There are many reasons why kidneys begin to lose function.  The biggest reason is diabetes.  Diabetes is a disease that causes a high sugar level in the blood.  High sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys which will prevent them from removing fluid and waste.

The second is high blood pressure.  Your blood pressure measures how hard your heart is working to pump blood through your body. When your pressure is high, it means your heart is working too hard to pump blood.

Your kidneys are about the size of your fist and are located in the low back.

What do our kidneys do?  Blood flows into the kidney through the renal artery.

1. Cleans the blood of wastes
2. Remove extra fluid (water)
3. Keeps your body chemicals in balance: sodium potassium, calcium and phosphorus
4. Helps control blood pressure
5. Helps make red blood cells
6. Produces Vitamin D, which helps maintain the health of your bones

Let’s talk about nephrons.  Blood flows into the kidney and is cleaned by a million tiny filters called nephrons.  Over time, these nephrons stop working.  Our age is one factor which is normal but we can’t control that.  Lack of exercise is another. Without a sufficient amount of oxygen brought to them daily they will become weak and stop working.  Diet plays a big factor and there are 3 main things you can do to become a patient in my dialysis facility.

1. Prolonged fad diets of high protein and low carbs to lose weight.
2. If you’re a diabetics and don’t take care of your blood sugar
3. Years of consuming greasy or fried foods.

There are 5 levels of kidney function and each of us falls into a category.

Stage 1- 90-100%

Stage 2-60-89%

Stage 3-30-59%

Stage 4-15-29%

Stage 5- less than 15%

In healthy newborns, their kidneys function at 100%.  We need to take care of our kidneys because once nephrons “die off”, we cannot get them back, and they don’t regenerate.   Wouldn’t you like to know what stage your kidneys are functioning?

Next time you give a urine sample or have blood drawn, ask your doctor to let you know what percentage your kidneys are functioning at.  The test is called GFR (glomerular filtration rate).  Some of you may be more familiar with the terms BUN or Creatinine which calculates the amount of waste your kidneys produce.   If the level comes back high, this means your kidneys are not filtering out enough waste and you need to set up a consultation with a nephrologist.

When should you see a nephrologist?

1. If you have chronic fluid around your ankles and in your legs this may be a sign that your kidneys aren’t functioning properly.

2.  If you have hypertension and the medications aren’t controlling your pressure

3. If your doctor found blood or proteins in your urine.

4. Frequent headaches and show signs of weakness.

Don’t ignore these symptoms; if they’re caught early enough by a nephrologist he or she can slow down the process of kidney failure.  You can have significant kidney damage and not even feel ill, which is why kidney failure is called the silent disease.  Be proactive with your health and monitor your kidney function because your doctor may find changes in your blood and urine tests long before you feel any symptoms of kidney disease.

There are two treatment options when kidneys fail; dialysis and kidney transplant.  Both are effective treatments.  Let’s discuss how we could help protect our kidneys.

1. Discuss all medications, even over the counter drugs, with your doctor
2. Take all medications as prescribed
3. If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control by taking your medications, watching your diet and monitoring your sugar level
4. Exercise with your doctors approval

Now exercise doesn’t have to be vigorous because even walking is exercise and it’s good for your entire body.   Walking makes your heart pump a little faster which bring more oxygen to the kidneys and nephrons.

1. If you have high blood pressure, check your blood pressure regularly.  Take your medications even if you feel fine.  If taking certain medications makes you feel sick, talk to your doctor about alternatives, don’t just stop taking them.
2. Follow any special diet instructions

Our mission in nephrology is to slow down the rate of damage to your kidneys and to prolong or avoid dialysis.  At our clinic we have a team of professionals that help with the transition.  Keeping a healthy attitude and having a positive outlook on life can really affect your health.  Having your finances, legal matters and insurance planned in advance can certainly reduce your stress level.  Stay in touch with your doctor-and work together to protect your kidneys.  There are thousands of people with kidney disease who take care of themselves and live happy, active lives.  They feel well, and you can too.

Jennifer Marciante, Loganville Dialysis

2) In the event that a caregiver gets hurt while on your premises, you won’t want to be held responsible. At AHCS, our caregivers are all covered with Worker’s Compensation.

