Bridging The Gap Between Patients And Providers
Winter 2011 | Volume 2, Issue 1 www.rsvphealth.com
Senior Health Care Issue You Have More Power Than You Think! Part 2
DOES YOUR DOCTOR REALLY LISTEN TO YOU?
Technology that can improve life at any age
DaD’s gone. MoM’s alone.
You’re worried.
Mom is here.
She wants to stay at home. You want that for her too. Knowing which direction to take is challenging. You can count on Lutheran Senior Services to provide the right route. Call 314.963.3430 to learn more.
Help Mom continue living at home with a variety of resources. Lutheran Senior Services offers a full array of in-home services designed to meet the specific needs of seniors and their families. From medical care to help around the house and more, our friendly care coordinators and staff members can help you BOTH. Outreach Social Services – A good place to start when you’re concerned about Mom. Our Aging Answers Line – 314.446.2475 – offers free resources and referrals to older adult services. In-home assessment, office consultation, or geriatric care management is available when needed.
g Outreach Social Services g Living Safe Technologies g Private Duty g Good Neighbor Program g Volunteer Money Management g Home Health g Hospice Care
Living Safe Technologies – A personal emergency response system featuring “The Button”, plus more. It’s the simplest way to ensure that help is always available when Mom’s alone. Private Duty – An extra set of hands for Mom when she needs help with activities of daily life and you are unable to be there due to work or family commitments. Our staff brings both personal and supportive care services right to her front door. Good Neighbor Program – If you are looking for non-medical care at home, our free referral service can connect you and Mom with an independent caregiver. Volunteer Money Management – Dad always paid the bills, balanced the checkbook, and sorted through the mail. Mom wants to take over these tasks now. This program can help her manage her financial tasks so she can remain self-sufficient.
314.963.3430 LSSLiving.org
Home Health – Should Mom need skilled nursing and/or physical, occupational or speech therapies to recover from an illness, injury, or after a hospital stay, we can arrange this professional care when she qualifies for these services. All that’s needed is her doctor’s referral and for her to choose Lutheran Senior Services Home Health as her provider. Hospice Care – We hope you never need us, but if you do, we’ll be there for you and Mom, when care and compassion matter most.
RSVP Marketing Group | rsvpmarketinggroup.com
Credits Publisher RSVP Marketing Group Executive Editors Benjamin A. Moss Rodney D. Gross, Ph.D. Kevin Russell Creative Director Production Manager Benjamin A. Moss
Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
- John F. Kennedy
RSVP Marketing Group LLC is excited to announce its’ new division, RSVP Health. RSVP Health “bridges the gap between patients and providers” and it is “health care and wellness reserved just for you”. The “you” includes but is not limited to the following examples: doctors of all specialties (M.D.’s. DO’s, Dentist, Chiropractors, OB/GYN, Cardiologist, Psychiatrist, Family Practice, etc.), health care entities (Hospitals, Medical Groups, Surgery Centers, Home Health, Hospice, Skilled Nursing Facilities, etc.), providers of health care products (Pharmacies, Insurance Companies, etc.), wellness (Nutritional Medicine, Spa’s, Fitness Centers, etc.) and finally “you” the individual patient and or customer.
expert, first-hand knowledge of health care administration, treatment and policy (laws, regulations, credentials, reimbursements, staffing, recruitment, patient satisfaction, budgeting, technology, business development, marketing, etc.) to expert first-hand knowledge of patients, customers and businesses (insurance coverage, demographics, access, needs, workman’s compensation, pre-employment physicals, wellness checks, etc.). RSVP Health not only will ensure “return on investment” by both providers and patients/customers, but also most importantly provide the portal to “educate & communicate” both personalized and technologically, to “bridge the gap” between them.
RSVP Marketing Group LLC combines its’ fifty five years of executive level and professional experience in marketing, business development, business administration, health care administration and cutting edge technology with its’ “Mentalities of the Market” into RSVP Health. This encompasses everything from
For more detailed information on RSVP Marketing Group LLC and RSVP Health services, please visit our websites. www.rsvpmarketinggroup.com www.rsvphealth.com
Writers Rodney D. Gross, Ph.D. Dr. Charles Willey, M.D. Cathy Barton Lola AuBuchon Gross Carol Melka, MSW, LCSW Benjamin A. Moss Production Coordinator Kevin Russell
For advertising information, please contact us at: RSVP Marketing Group 124 N. Jackson St., Farmington, MO 63640 888-762-7212 info@rsvpmarketinggroup.com
RSVP Health is provided for information and education purposes and is in no way to take the place of a health care professional’s advice. Please consult a health care professional with any health related questions. Not all information within is the opinion of RSVP Marketing Group or RSVP Health. RSVP Marketing Group is not liable for any decisions made as a result of information received from RSVP Health. RSVP Health is a division of RSVP Marketing Group. www.rsvpmarketinggroup.com www.rsvphealth.com
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RSVP Health | Community Health Care and Wellness Resource Guide
As a partner of RSVP Marketing Group LLC, I proudly introduce RSVP Health’s quarterly publication, the RSVP Health Community Health Care and Wellness Resource Guide “Senior Edition” for the residents of Missouri in the areas of but not limited to; St. Louis, Arnold, Festus, Farmington, Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau. It also includes residents in Missouri just west of these areas and residents east of these areas into Illinois.
We made all attempts to contact those health care and wellness entities that provide service to our areas. Not everyone welcomed the concept as some. The ones who do have information further understand the importance of true education, resources and relationship. Even though someone is not listed or their information not as noticeable, it does not define them as being any less important.
As a health care professional, the concept of this for our communities has been a desire of mine for the past few years, but as an employed/contracted individual for health care entities, I could not do it without it coming across as biased. Now, with being a partner with RSVP Marketing Group LLC and the development of RSVP Health, I am able to fulfill this desire. Our areas have never had an true, professionally created, resource guide towards health care that wasn’t made available outside the realm of health care entities doing them about themselves only or non-health care organizations doing it just at an attempt for pure profit with no substance or most importantly, no education. What you will find within these pages is true health care and wellness substance geared to you, the individual. Though there are some traditional advertisements, they are at a minimum to ensure the goal of pure educational, accessible, resources to you. The advertisers recognize and understand the vision of this resource guide and are very generous in allowing us to provide this publication both in physical print and on-line at zero cost to you. The content to include advertisement, articles, spotlights, etc; have strict instructions to keep it relevant, honest, accessible, professional and foremost, educational. I am not in to who is the best from their point of view, only with what they can provide and educate “you” on that involves their vision, services, products and ultimately, betterment of your personal well being.
You will find these publications throughout the area in places where people congregate for example: health care & wellness waiting rooms, airports, book stores, coffee shops, beauty shops, schools, hotels, restaurants, etc. This publication is quarterly for the printed version and the on-line version is updated quarterly depending on the health care entities and their updated content. Furthermore, the on-line version will have direct access for you to go the respected health care and wellness entities that you find relevant. It is a great way for them and most importantly, you, to put true and updated information and education that affects your well-being. This publication is just one piece of our overall vision on the professional education and awareness side of health care and wellness. We will continue redefining health care and wellness grand openings, introductions and health fairs. Health Fairs will be taken to a new level that includes professional seminars, education, input, results and professionalism that are conducted by some of the same types of health care and wellness experts as you see in this publication. Even before release of the very first community health and wellness resource guide, other areas have contacted us to bring the same to their communities.
Inside these pages, you will see an attempt to breakdown some common questions, definitions and myths around “senior” health care and wellness. For so long I have been asked what the difference is between some of the following examples that you will find within this publication; Home Health & Hospice, Skilled Nursing Facilities/Nursing Homes & Residential Nursing Facilities, etc. The definitions will be a combination of my expertise and those of organizations such as National Health Care Organizations, Universities, Medical Dictionaries and other Health Care & Wellness Experts, etc.
I would like to thank all health care and wellness entities that have participated in this guide and for seeing the importance to communicate and educate you. In addition, I would like to thank my other partners who make up RSVP Marketing Group LLC and their support on the importance of health care and wellness education, communication and awareness. In closing, RSVP Health will strive to bring health care and wellness education, awareness and access to you with one goal in mind, your well-being. Rodney D. Gross, Ph.D.
RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com 5
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Table of Contents | RSVP Health
You Have More Power Than You Think.
Does Your Doctor Really Listen To You?
Page 8
Page 24
The Philosophy of the Holistic Approach
Page 28 Health and Wellness
Resource List
Page 72 Page 18 Arthritis Advice Page 31 The Wisdom Keeper’s Story Page 32 The New Face of Adult Primary Care: Vital Role of the Nurse Practicioner Page 34 Hospice: The Myths and Realities
Page 36 Planning for End-of-Life Care Decisions.
Page 49 Waiting For The Right Time Is The Wrong Time
Page 42 Your Life, Your Way, Your Home
Page 50 Can We Prevent Aging?
Page 45 They Did It For You, You Can Do It For Them
Page 62 Technology As The New Partner in Health, Wellness and Life
Page 46 Thinking About Becoming More Physically Active RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com 7
Part 2
8 RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com
By Dr. Rodney Gross, Ph.D. Benjamin A. Moss
RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com 9
“Your health and wellness is your Return on Investment�
Article Contents: What are some common definitions? Advanced Health Care Directives Baby Boomers Estate Planning Geriatrics Gerontology Home Health Hospice Medicare
10 RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com
Residential Care Facility / Assisted Living Facility Skilled Nursing Facility / Nursing Home Become Your Own Health and Wellness Expert
You Have The Power! Everyone searches for a politically correct definition of those who are; senior in years, reached the golden years, progressively aged, elderly, age 65+, etc. I like to think of those who are older than I to be the storytellers and or the experienced (life-lessons learned). There are no politically correct definitions, they just “are” and they are as important as anyone or anything else. From this point forward, I will refer to those senior of myself as the “storytellers” and or “the experienced”. Some of my greatest stories, experiences, memories, lessons learned, etc, have come as a result from the storytellers. So many of them have helped and continue to shape my life (family and non-family) and professional career, especially those I have had contact with as a Health Care CEO (Hospital CEO, Nursing Home Administrator, Home Health, Physician Practices, etc.). They have seen generational changes in health care, the good and the bad, and it seems nowadays, they are some of the forgotten voices when it comes to deciding health care policies and health care delivery. Individuals like storytellers now more than any point in the past has to “empower” themselves and involve their families, not only in their own health and wellness but also in the understanding and definition of health care providers and entities that provide health care geared towards them. The empowerment comes from knowledge one can access from things like word of mouth to searching on the web. There is so much free, professional, detailed information right at ones fingertips. This section will help identify some commonly asked questions that I have experienced throughout
my health care career and ones I have answered pertaining to my said responsibilities within the health care arena. The definitions are basic and not drawn out, though some have quoted definitions that were deemed appropriate. Many of these subjects will have articles associated with them throughout this publication that will go into more detail. This by no means is advice on medical treatment, just educational definitions, descriptions, examples, etc, to help you understand and empower yourself to take charge of your health and wellness. Doctors, Pharmacies, Insurance Companies, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, etc, also are realizing this and some are taking steps to build personalized relationships with their patients/customers. They are accepting things such as education, preventative medicine, technology and resources as part of their overall care with their patients/customers. This only benefits you more along with you continuing your health and wellness knowledge. However, be aware, that you need to call them out by asking questions, researching and being the most educated individual on your well-being. In many instances, some of the entities/people are not the experts nor have your well-being in the forefront of their overall goals. Again, the following pages in the section are a basic guide for storytellers and their families to empower their own health and wellness. Ask questions, research the web, go to the library, spend a day at the bookstore, most of this cost little to nothing in return for the knowledge you will receive. Your health and wellness is your “Return on Investment”.
What are some common definitions? Advance Health Care Directives Allows individuals to appoint someone of their choosing who will have power of attorney to make decisions on their behalf, and give instructions about their health care wishes that include treatment if the individual becomes incapacitated from an accident or illness. Also, known as a living will.
Healthy Connections
Baby Boomers Are characterized as those individuals born between the dates of 1945 and 1964. The first of the 77 million of them turn 65 on January 1st, 2011.
Estate Planning
The preparation of a plan of administration and disposition of one’s property before or after death, to include wills, power of attorney, trusts, etc.
Geriatrics
The care of aged individuals.
Gerontology
The address of all aspects of how aging affects individuals physically, socially, psychologically and economically. The study of aging.
More definitions on the next page, but if you are looking for a definition that you can’t find, let us know by submitting a question to our “Ask The Expert” section of the rsvphealth.com website.
RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com 11
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12 RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com ©2010 BCI
Home Health
Care directed by a Physician for someone who has a condition that does not require hospitalization or that the individual or family member opts to stay at home. Individuals who are discharged from the hospital but need recovering from a surgery and or serious disease and not yet able to take care of themselves. This type of care is delivered by health care professionals and is taught to family members. Long-term care is available for individuals who need supervision and personal care as a result of a chronic condition and or illness (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Stroke or other such disability).
Hospice
Program that helps people and their families through terminal illnesses. It emphasizes compassionate pain control and most are provided in the person’s home, which enables them to stay at home through the terminal phase of an illness and to pass at home if desired. Hospice is available for all ages.
Medicare
Is a federal program signed into law on 30 July 1965 by President Johnson that in general provides health insurance coverage to those who are 65 years of age and older. Administered by the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), there are certain eligibility requirements to be met and determined. For further information, contact your local Social Security Office and or www.medicare.gov as it is the official U.S. Government site for Medicare. Medicare comes in four parts: Part A – Inpatient Hospital Stays Part B – Outpatient and Physician Services Part C – Medicare Advantage Plans Part D – Prescription Drug Plans
Residential Care Facility / Assisted Living Facility From: American Geriatrics Society Assisted living facilities (ALF) offers a place to live that allows the chance to remain somewhat independent, yet provides residents various levels of assistance. ALFs help those people who cannot live completely on their own in the community but do not need nursing home care. For example, a person living in an ALF might need help with bathing and dressing, but otherwise is mobile and independent.
“Assisted living facilities offers a place to live that allows the chance to remain somewhat independent” RSVPHealth Health | | www.rsvphealth.com www.rsvphealth.com 13 RSVP 13
Be aware that not all ALFs are created equal. They differ in the services provided and by the criteria; residents must meet to live in that ALF. It is important to know that ALFs are less regulated by state and federal agencies than are nursing homes. This is because in most states Medicaid does not pay for the ALF stay (the resident usually pays). However, by law, the following services must be provided or coordinated by an ALF: • 24-hour staff to oversee and meet scheduled and unscheduled needs • Provide and oversee supportive services (such as services that help with a person’s activities of daily living) • Health-related services, social services, meals, housekeeping and laundry, recreational activities, and transportation.
Skilled Nursing Facility / Nursing Home
From: US National Institute of Health/Institute of Aging A Skilled Nursing Facility, also known as a Nursing Home, is a place for people who do not need in a hospital but can no longer be cared for at home. Being admitted to a Skilled Nursing Facility is based on medical need. Most facilities have aides and skilled nurses on hand 24 hours a day. Talk to the doctor to find out if a nursing home is the best choice.
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Skilled Nursing Facilities can be: Hospital-like. This type of nursing home is often set up like a hospital. Staff gives medical care, as well as physical, speech, and occupational therapy. There can be a nurses’ station on each floor. As a rule, one or two people live in a room. A number of nursing homes will let couples live together. Things that make a room special, like family photos, are often welcome. Household-like. These facilities are designed to be more like homes, and the day-to-day routine is not fixed. Teams of staff and residents try to create a neighborhood feel. Kitchens are often open to residents, decorations give a sense of home, and staff is encouraged to develop relationships with residents. Some nursing homes have visiting doctors who see their patients on site. Other nursing homes have patients visit the doctor’s office. Nursing homes sometimes have separate areas called Special Care Units for people with serious memory problems, like dementia. When looking for a nursing home, it is important for families to think about special needs.
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Authorized Independent Agent
(314) 558-1644 ext. 100
14575 Manchester Road Manchester, MO 63011 sridgeway@877myinsurance.com
Sam Ridgeway is an independent authorized agent in Missouri for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.In Missouri, (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area) Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of RightCHOICE® Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Inc. RIT and certain affiliates RSVP Health | Missouri, www.rsvphealth.com 15only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Become Your Own Health and Wellness Expert
I want to express the importance of educating yourself on even the basics of health care. This section along with other definitions from previous versions of the RSVP Health Publication on www.rsvphealth.com, gives you a start to some basic and detailed definitions, explanations and facts on who, what and where your health and wellness experiences may begin. However, even before that, educate yourself; know credentials to ask for and their meaning, research inspections, etc, these will enhance your “Return on Investment� for your own health. There are wonderful health and wellness providers and entities that should be given respect, but demand the same with your own health and wellness. Be the leader and Take Charge of Your Health and Wellness.
Healthy Connections
16 RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com
Check out the Health and Wellness Resource List on page 72 of the magazine for a list of health care resources that will help you be more knowledgeable in your health care decisions.
ONE EASY STEP™
In addition to the cost difference between the Easy Step™ and walk-in tubs, homeowners and caregivers should be aware of the significant amount of water and the time required for filling and emptying a walk-in tub while the user sits waiting in the tub.
to a Safer Bathroom!
Terry Kavanaugh Miracle Method When installing the Easy Step™, the Miracle Method technician can also install safety grab bars, hand o room poses a greater safety threat for the held shower nozzles, curved shower rods and slip elderly than the bathroom. Slip and fall resistant tub surfaces. All provide greater safety and accidents, particularly when entering and convenience,” according to Pistor. exiting the bathtub, account for nearly 25 percent of “Many of our the hospital admissions for people age 65 customers and older. also have us For you or for someone you care for, refinish their Miracle Method can install an Easy Step™ d i ffi c u l t - t o tub to shower conversion that can greatly clean tub and improve bathing safety. The Easy Step™ tile surround creates a 24” by 9” opening in the tub, at the same allowing the user to step through, not time as the over, the side of the tub.
N
Choose either an Easy Step™ tub to shower conversion or the new Easy Step™ door option to maintain the use of the bathtub for yourself or other household members.
