I have always felt a high degree of responsibility in this area. Our first line of defense against any illness is a baseline of good health, and that cannot be achieved in a hurry. It’s a lifetime commitment to good dietary habits and a healthy, active lifestyle. Many health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and high blood pressure are preventable. It’s our job to keep our family healthy and happy, and although I completely own my responsibility in this area, I am not going to turn my back on the amazing resources we have at our fingertips in Alberta. It doesn’t have to be ALL or nothing.
Over my decades of mothering and grandmothering, one might think I’ve seen it all, but although that is NOT true, we have had our share of stitches, a few broken bones and assorted illnesses. Let me start of by saying how grateful I am for our medical system and the good people who have chosen careers in it. With rare exception, I have the utmost respect for those individuals. But the truth is YOU are your family’s 1st Responder. You’re the one who is there when they get burned or cut or when they’re fighting an illness.
Day 3 Scenario of our Emergency Preparedness Challenge Sept 2023 was – Your Family’s Health and Safety is YOUR Job
We’ve ALL seen this challenging scenario: Doctors offices were closed while governments tried to figure out the best way to proceed in the early days of 2020. And even when they re-opened, waiting rooms were empty, phone visits were done as much as possible, and protocol was everything. Visiting doctors only when absolutely necessary put a lot of responsibility back on our own shoulders.
Our tasks to do for Day 3 included the following:
- Prepare a family medical plan to include in your Emergency Binder (if you don’t’ have one, make do for now – we’ll address this important tool in the future). Be as thorough as your family currently requires.
Having your medical information in one spot only makes sense. Alberta Health Care numbers and other specific details for individuals should be compiled and readily accessible. Where do you currently have that experience? - Do an inventory of your home medical supplies.
What do you have on hand for non prescription medications your family uses? Are you watching expiry dates? Do you need to update any?
What kind of lead time do you need to refill prescriptions? Do you have as much on had as is prudent? Identify those medications that are most serious for your health and ask the pharmacist how much you can purchase ahead. Keep on top of this. - Print out instructions or otherwise obtain basic first aid procedures.
Do you have a good book on hand (as opposed to our friend dr. google), which provides sound counsel for some of the more common ailments or injuries? Something you can easily refer to for advice in the absence of electricity, wifi access or cell service may become a very important part of your family library. Be discerning in selecting a good book, it will have to coincide with your foundational health philosophies.
I am not going to pretend to be a “Pro” here, or even an “Intermediate”. We can learn from each other, and by preparing ourselves ahead of time. It’s a reminder that preparedness extends to ALL aspects of our lives, including our well-being.
As we face this scenario together, I’d appreciated your thoughts, ideas, and personal solutions in the comments below. Discuss strategies for staying healthy, alternative healthcare options, and how we can support each other in these trying times. 
Good Health applies the rule “an ounce of Prevention is worth a pound of cure“. It is much better to maintain a healthy lifestyle than it is to try to establish one late in the game, but any step forward is a step in the right direction.
10 tips to help you and your family be healthy
- GOOD NUTRITION
In many cases food can be our medicine – if it is the healthiest it can be. Eating healthy foods and drinking clean water is our first line of defense. The old adage “You are what you eat” is absolutely true, and ensuring a good source of nutritious foods will have lifetime consequences. We’re back to our Day 1 Scenario – FOOD STORAGE (there’s a reason FOOD STORAGE was #1).
Eat more fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Eat less processed foods. - BE ACTIVE
One does not have to commit to an athlete’s life style to be healthy. Daily exercises can be simply choosing to walk instead of driving whenever possible. Whatever activity you choose, try to do so with a new mindset of “This is important to my lifetime of heath“, and then commit to it. Set aside your weight goals and make this one about Good Health. - SLEEP WELL
Sleep is as important for good health as diet and exercise. Good sleep improves your brain performance, mood, and health, and not getting enough quality sleep on a regular basis raises the risk of serious chronic health concerns which may creep up on your later.
It has been proven that those who get consistent regular sleep are:
sick less often,
stay at a health weight,
have a lower risk for serious health problems,
enjoy reduced stress,
think more clearly and do better in school or at work,
have improved moods and get along with people better.
These seems like pretty high returns for something as simple as “EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE”
While it is critical for children to get good sleep, do not underestimate its value to adults too. - BE PROACTIVE WITH HEALTH CARE
Stay on top of annual medical checkups for every member of your household, and annual dental appointments. By not procrastinating these important checks and balances in our lives, we will always have them working FOR us. If you need to have something looked at, or taken care of do it NOW, because you don’t know when things are going to change and you’ve lost the opportunity. - GOOD DENTAL HYGIENE
Though I am all about good dental care, having healthy teeth begins at home – while you’re a child, and is a lifelong practice of good habits. Brush and floss daily. - WORK
In addition to working outside the home, find meaningful work to do in and around the house that uses energy and attentiveness. Getting out of our own heads and being involved in meaningful projects, brings purpose and direction, and immense satisfaction for a job well done. - argument for a CLEAN HOME
Mental health: The world outside our homes may be in total disarray, but being able to leave it outside is important to good mental health. When our minds feel overwhelmed, our living spaces can also end up cluttered, but a messy space can lead to stress, anxiety, difficulty concentrating and even relationship strain. Just as a messy space can put you in a mental bind, tidying up your home can help you feel better. Studies show that mental health is directly connected to the condition of our environment. There is something immensely satisfying about a clean house – like a weight lifted off your shoulders, easier to relax and find peace.
