The uncertainty of life

Like so many others Australians, I was shocked to see the devastation in Oklahoma, USA, after the tornado that recently ripped houses to shreds and destroyed lives in the blink of an eye. It turned what should have been a normal day at work and school into a living nightmare for those affected and it’s only one of many natural disasters.

What this incident reinforced to me is that bad things can suddenly happen to good people and life is fragile and uncertain one minute to the next. We are further reminded of this by the daily stories we see in the media such as vehicle traumas and other tragedies, including the Queensland floods and bushfires across many parts of our own nation earlier this year.

When we think about the dangers we face on a daily basis it’s almost enough to put us off going out of the front door in the morning! The reality is though, that life must go on and the one thing we all share is a collective need to live each day of our lives to the fullest. While we may never be able to remove all of the risks we face, we can take active steps to better protect ourselves and those we love.

I see that positive attitude time and again when I speak to MedicAlert members from across Australia who face a wide range of health issues and who take solace in the peace of mind that comes with being a member of our organisation.

Some choose a life moment to join, such as a newly diagnosed medical condition (like diabetes or a clotting disorder that might be a danger with the birth of a child). Maybe there’s an impending interstate or overseas trip on the agenda, or after a ‘near miss’ with a confused loved one who has wandered away from the family home and spent a cold and lonely night alone and in danger.

Whatever the reason, MedicAlert Foundation continues to reinforce the importance of our emblem in times of emergency or other need to a wide range of healthcare and other professionals. We want them to always look for our distinctive emblem which could literally mean the difference between life and death. If it’s helped you or a loved one even once, that’s priceless.

Sandra Turner

Men's Health Week

Men’s Health Week serves as a timely reminder for us all to stop and give thought to the health of boys and men across Australia.

Many Australian males that I know often embrace the “she’ll be right” attitude to life, but when it comes to health issues all too often they are not alright.

Right from birth, boys suffer more illness, more accidents and die earlier than females. It’s sobering to learn that an Australian boy born in 2010 has a life expectancy of 79 years while a girl will on average, live to 84 years old. 

Accidents, cancer and heart disease account for the majority of deaths amongst Australian males, but this week should be a celebration of the good things that men bring to our community and a focus on what they can do to improve their health.

The MedicAlert team often hears stories about men who thought they were bullet-proof and only decided to wear one of our distinctive emblems after a near-miss or near-fatal incident.

Whether you've got a heart condition, take regular medication, have an allergy or some other medical ailment that healthcare professionals and emergency crews need to know, then use this week to turn thought into action and become a MedicAlert member as part of your personal risk-management strategy.

To me it is ironic that many men encourage their wives and partners to wear our distinctive Medical ID when they themselves should also be making the same decision and enjoy the same peace of mind.

Men’s Health Week is a reason to look out for your mates and loved ones and to give them a little nudge to better care for themselves. Life might be short but with some greater understanding and enhanced effort we can all be here for a while longer.

My parting thoughts to all men, young and old this week are; if something doesn't feel right or hurts, then get it checked – don’t wait and see if it fixes itself and always listen to your body because you're the one who can make the difference.

Sandra Turner

Addison's Disease Awareness Month

It was fortunate that I was able to turn a personal visit to Brisbane recently into an opportunity to attend and present at an Addison’s Disease Awareness Month event on Sunday morning.

The information session was well-attended by people who live with Addison’s Disease, as well as nurses, paramedics and trainees who were all interested in learning more about the rare and progressive disease that affects both men and women.

I was surprised to hear that diagnosis of Addison’s Disease is still an issue for some, as it was back when I was nursing quite some years ago. Perhaps it’s because the symptoms can be very non-specific and are often not easily detected.

A quick online search shows between one and six people per 100,000 population have Addison’s Disease, with symptoms including general lethargy, weight loss and dizziness when standing. Some also notice a change in skin colouring or salt cravings.

While vague symptoms can go some way to explaining why the disease can sometimes be missed by treating clinicians, one important symptom is a drop in postural blood pressure. That got me thinking; how many of us have gone to our doctor and had our blood pressure taken sitting down? For someone with untreated Addison’s Disease, there can be a significant drop in blood pressure from a sitting to standing position – so severe that it can lead to fainting. A simple check of the blood pressure on standing could be one step closer to achieving an accurate and timely diagnosis.

It was great to see that a number of people attending the event were MedicAlert members, because an Addisonian crisis (with symptoms such as extreme weakness, a serious drop in blood pressure and mental confusion) can be life-threatening.

I was also impressed with comments from a nurse and a paramedic in the audience who described our distinctive MedicAlert emblem as “gold” for healthcare professionals in an emergency situation.

We know the medical information engraved on the emblem can make a significant difference to treatment outcomes. For those with Addison’s disease it can quickly offer first responders information about the condition and flag the need for emergency intervention.