EASY STEP™ AFTER
“It’s not uncommon for elderly people to lose their balance when getting in or out of the bathtub,” states Chuck Pistor, owner of Miracle Method of Colorado Springs. “An Easy Step™ installation can greatly reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents,” continues Pistor.
“I gave my mother an EASY STEP™...it gives us both peace of mind.”
Costing a fraction of the price of walk-in bathtubs, the Easy Step™ conversion is an affordable solution that can be installed in just one day. Removing walls, tearing out the old tub or doing extensive plumbing modifications are completely unnecessary with Easy Step™, but are the norm with walk-in tubs.
EASY STEP™ B EFORE
Easy Step™ installation, states Pistor. “Having all the work done at once allows us to offer a cost savings to the homeowner.” Miracle Method installs Easy Step™ tub to shower conversions in homes, apartments, and senior living facilities. “Easy Step owners as well as care givers appreciate Easy Step’s affordability, improved safety and the speed in which we can make the installation,” says Pistor. For more information on EasyStep from Mirale Method, visit www.miraclemethod.com/EasyStep or call us at 314-293-0074 or 573-358-7228 for a free in-home estimate.
RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com 17
Arthritis advice
18 RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com
Arthritis Advice | National Institute of Health
The word “arthritis” makes many people think of painful, stiff joints. But, there are many kinds of arthritis, each with different symptoms and treatments. Most types of arthritis are chronic. That means they can go on for a long period of time. Arthritis can attack joints in almost any part of the body. Some types of arthritis cause changes you can see and feel—swelling, warmth, and redness in your joints. In some kinds of arthritis, the pain and swelling last only a short time, but are very uncomfortable. Other types of arthritis might be less painful, but still slowly cause damage to your joints.
happens in the big toe, but other joints can also be affected. Swelling may cause the skin to pull tightly around the joint and make the area red or purple and very tender. Eating foods rich in purines like liver, dried beans, peas, anchovies, or gravy can lead to a gout attack. Using alcohol, being overweight, and taking certain medications may make gout worse. In older people, some blood pressure medicines can also increase the chance of a gout attack. To decide if you have gout, your doctor might do blood tests and x-rays. Warning Signs
Common Kinds of Arthritis Arthritis is one of the most common diseases in the United States. Older people most often have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis in older people. OA starts when tissue, called cartilage, that pads bones in a joint begins to wear away. When the cartilage has worn away, your bones rub against each other. OA most often happens in your hands, neck, lower back, or the large weight-bearing joints of your body, such as knees and hips. OA symptoms range from stiffness and mild pain that comes and goes to pain that doesn’t stop, even when you are resting or sleeping. Sometimes OA causes your joints to feel stiff after you haven’t moved them for awhile, like after riding in the car. The stiffness goes away when you move the joint. Over time, OA can make it hard to move your joints. It can cause a disability if your back, knees, or hips are affected. Why do you get OA? Growing older is what most often puts you at risk for OA, possibly because your joints and the cartilage around them become less able to recover from stress and damage. Also, OA in the hands may run in families. Or, OA in the knees can be linked with being overweight. Injuries or overuse may cause OA in joints such as knees, hips, or hands. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, a type of illness that makes your body attack itself. RA causes pain, swelling, and stiffness that lasts for hours. RA can happen in many different joints at the same time. People with RA often feel tired or run a fever. RA is more common in women than men. RA can damage almost any joint. It often happens in the same joint on both sides of your body. RA can also cause problems with your heart, muscles, blood vessels, nervous system, and eyes. Gout is one of the most painful kinds of arthritis. It most often
You might have some type of arthritis if you have: • Ongoing joint pain • Joint swelling • Joint stiffness • Tenderness or pain when touching a joint • Problems using or moving a joint normally • Warmth and redness in a joint If any one of these symptoms lasts more than 2 weeks, see your regular doctor or one who specializes in treating arthritis, called a rheumatologist. If you have a fever, feel physically ill, suddenly have a swollen joint, or have problems using your joint, see your doctor right away. Treating Arthritis Getting enough rest, doing the right exercise, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, and learning the right way to use and protect your joints are keys to living with any kind of arthritis. The right shoes and a cane can help with pain in the feet, knees, and hips when walking. There are also gadgets to help you open jars and bottles or to turn the doorknobs in your house. Some medicines can help with pain and swelling. Acetaminophen might ease arthritis pain. Some people find NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), like ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen, helpful. Some NSAIDs are sold without a prescription, while others must be prescribed by a doctor. Be very careful about possible side effects of some NSAIDs, whether sold with or without a prescription. Read the warnings on the package or insert that comes with the drug. Talk to your doctor about if and how you should use acetaminophen or NSAIDs for your arthritis pain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more information about these drugs. Osteoarthritis (OA). Medicines can help you control the pain. Rest and exercise may make it easier to move your joints. Keeping your RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com 19
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573-756-4581 • www.marmc.net • 1212 Weber Road • Farmington, MO 63640 20 RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com ©2010 BCI
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Arthritis Advice | National Institute of Health
weight down is a good idea. If pain from OA is very bad, there are shots your doctor can give you.
heating pad or a cold pack, soaking in a warm bath, or swimming in a heated pool.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Treatment can help the pain and swelling. This might slow down or stop joint damage. You may feel better and find it easier to move around. Your doctor might also suggest anti-rheumatic drugs called DMARDs (diseasemodifying antirheumatic drugs). These can slow damage from the disease. Other medicines known as corticosteroids (like prednisone) can ease swelling. Another kind of drug, called a biologic response modifier, blocks the damage done by the immune system. These may help people with mild-to-moderate RA when other treatments have not worked.
Your doctor may suggest surgery when damage to your joints becomes disabling or when other treatments do not help with pain. Surgeons can repair or replace some joints with artificial (man-made) ones.
Gout. The most common treatment for an acute attack of gout is NSAIDs or glucocorticoids like prednisone. They can bring down the swelling, so you may start to feel better within a few hours after treatment. The pain usually goes away within a few days. Glucocorticoids are strong medicines. They should only be taken with a doctor’s prescription. If you have had an attack of gout, talk to your doctor to learn why you had the attack and how to prevent future attacks. If you have had several attacks, your doctor might prescribe medicines to prevent future ones. Exercise Can Help Along with taking the right medicine and properly resting your joints, exercise might help with arthritis symptoms. Daily exercise, such as walking or swimming, helps keep joints moving, lessens pain, and makes muscles around the joints stronger. Three types of exercise are best if you have arthritis: • Range-of-motion exercises, like dancing, might relieve stiffness, keep you flexible, and help you keep moving your joints. • Strengthening exercises, such as weight training, will keep or add to muscle strength. Strong muscles support and protect your joints. • Aerobic or endurance exercises, like bicycle riding, make your heart and arteries healthier, help prevent weight gain, and also may lessen swelling in some joints. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has a free booklet on how to start and stick with a safe exercise program. See the last panel of this AgePage for more information.
Other Remedies Recent studies suggest that acupuncture may ease OA pain for some people. Research also shows that two dietary supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin, may help lessen moderate to severe OA pain, but they seem to have no effect on changes to cartilage in the knee. Scientists continue to study these kinds of alternative treatments. Always check with your doctor before trying any new treatment for arthritis. Many people with arthritis try remedies that have not been tested or proven helpful. Some of these, such as snake venom, are harmful. Others, such as copper bracelets, are harmless, but also unproven. How can you tell that a remedy may be unproven? • The remedy claims that a treatment, like a lotion or cream, works for all types of arthritis and other diseases. • Scientific support comes from only one research study. • The label has no directions for use or warning about side effects. •The person recommending the treatment profits directly from your purchase of the medicine. • People who are now completely well are presented to you as having the same problems you have (this is called anecdotal evidence). Go to www.nia.nih.gov more information about getting NIA’s AgePage called Beware of Health Scams. Talk To Your Doctor Pain and arthritis do not have to be part of growing older. You can work with your doctor to safely lessen the pain and stiffness and to prevent more serious damage to your joints. Source: National Institute of Health, www.NIH.gov
Other Things To Do Along with exercise and weight control, there are other ways to ease the pain around joints. You might find comfort by using a RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com 21
Peace of mind right from the start. Different families need different health plans. Select from our plans designed to fit you and your family.
Get the quality health care coverage you need, without the expense you might expect. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has plans that provide protection at a rate that’s probably less than you expect.
VINCENT K. BLAIR
Authorized Independent Agency
(314) 961-7777
20 North Gore, Suite 100 Webster Groves, MO 63119 http://www.vincentkblair.com
Vincent K. Blair with Vincent K. Blair Agency is an independent authorized agent in Missouri for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area): Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name for RightCHOICE® Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross Health | www.rsvphealth.com and 22 BlueRSVP Shield Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com 23
Does Your Doctor Really Listen To You? By Dr. Charles Willey, M.D.
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Health Care The Way It Ought To Be | Dr. Charles Willey M.D.
Providing health care, which is what your doctor does, is becoming overwhelmingly challenging in its complex administrative hassle, the sheer volume of patients in need and the difficulty in earning enough money to stay in business. Most doctors are forced to go faster and faster, providing less service, and leaving little time to listen to their patients. Most doctors get paid for transactions so all they can do is more of them. There is another way. There are a number of primary care physicians in the St. Louis Metro area that have forged unique relationships with certain Medicare Advantage health plans that actually reward them for slowing down to listen and lead their patients to long term good health. In our opinion, the right doctor in the correct relationship with the right Medicare Advantage plan can create a quality and efficiency that allows for a richer benefit to you the patient and will afford the necessary care to create better health. Some of these plans have zero premiums, saving you on average $2,400/year, and have annual limits in out-of-pocket expenses. Some even pay for your membership at fitness facilities such as the YMCA. The right doctor will be thorough in assessing your new problems and in setting up management of your chronic conditions. The doctor may have a team of clinicians and be focused on teaching and leading you toward health. The team will be continuously available to diagnose quickly and intervene early when illness occurs. They will stay involved and be your advocate wherever your health care needs may lead, be it to specialists or hospitalization. The team will take time and will listen.
We work in teams and we use all manner of tender loving firmness to lead our patients to become and remain healthy. Our minimum appointment for a Medicare Advantage patient is 30 minutes but essentially we take whatever time is necessary to understand your medical needs, formulate the solution, work together on it and get it right. We seek out family and friends to help with your care. We are continuously available and lead your care when you’re in greatest need: when hospitalized. We have been using electronic records for more than 10 years, which greatly enables our effectiveness, availability and continuity. At Innovare, we have chosen two Medicare Advantage plans that work with us to Dr. Charles Willey, M.D. promote our patients’ health. They are Essence Health care and Gold Advantage. In these plans, we have been able to preserve what we affectionately call “Old School Internal Medicine” while embracing the newer concepts of team-based care and electronic record keeping. Though very challenging in this era, high quality health care at an affordable price is possible and there are medical professionals devoted to providing this “Old School” medical care for their patients.
None of this diminishes the most critical factor in achieving your long-term good health, which is your daily pursuit of proper diet, sufficient exercise, socializing, keeping purpose in your life and accepting help from family and friends when necessary. Make certain you understand your medication or treatment regimen and are equipped to administer it correctly.
Dr. Charles Willey, M.D., is an internist and chief executive officer of Innovare Health Advocates. You may contact Dr. Willey at the Innovare South St. Louis County office by calling 314.843.4794, or the Jefferson County office by calling 636.931.5112. For additional information, please visit www. innovarehealth.com.
At Innovare Health Advocates, we have been pioneers in the brand of health care described above.
© Copyright 2010 CJW Enterprises Inc.
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Better Sleep. Better Life. More than 40 million Americans suffer from some sort of sleep disorder. Thirty million people—suffer from chronic insomnia, resulting in an estimated annual economic cost of $30 billion in lost productivity, as well as profound loss of quality of life. Insomnia can create extreme stress at home and at work, as well as impaired mood and physical problems.
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So What Is Insomnia? Insomnia is, simply, persistent problems in falling or staying asleep. People with insomnia typically complain about poor or unrefreshing sleep and often suffer from consequences such as drowsiness and lack of focus during waking hours.
It’s what kind of insomnia? In general, there are three main types of insomnia, and properly identifying the type is a critical element in creating the right individual treatment plan. Acute Insomnia Acute insomnia is relatively short term, usually lasting up to one month—which may feel like an eternity! Life changes, persistent stress, physical illness or emotional strain are often the sources of acute insomnia. When the cause is eliminated or resolved, good sleep will likely return, so addressing the source is key. Co-Related or Co-Morbid Insomnia This insomnia occurs at the same time as another health issue— it is associated with that health issue and is often marked by impairment during waking hours. Common health risks and disease states associated with co-morbid insomnia include: • Sleep apnea • Restless leg syndrome • Chronic pain • Heart disease • Heartburn (“GERD”—gastroesophogeal reflux disease) • Depression and anxiety • Dementia • Multiple sclerosis For successful diagnosis and treatment, these compound physical and mental conditions require complete, careful compilation of data about, and thorough evaluation of, each individual patient’s health and disease states.
Do You... • Have difficulty falling asleep? • Have difficulty staying asleep? • Awake many times during the night? • Wake up too soon? • Wake up feeling unrefreshed? • Notice unexplained increases in your weight?
Primary or Chronic Insomnia Primary insomnia lasts longer than one month and has no connection to another issue or condition. Causes of primary insomnia are specific to the individual and often a composite of biological, behavioral and cognitive factors. Symptoms form primary insomnia frequently become most apparent in the middle adulthood , when an individual’s traits, behaviors and mental patterns have been established for some time. Particularly with primary insomnia the key to successful treatment is accurate diagnosis. Take Your Insomnia Seriously. We Do! If you have insomnia, or even think you have insomnia, do not ignore it. Talk to your doctor. Ask about The Insomnia Center at Clayton Sleep Institute or call (314) 645-5585 to speak with one of our insomnia patient specialists. We are dedicated to unraveling the mystery and the frustration of insomnia for you! What is the Clayton Sleep Institute? Sleep affects every aspect of health; it is vital to our sense of wellbeing. With more than 40 million Americans suffering from some sort of sleep disorder, you can’t afford another bad night’s sleep. Clayton Sleep Institute (CSI) is a leading independent organization founded, directed and managed by expert medical, research and technology professionals dedicated to all aspects of sleep medicine and healthy sleep.
If you have one or more of these symptoms, talk to your physician about The Insomnia Center at Clayton Sleep Institute, or call us directly for more information. Respecting what your mind and body are telling you, acknowledging the serious nature of insomnia and asking for help are the first steps toward better sleep and better health!
Are you feeling... • Fatigue? • Decreased concentration? • Impaired memory and mood? • Poor judgment and physical coordination? • Irritability? • Noticeable anxiety?
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The Philosophy of the Holistic Approach
By Rodney D. Gross, Ph.D.
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From the first time I set foot in the home office of Lutheran Senior Services (LSS), I felt a presence. That presence was a spirit of true understanding; no questions asked, it was clear that they understand their mission and the needs of the people they serve. As I went through some of their literature, one piece on their Hospice Care program immediately embedded itself into my mind and my own philosophies. I passionately wanted to seek out the source of this powerful statement: “Hospice is a philosophy of care that embraces a holistic approach to health and well-being. This allinclusive care focuses not only on physical needs, but also on family relationships, spiritual comfort, and emotional health.” The two words that stood out for me here were “philosophy” and “holistic”. Neither of these are words you normally hear from “providers of health and medical services”. Ironically, though, I deeply believe that these are tremendously important facets of an effective health care system. This has been my belief throughout my entire professional career as a health care executive, and it is a belief that I have advocated. I had the privilege of meeting three of the driving forces behind LSS Hospice Care: Director Cheri Murphy, R.N., and chaplains Rev. Nathan Ruback and Rev. Patrick O’Neal. Their vision, their personal feelings about hospice care, and their caring hearts all far exceeded even what I was expecting. Their passion is what I look for in every person, caregiver, leader, and organization within the health and wellness arena. In our discussions, it became clear what separated these individuals and their organization from the rest. When most hospice companies promote themselves, they talk only about dying, and for that reason, they obviously lose the audience’s attention. We all know that at some point everyone — loved ones, family members, friends — faces the inevitable. However, contrary to what almost all hospice companies say, hospice
is not just “dying with dignity”; it is also about “living with dignity”. Everyone has the right to live out his or her life to the fullest until the last breath. Our meeting uncovered something else that further separates LSS Hospice Care from their competitors: Their “philosophy of a holistic approach” means understanding and cherishing individuality. For them, this means believing in the person, knowing and honoring who that person is, and not changing the person. Through this belief system, LSS customizes its care plans according to each patient’s preferences, spirituality, and family needs; it does not approach anyone with a “one-size-fits-all” mentality. Within each customized care plan, LSS Hospice Care addresses the following: • Individuality. Each of us is different. We have surrounded ourselves with people and possessions and ideas that make us who we are. As individuals, we all have different likes, wants, wishes, prides, pain tolerances, grieving mechanisms, and so on. These things are comforting to us, and LSS recognizes these differences. • Spirituality. Again, as individuals, we all have different belief systems and religious devotions. Through their faith, training, passion, and devotion, LSS Hospice Care’s chaplains work to meet the spiritual needs of patients and their families. • Family. LSS’ staff recognizes that it is hard to let someone go and watch someone pass. They are grieving, in denial, and sometimes hindering the fulfillment of their loved one’s wishes. This is why LSS’s vision of holistic care includes care for the family. At a time when connections and understanding can be the most difficult, LSS Hospice Care workers are there to help. More than “dying with dignity”, I believe that we should “live with dignity” until our last breath. This goes hand-in-hand with LSS’ Christian mission: “Older Adults Living Life to the Fullest”. Through this holistic approach to Hospice Care, individuals and family members can be assured that all involved will have their individuality, spirituality, and wishes met through the devotion and understanding of LSS Hospice Care.
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When Care and Compassion Matter Most.
