Dementia

What is it about the brain. The brain is a very complex organ.  So much of the workings of the brain are still being unraveled by scientists.  It is understood that brain function reaches its peak around the time people are in their twenties.  Then the brain goes into a slow decline.  It depends on how much one exercises their brain.  Research has shown that learning new tasks and complex reasoning is like a workout for the muscles to keep them toned. 

Being associated with someone that has dementia I am at awe on how the brain can act in these type of individuals.  You can be talking to the person and they know who you are and how you are related to them and then in the blink of an eye the reasoning is gone.  The next moment they look at you as someone from another planet, not knowing who you are and not even knowing where they live. They remember things in distant past but not what happened last week.  You can't call an electrician to rewire the thing as all the wiring is rotten.  It is as you might say "Mind Boggling". 

Working as a pharmacist in a retail setting I have noticed more and more of the elderly (seniors) having problems with memory.  Most of the individuals are women.  I was just talking to one female how to take her medication from the instructions the doctor had prescribed.  I had to go over the instructions three times and the person was still having problems comprehending. She admitted that she has trouble remembering things. I then asked if she lived alone, which she did.  I then asked if she had family members close by but both her children lived at least fifteen hundred miles away.  She became teary eyed and had to walk away for a moment.  I told her if she continued to have problems understanding the instructions to come by or call us back for assistance.  Of course she probably did not remember that discussion.

The sad part of this experience is this very nice lady will eventually have to relocate to live with one of her children or be placed in an assisted living or nursing home facility.  The hardest part is getting the individuals to understand that it will be a good thing for them to experience.  But again it takes them out of their comfort zone, and they don't like being out of that zone.

Do You Need this Receipt?

The other day I was helping a customer at the checkout counter.  I finished processing his payment through the register and gave him his receipt.  Since he was the only person in line I thanked him and began to walk away.  He then called out to me, "do you need this receipt?"  I told him that the receipt was his for his records.

He then told me that he did not need the receipt and the receipt was on the floor in front of the counter where he was standing.  I had to then go to the customer side of the counter and pick the receipt up off of the floor.  He was by no means even going to bend over and pick up the receipt. 

We also had a customer pull up to the drive through window where they drop off their prescriptions.  Well, they did not have any prescriptions to drop off but they requested a six pack of beer and a pack of cigarettes.  Needless to say they were told they had to come in to the front of the store to purchase those items. 

All in a days work!!

Loving Technology

What is it about technology.  Finding information is so much easier today than it was in the early 90's.  Remember when you had to go to the library to do your research.  We now have smart phones, tablets, notebooks, laptops, and desktops.  Every day some company introduces something new.

It has been reported that Apple has had an outstanding year with their earnings due to the IPhone and the IPAD.  Since purchasing both of these products I have become a fan of Apple.  The devices are so smooth and easy to use it is amazing.

IPAD with installed APPS

Of course this technology leads to other ideas.  Now you have to have "APPS" on these products in order to access your items of interest.  Since the IPAD hit the market there even is one print media that can only be accessed via the tablet.  The media has embedded videos and also links that will directly open the internet browser so you can acquire more information.

THE DAILY on the IPAD

It is so easy to scroll page to page of this publication. This publication will be eventually available for the Android operating system.  There is so much you can obtain via this technology it is truly amazing. 

Even the company I now work for announced that it is now testing an "APP" for the IPAD so employees can access the training modules.  The IPAD has changed how we operate in the world. 

Technology has changed our world so much that one never knows what will be the next big advancement.  So buckle your seat belt and enjoy the journey.

Outside-Underwear

When you work in retail you receive a ton of phone calls, some intelligent and some not so intelligent.

Yesterday I answered the phone and the caller states that he just stepped out of his back door to get better cell reception and his door shuts, locking him out of the house.  Well, that is not so bad, but then he says he is standing on his patio in his underwear watching the deer watching him. 

What he really called about was to find out the name of a prescription item that he had taken two months ago.  I gave him the name of the medication and told him I was sorry he was locked out of his house.  Well, he says, I did not call to get you to help me get back in my house as I just thought I would throw that into the conversation.  He could take care of getting back in since he did have his phone.

Hopefully he did get back in his house as the temperature dropped into the low 20's last night.  Just be sure to check that your door is unlocked before stepping outside to do anything, especially if you are the only one home!

 

First Snow of Season

Well, yesterday provided us with the first snow of the 2012 winter.  The area received about 7 inches and we woke to a winter wonderland.  Snow is always an inconvenience.  It makes driving hazardous, it plays havoc with the power lines and then you have to shovel or scrape it from the road and driveways.

Saturday the temperature was in the upper 50's or lower 60's. Sunday the temperature changed to 32 degrees and what started as rain changed to snow.  It is good for the ground to have snow as it seeps in slowly and it helps for spring growing. 

