Good Advice About Dealing with Handymen By Nick Suhr, J.D. and Jane Gregor, RN, BSN Living in a community like Sun City gives one a sense of security and well-being that can sometimes be risky. Nowhere is it more important to exercise caution than when it comes to hiring people to make repairs in your home. Statistics show that senior citizens are frequently targeted by hucksters and frauds. Why? Because they are easy marks, often willing to accept promises that…
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of a HEART ATTACK can be the most promising start to a quick recovery. Lives Can Be Saved by know the following information. SIGNS A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle is blocked. Heart attacks may start slowly so be aware of the signs : Discomfort…
Emergency departments are an essential part of our health care system. The emergency department was designed to provide fast, life-or-limb-saving care. Many people, however, use the ER as a place to receive urgent care without realizing it. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s better to call 911 and go to the closest ER. Never Drive Yourself to an Emergency Room! These are just a few of the conditions that ARE medical emergencies: **** Persistent chest pain, especially if it radiates to…
The Risk of Falling. Falls can be prevented. These are some simple things you can do to keep yourself from falling. Talk to Your Doctor Ask your doctor or healthcare provider to evaluate your risk for falling and talk with them about specific things you can do. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines to see if any Rx or OTC meds might make you dizzy or sleepy. This should include prescription medicines and over-the counter medicines. Concurrent infections such as…
Oral diseases of teeth and gums, are common among our oldest Americans who grew up without the benefit of community water fluoridation and other fluoride products. Being disabled, homebound, or institutionalized also increases the risk of poor oral health. Most older Americans do not have dental insurance. Often these benefits are lost when they retire. The situation may be worse for older women, who generally have lower incomes and may never have had dental insurance. Medicaid may fund dental care…
DRINK RESPONSIBLY We are blessed to live in SCCL, an Active Senior Living community. We have the ability to preserve our health and safety by being vigilant, aware and responsible for OUR OWN Health. Number one avoidable problem is substance abuse among individuals over 65. Abuse results from misuse of alcohol and/or over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Misuse of drugs refers to underuse, overuse, or erratic use of legally prescribed and/or over-the-counter drugs. Mixing alcohol with most medications is contraindicated as…
Advance Care Directive – a written statement of a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment, often including a living will, made to ensure those wishes are carried out should the person be unable to communicate them to a doctor. Living Will – A written document that allows a patient to give explicit instructions about medical treatment to be administered when the patient is terminally ill or permanently unconscious; also called an advance directive. Health Care Power of Attorney – Legal authorization…