速
314.446.2539 < LSSHospiceCare.org
The Wisdom Keeper’s Stories By: Lola AuBuchon Gross
Since the beginning of time, stories have been told and handed down through each generation. The “Elders” (known to us now as “Seniors”) told those stories. Great respect was given to them for they had the wisdom of life’s many experiences both good and bad. Just because we live in modern times does not mean respect for our elder’s wisdom should cease to exist. Their stories have not stopped, we just forgot to listen. Now is the time to be better listeners, for everyone’s life is a story in and of itself. After all, if we did not have stories of both the successes and failures of the past, how will we know how to shape a better future for all generations? In ancient cultures it was customary to consult the elders on the most important issues of the day. Going to war, peacemaking, family, tribal or community affairs are just some of the examples of the important role our elders played in everyone’s life’s decisions. The decision making process was usually left up to the individual to choose their own path after being told a story by a respected elder. These stories were lessons within themselves. By using their free will and combining the elder’s wisdom, one felt confident they had chosen wisely.
We must change our whole way of thinking of seniors. In past times, the first sign of silver hair was the beginning of the great wisdom to come. They automatically received respect from all age groups. Have you ever watched a movie or read a book where the main character was told to meet with a wise woman or man? The majority of the time they appeared, they had a shocking mass of silver hair! The main characters took their advice and went on to save the day! We can still do this, but we have to change the mindset of thinking “old” instead of experienced. This comes at the most appropriate time of the year, winter. I’ll use the analogy of the four seasons. When we are born, we are in the spring of our lives, then comes summer – our formative years, Fall – our middle adult lives. Winter is our time of introspection and life’s lessons learned. In this quiet time of winter there is often a blanket of snow that comes in the night. Suddenly the scenery is transformed into a silvery white color that sparkles in the sun. No longer does it seem like the darkest time of the year but one of the most beautiful. That’s the way we should think of our elders again. The keepers of the wisdom to enlighten all our paths on this journey we call life.
- In Memory of Lola Ratley RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com 31
The New Face of Adult Primary Care | By Dr. Charles Willey, M.D.
The maturing population, longer life expectancies, many younger physicians choosing to work part time, increased regulation and inadequate pay have all contributed to a serious shortage of primary care physicians. Adult Nurse Practitioners (ANP) are serving a vital role within health care to keep up with the ever growing patient demand. ANPs are becoming indispensible components of health care teams. In most states, under the leadership, close supervision and a Collaborative Practice Agreement with a physician, the NP is licensed to do most anything the collaborating physician, with whom liability is shared, has trained and deemed competent. Board certified ANPs are medical professionals who have completed a masters or post-masters program that requires an extensive number of supervised patient externships followed by a state board
The New Face of Adult Primary Care: Vital Role of the Nurse Practicioner By Dr. Charles Willey, M.D.
“At Innovare, the ANPs play a crucial role sharing in the thinking and the decision making as a team of clinicians”
certification examination. In general medicine, board certified ANPs are required to complete a state regulated number of continuing education in order to continue to be in practice. In Missouri, for example, in collaboration with physicians, certified ANPs are clinicians able to assess, diagnose, and develop a treatment plan including prescribing appropriate medications and diagnostic testing. One of the challenges is the vast difference in experience and training of ANPs. At Innovare™ Health Advocates, we only select ANPs who have worked in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or an Emergency Room for a minimum of
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five years before asking him or her to become an Innovare NP. This allows selection of the experienced and most talented who possess independent, critical thinking skills. We then have a rigorous 24-month apprenticeship program during which ANPs progress from every decision being shared with the physician to sharing those that test the limits of his/her experience. One of the hallmarks of a talented and professionally astute ANP is the confidence demonstrated while knowing clearly what he/she does not know and being ever ready to ask for help. This is a trait we insist upon from our entire health care team. At Innovare, the ANPs play a crucial role sharing in the thinking and the decision making as a team of clinicians as the diagnosis may demand. Ultimately the ANPs see patients independently but with the collaborating physician continuously available. A patient may start with an ANP and consult with Dr. Willey, Innovare CEO and Internist, or start with the doctor and have maintenance follow up with the ANP. Dr. Willey leads the management of hospitalized patients but the ANP may do the post hospital care. At Innovare, our superior ANPs are a crucial element of what enables us all to slow down and spend a minimum of 30 minutes with our Medicare Advantage patients. It allows us to extend our reach in setting up chronic illness care plans, teach the patients and families their roles and build systems to monitor the efficacy of those care plans. The ANPs enable team-based care. Successful medical groups take the team approach in order to provide the best care for their patients. An experienced, well trained, conscientious and collaborative Board certified ANP is a welcome professional to our method of practicing health care in our country. Dr. Charles Willey, M.D., is an internist and chief executive officer of Innovare Health Advocates. You may contact Dr. Willey or one of the Innovare ANPs at the Innovare South St. Louis County office by calling 314.843.4794, or at the Jefferson County office by calling 636.931.5112. For additional information, please visit www. innovarehealth.com.
Health Care the Way It Ought to Be Remember the good old days when your family doctor really spent time with you? Wouldn’t it be great to have that same level of service now from your primary care physician as your healthcare needs increase? Dr. Charles Willey, MD As heard on RSVP Health radio & Bob Hardcastle’s Money Talk TV and radio
At Innovare Health Advocates, we practice “Old School” Internal Medicine that means we spend Quality Care all the time necessary to help you enjoy a healthier life. Speaks for Itself “Old School” medicine means you receive the most 91% of Patients Are up-to-date medical treatment available while getting all the time you deserve from our top medical team. Satisfied & Happy We are your coach and advocate, and wherever you with Our Healthcare go in the healthcare system, we’re with you every Practices* step of the way. We work closely with you to educate, motivate and lead you to better long term health. “Old School” means truly responsive Internal Medicine that delivers high quality patient care with specific attention to low cost for you. We appreciate the two Medicare Advantage plans in which we participate, Essence Healthcare and Gold Advantage, that truly enable Old School Internal Medicine. Ask for us when you call Essence 866-597-9560 or TTY:711 or Gold Advantage 800-533-0362 (both plans Mon-Fri from 9 am to 5 pm). The Innovare style of medicine is Healthcare the Way It Ought to Be. Come see us soon and experience the difference.
Call Dr. Charles Willey and the team at Innovare Health Advocates for an appointment. Our offices are in: South St. Louis County—314-843-4794 Jefferson County—636-931-5112 Visit us online at www.innovarehealth.com.
Patient Satisfaction Study RSVP Health | *Source:2009 www.rsvphealth.com 33 RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com 33 ©Copyright 2010 CJW Enterprises Inc.
Hospice
The Myths and Realities By Rodney D. Gross, Ph.D.
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Hospice: “The Myths and Realities” | By Dr. Rodney D. Gross, Ph.D.
It’s a forgivable human weakness — when it comes to something that excites us, we try to learn everything there is to know about it. But when it comes to something we fear or something we simply don’t understand, we do everything in our power to avoid thinking about it. I think that’s why there are so many misconceptions about hospice. In my many years working as a health professional, I’ve heard them all. So let’s take a moment today to explore some of the more pervasive myths surrounding hospice care. That way, if you or a loved one should need end-of-life care, you’ll be better prepared to make informed choices. Myth #1: Hospice is a place you go to die. Reality: Hospice isn’t a place. Hospice is a choice. Entering hospice means choosing to stop pursuing a cure and start pursuing a comfortable, pain-free life. The majority of patients receive hospice care where they live—whether it’s in their private home, in an assisted living community, or a skilled nursing care center. Hospice care can be accessed wherever your loved one is when the need arises.
allowing for continued coverage. Be sure to check your individual insurance policies for clarification. Myth #6: Hospice is the physician’s choice, not the patient’s. Reality: Ultimately, that decision to enter hospice can only be made by the patient, their family, or their legal representative. Do bear in mind, however, that only a physician can issue a referral to join a hospice program. Myth # 7: Hospice means you no longer can see your doctor. Reality: The hospice organization you choose should welcome the continuity of care you have established with your primary care physician. Hospice programs do have physicians that serve as medical directors to help set and approve appropriate care plans, but they do not take the place of continual scheduled doctor’s visits.
Myth #2: Hospice is only for old people. Reality: Hospice care providers serve patients of all ages.
Myth #8: Hospice means you can no longer return to traditional medical treatment. Reality: Hospice patients and their families always retain the right to leave a hospice program at any time. Some patients see their condition improve and choose to return to traditional medical care in the hopes of improving or curing their condition. If the illness returns or worsens, they have the option to return to hospice. (Be sure to check your insurance policies for further clarification.)
Myth #3: Hospice is only for patients with cancer. Reality: Hospice programs work with patients who have any number of terminal illnesses including, but in no way limited to, congestive heart failure, HIV/AIDS, chronic lung diseases, emphysema, Alzheimer’s disease, and neuromuscular diseases.
Myth #9: Hospice means hope is lost. Reality: Absolutely not. Choosing hospice isn’t giving up hope; it’s making the most of the time we have left. Hospice care helps everyone involved to carry on with dignity. Its purpose is nothing less than helping people to find peace as they complete their life’s journey.
Myth #4: Hospice is only for the patient. Reality: Helping a patient live out his or her last days with dignity is a hospice program’s primary concern, but extending comfort and support to the patient’s family is equally important. Seeing a loved one’s health failing is something that most people are not ready for; hospice care providers can be an invaluable resource. They offer wisdom, perspective, patience, and encouragement throughout the passing of a loved one.
Myth #10: All hospice companies are all the same. Reality: Not true. Families need to be very careful in choosing a hospice provider that they are comfortable with. Whenever possible, they should take the time to Interview potential hospice workers and evaluate different programs.
“It’s not about dying or living. It’s about living until you die.”
Myth #5: Hospice is only covered for six months. Reality: Medicare and Medicaid (as well as most private commercial insurance companies) cover hospice services for individuals who are diagnosed as being terminally ill and having a life expectancy of six months or less. If a patient lives longer than that six month span, his or her attending physician can recertify them if appropriate,
As I said before, the most important thing to remember is that hospice is a choice. It’s a choice to spend your time recalling memories, sharing stories, and lifting spirits when all your other avenues have been exhausted. To learn more about hospice and to dispel more myths, visit Lutheran Senior Services’ Hospice Care team at www.LSSHospiceCare.org.
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Planning For End-of-Life Care Decisions | National Institute of Health
Planning For
End-of-Life Care Decisions
Because of advances in medicine, each of us, as well as our families and friends, may face many decisions about the dying process. As hard as it might be to face the idea of your own death, you might take time to consider how your individual values relate to your idea of a good death. By deciding what end-of-life care best suits your needs when you are healthy, you can help those close to you make the right choices when the time comes. This not only respects your values, but also allows those closest to you the comfort of feeling as though they can be helpful.
think their values are, instead of talking about specific treatments. Try saying something like, “when Uncle Walt had a stroke and died, I thought you seemed upset that his kids wanted to put him on a respirator.” Or, “I’ve always wondered why Grandpa didn’t die at home. Do you know?” Encourage your parents to share the type of care they would choose to have at the end of life, rather than what they don’t want. There is no right or wrong plan, only what they would like. If they are reluctant to have this conversation, don’t force it, but try to bring it up again at a later time.
There are several ways to make sure others know the kind of care you want when dying.
Advance Directives and Other Documents
Talking About End-of-Life Wishes The simplest, but not always the easiest, way is to talk about endof-life care before an illness. Discussing your thoughts, values, and desires will help people who are close to you to know what endof-life care you want. For example, you could discuss how you feel about using life-prolonging measures or where you would like to be cared for. For some people, it makes sense to bring this up at a small family gathering. Others may find that telling their family they have made a will (or updated an existing one) provides an opportunity to bring up this subject with other family members. Doctors should be told about these wishes as well. As hard as it might be to talk about your end-of-life wishes, knowing your preferences ahead of time can make decision making easier for your family. You may also have some comfort knowing that your family can choose what you want. On the other hand, if your parents are aging and you are concerned about what they want, you might introduce the subject. You can try to explain that having this conversation will help you care for them and do what they want. You might start by talking about what you
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Written instructions letting others know the type of care you want if you are seriously ill or dying are called advance directives. These include a living will and health care power of attorney. A living will records your end-of-life care wishes in case you are no longer able to speak for yourself. You might want to talk with your doctor or other health care provider before preparing a living will. That way you will have a better understanding of what types of decisions might need to be made. Make sure your doctor and family have seen your living will and understand your instructions. Because a living will cannot give guidance for every possible situation, you probably want to name someone to make care decisions for you if you are unable to do so for yourself. You might choose a family member, friend, lawyer, or someone in your religious community. You can do this either in the advance directives or through a durable power of attorney for health care that names a health care proxy, who is also called a representative, surrogate, agent, or attorneyin-fact. “Durable” means it remains in effect even if you are unable to make decisions. A durable power of attorney for health care is useful if you don’t want to be specific—if you would rather let the health care proxy evaluate each situation or treatment option
independently. A durable power of attorney for health care is also important if your health care proxy, the person you want to make choices for you, is not a legal member of your family. Of course, you should make sure the person and alternate(s) you have named understand your views about end-of-life care. If you don’t name someone, the state you live in probably has an order of priority based on family relationships to determine who decides for you. A few states let people name a health care proxy by telling their doctor, without paperwork. Don’t confuse a durable power of attorney for health care with a durable power of attorney. The first is limited to decisions related to health care, while the latter covers decisions regarding property or financial matters.
You should also give permission to your doctors and insurance companies to share your personal information with your health care proxy. This lets that person discuss your case with your doctor and handle insurance issues that may come up. Do you live in one state, but spend a lot of time in another? Maybe you live in the north and spend winter months in a southern state. Or possibly your children and grandchildren live in a different state and you visit them often. Because states’ rules and regulations may differ, make sure your forms are legal in both your home state and the state you travel to often. If not, make an advanced directive with copies for that state also. And make sure your family there has a copy. To Learn More
A lawyer can prepare these papers, or you can do them yourself. Forms are available from your local or State government, from private groups, or on the Internet. (See To Learn More below.) Often these forms need to be witnessed. That means that people who are not related to you watch as you sign and date the paperwork and then sign and date it themselves as proof that the signature is indeed yours. Make sure you give copies to your primary doctor and your health care proxy. Have copies in your files as well. Hospitals might ask for a copy when you are admitted, even if you are not seriously ill. Sometimes people change their mind as they get older or after they become ill. Review the decisions in your advance directives from time to time and make changes if your views or your health needs have changed. Be sure to discuss these changes with your health care proxy and your doctor. Replace all copies of the older version with the updated ones, witnessed and signed if appropriate.
About Advance Directives and Living Wills: • American Bar Association www.abanet.org 1-800-285-2221 (toll-free)
• Caring Connections (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization) www.caringinfo.org 1-800-658-8898 (toll-free) • Medlineplus.gov www.medlineplus.gov, go to: Advance Directives • National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov 1-800-422-6237 (toll-free)
Source: National Institute of Health, www.NIH.gov
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Taking Care of What Matters Most, even when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inconvenient.
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Midwest Health Group Convenient Care Midwest Health Group’s Convenient Care realizes that our communities we serve are busier than ever. As individuals and families worry about work, kids, schools, shopping and a whole lot more, we further realize that there are times when you or a family member becomes ill. We know how difficult it is sometimes to stop, make a call and try to get into your Primary Care Provider and in addition, we understand the struggles to walk into an Emergency Room for non-life threatening illnesses. Even if you have family or friends visiting the area, we are here for them. Maybe you are just traveling through or visiting the area, we are here for you. By understanding you, your schedules and your budget, we enhance unexpected and inconvenient health issues when they may arise through total convenience for you. We offer you access with expanded hours, no phone calls or appointments necessary, minimal to no wait times and comprehensive services that include onsite lab & x-ray services, just to name a few, at a much reduced rate than a Emergency Room Visit for non-life threatening illnesses. In addition, our staff of Physicians and Nurse Practitioners is readily available to see you for Minor Injuries, Flu Symptoms, Rashes, Colds, Sore Throats, Insect bites, Urinary Tract Infections, Minor Lacerations and Stomach related problems, etc. It is not our intention to replace your regular Primary Care Provider, but to offer you options when they may not be available. We will make every effort to ensure that your visit and services performed be shared with your regular Primary Care Provider with your consent no matter where they may be located. If you are a new patient, we offer you the same services with additional medical management and comprehensive care (Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Arthritis, Acid Reflux, etc) of a Primary Care Provider with specialties
within our group such as Cardiology, ENT and Gastrointestinal to name a few. By incorporating our network into your health, we ensure continuity of care and always maintaining medical management of our patients. Striving to enhance your health care experience, we are always trying not to add to your busy schedule of having to drive in all directions to see Specialists or have Ancillary Test done, therefore, we always have your “convenience” in mind by incorporating other specialties and testing equipment. If you are a business, we offer you and your employee’s comprehensive services as mentioned above for Workman’s Compensation Benefits when they may arise. In addition, we offer Drug Screenings for Pre-Employment & Post-Accidents and Work Physicals to include Department of Transportation (D.O.T) Physicals. We accept most Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid and Workman’s Compensation. We realize that not everyone has insurance and having that in mind, we proudly offer our fees and tests at a very reasonable rate compared to what you may pay at an Emergency Room. Our services are always available to you at those inconvenient times and if you were looking for a Primary Care Provider, it would be our pleasure. We invite you to stop in, visit our facility, and please feel free to contact us by phone, email and or visit our website. Midwest Health Group Convenient Care 507 W. Pine St., Farmington, MO 63640 Phone: 573-454-2466 www.midwestconvenientcare.com
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Getting Healthy, Staying Healthy
In a world that’s constantly changing, one thing’s for certain: it’s important to have health care coverage you can depend on – coverage designed to help fit your budget, and your way of life. Anthem’s Lumenos HSA Plus health plans were designed togive you more control over your health care costs. They help you focus on getting healthy and staying that way. This plan offers traditional health coverage benefits that can be paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA) for more flexibility and potential tax advantages. Simple plan designs make using them that much easier. Features: • As a member of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, you have one of the largest provider networks in Missouri. With more than 10,500 doctors and specialists and over 125 hospitals throughout the state, chances are your doctor is in one of our networks. • Preventive care benefits that help you focus on staying healthy.
