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opioid overdose help

Opioid Overdose Risks

opioid overdose help

Opioid Overdose Risks

As a senior adult, you may be familiar with the risks of opioid use, but you may not be aware of the dangers of opioid overdose. As opioid use continues to increase in the United States, overdose numbers are skyrocketing, and senior adults are no exception.

When taken as prescribed, opioids can be an effective way to manage chronic pain. But when taken in higher doses and more frequently than prescribed, they can become increasingly dangerous. As seniors age, their bodies become less able to process opioids, making them more vulnerable to overdose. In addition, opioid overdose can be more severe in seniors, due to the presence of other medical conditions.

Signs of an opioid overdose in a senior adult may include: slow or shallow breathing, confusion, extreme drowsiness, cold or clammy skin, and loss of consciousness. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical help immediately.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent opioid overdose in senior adults. The first step is to be aware of the potential risks and side effects of opioid use. Talk to your doctor about the proper dosage and frequency of opioid use, and be sure to keep an eye on your medications and regularly check for any signs of misuse.

It’s also important to be aware of other possible causes of an opioid overdose, such as interactions with other medications, illicit drug use, or mixing opioids with alcohol. If you or someone you know is taking opioids, it’s important to be vigilant and know the warning signs of an overdose.

Opioid overdose is a serious issue that can have life-threatening consequences. As a senior adult, it’s important to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. Talk to your doctor about your medications and be sure to keep a close eye on your opioid use. With the right knowledge and precautions, you can stay safe from the dangers of opioid overdose.

If you are concerned about opioid overdose, get more information through out Opioid Outreach and classes. Contact us at 317-399-9905

By admin, ago

Save a Life! Learn CPR

Save a Life! Learn CPR

Learn CPR
According to the American Heart Association, we are experiencing a cardiac arrest public health crisis. There are more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year. Most victims do not survive. 
However, if CPR is performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. Using an AED can improve those statistics even more. The survival rate of a victim defibrillated within the first 3 minutes of a cardiac arrest approaches 95%.
Statistics vary but 70%-88% of all cardiac arrests occur at home. Many victims appear healthy with no known heart disease or other risk factors. This means that you are more likely to use CPR for a family member or friend.

Five Most Common Fears That Keep People From Performing CPR

  1. Fear of hurting the victim. People often hesitate to perform CPR because they worry they may do more harm than good. Performing CPR correctly can lead to broken ribs and bruising. However, doing nothing leads to certain death.
  2. Fear of being sued. In Indiana and many other states, we have laws to protect those who render aid in an emergency. As long as you are trained and do the best you can within your training, you can’t be sued.
  3. Fear of catching a disease. The odds of catching a disease doing CPR is very low. You can minimize exposure by using a CPR barrier. You can also simply perform hands-only CPR and skip the rescue breaths. It’s not as effective, but its better than doing nothing in an emergency.
  4. Fear of doing it wrong. Learning the correct way to perform CPR and use an AED in important. It’s not difficult to learn. By taking a class and learning the best ways to administer CPR, you can reduce this fear and potentially save a family member or friend.
  5. Fear of inappropriate touching. This is a very big issue, especially for women experiencing cardiac arrest. Along with fear of hurting someone, exposing a woman’s chest during CPR/AED use keeps people from helping in an emergency. Be respectful but don’t hesitate to save a life

What can you do?

Take a CPR/AED class. Knowing what to do in an emergency can save a life. Even if you can’t physically perform CPR, knowing how to do it can help you walk others through the process. Keep your skills updated by renewing your CPR/AED certification every 2 years.
If you have a business, invest in an AED. If you own a business or have people who come to your location, consider adding an AED to your office along with your first aid kit. There are companies that can assist in purchasing and maintaining your AED for a nominal cost. You never know when having an AED will save a life.
For more information about First Aid, CPR/AED classes, contact Ready Habits, LLC at 317-399-9905. We provide programs for individuals and businesses to ensure you have the skills to save a life! 
By admin, ago
Learn CPR
Food security

Food Preservation

I spent the day with some very passionate women learning how to preserve food. The instructor led us through the process of pressure canning meat.

I honestly did not know how easy it is to do. Now, don’t get me wrong, you really need to know what you are doing, but with the right equipment and a good canning book, it was surprisingly easy.

The discussion was not just about canning. As we waited for the jars to cool, we talked about food storage in general, and bulk storage options specifically.