It did make for some spectacular scenes with the snow sticking to the trees and branches.  Then the sun glistened across the snow and highlighted the works of nature.

But the nice thing about having snow this time of year, it will melt away soon.  The nice clear blue sky and the warm sun make the roadways clear and dry.

Painted Hands

A friend of mine sent me some photos of a man that paints his hands to resemble animals or humans.  I was amazed at how realistic his hands were once he formed them to portray an item. This guy is truly talented.

The vision he has to paint his hand and then be able to form a person or animal is remarkable.

Orchestra Conductor

Weight lifter

 

 

Zebra

 

Bald Eagle

Playing in the dirt

Driving down the interstate, which I do a couple of times a week, where there is major construction, I am envious of the workers driving those big dump trucks. 

Oh how much fun that would be to drive that piece of equipment.  It is a truck that swivels in the middle.  You get to drive it all day long and move tons and tons of dirt and rock. If you have watched the television show "Gold Rush", the young miner drives one just like this.  What a way to spend your day.

I know it is hard work, but to drive that massive dump truck brings back memories of playing with my toy trucks in the dirt when I was a kid.  Like they say the only difference between men and boys is the size of their toys!!

Valentine's Day

Oh no, it is that time of year when all men have to go out and buy either candy and a card, or flowers, candy and a card for their wives or partners.  Well, my wife does not like getting flowers, even though she works for a florist.  She said there is no sense spending money on something that is going to die and you have to throw out.  YES!! That is my kinda woman.

But I am not off of the hook.  She does expect the card and a box of candy.  Needless to say I did buy the card and candy.  The card is not one of those mush, mush cards.  Those sort of make me sick to my stomach.  I prefer those nice funny cards.  Those that make fun of me or my sick way of looking at things in this world.

No, the card does not contain what you may think.

What is it with this special day when women get all goo goo and some guys get like jello.  Is it that LOVE is in the air.  I could not tell you, but one has to play along or it will be a long long time before a decent meal is served in the house.  Women have a very good memory.  You forget this day and it is all over but the crying.

So men, relent and go buy that card, candy, or special gift!!

Paper work for new job.

Well, I filled out the paper work for my new job.  I was notified that I needed to bring in my driver's license and either my social security card or my birth certificate.

Let's see, I have had numerous jobs and never before have I had to bring in any frigging documents showing that I am a legal resident of this country, after being accepted from my application.  What has happened in this country.

Next job, let's hope this will be the last one, what will be required.  Maybe a blood test, prostate exam, etc.  Hopefully this whole immigration issue will be resolved and you will not have to show up with numerous pieces of paper issued by the state.

Luckily I had all of the documents, I did not have my social security card.  I always have my driver's license, although there are a lot of people that don't always carry that item with them.  Believe it or not, I even had a copy of my birth certificate, and yes the Smithsonian has the original.

I need to refill my medicine

So many times people will call the pharmacy to speak to an employee to get their medications refilled.  The phone system is set up for them to enter their prescription numbers, but no, they fill it necessary to speak to a person. 

On a Sunday, a technician and myself were the only two employees in the pharmacy.  I was helping a customer at the checkout counter and when finished took the next person in line.  This lady said she had a prescription ready to pickup but also needed a few other medications refilled.  She did not have a written list but wanted me to check her profile for the seven medications to fill.  Well, this began to take some time as she could not recall all of the medications she was taking.  I looked up and there were four more people in line and this lady was oblivious to that fact.  She proceeded to rattle off the medications and then say no, not that one but this one.  You could tell the next lady in line was beginning to get annoyed.  After about four minutes the lady finally finished her recitation of the medications she needed and then wanted to know when they would be ready.  I told her at least one hour since we were already backed up with other refills.  She was not too happy to hear at least one hour.

Why is it people balk at technology which is put in place to make all of our lives easier.  This lady could have phoned in the medications, gone online to order the medications, or have them setup on auto refill.  No way, they have to take up your time and that of all other customers.

Great coworkers

So many times the people we work with don't get their just reward. I would like to say a little about each of the staff.

Goodbye Goodie basket and Ice Cake from Coworkers

Let's start with the previous pharmacy manager. She was great to work with and loved her stories about her kids and husband. She was a hoot to work with.  Such entertaining stories and oh could she get upset with her husband.  No different from most marriages

The new pharmacy manager is younger and I only worked with her a little over a month.  Just that small amount of time has shown that she is wiser beyond her years. She is doing a great job and she will go far in life.

Charlie is a great person and fun to be around. She is one heck of a parent and the children aren't even hers. She is a pet lover and has a lot of animals. I told her she is a hoarder but she disputes me on that fact. My last day on the job and as we were both in the locker area, she was taking off her scrubs.  You must understand that she still has her street clothes on under the scrubs.  As she had her scrub pants down and I was walking by, she said, come here and let me give you a hug with my pants down.  Oh what a character she is.

