Mobile Phone -380/210-8386

Direct Dial - 614/991-6867

Email- GattonA@jacksontwp.org

The Mission of this program is to provide innovative services to connect the citizens of Jackson Twp, Grove City, and Urbancrest with high quality, comprehensive medical care through integration with existing health systems and collaboration with care resources, using a goal directed, patient centered approach.

Even if you are not part of these communities, contact Adam and he can help.

The Community Paramedic helps with:

• Basic medical evaluations and collaboration with your doctor.
• Fall prevention
• Post hospital or nursing home discharge follow-up
• Medicine reconciliation

 And so much more. 

Hospital Documentation

People aren’t talking about these things, and they are hard conversations to have in the moment.

Power of Attorney 

• Power of attorney, someone you choose to make decisions for you when you cannot.  Someone to advocate for you.
• Whoever you choose needs to know that you have chosen them. And share your desires with them.
• If you don’t have a power of attorney, Ohio has a hierarchy - working through next of kin to make decisions.
• Best practices of medicine trumps power of attorney.
• You can take documents to primary doctor and they can upload to your chart allowing hospitals to access it.

 Living Will

Ohio is a brain death state. If you have no brain activity, you are labeled deceased.

Answers questions as to desire for nutrition and fluids.

If you update any documents, update all of them so date is same and nothing trumps the other.

It’s ok to ask for a care conference if you desire all the doctors to communicate with one another.

 Code Status

• Full code.  In the event that your heart stops or you stop breathing, what do you want them to do?
• DNR CCA.  Treating and actively trying to prevent death but if heart or breathing stops, care stops.
• DNR CC.  Don’t want to be in ICU, breathing tubes, etc.  Offers comfort care only.
• Hospice - out of hospital comfort care.

Palliative care

In the hospital. Helps family understand and communicate.

GOAL: Keep people independent as long as possible!

Hospital stays are shorter and homes need to be equipped to heal properly.

1 out of 10 falls require injury requiring healthcare attention.

Falling is the leading cause in injury death in 65 and over.

Who is at risk for falling?

• those taking multiple medications.
• Hearing changes.
• Vision issues.
• Previous falls.
• History of neuromuscular disease.
• Dizziness.
• Fear of falling.
• Poor lighting.
• Shoe choice.
• Flooring surfaces.
• Nothing to hold onto.

 Reducing home hazards

• bed height
• Phone/lamp at bedside
• Nightlights, flashlights, activate lights
• Keep bedspread tucked in
• rug tape
• Items you use frequently in reach
• Sit while meal prepping
• Avoid step stools/rolling chairs.
• Do not wax floors
• Install grab bars.
• Handheld shower heads
• Shower chairs
• Nonslip strips in bathroom
• Toilet lights
• Modify thresholds.
• Voice activated devices
• Remove clutter
• Avoid rocking and swiveling chairs

 Staying strong & improving strength

• by 75 half of muscle mass has disappeared 
• Exercise helps reduce age related functional declines
• Never to late to start exercise 
• Balance training and walking help prevents falls

Walking and exercise helps self esteem, strength, flexibility and endurance.  Helps mental alertness, perception and information processing.  Help coordination and balance.  Helps muscle mass and bone density.  Reduces stress, depression and anxiety. 

You need three things for balance. 

*Must have 2 of 3.  

1. Vision  

2. Response in ear

3. Ability to touch and feel

How to handle a fall…

• don’t panic
• Check for injuries
• Yell for help or crawl for a phone
• Get up if you can

If you can get up:

• rollover
• Crawl to a chair
• Pull yourself up
• Turn and sit

Research home care before you need it.