Interview with Gemma Fox [gemska]

Gemma Fox [gemska]

HEALTH

What is your specialty? What does your work consist of?

Care of the Elderly. Enhancing the life of the elderly every day and ensuring a palliative care approach where appropriate.

What types of clients do you have? Why do they come to you and what can you offer them?

The elderly. Generally they come to us because they are unable to cope at home any longer either through mental or physical conditions. We can offer them 24 hour nursing and general care, a secure place to live and many ways to enhance their lives that may not be available at home. We also continue to promote independence which is sometimes easier to achieve through our establishment.

What are some basic rules for those who want to live to be 100.

Everything in moderation. Obviously too much alcohol or junk food is bad for you but you can have both in small doses. Keep active. Other than that there is no sure shot at living until you're 100, the human body is too vulnerable.

Obesity, insomnia, and depression, are epidemic. What does that say about our way of life? What must be changed at the social level?

We all live under too much stress and pressure. Often when we've been placed under pressure at work we go home and feel more pressure there, maybe having to take over the home duties as the spouse goes to work. Fifty years ago most families lived within the same community so grandparents, aunts and uncles were all near by to help out. This is not the case now. So people don't get the relief of their stress and pressure. Most people feel they don't have the time to cook so junk food replaces a traditional home made meal. We need to go back to basics. People shouldn't have to take work home and juggle that and home-life. They should be two separate entities.

What is your opinion on the use of medical marijuana for terminal illnesses.

If it works it should be used. Anything that relieves pain or anxiety in people with terminal diagnosis should be considered.

The patient/doctor relationship is part of the success of treatment. What should it be like?

There should be an element of trust between patient and doctor, going in both directions.

What areas of health or of medicine are you most interested in devoting yourself to in the next few years?

Palliative and end of life care without a doubt.

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Gemma Fox [gemska]
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