Page 5 - NBY Cover - December 2018 R

Senior in Action
Senior in Action
Senior in Action
Senior in Action
~ FIRST AID PREPAREDNESS FOR SENIORS~ Senior in Action
Len Leventhal
Len Leventhal
Len Leventhal
Len Leventhal
Len Leventhal
if they hurt their arms or legs and cause Continued from Page 3
The worst first aid kit is one such as a sprained ankle or badly bruised
that caregivers or family members of shoulder or elbow. bruising such as running into a table or I volunteered forty years as a Scout
chair without realizing it. A first aid kit
seniors can’t find when it’s needed or First aid kits aren’t necessarily designed Commissioner, working with Cub
doesn’t have the proper items in it, which to help everyone with everything but they can’t do a lot about internal bleeding, but packs and Scout troops. In recognition
it can provide pain relievers or help
is why residents of Southern California are generally good enough for use by clean up visible blood. of my passion for scouting, the Boy
and elsewhere should make sure that their “amateurs,” or those with limited to no Thermometer. Modern electronic Scouts of America presented me the
kits and other medical supplies are always medical experience. Certainly, those with thermometers can provide a quick Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished
prepared, just in case of possible future medical/advanced first aid training may Service to Youth by the Orange
emergencies. carry along their own more deluxe kits, reading. This may be a good way to County Council in 1989. (see photo)
assess someone’s condition, such as if
The team at Accredited Home Care is but they likely have received more To stay fit, I used to run. Now I
always happy to offer pointers on what training. they’re overly hot or cold. If cold, you mostly walk. At the Senior Olympic
families should do to make sure their Items to treat minor burns are often can provide them with a blanket or a games in Pasadena, I participated in
warmer location, and if overly hot,
home first aid kit or kits don’t fall into included, as are items to help reduce eight track events, and came home
“the worst” category as well. Their advice symptoms and pain of an allergic reaction. figure out ways to cool them down. Plus, with a bunch of medals. Outside my
a care provider or nurse might be
and experience working with interested in their temperature if they window, you can see my favorite
clients through Southern need to be seen. walking route; the Juanita Cooke
California can help you make sure Their medical information. Details Greenbelt and Trail that winds
that your supplies are all up-to- through Fullerton. I also like
date and include appropriate items about a senior can be included in a snorkeling and marveling at
binder or notecard that’s kept inside
for seniors, household members, “their” first aid kit. This can include underwater creatures.
and even strangers, neighbors or items like allergies, current medications, Was your career related to your
guests. It’s also important that or past significant health issues. This hobbies?
these items are in a place that is No, my 40 years of professional
easy to locate and that everyone in information will be useful if more care work can be divided into two periods:
is needed, such as if they have to be
a household knows how to find transported in an ambulance or taken to (1) a statistician in the defense and
and access. aerospace Industry from 1951 -1970,
The best time to do this, of a hospital. and 2) financial activities with the Los
course, is when things are calm and Contact Accredited Home Care for Angeles Unified School District from
you have time to assess what’s in more information about arranging first 1971-1993. Both involved numbers but
aid kits. [See page 15 for ad].
your case, what’s missing, and one set was probabilities and
decide on any appropriate Exhibit in Newhall equipment specifications and the
additions. Then you can take the time to second involved dollars.”
track down a replacement or new items, This could be a bee sting, bug bite or a Laurie Morgan Thank you, Len for sharing your
repack it all and put in a convenient spot. plant that causes a reaction. presents a one- story and introducing NBY readers to
This way, you’ll have time to calmly Although anyone can buy a first aid kit woman show at OLLI. Osher Lifelong Learning
pack and re-pack, and not tear your home and put it in their home, workplace or car, Canyon Theatre Institute classes are offered at CSU
apart looking for your kit in an many of them do include space to remove Guild from Long Beach, CSU Fullerton, and UC
NOW through
emergency and then dig through your kit some less common items and replace them Jan 17, 2019. Irvine. NBY! readers can learn more
once you find it. There may be times, such with items that likely will see more use. An artist’s about OLLI campuses and classes
as when someone is actively bleeding, Planning for seniors reception will online at https://www.calstate.edu/
that all you want to do is grab a bandage Most first aid kits are considered for be held, Sat. extension/about/osher.shtml
even if it messes up how everything is every age, although some for kids may Dec. 8, from 11 *Sunnycrest Senior Living is a bright
arranged. include cartoon adhesive bandages. But am - 1 pm. The and light retirement community that
This is certainly acceptable in people with seniors in their lives may public is is licensed for assisted living. Located
invited. Canyon Theatre Guild is
emergency situations, just make sure you consider changing some items around – located at 24242 Main St., at 1925 Sunnycrest Drive, Fullerton,
replace anything you removed later and and some seniors may actually enjoy the Newhall. California and just across the way
rearrange the supplies. kid Band-Aids! The exhibit titled “Seasons from St. Jude’s Hospital and Medical
Planning your kit More items to help deal with falls. Since Around the World” will include a selection Centers. Call 1-714-992-1999 to learn
First aid kits vary by design, seniors are more prone to fall and hurt of landscape, still life and floral more or schedule a tour.
manufacturer, and size. But generally, themselves, a prepared kit can be ready to paintings by
they all include basic supplies to provide assist if something happens, either a minor Morgan, with
mediums in
minimal treatment for minor wounds and injury or stabilize them until more pastels and
pain. Typically there are items to stop advanced care is provided. Items can watercolor,
bleeding, such as bandages or gauze, plus include ice packs to help reduce swelling acrylic and
various adhesives to make sure they stay and pain; aspirin to help reduce pain, and oils. Local
secure. There are items to sterilize hands Ace-type bandages to support hurt legs. If artist since
or wounds, plus gloves to reduce infection a fall breaks the skin, some bandages can 1988. Black
and white
risk and pain relievers. help stop the bleeding. doesn’t do this
There are various wraps to help Help with bruising. Seniors with justice, see it
immobilize limbs that have been hurt, conditions like neuropathy may not notice in color. HAPPY HOLIDAYS

December 2018 5