By Bob Difley
In last week’s post I wrote about several ways RVers can reduce their expenditures immediately. These ways are doable because of the flexible mobile lifestyle we live and our ability to move quickly when necessary. But there are other ways that are not as clear for reducing expenses, ways that don’t immediately reflect our actions. One factor that could drastically affect our financial situation is the condition of our health and what we can do to avoid unforseen medical costs.
Some of these ways are as basic as changing habits. For instance if you stop smoking, lose weight, and start exercising you will help your body in preventing heart disease, diabetes, and other maladies. However, if you don’t get any of the diseases or illnesses (because you are practicing healthier living) you may not be fully aware that the results–fewer diseases, infrequent illnesses, etc.–are in fact connected to the changing of bad habits. No doctor can definitively state, “If you hadn’t changed those habits, you would have diabetes, heart disease, etc. now.” And there are plenty of people who will argue with you that nutrition and exercise really don’t matter in the whole scheme of life (I am definitely not one of them).
However, in some situations, there is good data that make a strong case for certain actions. For instance, Dr. Anthony Kim, a stroke neurologist, wrote in the Thursday, June 28th San Francisco Chronicle that “modern advances in the prevention and treatment of stroke . . . have led to a more than 30% decline in the mortality rate from stroke over the last 30 years.” Besides the changing of bad habits connected with stroke, one of the other advances is proof that the speed in which a stroke victim receives medical help is vitally important.
Unfortunately, in many instances the stroke victim, as well as those close to the victim, often do not realize that a stroke has occurred and that it is a medical emergency and do not therefore seek help until much later when more identifiable symptoms appear. Symptoms can be similar, but also different, from those of a heart attack depending on the area of the brain affected. In fact, only 18% of the population can correctly identify the signs of a stroke.
This is important to us RVers since when we are doing our thing–traveling and camping in our rigs–we are not usually within range of our regular doctor’s help. we might be out boondocking in the middle of nowhere, on the road in a strange state, or miles from a city and hospitals and adequate medical care. And we may even say to ourselves, “I’m OK, it’s just a passing thing, I’ll see the doc when I get home.” That delay could make it too late to prevent severe damage to the brain.
And that is the reason that we road warriors need to be more self reliant when on the road than at home. Dr. Kim recommends that everyone learn the FAST acronym, committing it to memory, to give yourself and your mate that necessary leg up if a stroke does occur.
F – Face
Ask the person to smile. Does the face look uneven?
A – Arm
Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift down?
S – Speech
Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase, such as “The sky is blue.” Does their speech sound strange, or are they unable to understand you?
T – If you observe any of these signs of stroke, call 911 immediately.
Knowing these symptoms could help prevent what could be huge medical costs–and worse. It pays for us all to learn as much as e can to be able to make informed decisions when necessary.
Check out my website for more RVing tips and destinations, and for my ebooks, BOONDOCKING: Finding the Perfect Campsite on America’s Public Lands (click here for Kindle version), Snowbird Guide to Boondocking in the Southwestern Deserts (Kindle version), and 111 Ways to Get the Biggest Bang out of your RV Lifestyle Dollar (Kindle version).
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abercrombie
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marianj`
Thanks for reminding us.
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Chip Deyerle
Excellent comments from Bob Difley. As Rvers we are always subject to coming upon an accident on the road-and being there first. Th longest time in my lif is waiting for the police ad Fire Dept to arrive-it can seem like forever. Having CPR and first aid training is crucial to saving lives on the open road.- from single car accidents to a tour bus rollovers,
Trying to help out until the police and fire dept arrive on scene is difficult if you don’t know what you are doing or the basics of first aid. Both American Red Cross and the American Heart Association offer excellent training to keep you prepared. Knowing stroke symptoms is something everyone should take time to memorize and watch for in others. And, by the way, there is an app for all of that.
Geoffrey Pruett
Even though 70 is already in the rear view mirror my part time job is on premise security service and fire inspections. On a regular basis the customer exibits many symptoms of a recent micro stroke such as having to try 3 times to enter the pass code in a 15 year old alarm system or saying that the last service was a month ago even though the copy of the service ticket says last year. The most distressing part of this is that this same person will get behind the wheel and drive off after service is complete! Not every thing is as easy as it was 30 years ago but solving problems is still fun. When this changes I hope some one grabs me by the ear and drags me to the doctor!
Gary
Bob. It’s always good to be reminded of “fast” before it’s too late. We just had our doctor quit to persue other fields and need to start all over again. Tho’t you’d like to know. HA .
Perhaps you have some advice on that matter, seeing as we both are on Medicare.
Always enjoy your articles, even if the subject isn’t the one we need.
Thanks for the info. Gary
joe
Bob – If there’s ever an area of life we could describe as uncertain times, medical care would qualify.
I’ve long said that that the best health plan our there is a bowl of salad and a pair of running (or walking) shoes. Fresh air would make a nice 3rd item on the list.
I always enjoy walking/running campground loops, checking out different rigs and meeting people. There are typically no shortage of hiking trails around the areas we like to frequent.
I wonder what your opinion is on classes like CPR, Emergency First Response, or Wilderness First Aid. They do require a time and cost investment, but I think the investment is small compared to the risks boondockers take being miles from traditional urban emergency medical infrastructure.
butterbean carpenter
Howdy Dr. Bob,
Thank you, for an enlightening article and the WARNING TO BE AWARE of the signs for STROKE!! My stroke is very uneven and choppy even when I try to be steady on the keyboard!!! Trying to touch ones nose with the forefinger is another good test for stroke!! Also keep in mind, when traveling to KNOW WHAT COUNTY, STATE, TOWN
you are in or near, so the ambulance can FIND YOU!!!