With the supply shortages we are facing today, it’s important to start being prepared so you don’t stress out about feeding your family. It’s impossible for most of us to put aside a few months worth of food in just one shopping trip. The secret is to just add $10 a week to your grocery bill with items you can have on hand for an emergency. For example create a list of the foods you would eat and purchase extra:

  • Week 1: 8 cans of tomato soup
  • Week 2: 6 pounds of macaroni,
  • Week 3: 8 cans of tuna
  • Week 4: 6 pounds of salt

Build your pantry, one week at a time and within a year, you will be more secure and prepared for an emergency.

By admin, ago

Family Ready – FA/CPR

When is it too early to teach your children what to do in an emergency?

Children as young as 5 have been known to save a parent’s life because they know how to call 9-1-1 and can give their address and phone number to the operator.

Children as young as 11 can learn Babysitting skills and receive American Red Cross certification. Although this course is not just for children, it is a valuable resource for teaching family members what to do in an emergency.

Everyone should know the basics for giving hands-only CPR in the event of an emergency. Knowing the basics can save a life.

Contact us for more information about how to be prepared.

By admin, ago

5 Documents Everyone Should Have

5 Documents Everyone Should Have

It doesn’t matter whether you are 21 or 71, there are some documents each one of us should have executed and ready to go.  Here are my recommendations.

  • Last Will and Testament. Even if you don’t have many assets, you should have a will to determine who will make the final decisions for what you do own. There will be bills to pay, assets to sell or distribute, or maybe even a pet to take care of. 
  • Custody Documents. If you have small children or a dependent with different-abilities, you need to have a custody document that spells out who will be responsible for their care if something unexpected happens to you.
  • Living Will. Have you spoken with your family to ensure your wishes are carried out if you are severely injured or have an extreme health emergency? Having this document will not always mean you receive the treatment requested, but it ensures that your wishes are know to your physician and family in the event of a medical emergency.
  • Health Care Power of Attorney. It’s not enough to have just a power of attorney. It must specifically designate a person or representative to make health decisions for you if you are unable to speak for yourself.
  • Financial Power of Attorney. A durable POA ensures that your financial interests are taken care of in the event you are unable to take care of them yourself. Be careful who you designate as they will have the power to buy, sell and dispose of your assets.

Don’t be unprepared in the event of an emergency. Ensure your wishes are known and will be followed by executing these 5 documents.

By admin, ago

Dangerous Driving Weather

Temps in the single digits…uncertain weather conditions

Once again I am reminded how dangerous it can be to be driving in the middle part of the country with its ever changing weather conditions. I drove 50 miles from my home in wintery conditions. The roads were snow covered even as the plows were leading my way. The temperature outside the car was a balmy -2 degrees. My hands were white on the steering wheel as I drove well below the posted speed limit on my journey north.

All of a sudden, the sky turned blue, the roads were perfectly clear and my way north was moving at its normal pace. Fortunately for me, the trip was uneventful. That is not always the case. A few weeks ago I remember hearing about motorists stranded on the east coast due to snow and horrible road conditions. Many were stranded for over 24 hours in the cold weather. As I prepared for my trip, I made sure I had with me some basic survival equipment in the form of a go-bag for my car.

It only took me a few minutes to gather what I needed because I already had some things on hand. If you are just starting out in your preparation journey, here are some ideas to get you started.

First off, you will need a bag to leave in your car year-round. It will contain different items depending upon the season. So today, I’m going to start with your winter bag.

You can use any bag you currently have but it must be something you can carry easily if you must leave your car for some reason. I purchased a backpack from my local 5 Below Store for $5. I bought a red one so it is easily visible inside the car. Be sure to keep the bag within easy reach, so mine is on the floor just behind the front row of seats.

Cold Weather Protection

Here are some items I have in my bag for winter.

  • Fleece blanket
  • Chemical hand warmers
  • Warm socks
  • Gloves, hat, scarf

Emergency Supplies

Here are the items I keep year-round.

  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Candles and lighter
  • Metal cup
  • Eating utensils
  • Cell phone charger with cords
  • Rescue Me device (cut seatbelts and break windows)
  • Notebook with pencils, sharpie, pen, etc.
  • Duct tape
  • Poncho
  • Space blanket (silver, lightweight thermal)
  • First Aid Kit (gauze 4×4’s, roll of gauze, bandaids, etc.)

Renewable Supplies

These are items I rotate out of my pack every couple of months.

  • Water (I use a metal water bottle that holds about 6 cups. In winter, leave space for freezing.)
  • Crackers, chips, granola bars
  • Canned tuna or chicken with pull-top can. (The foil pouches also work well.)
  • Beef jerky
  • Food that won’t spoil if it get frozen or heated.
  • Mints or hard candy
  • Medical gloves
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Wet wipes

Winter weather can surprise us when we least expect it. Have your bag ready and be prepared!

By admin, ago

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