Physical health: Dust, pollen, mould, and animal dander are allergens that can trigger asthma and other respiratory problems. There are reasons hospitals are kept as clean as possible; an unclean home is a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. A dirty or cluttered kitchen is more likely to harbour dangerous foodborne illnesses too – like salmonella. - LAUGH MORE
Laughter reduces stress and anxiety, as well as builds relationships and creates happy memories. Look for opportunities to laugh. - SPEND TIME WITH LOVED ONES
This often requires stepping out of our busy lives and choosing to focus on someone else. Building and investing in good relationships is essential our social health. - SERVE
The health benefits of serving others cannot be understated. Not only does it put our own troubles in a better perspective, but it increases feelings of well-being, purpose and happiness. There is clear evidence that serving others positively impacts our mental health, as it connects us in meaningful ways to other human beings. That in turn, strengthens our personal sense of connection and purpose, both decreasing feelings of discouragement and depression, and increasing confidence and feelings of self worth.
Make eating together at the table a priority in your home.
Studies prove that connecting with each other while sharing a meal food can improve the physical and mental health of all family members involved. It is not only encourages healthier eating habits, but it can prevent many mental health disorders. Eating together can improve children’s feelings of self worth and communication skills, and help with weight problems that are aggravated by constant snacking in place of consistent, meaningful meal times.
10 easy 1st aid tips for ALL homes
- ALOE VERA
In my opinion, a most important practical investment is a simple ALOE VERA plant. A living 1st Aid Kit – I have had one in my home for nearly ALL of my parenting years, and I hope to never go without one. It is most often used as a topical medication, rubbing it onto the skin for cuts, scrapes, rashes and burns, including sunburn. Very useful for use as an astringent.
click HERE for more information on how to use Aloe Vera topically - Hand sanitizer
Keep your hands clean when dealing with wounds (or owies) of any kind. Wash with soap and water, or as a second choice – in a pinch, use hand sanitizer. - 1st Aid Kit
Have a well stocked 1st aid kit that is clean, easy to find, one that you know the contents of. Be familiar with how to use the things in it. Some basics to include: anti-bacterial wipes, painkillers, gauze pads, sunscreen, medical gloves, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, bandages. - BANDAGES
Bandages are the most basic of all first aid items, so have an assortment of all types and sizes on hand. Keep them in a CLEAN place. - Cleaning alcohol.
Back to cleaning again – Infection is our biggest enemy. Alcohol can clean in ways that water cannot, and is a good sterilizer when you have to use any other tool or instrument (like tweezers to remove debris from a cut). - SALT
Salt Rinse – or Saline Solution is a good way to clean most open injuries. It is easy to prepare at home: make sure everything is clean when you use it. Boil 4 cups water; while it is still warm, dissolve 2-3 teaspoons pickling salt or canning salt or kosher salt or sea salt. If you use ordinary table salt, you may get a preservative or other additive that may compromise it.
It is important to only use a fresh saline solution and to throw it away if it looks cloudy or dirty.
Use to rinse the nasal passages (nasal irrigation), rinse mouth to alleviate a sore throat, clean cuts or scrapes, rinse mouth after losing a tooth, . . . .
Do NOT drink. Do not use homemade solution to rinse your eyes or contact lenses as this could lead to corneal abrasions.
*Bacteria can grow in saline and cause infections, so it is very important to only use a freshly made saline solution daily.
*Use a clean glass jar that has been recently washed in a full-cycle dishwasher or boil-sterilize for 10 minutes. This will help prevent bacteria from contaminating the solution.
Keep the saline solution sterile by not dipping anything into the container.
Better to pour the amount needed into another container/cup and then draw up the saline with a syringe. - Emergency Contact information
Sometimes, the problem is bigger than what we can handle at home. Getting appropriate aid is part of being responsible. Going to a doctor, visiting Urgent Care or and Emergency Room, calling 811 to get professional advice, even calling an ambulance – I am so grateful for these resources. I have nothing but good to say about the wonderful human beings that have cared for my loved ones in our time of distress and medical need.
Have phone numbers handy and readily available.
For older adults in your home, its a good idea to have their “Goals of Care” list on top of the fridge. This is where 1st Responders will look for it, if they are called to your home in an emergency.
For elderly people, or those who have mobility issues, consider renting an alert system for them to wear in the event that they fall while you’re not present to help them. - Consider investing in a 1st Aid Course in your community. This will help you build confidence in the event of an emergency.
I understand that there are volumes to say about Health and Medical preparedness. I also understand that opinions vary greatly on the subject and that it is not the purpose of this exercise to become ‘political’. You do You the best way you know how, and I’ll do Me. Suffice it to say for all of us, that we need to be prepared to take care of our families in every way. I am not much interested in preparing for a doomsday scenario or a ‘zombie apocalypse‘ when life as we know it ceases to exist. I am more interested in preparing for an imminent future that is full of uncertainties. I may be wrong, but I think we’ll still have doctors and an existing medical system. If we do not, I am ill equipped to take the place of qualified medical expertise anyway.
Preparedness is a Journey, and the journey is always more pleasant when you have a good support system. As always, I highly recommend you find a friend to share this journey with. Help each other, Encourage each other, Share resources and great finds with each other. Find classes that are offered in your community, designed to assist you in your preparedness – take them together if possible. Teach each other.
Find groups on social media that are dedicated to preparedness and helping one another. JOIN THEM. Especially if they’re local.
I’d love to hear where you are in your Health and Wellness plan and I want to hear your tips. We learn so much better when we’re sharing. Mark your calendar for the 2nd week in January. Join the Challenge. Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/676439330803075/
If you’re not on facebook, but would like to join the next challenge, let me know. I’ll send you the daily test alert in an email.
Warmly,
Cindy Suelzle