Lumenos HSA Plus 100%/70% Deductible Age 20 $1,500 $73.54 $2,500 $58.65 $3,500 $47.70 $5,500 $37.50
Age 30 $79.33 $63.42 $51.60 $40.50
Age 30 $124.37 $100.74 $82.78 $65.40
You should know: • Maternity benefits are not available with this plan. • Your Lumenos HSA Plus plan has a policylevel deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Once any combination of covered members on the policy meet these amounts, the plan pays 100% of covered expenses. It’s that simple. Prescription Drug Coverage Lumenos HSA Plus not only puts you in charge of your health care dollars, it can help you use those dollars for generic and brand name prescription drugs in the way that best suits you.
Age 40 $179.99 $144.99 $118.79 $94.03
deductible, you benefit from lower negotiated rates on prescription drugs at network pharmacies nationwide. There’s no need to have a different deductible or copayment for prescriptions; it all works as one. And since you decide how to spend it, your Health Savings Account dollars can be used to pay for prescription drugs -- while you are meeting your deductible. How to Customize your Lumenos HSA Plus Plan Choose your deductible: You can usually lower your premium by choosing a higher deductible. Simply choose the deductible and premium combination that works best for you. Remember, any covered member can contribute to some or all of the policy deductible and coinsurance if applicable, whether the policy covers one member or the entire family. Use your Health Savings Account the way you want: Your HSA, if you choose to open one, is funded by you. So, it is yours to use for qualified health care expenses covered by the plan, or those not covered at all, like contact lenses. Your HSA is also yours to keep if you ever leave the plan; you won’t lose those dollars if they’re not used. In fact, the carryover from year to year can help you save for future financial needs. Other Optional Coverage: You can add more protection for you and your family by purchasing optional dental benefits or life insurance.
Once your deductible is met, there is a coinsurance, if applicable, for covered prescription drugs. But even while you are meeting your
Kathy Beaven
Male
Age 40 Age 50 Age 60 $123.38 $196.08 $309.57 $98.36 $152.25 $246.98 $80.00 $122.41 $201.02 $62.76 $96.74 $157.90
Lumenos HSA Plus 100%/70% Deductible Age 20 $1,500 $99.10 $2,500 $80.44 $3,500 $66.36 $5,500 $52.66
Anthem 360 Health® • MyHealth@Anthem®: Health assessments, resource centers, and health calculators so you see progress and stay motivated. • 24/7 NurseLineSM: Health information from a registered nurse whenever you need it. • MyHealth Coach: Personal help with a wide range of health needs, primarily high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low back pain, musculoskeletal issues like arthritis, and certain types of cancer. • Healthy Lifestyles Programs: Our proven “Tobacco-Free” and “Healthy Weight” programs help you adopt new habits for a healthy lifestyle with personalized support and educational resources. • SpecialOffers@AnthemSM: Members-only discounts help you stretch your health account even further with savings on services and products that promote a healthy lifestyle.
Female Age 50 $228.69 $178.46 $143.85 $113.59
Age 60 $299.42 $238.02 $193.59 $152.40
Authorized Agent Individual, Family and Small Business
(314)923-5532 - office (314)923-4746 - fax kathy.beaven@anthem.com www.kathybeaven-insurance.com
Licence number: PR34420 Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield 1831 Chestnut Street, St. Louis, MO 63103 *Sample Rates based upon Preferred Rate, Non-Tobacco User, No Maternity - as of January 1, 2011 Rates and products are subject to change without notice. Review of your application by Medical Underwriting may change the monthly premium or result in a denial of coverage. Rates are illustrative and subject to change. Your rate will be based on your age, gender, tier level, county and deductible. This policy has exclusions, limitations, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, contact your insurance agent. ¹Benefits listed comply with federal and state requirements, including applicable provisions of the recently enacted federal health care reform laws and are subject to change as we receive additional guidance and clarification from federal and/or state agencies.
42%
Of all Americans 65 years and older are using the internet. Thats nearly doubled from 22% in April of 2009.
83%
Of all Americans are searching online for Health and Medical information.
100%
The percent of you who should be actively involved in the online conversation on health care.
Get Involved in the conversation! RSVPHealth.com Facebook.com/rsvphealth Twitter.com/rsvphealth RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com 41
Your Life, Your Way, Your Home. | By Cathy Barton
Home. It’s an incredible word. I would venture to say that for most people, comfort, security, pride, independence, and meaningful memories come to mind when they hear the word home. Even as you age, you want to be able to live life your way, in the comfort of wherever you call home. But what happens when the feelings of comfort and security are replaced by concerns about slowing down, not being as agile, being alone, or having an accident without anyone there to help? It’s your own worst nightmare, thinking about your own parent falling and unable to call for help.
Your Life, Your Way, Your Home. By Cathy Barton
And it’s a justified concern. Did you know that complications from falls are the leading cause of death from injuries for people age 65 and older? Of those who fall, many are unable to get up without help, resulting in lying alone for hours or even days. I call the first hour after a fall the “golden hour” because the longer one lies alone without help, the greater the risk for further declines in health or even premature death. Sobering, isn’t it? Even if someone does not get seriously injured, older adults often develop a fear of falling. As a result, they might begin to limit their activities, leading to reduced mobility. They might even decide they need to stay closer to home and not go out, often leading to isolation. Everyone worries about a parent or relative living alone and these issues only compound concern.
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At Lutheran Senior Services we know you have enough to worry about. Living life to the fullest is our mission and that includes you. For that reason, we have added “Living Safe Technologies” to our wide array of options for increasing the independence of older adults. It’s state-of-the-art technology means that you can use make it as simple as wearing “the button” to adding a variety of discreet components and hands-free sensors strategically installed around home. Together with the family we customize each layout to the individual’s needs, wants, and desires, without compromising privacy. This is the simplest and most costeffective way to return to those feelings of comfort, security, pride, independence, and meaningful memories associated with home. LSS’s “Living Safe Technologies” are directly connected to trained professionals in a 24hour call center. If an incident should occur and a sensor is triggered, the individual in the home will be contacted immediately. If that call is not answered, the call will be routed to a designated family member, relative, friend, or emergency responder. You help decide who will be contacted and how. This customization is what sets our personal emergency response system apart, allowing the individual and/or family member(s) to adjust and adapt their changing needs for safety and security. Individuals and families around the St. Louis area are embracing “Living Safe Technologies” (formerly known as “Home for Life Solutions”) and sharing their experiences. To view those experiences, I invite you to visit LSS’s website at www.TheButtonByLSS.org or contact me by phone at (314) 446-2421. We’ll discuss with you all of the options available. After all, it’s your life, your way, your home!
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Meeting Your Challenges in All Types of Medical Construction Troy Professional Building Troy, MO
Crossroads Medical Plaza Wentzville, MO
H.B.D. Construction, Inc. 5517 Manchester Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 314-781-8000 / 314-781-5214 fax www.HBDgc.com
Crossroads Regional Hospital (formerly Wentzville MOB)
FMC Dialysis Troy, MO Fenton Professional Building—Fenton, MO
Accidents Happen. And when they do, the best way to summon help is The Button, part of the personal emergency response system offered by Lutheran Senior Services. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safety, security, and peace of mind for people who live on their own. Call 314.446.2421 to learn more
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Living Safe Technologies The Button. Plus More. 314.446.2421
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ThebuttonbyLSS.org
They Did It For You, You Can Do It For Them | Carol Melka, MSW, LCSW
We’ve all had that special someone who raised us, shaped us, and guided us as we grew up. Who was that person for you? When you needed direction, to whom did you turn? It was someone you trusted; and you listened because you knew that special someone had your best interest in mind. Now, however, the tables have turned. Your special someone—it could be Mom or Dad or that favorite aunt—is aging. And along with aging, come changes. Perhaps you’ve noticed a difference, but you don’t know if you should be concerned. He or she did right by you … now it’s your turn. How do you know what should worry you? What should you do? Where should you start? You have questions, but all of the options seem like a maze to sort through. You might think it’s easier to simply wait it out until something happens, but what you may not realize is that the longer you wait, the more limited your options become. That’s why Lutheran Senior Services Outreach Social Services, a program funded by the United Way of Greater St. Louis, created the Aging Answers Resource & Referral Line. This free service will help you navigate the maze, map out a route, and set a plan in place before acrisis happens. By simply calling 314-446-2475, you will have taken a very important first step. Our elder care specialists will listen to your situation and guide you toward the answers. An excellent starting point is our Red Flag Checklist. Available online at www.LSSOutreach.org, the checklist is a valuable tool an individual or family can use to determine if an older adult in your life needs assistance. It covers a wide variety of topics to help you determine needs related to memory, nutrition, physical abilities, safety, and more. Perhaps you’ve noticed that Mom is getting forgetful or that Dad isn’t eating as much as he used to, but there are many things you may not realize should be
taken into consideration. If there concerns checked on the list, a call to our Aging Answers Resource & Referral Line at 314-446-2475 will help you sort through the issues and arm you with knowledge for making informed decisions. Should further evaluation be warranted, an elder care specialist from our staff can perform Senior LIFEsteps. The results of this fee-based, in-home assessment detail your loved one’s ability to live at home relative to his or her everyday activities.
They Did It For You, You Can Do It For Them By Carol Melka, MSW, LCSW
A personalized plan of action can then be customized, thus maximizing well-being, safety, and independence. We know that everyone’s situation is different; that’s why we also know that one size does not necessarily fit all. Rather than simply applying the same solutions to everyone’s situation, we map out the route best suited to that person who has always been there for you. Let us travel with you while you are there for them.
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Thinking About Becoming More Physically Active?
Wondering when that magic moment to actually start being more active is, ask yourself this question: Isn’t the best time for positive change “right now”?
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Remember a time when you were physically active and felt great. Physical activity doesn’t always have to be “no pain, no gain.” It can actually be enjoyable and rewarding. Like a 15-minute walk on a sunny day. Or kicking a soccer ball around with your kids. Physical activity makes more energy than it takes. Taking just one of the following steps may help you get started again.
Find the time
Busy? Don’t let that stop you. Are there any opportunities during the day at home, work or elsewhere to squeeze in some time for physical activity? How about walking up and down the stairs for 15 minutes during your lunch break? Or parking on the opposite end of the mall and walking a longer distance the next time you have to run an errand? What’s important is discovering that you do have time in your schedule to be a little more active. All it takes is that first step. Remember, accumulating 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (such as brisk walking) 5 or more days of the week is recommended. Remember your physical activity successes and interests Think about physical activities that you have enjoyed or that sound interesting. Were there times in your life when you played a sport on a regular basis? Are you interested in taking a physical activity class such as aerobic kickboxing or tennis? Consider activities that you can do alone (e.g., walking) or with a friend (e.g., tennis), and include indoor and outdoor activities. Some possibilities include the following: walking, yoga, low-impact aerobics, gardening/yard work, frisbee, volleyball, swimming, basketball, dancing, skating, biking, tennis, hiking, stair climbing, softball, and jogging. Keep a list by your phone at work or home and jot down new ideas as they come to mind.
Develop a support network
Need a little extra support as you’re getting started? Talk to a family member, friend, or co-worker who may already be physically active. Find out how they got started and what keeps them motivated. They might have some great tips on how to fit activity into your busy day. Turn to them for ideas, motivation, and support.
Recall your current level of activity
You know yourself best. In this case, knowing your current level of activity will help you decide where there is room for change. Consider the following questions to help you recall your current level of activity. How often do you participate in moderately intense physical activity? How active is your job? How active are you during lunch or breaks at work? What do you tend to do before or after work? What types of activities do you do on a typical weekend or day off from work?
How often do you do active indoor chores such as scrubbing the tub, cleaning out the garage, painting, washing windows, working on the house, or carrying out heavy bags of trash or recyclable goods? How often do you do active outdoor chores such as mowing the grass, washing and waxing the car, gardening, heavy yard work, caring for large animals, or doing home repair? Be honest with yourself. Choose one of the following areas in which you think you can make realistic changes. Work Lunch/break time Before/after work Weekends Active indoor chores Active outdoor chores
Set small, specific goals
Okay. You’ve thought about your favorite physical activities, chosen a support network, and identified one target area that you want to address in the next month. This information can help you set some achievable goals. For example, if you chose physical activity at work as the target area you want to address this month, a specific goal might be to use the stairs instead of the elevator at least twice a week. This is always better than a general approach such as, “I will be more active this month.” By starting small and increasing your goals at a pace that feels right for you, all the benefits of physical activity can be yours. And, if you have some setbacks, that’s okay. Accept that lapses happen and begin again. You will achieve success. It is also important to build on your goals. For example, if you are successfully walking once a week as your specific goal, after several weeks add an additional day. Now you’ll be walking twice a week. The following month increase the number of days per week and the amount of time you walk. Also, add another activity such as cycling or gardening on the weekends.
Reward yourself
Celebrate achieving your goals no matter how small. Perhaps you might choose a reward that is related to physical activity? How about a new pair of sneakers, or a mini radio you can listen to while walking or doing housework? Why not treat yourself to a movie or tickets to your favorite sporting event?
Develop a long-term vision
Keep in mind that health professionals recommend 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (e.g., gardening or walking) a day at least five days a week. This can be your long-term goal, but for now just keep building on your successes month by month. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention & Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research. Personal energy plan-physical activity: steps for adding PEP to your life. Dallas: Cooper Institute; 1999. This information is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Please consult your physician for advice about changes that may affect your health.
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Waiting for the Right Time is the Wrong Time
By Rodney D. Gross, Ph.D.
As a Health Care Executive in the Hospital and Nursing Home arena, one of the most troubling things that I had to deal with was the “unpreparedness” of loss of life, terminal illness, fatal accident, estate planning, advance directives and aging itself. A vast majority of these dealings were a result of “unwillingness” to discuss these topics sometimes by the individual themselves and or other family members. We all think we will have time or that the time is not right to have these discussions. Sometimes there are family members who are unwilling and or maybe the correct terminology I like to use is “selfish”. Too many times I have seen families torn apart as a result of: secrets in the will, no will, assuming or told one is getting something and everyone is getting equal, not agreeing on keeping the loved-one on a machine or not, having a transplant or not, donating an organ or not, having to place a loved-one in a nursing home or keeping them at home, someone being left more than the others, etc. No matter the age, we all face the inevitable of leaving this world. It is not a simple thing to come to terms with or is it. MerriamWebster Dictionary defines inevitable as “incapable of being avoided or evaded and bound to happen”. Most do not want to think about it and or discuss it. The realities are that accidents, illnesses, aging, etc, do happen though we all want to believe that we are immune and will always have time. We all want to believe; we (my spouse and I) will go at the same time, we are in complete
control of our lives, our kids will not die before us, our parents will live forever and the same for siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and or friends. Unless it is one of these you are legally responsible for, the bottom line is that you are responsible for you. If you were in an accident right now and you were not able to make decisions on your own, does everyone know your wishes both personally and legally? Medically and financially? If you were to pass from this world, what happens to your belongings, business, spouse, children, finances, house, etc? It is not a question of whether you have three houses, millions of dollars or if you have one house and ten dollars, it is a question of what you want done with it. As Health Care Professionals, we are on the front-line of many of these scenarios good and not so good, with not so good ones embedded in our minds. Selfishness is the one trait I have witnessed throughout my career that tears families apart. Forever the empowering individual I am, no more so than helping one realize it is your decision, right and responsibility to make your wishes clear, precise and legal. There are vast amounts of resources out there to educate you. Additionally, if you go to www.rsvphealth.com/media/audio you will find my radio show from December 10, 2010 that discusses some of these issues. Please do not wait until the “right time” because usually that will be the “wrong time”.
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National Institute on Aging
Can We Prevent Aging?
People are living longer. In 1970, the average life expectancy at birth was 70.8 years; in 2000, it was 76.9 years; and by 2030 it is estimated that the “oldest-old,” age 85 and older, could grow to 10 million people. Views on aging are also changing. It no longer necessarily means physical decline and illness— in the last two decades, the rate of disability among older people has declined dramatically. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the Federal Government’s National Institutes of Health (NIH), investigates ways to support healthy aging and prevent or delay the onset of diseases that disproportionately affect us as we age. These studies 50 RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com
may not only increase longevity, but may also promote what is known as “active life expectancy”—the time of advancing years free of disability. Results from NIA-sponsored and other studies are likely to improve our understanding of the benefits and risks of antioxidants, calorie restriction, hormone supplements, and other interventions to promote healthy aging. This tip sheet provides an overview of what we know about these interventions and the research needed to learn more. Until we have a better understanding, it is a good idea to be skeptical of claims that any supplements can solve your age-related problems. Instead, focus on what is known to help promote healthy aging: healthy eating and physical activity.
Antioxidants Antioxidants protect the body from the harmful effects of byproducts, known as free radicals, made when the body changes oxygen and food into energy. The discovery of antioxidants raised hopes that people could slow aging simply by adding them to the diet. So far, studies of antioxidant-laden foods and supplements in humans have yielded little support for this premise. Further research, including large-scale epidemiological studies, might clarify whether dietary antioxidants can help people live longer, healthier lives. For now, however, the effectiveness of dietary antioxidant supplementation remains controversial.
