HERE TO HELP – Voice Of The Township

At this time of year many of you are thinking more about doing for others—with shopping, decorating, baking—than about attending to yourselves. I would like to revisit a past column on this subject, because I think it’s important to remind everyone to keep tabs on your personal well-being as you get ready for the holidays, the colder weather and the shorter days of winter.

Most of us are aware that we should eat right, exercise regularly; get plenty of sleep, not smoke or use tobacco, not drink alcohol excessively, not “do” drugs, and brush and floss our teeth. Even though we are aware of these recommendations, we often don’t do what is best for our bodies. Some people don’t seek medical help when they are feeling ill. Some use all of their medicine, and then wait days or months before refilling their prescription. Some make a conscious decision to discontinue medication, without consulting a physician. It’s best to get a clear understanding of why a medication has been prescribed, and what happens if doses are missed. Physicians and pharmacists can help by providing this information. Reading the written information that is provided with a prescription may take some time and effort but it can pay off by giving you a better understanding of your medicine and your body.

When asked why they quit taking a prescription, clients may say that they forgot, the symptoms went away, they were trying to save money, or they didn’t like the side effects. Here are some suggestions: use a pillbox with daily compartments or mark the calendar as you take your medicines to help with the problem of “forgetting.” If your medicine is too costly, there are programs offering free or reduced cost medications. Ask your physician to refer you to such programs. If you have unwanted side effects from a prescription, discuss it with your physician. He or she may be able to switch you to something different that doesn’t have the bothersome side effects.

We encounter clients who suffer from diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease and other ailments. Literature about these conditions and more is available in many physicians’ offices. Read some of the literature provided there. Ask your physician or nurse about classes that might be offered relating to your diagnosis. When you find one, attend it, to learn and to share information with others who may be experiencing the same thing. Search online for other useful information.

Click to advertise on this website

Some agencies offer health services at a reduced cost. Northern Indiana 211 can provide names of organizations that may be able to help you. They can be reached by dialing 211, or (260) 744-0700. They may, for example, refer you to the Matthew 25 Health and Dental Clinic who offers medical, dental, vision and hearing services. They are located at 413 E. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Their online address is matthew25online.org.

Clients who need township medical assistance may come in to our office on days other than the standard assigned letter days. When medication is needed, a client should come in as soon as possible, as waiting can make the problem worse. Call our office for additional information on township medical assistance at (260) 449-7000.

Providing assistance gives us the chance to hear happy endings to many of our clients’ stories. But we also hear the sad ones. When a client comes into our office we get to know and care about them. It is a sad day for us when the last communication we have with a client is a request for their burial. The Wayne Township Trustee Office is here to help with difficult life circumstances. Don’t make yours a sad story because you needed help and didn’t request it.