For more information about Addison’s Disease Awareness Month, visit www.addison’s.org.au

Sandra Turner

Four important points to consider when choosing a medical ID

We know there are a lot of different medical ID products out there in the marketplace and that’s why it’s important you have an understanding of the things to consider when making your selection:

1. Will the medical ID be easy to find?
   Emergency personnel check around the neck and the wrist (pulse points) for medical IDs, so if it is not worn there it may be missed. Storing medical info in other places like on a USB with your keys may sound like a good idea, but is it? Will emergency personnel know where else to look – and will they have the time to do so? Do you think there will be easy access to plug in the USB and read the stored information in an emergency situation? Probably not!


2. Does it look like a medical ID?
   Emergency personnel need to be able to identify that the product you’re wearing is a genuine medical ID. Keep it simple and don’t attach charms or other things to the bracelet or necklace.  With so many fundraising silicone bands available will your ID stand out as a Medical ID? Look for an emblem that is well-recognised and stands out from other jewellery (but it can still be fashionable). The international symbol for medicine (the rod & snake) is a great sign for emergency services that the wearer has a medical condition for them to be aware of.


3. Is it easy to read?
   It’s critical that emergency services are able to read the information on your medical ID quickly and easily. Is the information clearly engraved or is handwritten? Is it legible? Can it be seen quickly or does it need to be removed from a protective case?  Can you turn over the medical ID to read the information or does it have to be removed from the person to read it? That could take precious seconds and there’s no guarantee it will be replaced in an emergency and may be lost.


4. Does it provide sufficient information?
   Having all of the most relevant and critical information quickly available in an emergency is vital. Some medical ID products have only one condition listed, such as diabetes or allergy. This may be fine for someone who only has one condition but what happens if you have other conditions or are on special medication that emergency services may also need to know about? What about personal identification as well?

The genuine MedicAlert™ medical ID allows you to answer ‘Yes’ to all four questions. We’ve specifically designed our emblems to wear around the neck or wrist and have the internationally recognised symbol for medicine plus the words ‘Medic’ and ‘Alert’ on the front. 

Our medical IDs are custom engraved with the wearer’s most vital ‘need-to-know’ information on the back and are easily turned over without being taken off. More medical and personal details are just a phone call away via our 24/7 emergency hotline if needed.  MedicAlert Foundation also has an ongoing national awareness program to assist emergency and healthcare professionals around Australia to know to look for our medical ID’s.

How the MedicAlert™ emblem protects

While the choice is yours, it’s important that you have all the information you need to select the product that’s right for you. After all, it’s a decision that will help to protect one of your most important assets – your health.

You can view our products at www.medicalert.org.au/products.

MedicAlert Foundation's International Code of Conduct reflects the values and standards we live by worldwide and ensures our emblems are easy to recognise, easy to read and easy to afford.

Christmas Message from CEO

As we head towards Christmas and New Year, it’s time to think back to all the good intentions we had at the start of 2012 – and to reflect if we met them head-on or if like many resolutions, they were sometimes broken.

I know I always begin the year with great plans to look after myself better, see my friends more often, regularly remind my family I love them and to sort out the annual accumulation of paperwork, old clothes and junk that ‘grows’ in my house. Whatever our best intentions, we will sometimes fall short of our own expectations and I’ve learnt it’s best not to beat ourselves up too much about it. Take stock of what’s most important and focus on those things. I’ve tried to spend more time with my elderly relatives this year because that time is precious. I am always surprised at the snippets of information about their lives they share with me, which although small, are sometimes a revelation!

Like most of us, I know some of those closest to me are stretched financially with rising utility costs this year. One auntis hesitant to run her air conditioner on hot days so this Christmas I’ve offered to help with her bills so she can survive the heat. That gives me peace of mind. I call her regularly as well to make sure she’s ok and though we don’t live close to each other, she always gets pleasure from that simple phone call.

It’s the little things we can do in the holiday season that can make a real difference to others. Inviting neighbours in to enjoy some respite from the heat in your air conditioned home after a prolonged hot spell. Driving or walking around the  neighbourhood with young children (and the young at heart) to look at the Christmas lights. This holiday season, why not take the time to think of others less fortunate and think about ways to brighten their day. It doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. Even an invitation to share a few minutes over a cool drink or a cup of tea with a neighbour may give them more joy than you can ever imagine. It’s the season to count our own blessings – giving fromthe heart is often appreciated much more than from the pocket.

Best wishes to all our members and friends for a safe and happy Christmas and New Year from the team at MedicAlert Foundation. We look forward to staying in touch in 2013.