Some studies focus on identifying chemicals that somehow mimic calorie restrictionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s benefits. Resveratrol, which is found naturally in foods like grapes and nuts, is one compound of interest. In one study, scientists compared two groups of overweight mice on a high-fat diet. One group of mice was given a high dose of resveratrol together with the high-fat diet. The overweight mice receiving resveratrol were healthier and lived longer than the overweight mice that did not get resveratrol. More research is needed before scientists know if a high dose of resveratrol would be safe for humans or even have the same effect as it had in mice. Scientists are also studying the effect of intermittent fasting or reduced meal frequency. In animal models, like mice, reduced meal
Calorie Restriction, Intermittent Fasting, and Resveratrol Scientists are discovering that what you eat, how frequently, and how much may have an effect on quality and years of life. Of particular interest has been calorie restriction, a diet that is lower by a specific percent of calories than the normal diet but includes all needed nutrients. Research in animals has shown calorie restriction of up to 40 percent fewer calories than normal to have an impressive effect on disease and markers of aging. It has been found to extend the life of protozoa (very small, one-celled organisms), yeast, fruit flies, mice, and rats, as well as other species. Calorie restriction studies with humans and other primates, such as monkeys, are ongoing. Early findings of the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) study show that slightly overweight adults who cut their calorie consumption by 20 to 30 percent lowered their fasting insulin levels and core body temperature. Both of these changes correlate with increased longevity in animal models. Some studies in nonhuman primates have shown that calorie restriction reduces the incidence of certain diseases such as cancer. Other studies of the effects of calorie restriction on aging and disease in primates are ongoing and have not yet reached any conclusions. Even though calorie restriction appears to work in a variety of species, its effects on longevity are far from universal. Several animal models, including wild mice, show no lifespan extension by calorie restriction. In some strains of mice, calorie restriction even appears to shorten lifespan. Scientists do not know if long-term calorie restriction is safe or practical for humans. While a calorie-restricted diet may never be widely adopted for people, studying calorie restriction offers new insights into the aging process and biological mechanisms that could influence healthy aging. This research may also provide clues about how to prevent or delay diseases that become more prevalent with age and inform the development of treatments for such diseases.
frequency appears to have a protective effect on the brain and may also help with heart function and regulation of sugar content in the blood. However, the influence of intermittent fasting on human health and longevity is currently unclear. While research into calorie restriction and intermittent fasting continues, there is already plenty of research supporting the value of a healthy, balanced diet and physical activity to help delay or prevent age-related health problems. Hormones Hormones are chemical messengers that set in motion different processes to keep our bodies working properly. For example, they are involved in regulating our metabolism, immune function, sexual reproduction, and growth. Hormones are made by specialized groups RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com 51
MIDWEST CARDIOVASCULAR IS NOW OFFERING VENACURE EVLT™, A NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT TO ELIMINATE VARICOSE VEINS The Vein Center at Midwest Cardiovascular has recently added the VenaCure EVLT procedure to its many patient services. VenaCure EVLT is a fast, safe and minimally invasive laser vein treatment for the elimination of varicose veins that is more than 95% effective. “Approximately 40 percent of all women and 25 percent of all men have varicose veins,” said Dr. Antoine Adem of Midwest Cardiovascular. “Because the traditional treatment for this condition, surgical vein stripping and ligation, tends to be a painful procedure with a lengthy recovery time, patients who suffer from varicose veins often decide to just suffer with them.”
In the VenaCure EVLT treatment, a laser fiber is inserted into the vein through a tiny puncture site. The laser energizes the fiber as it is withdrawn from the vein. Energy emitted from the tip of the fiber causes only the treated vein to close, while the body automatically routes the blood to other healthy veins. The patient receives only local
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Crystal City, MO—636-931-7101 RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com Farmington, MO—573-701-0090
anesthetic and experiences little to no discomfort during the 45 minute procedure. After treatment, a patient can simply walk out of the office and resume normal activities immediately.
“This is a varicose vein treatment that’s perfect for today’s busy lifestyles,” notes Dr Antoine Adem. “Patients can look and feel better almost immediately and with very little inconvenience. They don’t have to disrupt their normal schedules. It’s very rewarding when advancements in medical technology enable us to provide an alternative that’s far superior to older treatments – and is now replacing them as the treatment of choice.”
Additional information on laser varicose vein treatment with VenaCure EVLT is available from Midwest Cardiovascular at 1-800-898-5853, or www.midwestcardio.com
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of cells within the body’s glands. The glands—such as the pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, and testes—release hormones into the body as needed to stimulate, regulate, and control the function of other tissues and organs involved in biological processes. We cannot survive without hormones. As children, hormones help us grow up. In our teenage years, they drive puberty. As we get older, some hormone levels naturally decline. But what does that mean? Scientists do not know exactly. In order to learn more, NIA investigates how administering hormones to older people affects frailty and function. Many of these studies focus on hormones that naturally decline with age, including: • Human growth hormone • Testosterone • Estrogen and progesterone (as part of menopausal hormone therapy) • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
You may have read magazine articles or seen television programs suggesting that treatment with hormone replacement drugs can make people feel young again or can slow or prevent aging. That’s because finding a “fountain of youth” is a captivating story. The truth is that, to date, no research has shown that hormone replacement drugs add years to life or prevent age-related frailty. And, while some drugs have real health benefits for people with clinical hormone deficiencies due to a disease or disorder, they also can cause harmful side effects. That’s why people who have a diagnosed hormone deficiency should still only take hormone replacement drugs prescribed by a doctor and under a doctor’s supervision. In some cases, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may have approved a hormone replacement drug for one purpose, but it is prescribed by physicians for another. This off-label use may occur when physicians believe that research, such as clinical studies,
How Hormones Work Most hormones are typically found in very low concentrations in the bloodstream. But a hormone’s concentration will fluctuate depending on the body’s activity or time of day. Like a key that unlocks a door, a hormone molecule is released by a gland and travels through the blood until it finds a cell with the right fit, a “receptor.” The hormone latches onto a cell’s receptor and a signal is sent into the cell. These signals may instruct the cell to multiply, make proteins or enzymes, or perform other vital tasks. Some hormones can even cause a cell to release other hormones. A hormone may fit with many types of cells but may not affect all cells in the same way. For example, one hormone may stimulate one cell to perform a task, but it might also turn off a different cell. Additionally, how a cell responds to a hormone may change throughout life. Hormone Therapy Levels of some hormones change naturally over the lifespan. Some hormones increase with age, like parathyroid hormone that helps regulate the amount of calcium in the blood and bone. Some tend to decrease over time, such as testosterone in men and estrogen in women. When the body fails to make enough of a hormone because of a disease or disorder, a doctor may prescribe hormone replacement drugs. These come in many forms such as pills, shots, topical (rub-on) gels, and medicated skin patches. 54 RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com
demonstrates a drug’s usefulness for another condition. However, consumers should be aware that off-label use of a drug may not have been tested and verified to the same degree as the original use of the drug. Some Dangers of Hormone Replacement Drugs and “Anti-Aging” Supplements Higher concentrations of hormones in your body are not necessarily better. The body maintains a delicate balance between how much hormone it produces and how much it needs to function properly. Natural hormone production fluctuates throughout the day. That means that the amount of hormone in your blood when you wake
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you take hormone replacement drugs or supplements, especially without medical supervision, you can adversely affect this tightly controlled, regulated system.â&#x20AC;? 56 RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com
up may be different 2, 12, or 20 hours later. If you take hormone replacement drugs or supplements, especially without medical supervision, you can adversely affect this tightly controlled, regulated system. Replacement or supplemental hormones cannot replicate your body’s natural variation. Because hormonal balance is so intricate, too much of a hormone in your system may actually cause the opposite of the intended effect. For example, taking a hormone replacement drug or supplement can cause your own hormone regulation to stop working. Or, your body may process the drugs or supplements differently than the naturally produced hormone, causing an alternate, undesired effect. It is also possible that a drug or supplement could amplify negative side effects of the hormone naturally produced by the body. Scientists may not know all the consequences. Some hormone-like products are sold over the counter without a prescription. Using them can be dangerous. Products that are marketed as dietary supplements are not approved or regulated by the FDA. This means that companies making dietary supplements do not need to provide any proof that their products are safe and effective before selling them. There is no guarantee that the “recommended” dosage is safe, that the same amount of active ingredients is in every bottle, or that the substance is what the company claims. What you bought over the counter may not have been thoroughly studied, and potential negative side effects may not be understood or defined. In addition, these over-the-counter products may interfere with your other medications. NIA does not recommend taking any supplement touted as an “anti-aging” remedy because there is no proof of effectiveness and the health risks of short- and long-term use are largely unknown.
such supplements. Shots can cost more than $15,000 a year. These shots are only available by prescription and should be administered by a doctor. But, because of the unknown risks, it is hard to find a doctor who will prescribe hGH shots. Over-the-counter dietary supplements, known as human growth hormone releasers, are currently being marketed as low-cost alternatives to hGH shots. But claims of their anti-aging effects, like all those regarding hGH, are unsubstantiated. Research is starting to paint a fuller picture of the effects of hGH, but there is still much to learn. For instance, study findings indicate that injections of hGH can increase muscle mass; however, it seems to have little impact on muscle strength or function. Questions about potential side effects, such as diabetes, joint pain, and fluid buildup leading to high blood pressure or heart failure, remain unanswered, too. A report that children who were treated with pituitary growth hormone have an increased risk of cancer created a heightened concern about the dangers of hGH injections. Whether or not older people treated with hGH for extended periods have an increased risk of cancer is unknown. To date, only small, short-term studies have looked specifically at hGH as an “anti-aging” therapy for older people. Additional research is necessary to assess the potential risks and benefits of hGH. Testosterone Testosterone is a vital sex hormone that plays an important role in puberty. In men, testosterone not only regulates sex drive (libido), it also helps regulate bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of red blood cells and sperm. Testosterone isn’t exclusively a male hormone—women produce small amounts as well.
Human Growth Hormone Growth hormone is important for normal growth and development, as well as for maintaining tissues and organs. It is made by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized structure located at the base of the brain. Research supports supplemental use of human growth hormone (hGH) injections in certain circumstances. For instance, hGH injections can help children who do not produce enough growth hormone. Sometimes hGH injections may be prescribed for young adults whose obesity is the result of having had their pituitary gland surgically removed. These uses are different from taking hGH as an “anti-aging” strategy. As with other hormones, growth hormone levels often decline with age, but this decrease is not necessarily bad. At least one epidemiological study suggests that people who have high levels of naturally produced growth hormone are more apt to die at younger ages than those with lower levels of the hormone. Researchers have also studied animals with genetic disorders that suppress growth hormone production and secretion. They found that reduced growth hormone secretion actually promotes longevity in the tested species. Although there is no conclusive evidence that hGH can prevent aging or halt age-related physical decline, some clinics market hGH for that purpose and some people spend a great deal of money on
As men age, they often produce somewhat less testosterone, especially compared to years of peak testosterone production during adolescence and early adulthood. Normal testosterone production ranges widely, and it is unclear what amount of decline or how low a level of testosterone will cause adverse effects. Recently, the popular press has increasingly reported about “male menopause,” a condition supposedly caused by diminishing testosterone levels in aging men. There is very little scientific evidence that this condition, also known as andropause or viropause, exists. The likelihood that an aging man will experience a major shutdown of testosterone production similar to a woman’s menopause is very remote. In fact, many of the changes that take place in older men often are incorrectly attributed to decreasing testosterone levels. For instance, some men experiencing erectile difficulty (impotence) may be tempted to blame it on lowered testosterone, but many cases of erectile problems are due to circulatory problems. For men whose bodies make very little or no testosterone, testosterone replacement may offer benefits. FDA-approved testosterone drugs come in different forms, including patches, injections, and topical gels. Men whose testes (the reproductive glands that make testosterone and sperm) have been damaged or whose pituitary glands have been harmed or destroyed by trauma, infections, or
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“I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”
- Rick, Casablanca
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tumors may also be prescribed testosterone. Treatment with testosterone drugs can help men with exceptionally low testosterone levels maintain strong muscles and bones and increase their sex drive. It is unclear if men who are at the lower end of the normal range for testosterone production would benefit from treatment. More research is needed to learn what effects testosterone drug therapy may have in healthy older men without these extreme deficiencies. NIA is investigating the role of testosterone therapy in delaying or preventing frailty and helping with other age-related health issues. Results from preliminary studies involving small groups of men are inconclusive. Specifically, it remains unclear to what degree testosterone supplements can help men maintain strong muscles and sturdy bones, sustain robust sexual activity, or sharpen memory. There are also concerns about the long-term, harmful effects that testosterone drugs might have on the aging body. Most epidemiological studies suggest that higher natural levels of testosterone are not associated with a higher incidence of prostate cancer—the second leading cause of cancer death among men. However, scientists do not know if taking testosterone drugs increases men’s risk for developing prostate cancer or promoting the growth of an existing tumor. There is also uncertainty about effects of testosterone treatment on the cardiovascular system in older men, especially men with mobility limitations and other diseases. Future studies will address this issue to ensure that older men receiving testosterone treatment are not exposed to unnecessary risks. The bottom line: there is no scientific proof that testosterone treatment in healthy men will help them age better. Until more scientifically rigorous studies are conducted, it is not known if the possible benefits of testosterone therapy outweigh any of its potential risks. NIA continues to conduct research to gather more evidence about the effects of testosterone treatment in aging men. Hormones in Women Estrogen and progesterone are two hormones that play an important part in women’s menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Estrogen also helps maintain bone strength and may reduce the risk of heart disease and memory problems before menopause. Both estrogen and progesterone are produced naturally by the ovaries. However, after menopause, the ovaries make much less of these hormones.
For more than 60 years, millions of women have used drugs containing estrogen to relieve their menopausal symptoms, especially hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Some women may also be prescribed estrogen drugs to prevent or treat osteoporosis—loss of bone strength—that often happens after menopause. The use of estrogen (by a woman whose uterus has been removed) or estrogen with progesterone or a progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone (by a woman with a uterus), to treat the symptoms of menopause is called menopausal hormone therapy (MHT, formerly known as hormone replacement therapy, or HRT). There is a rich research base investigating estrogen. Many large, reliable long-term studies of estrogen and its effects on the body have been conducted. Yet, much remains unknown. In fact, the history of estrogen research demonstrates why it is important to examine both the benefits and risks of any hormone therapy before it becomes widely used. Here’s what scientists know: • Endometrial problems—While estrogen drugs help some women with symptom management during and after menopause, they can raise the risk of certain problems. Estrogen may cause a thickening of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and increase the risk of endometrial cancer. To lessen these risks, doctors now prescribe progestins to women with a uterus to protect the lining. • Heart disease—The role of estrogen in heart disease is complex. Early studies suggested MHT could lower postmenopausal women’s risk for heart disease—the number one killer of women in the United States. But results from the NIH Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) suggest that using estrogen with or without a progestin after menopause does not protect women from heart disease and may even increase their risk. In 2002, WHI scientists reported that using estrogen plus progestin actually elevates some postmenopausal women’s chance of developing heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer, but women also experienced fewer hip fractures and cases of colorectal cancer. In 2004, WHI scientists published another report, this time on postmenopausal women who used estrogen alone, which had some similar findings: women had an increased risk of stroke and blood clots, but fewer hip fractures. Then, in 2007, a closer analysis of the WHI results indicated that younger women, ages 50 to 59 at
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the start of the trial, who used estrogen alone, had significantly less calcified plaque in their coronary arteries than women not using estrogen. Increased plaque in coronary arteries is a risk factor for heart attacks. Scientists also noted that the risk of heart attack increased in women who started MHT more than 10 years after menopause (especially if these women had menopausal symptoms). There was no evidence of increased risk of heart attack in women who began MHT within 10 years of going through menopause. • Dementia—Some observational studies have suggested that estrogen may protect against Alzheimer’s disease. However, testing in clinical trials has challenged that view in older, postmenopausal women. In 2003, researchers in a substudy of the WHI, called the WHI Memory Study (WHIMS), reported that women age 65 and older who took a certain type of estrogen combined with progestin were at twice the risk for developing dementia compared to women who did not take any hormones. In 2004, WHIMS scientists reported that using the same kind of estrogen alone also increased the risk of developing dementia in women age 65 and older compared to women not taking any hormones.
For middle-age and older women, the decision to take hormones is far more complex and difficult than ever before. Questions about MHT remain. Would using a different estrogen and/or progestin or different dose change the risks? Would the results be different if the hormones were given as a patch or cream, rather than a pill? Would taking progestin less often be as effective and safe? Does starting MHT around the time of menopause, compared to years later, change the risks? Can we predict which women will benefit or be harmed by using MHT? As these and other questions are addressed by research, women should continue to review the pros and cons of MHT with their doctors and assess their personal risks and benefits to make an informed decision about whether or not this therapy is right for them. NIA has additional free information on menopausal hormone therapy. DHEA Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is made from cholesterol by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of each kidney. It is converted
Despite research thus far, there are still many unknowns about the risks and benefits of MHT. For instance, because women in their early 50’s were only a small part of the WHI, scientists do not yet know if certain risks are applicable to younger women who use estrogen drugs to relieve their symptoms during the menopausal transition. You may also have heard about a relatively new approach to hormone therapy for women— “bioidentical hormones.” These are hormones derived from plants, such as soy or yams, that have identical chemical structures to hormones produced by the human body. The term “bioidentical hormones” is now also being applied to the practice of compounding or combining hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, theoretically based on a woman’s individual hormonal needs. Large clinical trials of these compounded hormones have not been done, and many bioidentical hormones that are available without a prescription are not regulated or approved for safety and efficacy by the FDA. FDA-regulated bioidentical hormones, such as estradiol and progesterone, are available by prescription for women considering MHT.
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by the body into two other important hormones: testosterone and estrogen. For most people, DHEA production peaks in the mid-20’s and then gradually declines with age. The effects of this decline, including its role in the aging process, are unclear. Even so, some proponents claim that over-the-counter DHEA supplements can improve energy and strength and boost immunity. Claims are also made that supplements increase muscle and decrease fat. To date, there is no conclusive scientific evidence that DHEA supplements have any of these benefits.
The conversion of naturally produced DHEA into estrogen and testosterone is highly individualized. There is no way to predict who will make more or less of these hormones. Having an excess of testosterone or estrogen in your body could be risky. Scientists do not yet know the effects of long-term (defined as over 1 year) use of DHEA supplements. Early indications are that these supplements, even when taken briefly, may have detrimental effects on the body, including liver damage. But the picture is not clear. Two short-term studies showed that taking DHEA supplements has no harmful effects on blood, prostate, or liver function. However, these studies were too small to lead to broader conclusions about the safety or efficacy of DHEA supplementation. Researchers are working to find more definite answers about DHEA’s effects on aging, muscles, and the immune system. In the meantime, if you are thinking about taking DHEA supplements, be aware that the effects are not fully known and might turn out to cause more harm than good.
