PULSE CARING FOR LOVED ONES.More than 30 million Americans serve as caregivers to elderly, disabled or terminally ill Terminally Ill When a person is not expected to live more than 12 months. Notes: Any gifts given out by the afflicted person at this time may be considered as a dispersion of the estate rather than a gift. family members. The struggles and quiet heroism of America's caregivers is the subject of a PBS PBS in full Public Broadcasting Service Private, nonprofit U.S. corporation of public television stations. PBS provides its member stations, which are supported by public funds and private contributions rather than by commercials, with educational, cultural, documentary, ``And Thou Shalt Honor,'' airing at 9 p.m. Wednesday. The two-hour documentary, hosted by actor Joe Mantegna, examines the physical, emotional and financial toll of long-term caregiving in a society where virtually no government assistance is available to keep ailing elders at home. Inspiring and sobering, the stories of these caregivers are not isolated instances. With the country's aging demographic, every American is likely to serve as a caregiver or be in need of such care. The program looks at innovative programs, current public policy, insurance reimbursement practices and nursing-home standards. In addition to the program, an accompanying book, ``And Thou Shalt Honor: The Caregiver's Companion'' (Rodale; $24.95), is available. The book, edited by Beth Witrogen McLeod and with a foreword by former first lady Rosalynn Carter, provides a wealth of information on all aspects of caregiving. - Mariko Thompson MORE HELP FOR CAREGIVERS: A consumer guide, ``A Family Caregiver's Guide to Hospital Discharge Planning,'' is available for people undergoing the daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin task of caring for disabled or chronically ill relatives at home after leaving the hospital. ``Bringing a family member home from the hospital can be an overwhelming challenge,'' said Carol Levine, co-author of the booklet and director of the Families and Health Care Project at the New York-based United Hospital Fund. ``The time to start planning is while the patient is still in the hospital.'' The booklet explains discharge planning, how a hospital discharge decision can be appealed and what insurance is likely to cover. The guide also provides tips for family caregivers on such issues as wound care, medication regimens and moving the patient from a bed to a chair. The booklet, published by the United Hospital Fund and the National Alliance for Caregiving with a grant from the MetLife Foundation, can be downloaded at www.uhfnyc.org, or call (212) 494-0700. - M.T. YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE: The Foothill Family Child Care Association will screen a taped lecture by Dr. Mary Ann Block Mary Ann Block (born July 9, 1945) is a top-selling author and osteopathic physician. As founder and Medical Director of the Block Center in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Dr. Block specializes in the drug-free treatment of health problems and learning disabilities. , best-selling author of ``No More ADHD Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Definition Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterized by distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsive behaviors, and the inability to remain focused on tasks or ,'' on at 10 a.m. Oct. 12. Block discusses what parents can do to keep their children off psychiatric behavioral drugs prescribed for ADD and ADHD. The screening will be held at the Crescenta-Canada Health Food Store, 3912 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta. Space is limited. Call (818) 249-8886 to attend. - M.T. CANCER AND SEXUALITY: Urologist Jennifer Berman and sex therapist Laura Berman will discuss the physical and emotional barriers associated with cancer that can affect female sexuality in a free program sponsored by UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center. The Bermans, co-directors of the Female Sexual Medicine Center at UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX , will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the R.P.B. Auditorium. Admission is free. Campus parking costs $7. For more information, call (310) 794-6644. - M.T. LUPUS - MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK: Most everyone knows October is dedicated to breast cancer awareness because of those little pink ribbons, but it's also the month for lupus awareness, acknowledged with an oval-shaped orange pin. Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease autoimmune disease, any of a number of abnormal conditions caused when the body produces antibodies to its own substances. In rheumatoid arthritis, a group of antibody molecules called collectively RF, or rheumatoid factor, is complexed to the individual's own gamma often manifesting itself with arthritis-like symptoms, affects more people than AIDS, cerebral palsy cerebral palsy (sərē`brəl pôl`zē), disability caused by brain damage before or during birth or in the first years, resulting in a loss of voluntary muscular control and coordination. , multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia sickle-cell anemia Blood disorder (see hemoglobinopathy) seen mainly in persons of Sub-Saharan African ancestry and their descendants and in those from the Middle East, the Mediterranean area, and India. and cystic fibrosis cystic fibrosis (sĭs`tĭk fībrō`sĭs), inherited disorder of the exocrine glands (see gland), affecting children and young people; median survival is 25 years in females and 30 years in males. combined. Yet it's relatively unknown and has no cure. To learn more about the deadly disease and how to cope with it, there is a new book by Maureen Pratt, a founding member of Lupus L.A., and Beverly Hills rheumatologist rheumatologist /rheu·ma·tol·o·gist/ (roo?mah-tol´ah-jist) a specialist in rheumatology. rheu·ma·tol·o·gist n. A specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic disorders. Dr. David Hallegua. In ``Taking Charge of Lupus'' (New American Library; $14), the authors discuss how to deal with numerous factors, including emotions, finances, medicine (and its side effects), professional relationships and also personal/intimate relationships,which often weaken as the disease progresses. The authors will discuss lupus and their book at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Borders Books & Music at the Third Street Promenade The Third Street Promenade is a pedestrian street in Santa Monica, California, United States. It is considered one of the premier shopping destinations in West Los Angeles and frequently draws crowds from all over Los Angeles County. , Santa Monica. - Barbara De Witt CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1) no caption (Book: ``And Thou Shalt Honor: The Caregiver's Companion'') (2) Laura Berman, left, and sister Jennifer Berman will speak Tuesday at UCLA. Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer (3) no caption (Book: ``Taking Charge of Lupus'') |
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