people say they ‘wouldn’t want to live like that’, when seeing a person like me or those with even more involved challenges to daily living, yet they embrace the lives of the likes of the Kardashians and the Hollywood ilk. What seems to be ignored is the notion that  people living lives like the  Kardashians may actually be struggling more than I ever will. Many of them fill up their lives with ‘stuff’ because they have the financial resources to do so. The excesses are significant compared to how ‘regular’ people live on so much less money. Then they must contend with hangerson who attach to them simply because they have money. 

Folks in my world don’t have to worry about whether they’re valued for the tangibles in life or the money they may have. In my world, those who have more than they need or want, are very generous in their gifting to their community and beyond, often preferring to be anonymous in their lifting up of those who may need a little extra. Through that very practice of ‘silent partnering’ they are letting the recipient of their gift know that they are, indeed, valued.

We often hear that children learn by example. The same is true of adults, all grown up and out in the world, working, studying, making their way. Many grew up and out of circumstances that tested their resolve; they could have given up but they didn’t because they learned from a few significant people in their world that they are of value and as they grew and matured into their place in the world, they would know it.

Those who struggled to prove they are of value are often the very ones who will extend a hand to lift up another. Naysayers are locked onto the notion that the rich and powerful will always value money and how they can make more to acquire more ‘stuff’. Yes, there are many, with ‘celebrity status’ who thrive on the spotlight and their wealth, often flaunting it, sometimes to their detriment. They’re effectively diminishing their value with their attention seeking. Their ‘best by’ date will come. Then what?

Sadly, some people go into debt to create a facade to boost self-worth; alas, the interest that must be paid back puts a huge stress on daily living — living something that’s not true about  them. Faces and bodies change with age and we must accept that as part of the reality of who we are and what we are meant to be. Contributing our time and attention  to our community is a tangible way we can add value to ourselves and to others. Think about what that means.

Our value comes down to self-acceptance;  how we regard ourselves in spite of what others may say or do. BE and DO for YOU first.

Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, the boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at Carla MacInnis Rockwell