Many Questions, Seeking Answers NIA supports research that seeks to learn more about aging and the risks and benefits of potential interventions such as antioxidants, calorie restriction, hormone therapies, and supplements. These studies take time. A great deal of basic animal and clinical research is yet to be done. And, because research is an incremental process, results can move knowledge forward, but it can also take scientists back to basics. Although one goal of NIA research is to determine whether these interventions improve the health of older people, have no effect, or are harmful, don’t be surprised if the results of these studies open the door to more questions. Until more is known about antioxidants, resveratrol, and hormone supplements, consumers should view these types of supplements with a good deal of caution and doubt. Despite what advertisements on television, the internet, and magazines may claim, there are no specific therapies proven to prevent aging. Some harmful side effects already have been discovered; additional research may uncover others. People with genuine deficiencies in specific hormones should consult their doctors about appropriate treatments. Talk with your doctor if you are interested in any form of hormone therapy or “anti-aging” approaches beyond a healthy diet and physical activity. Meanwhile, people who choose to take any hormone supplement without a doctor’s supervision should be aware that these supplements appear to have few clearcut benefits for healthy individuals and no proven influence on the aging process. For more information on health and aging, contact: National Institute on Aging Information Center P.O. Box 8057 Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057 1-800-222-2225 (toll-free) 1-800-222-4225 (TTY/toll-free) www.nia.nih.gov www.nia.nih.gov/Espanol Visit NIHSeniorHealth (www.nihseniorhealth.gov),
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Technology as the new Partner in Your Health, Wellness and Life By Rodney D. Gross, Ph.D. Benjamin A. Moss
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When thinking of computers, online games, email and surfing the Web, most people would associate these activities with younger generations who are thought to use more technology than other generations. Think again! Currently some of the most popular technology adopters are senior citizens and those in the health care industry. From something as simple as a digital picture frame to an in-home emergency response system to an electronic medical records system, technology is transforming lives. Many of you have become familiar with me empowering the “individual” and helping companies and organizations finetune their message and/or products towards individuals. Technology companies, whether they know it or not, are doing the same thing. Let’s look at some transformations I have either witnessed or have first-hand knowledge about. Though some brand names are mentioned, I am not endorsing any products, in particular. Digital Picture Frames: What a simple, inexpensive piece of technology that was intended to help create a slide show and eliminate multiple picture frames and bulky picture albums. It was a way someone could select
favorite pictures of kids, loved-ones, trips, etc. and even put some music to it. While at some nursing homes and senior organizations a few years ago, I noticed several individuals who were looking at pictures. Some had albums that were too large and heavy to lift on their lap, while others had loose pictures that were just scattered all over the place. I suggested that the organizations purchase digital frames for each individual as a gift. What happened next was quite astonishing. The individual, family, loved ones and friends put photos and music of significance on these digital frames and they were placed in each person’s room. The individual could have it set up like a frame or could pick it up and hold it, if they wanted. The significance was further recognized when individuals with dementia, depression, decreased vision, loss of movement in arms/hands and even Alzheimer reacted positively to the technology. By purchasing in bulk, we were able to provide a gift that was affordable and well received, and much better - in comparison - to the sweatshirt they used to receive every year. Computers: Most of us probably have a computer or know someone who does. Computers continue to transform individuals and businesses, and have even become a type of companion to seniors. I’ve been asked to speak several times to hospitals and doctor groups, schools, and universities on the topic of computers as companions and every time my audience is somewhat amazed. Most of the people I’ve spoken with don’t believe that senior’s currently use computers or that they have any interest in using them. They are wrong! Here are some statistics that prove the point: “The Nielsen Company Report 10 Dec 09”: • 2004-2009: seniors (65+) actively using the internet increased 55% from 11.3 million to 17.5 million. • 2004-2009: of seniors (65+), the growth of women outpaced the growth of men.
See our write up on Digital Picture frames and spotlights on other technology just for seniors starting on page 67.
• #1 senior (65+) online destination was Google Search at 10.3 million, #2 was Windows Media Player at 8.2 million and #3 was Facebook at 7.9 million. (Facebook, which came in at #3, ranked 45th just a year ago from the date of this report among sites visited by seniors (65+)).
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This research shows that computer use among seniors is growing every day, and that seniors want to be connected and involved and stay current on public affairs. I believe, and it is my experience, that computer use is a way to help those living alone and can also help those stay in touch with their family and friends. As an example, grandparents are able to stay in touch with grandchildren and children through email, video/webcam and even store these interactions on their computer so they can view them later. Computerized Video Games/Programs: For more than twenty years, a man bowled in a league made up of friends he has known all his life. Recently, he finally realized that he could not grip the bowling ball as he used to and his balance on the lanes was not what it used to be. He hung his vest up and called it quits. Feeling confined to his home, he started feeling that his sense for living was faltering. That Christmas, one of his grandsons received a Nintendo Wii along with several games for it. As the grandson’s mom and dad hooked it up and put in the baseball game, grandpa watches with amazement of these new things for children. The game starts with the grandson in front of the television and remote in his hand. The computerized pitcher throws the ball and the grandson swings. The sound of the bat hitting the ball and the cheers mesmerize the grandfather in more than one way. He will never forget get the look of his grandson face when he hits that first pitch. The grandson does not play “organized” baseball 64 RSVP Health | www.rsvphealth.com
and more significantly, the grandson is paralyzed from the waist down. The grandpa asks the grandson “What all kind of games can you get for that?” The son and his wife looked at one another and before the grandson could answer, they said, “Dad, they have several bowling games!” Now every week, dad and his friends who he had not seen much since he quit bowling, have their own weekly league in the comfort of his home. It may not be exactly the same, but the companionship is wonderful and his sense of self and zest for life have greatly improved. Electronic Medical or Health Records (EMR or EHR System): Roughly 38% of office-based physicians utilize some sort of basic EMR technology. However, only 6.9% of them utilize a fully functioning, certified EMR system that includes e-prescribing, scheduling and document management tools, among other things. In addition there are stimulus dollars available for doctors who adopt EMR technology. The government has allocated $20B for Medicare and Medicaid providers who are meaningful users of certified EMR technology. EMR systems are designed to make the physicians and their medical staff more efficient, productive and help them provide better care and communication. Wouldn’t you love it if you didn’t have to fill out four pages of paperwork every time you went to see your doctor or visited a lab for an x-ray?
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One of the ongoing complaints I receive from patients is that different facilities are running the same tests which wastes the patient’s time and money. This happens all the time with x-rays, My practice invested in EMR technology so images could be stored electronically as part of the patient’s record and be made available to specialists and other providers for viewing if needed. In turn, this provided a better experience for the patient and improved overall efficiency for my staff. EMRs come with different capabilities for the provider. Everything from dictation with voice recognition, on-line registration, electronic prescribing of medications, billing, coding, bill pay, electronic storage of x-rays adn lab reports, etc., is available. One of the most important features is the ability to allow interaction between the provider and patient. While the provider retains the rights to his or her medical records, laws state that you have the right to view your personal records and have copies made available to you. There may or may not be a cost associated for this service. Having a doctor with EMR technology in place is crucial for your family members. If mom and dad live out of state or are on a trip and are involved in an accident, are you prepared to make medical decisions? Do you know their medical history and all the prescriptions they are on? In most cases, you wouldn’t have all of
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that information readily available. Having a physician with an EMR that allows patient interaction and viewing of one’s personal record can eliminate a lot of fears and stress, and in some cases, save lives. The next time you are in the doctor’s office and you are filling out paperwork (again), ask them when they intend to make the change to an EMR system. If you or your family members are looking for a new doctor, I encourage you to do your research and find out who is taking that next step with technology to improve the way they practice medicine. These are a few examples of how technology is transforming lives every day. I have learned to take a hard look at technology and see if it can be utilized in ways it was not initially intended. Who would ever think that a digital picture frame could bring back a memory of `an individual with dementia or Alzheimer’s? Who thought that social interaction through a computer or the Internet would help grandma stay alone in her house after grandpa passed away? Who thought computers and video games intended for “kids” would help someone with depression regain their sense of living? Who thought that there is a way to get rid of all that redundant and wasteful paperwork at the doctor’s office? Demand technology as a part of “your” care with health care providers and welcome it as a partner in your health, wellness and life.
Technology Spotlight for Seniors: Apple iPad
Apple iPad Reason: Apple makes it easy to learn their products due to the design of their user interface and their operating systems are very intuitive for the general user, no matter their age.
Pros: Great accessibility features. Easy to operate with no prior experience. A multitude of applications. Apple support is friendly, knowledgeable and relatable.
The iPad also has a lot of accessibility features including reverse text and zoom functions for both the text and screen. Additionally, they make it easy to turn those features on and off.
Cons: Currently, printing from the iPad is a bit difficult, the list of compatible printers is short and only HP printers for now.
There is very little configuration to it, you open the box, turn it on and you are using it.
Price: Starts at $499 for Wifi, $629 for Wifi and 3g.
It is being proved as a great piece of technology for people with vision problems.
Shop: Apple Store (worth the visit if one is nearby). Apple.com Walmart, Amazon.com, Best Buy.
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Technology Spotlight for Seniors: Electronic Medical/Health Records
Electronic Medical Records Reason: Electronic Medical Records (EMR) can give you access to all your health information anywhere you can get online. They can be an instrumental aid in keeping you healthy and getting your providers the full story about your health care.
Pros: Access to your records at any time. Able to update other health information like blood sugar levels and weight. Have access to x-rays and other images. Be able to cross reference medications and illnesses.
Three that we liked were MedFusion by GloStream, Google Health and Health Vault by Microsoft. Make sure your provider has the ability to put the information up for you, if not, then ask them to get the technology to do so.
Cons: You have to make sure your providers have an EMR system to upload your information.
The technology around these three are secure and you can give access to certain family members if you like, so they can be the informed.
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Price: Free, or most times it is free. Your provider may charge something, but be proactive and ask them to provide it for free. Shop: Ask your providers what is compatible with their systems.
Technology Spotlight for Seniors: Apple Computers
Apple Computer Reason: Again, the main reason is the user interface and the user experience Apple has created. There are numerous accessibility features that help people with vision or hearing issues that are easy to access and turn on or off.
Pros: User interface is the easiest to work with. Great hardware so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to worry nearly as much about issues. Good support for the times that problems arise. Overall, they just work and work well.
They are reliable and have great support. You can visit them at their Apple Stores or call their hotline for support that is friendly and relatable. This is a great resource.
Cons: If you have been on Windows, then you might have to re-purchase some software.
Switching from Windows takes a little bit, but is easy. There are provided guides on the differences and Apple makes it easy to make the switch. Currently, viruses are not a problem with Apple Computers, that saves many headaches and concerns about others looking into your personal information.
Price: Vary, but generally start at $999. Shop: Apple Store (worth the visit if nearby) Apple.com, Best Buy, Amazon.com.
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Technology Spotlight for Seniors: Movement Video Game; Nintendo Wii
Movement Video Games: Nintendo Wii Reason: Besides the fact that it is just fun, they are easy to use and great for keeping you moving. We spotlight the Nintendo Wii, but Sony’s Playstation 3 has the Move and Microsoft’s XBox has Kinect which are very similar.
Pros: Keeps you mobile. Gives you exercise and makes your mind active by learning new things. It is just plain fun!
The whole idea is playing video games with movement, so to bowl, you are actually going through the bowling movements, in tennis or baseball you are swinging like you are swinging a racket or bat. It helps keep you moving and exercising with very low to zero impact.
Cons: Setup isn’t difficult, but if you don’t mess with the back of your TV much, then it could be.
Get a group of friends together and we are sure you will have many laughs and fun by the end of the night. After all, laughter is the best form of medicine, right?
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Price: Starts at $199 for the Wii, multiple variations on the different systems. The starter system for the Wii will get you moving and laughing. Shop: Anywhere that has an electronics department, or nearly anywhere online, amazon.com, bestbuy.com, target.com, etc.
Technology Spotlight for Seniors: Digital Picture Frames
Digital Picture Frames Reason: An inexpensive way to remember memories. This is a good piece of technology for people with Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Disease. The premise is simple, but works well. Put all the photos of your family on there, photos of family vacations or different trips, holidays and anything that can help spark memories.
Pros: Easy to setup and use. It is just good having the pictures around.
The photos will rotate through and allows someone to view the memories and help remember things from the past. It not a cure, but it can help when you see images from the past multiple times a day.
Price: Vary, but start at around $50 and go to $200 and more. Mostly around the size of screen.
Cons: Older pictures may need to be scanned in, but worth it in our opinion.
Shop: Just about any retail store has them, and or their online counterparts. Target, Walmart, Amazon. com, Best Buy all have many variations of them.
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Health & Wellness
Health care Providers List
Resource List
AARP 601 E Street, NW Washington DC 20049 P. 1-888-OUR-AARP (687-2277) www.aarp.org ABILITY Awareness 1440 E. 1st St., Suite 107 Santa Ana CA 92701 P. 714-277-4330 F. 714-277-3743 www.ABILITYAwareness.org Administration on Aging (AoA) Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Administration on Aging Washington DC 20201 P. 202-619-0724 Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 F. 202-357-3555 www.aoa.gov Ageless Design 3197 Trout Place Road Cumming, GA 30041 P. 1-800-752-3238 www.agelessdesign.com Agency for Health care Research & Quality (AHRQ) Office of Communications & Knowledge Transfer 540 Gaither Rd., Suite 2000 Rockville MD 20850 P. 1-800-358-9295 www.ahrq.gov
AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA) Center on HIV and Aging 230 West 38th Street, 17th Floor New York NY 10018 P. 212-924-3934 F. 212-924-3936 www.acria.org/center/introduction AIDSinfo PO Box 6303 Rockville MD 20849-6303 P. 1-800-HIV-0440 (448-0440) F. 301-315-2818 www.aidsinfo.nih.gov Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) A.A. World Services, Inc. New York NY 10163 P. 212-870-3400 www.aa.org Alliance for Aging Research 2021 K Street, NW, Suite 305 Washington DC 20006 P. 202-293-2856 F. 202-785-8574 www.agingresearch.org Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17 Chicago IL 60601-7633 P. 1-800-272-3900 F. 1-866-699-1246 www.alz.org
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Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093-0949 P. 858-622-5880 adcs.ucsd.edu Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center PO Box 8250 Silver Spring MD 20907-8250 P. 1-800-438-4380 F. 301-495-3334 www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor New York NY 10001 P. 1-866-AFA-8484 (232-8484) F. 646-638-1546 www.alzfdn.org America’s Health Insurance Plans 601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW South building, Suite 500 Washington DC 20004 P. 202-778-3200 F. 202-331-7487 www.hiaa.org American Academy of Audiology 11730 Plaza America Drive, Suite 300 Reston VA 20190 P. 800-AAA-2336 (800-222-2336) F. 703-790-8631 www.audiology.org
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) PO Box 4014 Schaumburg IL 60168-4014 P. 886-503-SKIN (7546) F. 847-240-1859 www.aad.org American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) P.O. Box 11210 Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210 P. 1-800-274-2237 F. 913-906-6075 www.aafp.org American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) 4700 W. Lake Ave. Glenview IL 60025 P. 847-375-4712 F. 847-375-6475 www.aahpm.org www.palliativedoctors.org American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 1080 Montreal Avenue St. Paul MN 55116 P. 1-800-879-1960 F. 651-695-2791 www.aan.com