Ricky Bobbi is a genuine person. No, as far as I know, does not drive for NASCAR.  Her driving record would tell you otherwise.  Very good at what she does. Loves her son and is always there for him. She will do anything for you and will go out of her way to help.

Now Jersey is something else. She is easy to pick on and at times I may have picked too much. She has a great attitude and another one that will do anything to help. Only times she would be late would be if she has to take a detour. She is not good with directions and is always getting lost.  Can't find her way out of a paper bag but loves to do things for others, especially the customers.  If she can find a way to save them money she will good to no ends to help them.

Craig county is a good ole country girl. Just learning the ropes in pharmacy but eager to learn. That says a lot and makes life easier.  She says she makes a mess when filling prescriptions and I can attest to that.  She is always knocking things over on the the filling counter.

NOVA is another learner to the pharmacy process. Another good attitude and bubbly personality. Young and eager to work.  Has passed her pre-exam for pharmacy tech class.  Don't let her in the kitchen to cook.  She could be a danger to you and herself.

These people don't get a lot of praise but they can churn out the work. A great group of people. I will miss them

The difference between elderly men and women

If you work retail, even for a couple of days, and you have an encounter with elderly people, you know there is a difference between the men and women.

Elderly men, for the most part, don't seem to get upset when they don't understand something.  They do question why something is different this time versus the past time.  It may take a few minutes for them to grasp the understanding of what you are telling them, but they eventually understand.

Elderly women, for the most part, get upset.  They will rant and rave when they don't understand things and almost curse you out.  They can chew you up and spit you and you can't even figure out what set them off.  You can explain to them three or four times and the more you explain, the madder they become.

It is now evident that dementia affects women more than men.  Another way to look at this is maybe the men are driving the women crazy in their old age!

Keep up the good work MEN!

My medicines in my daughters insulated baby bag

Another question of the day.  The caller says she was driving around town on this nice sunny day and her medicines were on the front seat in the hot sun.  She also says they were in the bag with her daughters bottles.

My question to her, was the bag insulated?  Oh yes.  I always keep her bottles in an insulated bag.  Well, since the bag is insulated your medications will be fine.

People can't figure this out for themselves.  Another CLUELESS person wondering aimlessly is this world.  Oh God, please look out and protect them!

But I did not change jobs

It is so apparent that there are a lot people out there that are just CLUELESS!!

The other evening a prescription was phoned in for a patient to get 2 boxes of 2 injectable medications (4 prefilled syringes).  The patients prescription insurance was out of date so the prescription was run through for cash. There was only 1 box of 2 syringes in stock so the prescription was filled accordingly.  The medication is used to counter act allergic reactions.

The next evening the mother arrives at the pharmacy drive through window to pick up the medication.  She presented her insurance card and the prescription was billed through the insurance.  The patients copay charge for 1 box of 2 syringes was $60.  The patient then said she was suppose to get 2 boxes.  The technician told the mother that we only had one box in stock and her copay for 2 boxes would probably be $120.  She insisted that we rerun the prescription for the 2 boxes to see what the charge would be.  As the customer is always right the prescription was rerun and sure enough, the charge was $120.  We again reprocessed the prescription for 1 box for the $60 charge.

Looking perplexed the mother then said, I don't understand why it is so much more on my insurance as I did not change jobs and still work at the same company.  The technician said evidently your company changed your insurance company since the card on file was out of date.  The mother then says, oh  that explains why we had to change doctors in January.  CLUELESS.  She did not pick up the medication that night due to the $60 copay and she still had one syringe at home.

Now the rest of the story.  The mother shows up at the pharmacy drive through window the next morning to purchase the medication as her daughter had an allergic reaction that morning.  CLUELESS!!

These people live among us so beware they could harm themselves.

Not your Mom and Pop's Store

While grocery shopping with my wife today, it occurred to me that these super size stores definitely are not the Mom and Pop stores I remember growing up.  No creaky wooden floors with only 3 to 4 isles and a small display case of meat in the back of the store where the butcher would cut the meat as you wanted.

No today we are talking about everything for your one stop shopping convenience.

Eating area for those that purchase meals

Of course you can order breakfast, lunch, and dinner to eat in these stores today.

Massive wine selection 

Need wine for that special dinner or occasion.  They even employ a "WINE CONSULTANT".  All you have to do is ask for type of wine will go with this or that meat.

Dishes of all varieties

Or, say you need dinner dishes.  Just pick your style, load in your food cart and take to check out.

Cut Flowers 

Or maybe you need to take flowers home to the wife for that special dinner.  Or, it could be to apologize for that smart remark you made to the wife.

Sushi section

Do you like sushi?  They even have a person to make you sushi for take home.

Have you ever thought how blessed we are as a country.  Next time you are in your local supermarket, look around and open your eyes at the bountiful amount of food that is offered to us today.  What an amazing country!