3) You’ll want to be sure to protect yourself from theft. All of our caregivers are bonded.

4) While on shift, if a caregiver were to have a car accident or accidentally dropped a patient, you’d want to make sure they have liability insurance. All AHCS caregivers do.

5) If you were to hire an independent caregiver, the responsibility of background checks and getting references would fall on you. When you choose AHCS, you get an agency with many years of staffing experience in the home care industry.  Thus, insuring we provide only the best, most qualified and experienced caregivers.

6) When you hire AHCS, you’re not just enlisting the help of one caregiver. You’re getting the total  peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ll have care whenever you need it.  So if your usual caregiver can’t make it one day, we’ll always have another one to fill in immediately.

7) A home care agency may cost a few dollars more per hour, but when it comes to having worry-free and qualified care, isn’t it worth it?

For more information, please call us at 770-736-7977.

Arbor Terrace

Arbor Terrace Assisted Living & Memory Care

Alternative Home Care For Seniors (that’s us.)

(Left to right), Sharna Fulton, Derrick Merchant (owner) Alternative Home Care For Seniors

The Bethesda Church Senior Center

B

The event was held at the Bethesda Park Senior Center in Lawrenceville, GA

Learn to play bridge with bridge champion, Dottie Baugh Cooper, 770-978-9095

A colorful three tiered platter of Easter peeps and chocolate bunnies

Sweetwater Terraces

Left to right, Denise Wynn and Dale McMurray of Sweetwater Terraces, an affordable, carefree community for active adults 55+

The Gwinnett Council for Seniors

Gwinnett Council for Seniors' representative, "Margaret"

Sarah Care Adult Day Care of Snellville

Aisha Cooper (left) of Sarah Care (Snellville) Adult Day Care Centers

Grayback Base United States Submarine Veterans, Inc

Not shown: The Gwinnett County Veterans Memorial Museum

2. Home care is in demand. The demand for in-home care is growing with the senior population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans 65 and older is expected to  double to 89 million by 2050.

3. You’ll learn how to run a  home care agency the most efficient way possible. Why learn the business the hard way from trial and error or from another franchise with only a few years experience in home care.  Let our 30+ years combined experience help you hit the ground running.

4. We’ll show you how to profitable. Our earnings have increased every year since we opened AHCS’ doors nearly a decade ago.

5. You’ll receive daily on-going support  from the top. As an AHCS franchisee, you won’t be “supervised” by field managers with limited knowledge of the home care industry. You’ll be treated as our partner with  constant access to our owner who has a 20+ year track record in the home care industry.

6. The key to success in our industry is knowing how to recruit and maintain the highest quality and most experienced caregivers. As an AHCS franchise, you’ll learn our trade secrets.

7. The other key is knowing how to treat people especially your clients and their families. If you are a compassionate entrepreneur, you are special. We need you and will value your contributions to our company.

8. You won’t be expected to spend tons of money on advertising. But our in-house marketing department will provide you with lots of great ways to grow your AHCS franchise with a minimal dollars. Things like our E-news – “Home Care Today,  a social media presence, PR and more.

9.You could start your own home care agency, but then you will have to learn everything by trial and error. From getting licensed by the state to applying to provide home care to Medicaid clients, we’ve done it all. We’ll help you navigate through these steps, therefore alleviating unneeded stress.

10. A 7K franchise fee. Not 30K. If you are one of our first three partners, your franchise fee. We’re ready to grow and we’re looking for compassionate entrepreneurs to help us do just that.

For more information about an Alternative Home Care for Seniors (AHCS) franchise territory, please contact Franchise Marketing Systems:  (800) 610-0292

Call 770-736-7977 for information and to schedule!