Sandra Turner

Stroke Awareness

Take the time to understand and protect yourself against stroke

This week, 10–16 September 2012, marks National Stroke Week, a week dedicated to helping Australians understand the risk factors and encourage steps towards preventing stroke. While a recent poll by the Stroke Foundation found that many Australians do not rate stroke as a health concern¹, you may be surprised to know that stroke is, in fact, Australia’s second biggest killer (after heart disease) and a leading cause of disability².

One in every six Australians will have a stroke in their lifetime¹ so it's vital that we all understand our risk factors and the warning signs.

A stroke can happen to anyone at any age – not just the elderly. It occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. When this all-important organ doesn't get enough oxygen or nutrients via the blood, the cells within can die causing irreversible brain damage.¹

The effects of stroke are different for every person, depending on where the damage occurs in the brain and to what extent. Common outcomes include paralysis on either side of the body, speech and swallowing difficulties and/or problems with hearing and eyesight. For some a stroke can be fatal.¹

High blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and excessive drinking can all make you more susceptible¹, and yes, the older you are the more likely a stroke is to occur – the majority of strokes occur in people aged over 55³. To reduce your risk of stroke it's important to exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight and diet, limit alcohol consumption and avoid smoking¹.

Stroke is a medical emergency therefore it is vital that anyone experiencing symptoms of a stroke receives immediate medical attention. But how can you tell? A simple way to recognise stroke is to take a good look at the person affected and use the FAST acronym to detect and act upon the warning signs:
Face – has their mouth drooped?
Arms – can they lift their arms?
Speech – is their speech slurred? Can they understand you?
Time – is critical. If you see any of these signs, no matter how long they last, call 000 immediately.¹

MedicAlert® membership is invaluable for those who are at high risk of a stroke or experience side effects after suffering a stroke, such as speech and thinking difficulties. A genuine MedicAlert medical ID, worn around your wrist or neck, can communicate your vital health information to those who need to know. Each MedicAlert medical ID is inscribed with our 24/7 hotline number that first responders can call in an emergency, if they need further information held on file.

Essentially, MedicAlert membership offers peace of mind not only for those who wear the medical ID but also for family and friends who want to ensure the safety of loved ones.

A stroke can have a devastating effect on the individual, family and friends. Understand the risk factors, know the signs and get help quickly. Remember, prevention is better than the cure.

For more information on stroke, please visit strokefoundation.com.au or to find out how MedicAlert Foundation can protect you, or a loved one, please visit medicalert.org.au; it’s best to act now.

• ¹Stroke Foundation 2012, The National Stroke Foundation, Australia, viewed 5 September 2012, <http://strokefoundation.com.au/>.
• ²Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2006, The National Stroke Foundation, Australia, viewed 5 September 2012, <http://strokefoundation.com.au/>.
• ³AIHW 2006, The National Stroke Foundation, Australia, viewed 5 September 2012, <http://strokefoundation.com.au/>.

Carers need care too

In Australia today, over 2.9 million people are providing help and health support to a family member or friend¹. While these people spend their time thinking about the well being of another it’s vital that they consider their own health too. MedicAlert Foundation provides a service that can help protect them and those they care for...

Imagine being responsible for the care of someone who couldn’t look after themselves either as a result of illness, accident or old age. Being the person they rely on 24 hours a day, every day of the year. That’s the reality for many Australians who provide unpaid support to a family member, friend or neighbour in need of assistance.

Whether the role of being a carer is taken on by necessity or choice, all carers are special people who are to be admired for their selfless dedication to another’s wellbeing.

The very nature of being a carer demands that someone else’s needs are often put first and the job can be both physically and emotionally draining. Although often overlooked, carers need to consider their health and support too.

Carers need to eat well and drink plenty of water. Exercise and getting enough sleep are also important. Taking time out should always be a priority – getting together with friends regularly, joining a social group or getting away for a short holiday every now and then are all good ideas. It’s also important to remember that there are support organisations throughout Australia whose sole aim is to make life easier for those whose job it is to care for another.

MedicAlert Foundation also assists carers. It’s interesting to note that carers are 40 per cent more likely than the rest of the population to suffer from a chronic health condition¹. For those carers afflicted with such a condition, a MedicAlert membership is a great idea.

But MedicAlert Foundation also provides peace of mind for those who are fortunate enough to be in good health. Members can wear an emblem that not only specifies any individual health conditions but their information can also communicate the fact that they are responsible for another’s well being too. Should their own personal medical emergency arise, carers can rest assured that their MedicAlert emblem will bring to the attention of healthcare responders that there’s someone dear to them requiring assistance.

Looking after yourself means you will be more effective in looking after others. So, if you’re a carer, please take the time to consider what you can do for yourself and those you care about, and remember, we’re always there for you.

• ¹Healey, J (ed.) 2012, Carers: Ageing and Disability, vol. 342, The Spiney Press.