Cedarville Magazine, Fall 2013

Cedarville Magazine | 21 Meet Dr. White, experience chapel, tour campus, attend classes, connect with a professor, and enjoy lunch in the dining hall. We’ll make the day special! March 10 March 17 March 31 April 7 Bring students to an ALUMNI MONDAY this spring! Or schedule a date that’s convenient for you. cedarville.edu/alumnimonday Caring for Aging Parents 1. Have up-front discussions about possible scenarios. No one likes to talk about death and illness. However, knowing the resources that are available and the inevitable decisions that need to be made are crucial in successfully navigating unexpected events in aging. For example, many patients have likely undergone aggressive treatments when it was not aligned with their values simply because no durable power of attorney (DPOA) had been assigned. But even those who do have DPOAs may not have a clear picture of what they want done medically should illness prevent them from being able to decide for themselves. 2. Ask questions and get answers. Whenever you do not understand an answer, ask someone from your parent’s health care team for clarification. Even in uncertain conditions, youmust have a clear understanding of what is going on. The Washington State Aging and Long-Term Support Administration provides clear information on many common topics at aasa.dshs.wa.gov. 3. Be informed. Ask your aging parents to share their medical information with you. Don’t assume that their medications are being taken correctly or even that they should be continued without a detailed medication review. Learn when, why, and how medications should be given. 4. Bring all medications and supplements to each health care visit. Despite our best electronic medical records, there will always be a need to verify all medications that a patient is taking. If possible, create a list of medications that your parents are taking, including medication name, strength, how often they should take it, and when they should take it. Keep this list updated as often as possible. Don’t forget to include over-the-counter products, herbal products, vitamins, and other supplements. 5. Find a local qualified geriatrician and Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP). We recommend the Find a Physician directory at abfm.org, the Physician Referral option from americangeriatrics.org, and http://www.. Additional Reading Age Power by Ken Dychtwald Complete Guide to Caring for Aging Loved Ones, edited by Henry Holstege and Robert Riekse uniquely act in the elderly. To find a CGP, search the Commission of the Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy website at ccgp.org/ locate- a-CGP. Many of us struggle with elder care issues — you are not alone. You will sometimes encounter challenges with time, finances, and conflict with aging parents regarding your role. Be sensitive to your parents’ fears, needs, and desires. In many cases, your parents might realize that they have a need, but they might also be grappling with the potential loss of independence. During those times, dwell on 1 Corinthians 13 and Matthew 7:12. Love your aging parents and honor them. Treat them the way you hope your children will treat you. Phillip Thornton is Vice Chair for Experiential Programs and is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice in Cedarville’s School of Pharmacy. He received his B.S. in pharmacy from the University of Cincinnati and his Ph.D. in pharmacology at Wake Forest University. He has extensive clinical experience in geriatrics and has published manuscripts and textbooks on geriatrics and experiential education. He has been at Cedarville since 2012. You may contact him at pthornton@cedarville.edu. Marty Eng is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Cedarville. He is a board-certified Geriatrics Pharmacist and Psychiatric Pharmacotherapy Specialist and a Certified Dementia Practitioner. He received his Pharm.D. from the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Pharmacy and has served at Cedarville since 2012. You may contact him at martyeng@cedarville.edu.