The Dust Buster 55.00

• Vacuum
• Dust
• Unload dishwasher
• 1 load of laundry, washed, dried,
• folded/hung
• Make bed
• Medication reminder
• Serve coffee or tea

Spring Clean-Up 90.00

• Organize one closet or pantry
• (Take out expired food or clothes, or
• items no longer used.)
• Change bed and bath linens
• Vacuum
• Dust
• Unload dishwasher
• 1 load of laundry, washed, dried and
• folded/hung
• Make bed
• Medication reminder
• Serve coffee or tea

Wake-Up Call 55.00

• Get client up and out of bed
• Assist with bathing, grooming and dressing
• Make and serve breakfast
• Do dishes
• Medication reminder
• Tidy up bathroom
• Make bed
• Dust & vacuum

Good Night Tuck-In 55.00

• Help get ready for bed
• Read a book or play cards
• Assist with bath and bathroom trip
• Medication reminder
• Lock and secure home for evening
• Serve snack and beverage in bed
• Make sure phone, remote control
• and reading materials are within
• easy reach

Plans may be altered to fit specific needs. Rates may vary slightly based on location, time of year.

Q: You’ve (co-)owned your home care agency for over eight years. What do you attribute your success in the home healthcare provider industry?

Q: How did you grow your network of caregivers? Over time, word of mouth leads them to us. The ability to retain their services is key. We’re here at all times to address their questions and concerns. We also create accountability from them.

Sweaters for Seniors "Fulton County" team left to right: Sharna Fulton, AHCS; Steven Hargrove, SCS Metro Atlanta, Missy Hirsh and Lexi Fields, the Galloway School

In one metro Atlanta county, there’s a socially minded school responsible for educating the next generation. Also, in that same county (Fulton) is SCS of Metro Atlanta that cares for the needs of seniors.

Last Thursday, representatives from both organizations met for the first time in a hallway at the Galloway School on behalf of  “Sweaters For Seniors.”

It was a really happy day, but not just for the warm sunlight that beamed through the school’s big windows. Or because of the melange of yellow and red trees just outside those windows as you overlooked Chastain Park. What made this morning special was like-minded people in various careers assembling on behalf of a common cause – to help keep Atlanta’s seniors warm this coming winter.

In attendance were Missy Hirsh, Assistant to the College Counselor for Galloway, Lexi Fields, Galloway Economics Teacher and Service Fair Director, Steven Hargrove, Director of Special Events for SCS and myself, Sharna Fulton, Director of Marketing of Sweaters for Seniors and AHCS. (As a friend, Craig Pigg accompanied Steven Hargrove to Galloway as he is considering sending his son, Cooper to the school next year.)

So why were three different organizations involved in the collection of 174 pounds of sweaters you may ask? (Missy Hirsh weighed the many green bags of beautiful sweaters made with heavy wool, cashmere, fleece and dry cleaned just for S4s.)

The answer is that we at AHCS, sought for the first time this year, to make “Sweaters For Seniors” truly a community endeavor. Why?

#1:  Schools were the best resource for collecting sweaters for seniors the past 2 years. We realized it was students were the most enthusiastic and truly what made the program special.

#2: We thought it would be a good way to connect Atlanta’s youth to Atlanta’s seniors. (After all, young or old, we are all one!)

#3: We wanted to put the spotlight on the senior service agencies and what they do for Atlanta’s elder population. We felt that by connecting schools with their same county senior agencies, we could make school communities aware of the seniors’ needs in their own neighborhood. What’s more, with blog and Facebook posts like these, we could further illuminate the existence of and what agencies like SCS of Metro Atlanta does to help seniors.

In conclusion, I’m really pleased with the outcome of this partnership for 2010. Galloway’s Missy Hirsh puts it best.  “I want our students to learn about thinking outside of their own box. Sometimes, there’s a stigma attached to not having ‘things.’ By collecting sweaters for seniors, our students were able to know there are people with needs and that it’s okay to understand that and to help them.

Thanks to the outstanding organizational skills of Steven Hargrove and his staff — Hargrove reports SCS just raised $504K last week during their annual black tie fundraising event –  the sweaters will have value too! When I approached Hargrove last summer as to whether SCS could find use for “sweater donations,” he responded “yes.” Within a few days, he had the perfect idea for the sweaters — to deliver them to  SCS’s 300 clients along with their Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels.

As we button-up collections for Fulton County’s seniors this year, we look forward to more schools joining us in the “4th Annual Sweaters for Seniors” coming next fall!