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 6300 North River Road Rosemont, IL 60018-4262 P. 800-346-AAOS F. 847-823-8125 www.aaos.org American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. (AAO) 1650 Diagonal Road, Alexandria VA 22314 P. 703-836-4444 F. 703-683-5100 www.entnet.org American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR) 970 West Bryn Mawr Avenue., Suite 200, Rosemont IL 60018-5701 P. 847-737-6000 F. 847-737-6001 www.aapmr.org American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1050, Bethesda MD 20814-3004 P. 301-654-7850 F. 301-654-4137 www.aagpgpa.org American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) 112 South Alfred St., Alexandria VA 22314 P. 703-838-9808 F. 703-838-9805 www.aamft.org American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) 401 North Michigan Ave., Suite 2200, Chicago IL 60611 P. 312-321-5146 F. 312-673-6924 www.aacvpr.org American Association of CriticalCare Nurses (AACN) 101 Columbia Aliso Viejo CA 92656-4109 P. 1-800-899-AACN (2226) F. 949-362-2020 www.aacn.org
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) 2519 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008-1520 P. 202-783-2242 F. 202-783-2255 www.aahsa.org American Bar Association (ABA) American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging; 740 15th Street, NW, Washington DC 20005-1022 P. 202-662-8690 F. 202-662-8698 www.abanet.org/aging American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) 2720 River Road Des Plaines IL 60018 P. 1-800-886-2282 F. 847-827-9918 www.abta.org American Cancer Society (ACS) Heart Health Center Check the ACS website for your local officeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s address. P. 1-800-ACS-2345 (227-2345) www.cancer.org American Chiropractic Association (ACA) 1701 Clarendon Boulevard Arlington VA 22209 P. 1-800-986-4636 F. 703-243-2593 www.amerchiro.org American Chronic Pain Association P.O. Box 850 Rocklin CA 95677 P. 1-800-533-3231 F. 916-632-3208 www.theacpa.org American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons 8725 West Higgins Rd. Ste. 555 Chicago IL 60631-2724 P. 1-800-421-2237 F. 773-693-9304 www.footphysicians.com www.acfas.org American College of Health Care Administrators 1321 Duke St, Suite 400 Alexandria VA 22314 P. 202-536-5120 F. 888-874-1585 www.achca.org American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 409 12th Street, SW ; PO Box 96920 Washington DC 20090-6920 P. 202-638-5577 www.acog.org
American College of Physicians (ACP) 190 North Independence Mall West Philadelphia PA 19106-1572 P. 1-800-523-1546 www.acponline.org American College of Rheumatology Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals 2200 Lake Boulevard NE Atlanta GA 30319 P. 404-633-3777 F. 404-633-1870 www.rheumatology.org
American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) 55 West 39th Street, 16th Floor New York NY 10018 P. 1-888-582-2327 F. 212-997-0330 www.afar.org American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) 2 Penn Plaza, Suite 1102 New York NY 10121 P. 1-800-AFB-LINE (232-5463) F. 818-545-8331 www.afb.org American Geriatric Society Foundation for Health in Aging The Empire State Building 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 801, New York NY 10118 P. 1-800-563-4916 (toll-free) F. 212-832-8646 www.healthinaging.org
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) 401 West Michigan Street, PO Box 1440, Indianapolis IN 46206-1440 P. 317-637-9200 F. 317-634-7817 www.acsm.org American College of Surgeons (ACS) 633 North Saint Clair Street Chicago IL 60611-3211 P. 312-202-5000 F. 312-202-5001 www.facs.org American Council of the Blind (ACB) 2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 650 Arlington VA 22201 P. 1-800-424-8666 F. 703-465-5085 www.acb.org American Counseling Association (ACA) 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria VA 22304 P. 1-800-347-6647 F. 703-823-0252 www.counseling.org American Dental Association (ADA) 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago IL 60611-2678 P. 312-440-2500 Ext: 2593 www.ada.org American Diabetes Association (ADA) 1701 North Beauregard Street Alexandria VA 22311 P. 1-800-DIABETES (342-2383) www.diabetes.org American Dietetic Association (ADA) 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000 Chicago IL 60606-6995 P. 1-800-877-1600 www.eatright.org
American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF) 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg MD 20871 P. 1-800-437-AHAF (437-2423) F. 301-258-9454 www.ahaf.org/alzheimers American Health Care Association (AHCA) 1201 L Street, NW, Washington DC 20005 P. 202-842-4444 F. 202-842-3860 www.ahca.org American Heart Association (AHA) National Center, 7272 Greenville Avenue Dallas TX 75231 P. 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) www.americanheart.org American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) 150 South Warner Road, Suite 156 King of Prussia PA 19406 P. 484-654-0357 F. 610-225-2364 www.ahta.org American Hospital Association (AHA) 155 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago IL 60606-3421 P. 312-422-3000 F. 312-422-4591 www.hospitalconnect.com American Liver Foundation 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603 New York NY 10038 P. 1-800-GO-LIVER (465-4837) F. 212-483-8179 www.liverfoundation.org
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Health care Providers List
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) PO Box 7424 San Francisco CA 94120-7424 P. 1-800-222-3937 F. 415-561-8533 www.aao.org
Health care Providers List
American Lung Association (ALA) 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800 Washington DC 20004 P. 1-800-LUNG-USA (586-4872) www.lungusa.org
American Osteopathic Association 142 East Ontario Street, Chicago IL 60611 P. 1-800-621-1773 F. 312-202-8200 www.osteopathic.org
American Medical Association (AMA) 515 North State Street, Chicago IL 60610 P. 1-800-621-8335 www.ama-assn.org
American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA) 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island NY 10305 P. 1-800-223-2732 F. 718-981-4399 www.apdaparkinson.org
American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) 11000 Broken Land Parkway, Suite 400 Columbia MD 21044 P. 1-800-876-2632 F. 410-740-4572 www.amda.com American Menopause Foundation (AMF) 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 508 New York NY 10017 P. 212-714-2398 www.americanmenopause.org American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) 8455 Colesville Road, Suite 1000, Silver Spring MD 20910 P. 301-589-3300 F. 301-589-5175 www.musictherapy.org American Nurses Association (ANA) 8515 Georgia Ave., Suite 400 Silver Spring MD 20910-3492 P. 1-800-274-4ANA (4262) F. 301-628-5001 www.nursingworld.org American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA) 4720 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda MD 20824-1220 P. 301-652-2682 F. 301-652-7711 www.aota.org American Optometric Association (AOA) 243 North Lindbergh Boulevard St. Louis MO 63141 P. 1-800-365-2219 F. 314-991-4101 www.aoanet.org American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society 6300 North River Rd., Suite 510 Rosemont IL 60018 P. 1-800-235-4855 F. 847-692-3315 www.aofas.org
American Pharmacists Association (APhA) 2215 Constitution Avenue NW Washington DC 20037 P. 1-800-237-APhA( 2742) F. 202-783-2351 www.pharmacist.com www.pharmacyandyou.org
American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) 6856 Eastern Avenue, NW, Suite 203, Washington DC 20012 P. 202-293-3650 F. 202-293-3656 www.sleepapnea.org American Social Health Association P.O. Box 13827 Research Triangle Park NC 27709 P. 919-361-8400 F. 919-361-8425 www.ashastd.org American Society on Aging (ASA) 71 Stevenson Street, Suite 1450 San Francisco CA 94105-2938 P. 1-800-537-9728 F. 415-974-0300 www.asaging.org
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) 1111 North Fairfax Street Alexandria VA 22314-1488 P. 1-800-999-APTA (2782) F. 703-684-7343 www.apta.org
American Speech-LanguageHearing Association (ASHA) 2200 Research Boulevard, Rockville MD 20850-3289 P. 301-296-5700 F. 301-296-8580 www.asha.org
American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) 9312 Old Georgetown Road Bethesda MD 20814-1621 P. 1-800-FOOT-CARE (366-8227) F. 301-530-2752 www.apma.org
American Stroke Association (ASA) American Heart Association National Center Dallas TX 75231 P. 1-888-4STROKE (478-7653) F. 214-570-5930 www.strokeassociation.org
American Psychiatric Association (APA) 1000 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1825, Arlington VA 22209-3901 P. 1-888-35-PSYCH (357-7924) F. 703-907-1085 www.psych.org
American Tinnitus Association (ATA) PO Box 5 Portland OR 97207-0005 P. 1-800-634-8978 F. 503-248-0024 www.ata.org
American Psychological Association (APA) 750 First Street, NE Washington DC 20002-4242 P. 1-800-374-2721 www.apa.org
American Urological Association Foundation, Inc. 1000 Corporate Blvd., Suite 410, Linthicum MD 21090 P. 410-689-3700 F. 410-689-3800 www.urologyhealth.org www.auanet.org
American Red Cross 2025 E Street, NW Washington DC 20006 P. 202-303-5000 www.redcross.org American Self-help Group Clearinghouse 375 E. McFarlan St. Dover NJ 07801-3638 P. 1-800-367-6274 F. 973-989-1159 www.mentalhelp.net/selfhelp
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Americans for Better Care of the Dying 1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 635 Alexandria VA 22314 P. 703-647-8505 F. 703-837-1233 www.abcd-caring.org Aplastic Anemia And MDS International Foundation, Inc. 100 Park Avenue, Suite 108 P.O. Box 610 Rockville MD 20850 P. 1-800-747-2820 F. 301-279-7205 www.aamds.org
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center 800 Eastowne Drive, Suite 105 Chapel Hill NC 27514 P. 919-490-5577 F. 919-490-4905 www.archrespite.org Arthritis Foundation (AF) P.O. Box 7669 Atlanta GA 30357-0669 P. 1-800-283-7800 F. 404-872-0457 www.arthritis.org Assisted Living Directory www.assisted-living-directory.com Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) 1650 King St., Suite 602 Alexandria VA 22314-2747 P. 703-894-1805 F. 703-894-1831 www.alfa.org AssistedLivingFacilities.org www.assistedlivingfacilities.org Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) 1220 L Street, NW, Suite 901 Washington DC 20005-4018 P. 202-289-9806 F. 202-289-9824 www.aghe.org Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America 1233 20th Street, NW, Suite 402 Washington DC 20036 P. 1-800-7-ASTHMA (727-8462) www.aafa.org B’nai B’rith 2020 K St, NW, 7th Floor Washington DC 20006 P. 202-857-6600 F. 202-857-1099 www.bnaibrith.org BenefitsCheckUp www.benefitscheckup.org Best of the Web Senior Housing Directory seniorhousing.botw.org Better Hearing Institute 515 King St., suite 420 Alexandria VA 22314 P. 1-800-EAR-WELL (327-9355) F. 703-684-6048 www.betterhearing.org Better Sleep Council 501 Wythe Street Alexandria VA 22314 P. 703-683-8371 F. 703-683-4503 www.bettersleep.org
Brookdale Center on Aging (BCOA) of Hunter College 425 East 25th St., 13th Floor North, New York NY 10010-2590 P. 212-481-3780 F. 212-481-3791 www.brookdale.org Care Planner Clinical Tools, Inc. Chapel Hill NC 27516 P. 919-960-8118 F. 919-960-7745 www.careplanner.org Caring.com 2600 South El Camino Real, Suite 220 San Mateo CA 94403 www.caring.com Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) 1731 King Street Alexandria VA 22314 P. 703-549-1390 F. 703-549-1656 www.catholiccharitiesusa.org Catholic Golden Age (CGA) Olyphant PA 18447 P. 1-800-836-5699 F. 570-586-7721 www.catholicgoldenage.org The Center for Social Gerontology (TCSG) 2307 Shelby Avenue Ann Arbor MI 48103 P. 734-665-1126 F. 734-665-2071 www.tcsg.org Center for the Advancement of State Community Services Programs (CASCSP) National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA) 1201 15th St., NW, Suite 350 Washington DC 20005 P. 202-898-2578 F. 202-898-2583 www.nasua.org Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1600 Clifton Road Atlanta GA 30333 P. 1-800-311-3435 www.cdc.gov
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore MD 21244 P. 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227) F. 202-690-7675 www.cms.hhs.gov www.medicare.gov Children of Aging Parents (CAPS) P.O. Box 167 Richboro PA 18954 P. 1-800-227-7294 www.caps4caregivers.org Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly (CANE) University of Delaware, Department of Consumer Studies, Newark DE 19716 P. 302-831-3525 F. 302-831-6081 www.cane.udel.edu/cane/ Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) 1341 G Street, NW, 10th Floor Washington DC 20005 P. 1-800-891-0590 F. 202-737-9197 www.ctaa.org ConsumerReportsHealth.org www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC) 1730 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Suite 209 Washington DC 20036 P. 1-866-888-1122 F. 202-587-5009 www.carf.org Corporation for National & Community Service (CNS) 1201 New York Avenue, NW Washington DC 20525 P. 1-800-424-8867 F. 202-565-2791 www.nationalservice.org www.seniorcorps.org The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives 745 Fifth Avenue, Suite 900 New York NY 10151 P. 212-223-4040 F. 212-317-8721 www.dana.org Delta Society 875 124th Ave. NE, Ste 101 Bellevue WA 98055 P. 425-679-5500 F. 425-679-5539 www.deltasociety.org
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Public Affairs Washington DC 20420 P. 1-800-827-1000 www.va.gov
Elderhostel 11 Avenue de Lafayette Boston MA 02111 P. 1-877-426-8056 F. 1-877-426-2166 www.elderhostel.org
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) 730 North Franklin St., Suite 501 Chicago IL 60654-7225 P. 1-800-826-3632 F. 312-642-7243 www.dbsalliance.org
Elderweb 1305 Chadwick Drive Normal IL 61761 P. 309-451-3319 www.elderweb.com
DES Action P. O. Box 7296, 187 Via Catalunha Jupiter FL 33468 P. 1-800-DES-9288 (338-9288) www.desaction.org Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) National Association of the Deaf (NAD) 1447 E. Main Street Spartanburg SC 29307 P. 1-800-237-6213 F. 1-800-538-5636 www.dcmp.org Diabetic Connect 224 South 200 West, Suite 250 Salt Lake City UT 84101 P. 801-355-6002 F. 801.355.5198 www.diabeticconnect.com Disabled American Veterans (DAV) PO BOX 14301 Cincinnati OH 45250-0301 P. 1-877- I AM A VET (426-2838) www.dav.org Elder Care Online www.ec-online.net Elder Craftsmen (EC) 307 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1401 New York NY 10001 P. 212-319-8128 F. 212-319-8141 www.eldercraftsmen.org Eldercare Initiative in Consumer Law (EICL) National Consumer Law Center, Inc. (NCLC) Boston MA 02110 P. 617-542-8010 F. 617-542-8028 www.consumerlaw.org Eldercare Locator National Association of Area Agencies on Aging 1730 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Suite 1200 Washington DC 20036 P. 1-800-677-1116 F. 202-872-0057 www.eldercare.gov
Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington DC 20210 P. 1-866-444-3272 www.dol.gov/ebsa Epilepsy Foundation 8301 Professional Place Landover MD 20785 P. 1-800-332-1000 F. 301-577-2684 www.epilepsyfoundation.org Family Caregiver Alliance 180 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100 San Francisco CA 94104 P. 1-800-445-8106 www.caregiver.org Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) Room G-142, (XCC), 1800 F Street, NW Washington DC 20405 P. 1-888-878-3256 F. 719-948-9724 www.pueblo.gsa.gov Fifty-Plus Lifelong Fitness 2483 East Bayshore Road, Suite 202 Palo Alto CA 94303 P. 650-843-1750 F. 650-843-1758 www.50plus.org Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 10903 New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring MD 20993-0002 P. 1-888-INFO-FDA (463-6332) www.fda.gov Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC), Department of Agriculture Beltsville MD 20705-2351 P. 301-504-5414 F. 301-504-6409 www.nalusda.gov/fnic Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR) 818 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 900 Washington DC 20006 P. 202-457-0654 F. 202-457-0659 www.fbresearch.org
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Health care Providers List
Beverly Foundation 566 El Dorado St., #100 Pasadena CA 91101 P. 626-792-2292 www.beverlyfoundation.org
Health care Providers List
Generations Online 108 Ralston House Philadelphia PA 19104 P. 215-222-6400 F. 215-222-6401 www.generationsonline.com Generations Together (GT) Pittsburgh PA 15260 P. 412-648-7155 F. 412-624-4810 www.gt.pitt.edu Gerontological Society of America (GSA) 1220 L Street, NW, Suite 901 Washington DC 20005 P. 202-842-1275 F. 202-842-1150 www.geron.org Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) 251 Post St., Suite 600 San Francisco CA 94108 P. 1-800-826-6693 F. 415-986-3763 www.glaucoma.org The Hartford Alzheimer’s Disease Driving Guide Southington CT 06489 P. 860-547-5000 www.thehartford.com/alzheimers Health Services Research (HSR) Information Central 8600 Rockville Pike, Building 38A, Room 4S-410, Mail Stop Code 3833 Bethesda MD 20894 P. 301-496-0176 F. 301-402-3193 www.nlm.nih.gov/hsrinfo/ Hill-Burton Free Care Program 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10-105 Rockville MD 20857 P. 1-800-638-0742 F. 301-443-0619 www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/ Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) 505 Eighth Ave., Suite 902 New York NY 10018 P. 1-800-345-HDSA (4372) F. 212-239-3430 www.hdsa.org Hysterectomy Educational Resources and Services Foundation (HERS) 422 Bryn Mawr Avenue Bala Cynwyd PA 19004 P. 1-888-750-HERS (4377) F. 610-667-8096 www.hersfoundation.com Indian Health Service (IHS) Rockville MD 20852-1627 P. 301-443-3593 F. 301-443-0507 www.ihs.gov
Institute for Cancer Prevention (IFCP) 1 Dana Road Valhalla NY 10595 P. 914-592-2600 F. 914-592-6317 www.ahf.org
Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) 2000 L Street, NW, Suite 710 Washington DC 20036 P. 1-800-558-0121 F. 202-349-1156 www.lupus.org
International Essential Tremor Foundation (IETF) PO Box 14005 Lenexa KS 66285-4005 P. 1-888-387-3667 F. 913-341-1296 www.essentialtremor.org
Mayo Clinic 200 First St. S.W. Rochester MN 55905 P. 507-284-2511 F. 507-284-0161 www.mayoclinic.com
International Hearing Society (IHS) 16880 Middlebelt Road, Suite 4 Livonia MI 48154 P. 1-800-521-5247 F. 734-522-0200 www.ihsinfo.org John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation 11620 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 270 Los Angeles CA 90025 P. 1-800-477-2243 F. 310-479-0516 www.jdfaf.org Kansas Geriatric Education Center (KS-GEC) Center on Aging Kansas City KS 66160-7177 P. 913-588-1549 F. 913-588-1201 coa.kumc.edu/gec Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center Gallaudet University 800 Florida Avenue, NE Washington DC 20002 P. 202-651-5000 clerccenter.gallaudet.edu Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Inc. (LLS) 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains NY 10605 P. 1-800-955-4572 F. 914-949-6691 www.leukemia.org
Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) 203 S. Union St. Alexandria VA 22314 P. 703-548-5558 F. 703-548-8024 www.mowaa.org MedicAlert Foundation 2323 Colorado Avenue Turlock CA 95382 P. 1-888-633-4298 F. 209-669-2450 www.medicalert.org Medicare Rights Center (MRC) 1460 Broadway, 17th Floor New York NY 10036 P. 212-869-3850 F. 212-869-3532 www.medicarerights.org Meso Foundation PO Box 91840 Santa Barbara CA 93190-1840 P. 877-END-MESO (877-363-6376) F. 805-563-8411 www.curemeso.org MySeniorCare.com 32605 W. 12 Mile Road, Suite 275 Farmington Hills MI 48334 www.MySeniorCare.com Narcolepsy Network, Inc. P.O. Box 294 Pleasantville NY 10570 P. 1-888-292-6522 F. 401-633-6567 www.narcolepsynetwork.org
Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) 912 Killian Hill Road, S. W. Liburn GA 30047 P. 404-935-6444 F. 480-422-5434 www.lbda.org
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. (NAELA) 1577 Spring Hill Rd., Ste. 220 Vienna VA 22182 P. 703-942-5711 F. 703-563-9504 www.naela.org
Lighthouse National Center for Vision and Aging (LNCVA) 111 East 59th Street New York NY 10022-120 P. 1-800-829-0500 F. 212-821-9707 www.lighthouse.org
National Adult Day Services Association, Inc. 85 South Washington, Suite 316 Seattle WA 98104 P. 1-877-745-1440 F. 206-461-3218 www.nadsa.org
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National Alliance for Caregiving 4720 Montgomery Lane, 5th Floor Bethesda MD 20814 www.caregiving.org National Alliance for Hispanic Health 1501 16th Street, NW Washington DC 20036 P. 202-387-5000 F. 202-797-4353 www.hispanichealth.org National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) 3803 N. Fairfax Dr., Ste. 100 Arlington VA 22203 P. 1-800-950-NAMI (950-6264) www.nami.org National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914 Seattle WA 98101 P. 1-800-33-NAPCA (366-2722) F. 206-624-1023 www.napca.org National Association for Continence (NAFC) PO Box 1019 Charleston SC 29402-1019 P. 1-800-BLADDER (252-3337) www.nafc.org National Association for Health & Fitness (NAHF) 65 Niagra Square, Room 607 Buffalo NY 14202 P. 716-583-0521 F. 716-851-4309 www.physicalfitness.org National Association for Hispanic Elderly (Asociacion Nacional Por Personas Mayores) 234 East Colorado Boulevard, Suite 300 Pasadena CA 91101 P. 626-564-1988 F. 626-564-2659 www.anppm.org National Association for Home Care (NAHC) 228 7th Street, SE Washington DC 20003 P. 202-547-7424 F. 202-547-3540 www.nahc.org National Association for Human Development (NAHD) 1424-16th St., NW, Suite 102 Washington DC 20036 P. 202-328-2191 F. 202-265-6682 www.health.gov/nhic
National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) PO Box 5530 Sevierville TN 37864 P. 865-429-0717 F. 865-453-9914 www.thenaap.com National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A) 1730 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Suite 1200 Washington DC 20036 P. 1-800-677-1116 F. 202-872-0057 www.n4a.org National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) 7200 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 210 Bethesda MD 20814 P. 301-347-0400 F. 301-347-0459 www.nachc.com National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) 1612 K Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington DC 20006 P. 202-682-6899 F. 202-223-2099 www.nanasp.org National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) 3275 West Ina Road, Suite 130 Tucson AZ 85741-2198 P. 520-881-8008 F. 520-325-7925 www.caremanager.org National Association of Social Workers (NASW) 750 First Street, NE, Suite 700 Washington DC 20002-4241 P. 1-800-638-8799 F. 202-336-8310 www.naswdc.org National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA) 1201 15th St, NW, Suite 350 Washington DC 20005 P. 202-898-2578 F. 202-898-2583 www.nasua.org
National Association of the Deaf (NAD) 8630 Fenton St., Suite 820 Silver Spring MD 20910-3819 P. 301-587-1788 F. 301-587-1791 www.nad.org National Association on HIV Over Fifty (NAHOF) 23 Miner St., Ground Level Boston MA 02215-3319 P. 617-233-7107 F. 617-262-5667 www.hivoverfifty.org National Cancer Institute (NCI) 6116 Executive Blvd. Bethesda MD 20892 P. 1-800-4-CANCER (422-6237) www.nci.nih.gov National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc. (NCBA) 1220 L Street, NW, Suite 800 Washington DC 20005 P. 202-637-8400 F. 202-347-0895 www.ncba-aged.org National Center for Assisted Living 1201 L Street, NW Washington DC 20005 P. 202-824-4444 F. 202-842-3860 www.ncal.org National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Clearinghouse (NCCAM) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Gaithersburg MD 20898 P. 1-888-644-6226 F. 1-866-464-3616 www.nccam.nih.gov National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hyattsville MD 20782 P. 1-866-441-NCHS (441-6247) www.cdc.gov/nchs/ National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) Center for Community Research and Services University of Delaware, 297 Graham Hall Newark DE 19716 P. 302-831-3525 F. 302-831-422 www.ncea.aoa.gov
National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) National Institutes of Health (NIH) 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Suite 800,MSC 5465 Bethesda MD 20892-5465 P. 301-402-1366 F. 301-480-4049 www.ncmhd.nih.gov National Citizen’s Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR) 1828 L Street, NW, Suite 801 Washington DC 20036-2211 P. 202-332-2275 F. 202-332-2949 www.nccnhr.org National Coalition for Adult Immunization (NCAI) National Foundation for Infectious Diseases 4733 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 750 Bethesda MD 20814 P. 301-656-0003 F. 301-907-0878 www.nfid.org National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) 10 G Street, NE, Suite 600 Washington DC 20004 P. 1-800-966-1935 F. 202-216-0451 www.ncpssm.org National Consumer’s League (NCL) 1701 K Street, NW, Suite 1200 Washington DC 20006 P. 1-800-876-7060 www.natlconsumersleague.org/ National Council of La Raza (NCLR) Raul Yzaguirre Building 1126 16th St., NW Washington DC 20036 P. 202-785-1670 F. 202-776-1794 www.nclr.org National Council on Aging (NCOA) 1901 L Street, NW, 4th floor, Washington DC 20036 P. 202-479-1200 F. 202-479-0735 www.ncoa.org National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) 244 East 58th Street, 4th Floor New York NY 10022 P. 1-800-NCA-CALL (622-2255) F. 212-269-7510 www.ncadd.org
National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) 4915 Saint Elmo Avenue, Suite 505 Bethesda MD 20814-6082 P. 301-656-8565 F. 301-656-4464 www.talkaboutrx.org National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) Bethesda MD 20892-3560 P. 1-800-860-8747 F. 703-738-4029 www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/ National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) Bethesda MD 20892-3570 P. 1-800-891-5389 F. 703-738-4929 www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) National Eye Institute Information Center (NEIIC) Bethesda MD 20892-3655 P. 301-496-5248 F. 301-402-1065 www.nei.nih.gov/nehep National Eye Institute National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD 20892 P. 301-496-5248 www.nei.nih.gov National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) 10400 Connecticut Avenue, #500, Kensington MD 20895-3944 P. 1-800-896-3650 F. 301-942-2302 www.nfcacares.org National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain P.O. Box 70045 Houston TX 77270 P. 713-862-9332 F. 713-862-9346 www.paincare.org National Gerontological Nursing Association (NGNA) 1020 Monarch St. Lexington KY 40513 P. 1-800-723-0560 F. 859-977-7441 www.ngna.org National Health Information Center (NHIC) Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) Washington DC 20013-1133 P. 1-800-336-4797 F. 301-984-4256 www.health.gov/NHIC
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Health care Providers List
National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Services (NAPNES) PO BOX 25647, 1940 Duke St., Suite 200 Alexandria VA 22313, 22314 P. 703-933-1003 F. 703-940-4089 www.napnes.org
Health care Providers List
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Information Center PO Box 30105 Bethesda MD 20824-0105 P. 1-800-575-WELL (9355) F. 240-629-3246 www.nhlbi.nih.gov National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCoA) The Walker Building, 734 15th Street NW Suite 1050, Washington DC 20005 P. 202-347-9733 F. 202-347-9735 www.nhcoa.org/ National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) National Hospice Foundation (NHF) 1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 625 Alexandria VA 22314 P. 1-800-658-8898 F. 703-837-1233 www.nhpco.org National Hospice Foundation (NHF) 1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 625 Alexandria VA 22314 P. 1-800-658-8898 F. 703-837-1233 www.hospiceinfo.org National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Bethesda MD 20892 P. 301-402-0911 F. 301-402-2218 www.nhgri.nih.gov National Indian Council on Aging, Inc. (NICOA) 10501 Montgomery Boulevard, NE, Suite 210 Albuquerque NM 87111-3846 P. 505-292-2001 F. 505-292-1922 www.nicoa.org National Information and Referral Support Center (NIRSC) 1225 I Street, NW, Suite 725 Washington DC 20005-3914 P. 202-898-2578 F. 202-898-2583 www.nasua.org National Institute Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Bethesda MD 20892-3675 P. 1-877-22-NIAMS (226-4267) F. 301-718-6366 www.nih.gov/niams
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) NIAID Office of Communications and Government Relations, Bethesda MD 20892-6612 P. 866-284-4107 www.niaid.nih.gov
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) 5635 Fishers Lane, MSC 9304, Bethesda MD 20892-9304 P. 301-443-3860 F. 301-443-6077 www.niaaa.nih.gov
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Information Clearinghouse PO Box 3006 Rockville MD 20847 P. 1-800-370-2943 F. 301-984-1473 www.nichd.nih.gov
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) National Institutes of Health (NIH) 31 Center Drive, MSC 2320 Bethesda MD 20892-2320 P. 1-800-241-1044 F. 301-402-0018 www.nidcd.nih.gov
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Bethesda MD 20892-2290 P. 301-496-4261 F. 301-408-4098 www.nidcr.nih.gov National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Triangle Park NC 27709 P. 919-541-3345 www.niehs.nih.gov/home.htm National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) 45 Center Drive, MSC 6200 Bethesda MD 20892-6200 P. 636-937-8883 F. 301-402-0224 www.nigms.nih.gov National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Bethesda MD 20892-9663 P. 1-866-615-6464 F. 301-443-4279 www.nimh.nih.gov National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) NIH Neurological Institute Bethesda MD 20824 P. 1-800-352-9424 F. 301-402-2186 www.ninds.nih.gov National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) Office of Science Policy and Public Liaison Bethesda MD 20892-2178 P. 301-496-0207 F. 301-480-8845 www.nih.gov/ninr National Institute on Aging (NIA) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Bethesda MD 20892-2292 P. 1-800-222-2225 F. 301-496-1072 www.nia.nih.gov
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National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Bethesda MD 20892-9561 P. 1-800-729-6686 F. 1-888-644-6432 www.nida.nih.gov National Interfaith Coalition on Aging (NICA) National Council on Aging (NCOA) Washington DC 20036 P. 1-800-424-9046 F. 202-479-0735 www.ncoa.org National Kidney and Urological Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Bethesda MD 20892-3580 P. 1-800-891-5390 F. 703-738-4929 www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/ National Kidney Foundation (NKF) 30 East 33rd Street New York NY 10016 P. 1-800-622-9010 F. 212-689-9261 www.kidney.org National Library of Medicine (NLM) National Institutes of Health (NIH) 8600 Rockville Pike Bethesda MD 20894 P. 1-888-FIND-NLM (346-3656) F. 301-402-1384 www.nlm.nih.gov National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLSBPH) Library of Congress Washington DC 20011 P. 1-800-NLS-READ (657-7323) F. 202-707-0712 www.lcweb.loc.gov/nls/
National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NLTCORC) ORC Office 1828 L Street, NW, Suite 801 Washington DC 20036 P. 202-332-2275 F. 202-332-2949 www.ltcombudsman.org National Long-Term Care Resource Center (NLTCRC) Division of Health Services, Research and Policy Minneapolis MN 55455 P. 612-624-5171 F. 612-624-8448 www.hsr.umn.edu National Medical Association (NMA) 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 920, Executive Offices Silver Spring MD 20910 P. 202-347-1895 F. 202-347-0722 www.nmanet.org National Mental Health Association (NMHA) 2000 N. Beauregard Street, 6th Floor Alexandria VA 22311 P. 1-800-969-NMHA (6642) F. 703-684-5968 www.nmha.org National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) 733 3rd Avenue, 6th Floor New York NY 10017-3288 P. 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867) F. 212-986-7981 www.nmss.org National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) 55 Kenosia Avenue Danbury CT 06813-1968 P. 1-800-999-6673 F. 203-798-2291 www.rarediseases.org National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) 1232 22nd Street, NW Washington DC 20037-1292 P. 202-223-2226 F. 202-223-2237 www.nof.org National Policy and Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging National Resource Center on Nutrition, Physical Activity & Aging Miami FL 33199 P. 305-348-1517 F. 305-348-1518 nutritionandaging.fiu.edu
National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) 4200 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 202 Lanham MD 20706 P. 1-800-346-2742 F. 301-459-4263 www.naric.com National Resource Center: Diversity and Long-Term Care (NRCDLTC) Schneider Institute for Health Policy The Heller School for Social Policy & Management Waltham MA 02454-9110 P. 781-736-3900 F. 781-736-3905 www.sihp.brandeis.edu National Resource Center on Native American Aging (NRCNAA) University of North Dakota, School of Medicine & Health Sciences Room 4909, 501 North Columbia Road Stop 9037 Grand Forks ND 58202-9037 P. 701-777-3848 F. 701-777-6779 www.med.und.nodak.edu/depts/ rural/nrcnaa National Resource Center on Supportive Housing & Home Modifications USC Andrus Gerontology Center Los Angeles CA 90089-0191 P. 213-740-1364 F. 213-740-7069 www.jefferswww.homemods.org National Rural Health Association (NRHA) 521 E. 63rd St., Kansas City MO 64111-3329 P. 816-756-3140 F. 816-756-3144 www.ruralhealthweb.org National Self-Help Clearinghouse (NSHC) Graduate Shcool and University Center of the City University of New York New York NY 10016-4309 P. 212-817-1822 F. 212-817-1561 www.selfhelpweb.org National Senior Games Association (NSGA) P.O. Box 82059 Baton Rouge LA 70884-2059 P. 225-766-6800 F. 225-766-9115 www.nationalseniorgames.org
National Sleep Foundation (NSF) 1522 K Street, NW, Suite 500 Washington DC 20005 P. 202-347-3471 F. 202-347-3472 www.sleepfoundation.org National STD and AIDS Hotlines P.O. Box 13827 Research Triangle Park NC 27709 P. 919-361-8400 F. 919-361-8425 www.ashastd.org National Stroke Association (NSA) 9707 East Easter Lane, Building B, Centennial CO 80112 P. 1-800-STROKES (787-6537) F. 303-649-1328 www.stroke.org National Women’s Health Information Center (NWHIC) 8550 Arlington Blvd., Suite 300 Fairfax VA 22031 P. 1-800-994-WOMAN (96626) www.4woman.gov National Women’s Health Network (NWHN) 514 10th Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington DC 20004 P. 202-347-1140 F. 202-347-1168 www.nwhn.org Native Elder Health Care Resource Center (NEHCRC) P.O. Box 6508 Aurora CO 80045 P. 303-724-1414 F. 303-724-1474 www.uchsc.edu/ai/nehcrc/nehcrc_ index.htm NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center (NIH-ORBD- NRC) 2 AMS Circle Bethesda MD 20892 P. 1-800-624-BONE (2663) F. 202-293-2356 www.osteo.org North American Menopause Society (NAMS) 5900 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 390, Mayfield Heights OH 44124 P. 1-800-774-5342 F. 440-442-2660 www.menopause.org Office of Dietary Supplements National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD 20892 P. 301-435-2920 F. 301-480-1845 dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov
The Office of Minority Health U.S Department of Health and Human Services P.O. Box 37337 Washington DC 20013 P. 1-800-444-6472 www.omhrc.gov
President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) Department W Washington DC 20201 P. 202-690-9000 F. 202-690-5211 www.fitness.gov
Office of Research on Women’s Health 900 Rockville Pike, Building 1, Room 201 Bethesda MD 20892 P. 301-402-1770 F. 301-402-1798 orwh.od.nih.gov
Prevent Blindness America (PBA) 211 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1700, Chicago IL 60606 P. 1-800-331-2020 www.preventblindness.org
Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta GA 30341 P. 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) www.cdc.gov/tobacco Older Women’s League (OWL) 1828 L Street NW, Suite 801 Washington DC 20036 P. 1-800-TAKE-OWL (825-3695) F. 703-812-0687 www.owl-national.org Opticians Association of America (OAA) 4064 E Fir Hill Drive, Lakeland TN 38002 P. 901.388.2423 F. 901.388.2348 www.oaa.org Paget Foundation for Paget’s Disease of Bone and Related Disorders 120 Wall Street, Suite 1602 New York NY 10005-4001 P. 1-800-23-PAGET (23-72438) F. 212-509-8492 www.paget.org Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509 New York NY 10018 P. 1-800-457-6676 F. 212-923-4778 www.pdf.org Partnership for Prescription Assistance P. 1-888-477-2669 www.pparx.org PayingForSeniorCare.com The American Elder Care Research Organization 736 Cole Street San Francisco CA 94117 P. 641-715-3900 Ext. 606151 www.payingforseniorcare.com/
Project Aliento National Association for Hispanic Elderly (Asociación Nacional Pro Personas Mayores) Pasadena CA 91101 P. 626-564-1988 F. 626-564-2659 anppm.org Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) 1332 North Halsted St., Suite 201 Chicago IL 60622 P. 312-587-9272 F. 312-587-9273 www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation 819 Second Street, SW Rochester MN 55902 P. 507-287-6465 F. 507-287-6312 www.rls.org Screening for Mental Health, Inc. (SMH) One Washington Street, Suite 304 Wellesley Hills MA 02481 P. 781-239-0071 F. 781-431-7447 www.mentalhealthscreening.org Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc. (SHHH) 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200 Bethesda MD 20814 P. 301-657-2248 F. 301-913-9413 www.shhh.org SeniorNet (SN) 900 Lafayette St., Suite 604 Santa Clara CA 95050 P. 408-615-0699 F. 408-615-0928 www.seniornet.org Simon Foundation for Continence PO Box 815 Wilmette IL 60091 P. 1-800-23-SIMON (237-4666) F. 847-864-9758 www.simonfoundation.org
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Health care Providers List
National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) 6600 SW 92nd Avenue, Suite 300 Portland OR 97223-7195 P. 1-800-723-9166 F. 503-245-0626 www.psoriasis.org
Health care Providers List
The Skin Cancer Foundation 245 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1403 New York NY 10016 P. 1-800-SKIN-490 (754-6490) F. 212-725-5751 www.skincancer.org Social Security Administration Office of Public Inquiries Baltimore MD 21235 P. 1-800-772-1213 www.socialsecurity.gov Society for Neuroscience 1121 14th St., Suite 1010 Washington DC 20005 P. 202-962-4000 F. 202-962-4941 www.sfn.org SPRY Foundation 10 G Street, NE, Suite 600 Washington DC 20002 P. 202-216-8466 F. 202-216-0779 www.spry.org Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 1 Choke Cherry Rd., Rockville MD 20857 P. 1-877-726-4727 F. 240-221-4292 www.samhsa.gov Technology for Long-Term Care I.D.E.A.S., Inc.; 8055 Chardon Road Kirtland OH 44094 www.techforltc.org Undertaken With Love: A Home Funeral Guide for Congregations and Communities www.undertakenwithlove.org United Way of America 701 North Fairfax Street Alexandria VA 22314 P. 1-800-892-2757 F. 703-683-7840 www.unitedway.org
Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA) 900 19th Street, NW, Suite 200 Washington DC 20006 P. 202-384-1420 F. 202-384-1444 www.vnaa.org Volunteers of America 1660 Duke Street Alexandria VA 22314 P. 1-800-899-0089 F. 703-341-7000 www.volunteersofamerica.org VZV Research Foundation 24 E. 64th St., FL 2 New York NY 10021 P. 1-800-472-8478 F. 212-371-7277 www.vzvfoundation.org Well Spouse Foundation (WSF) 63 West Main Street, Suite H Freehold NJ 07728 P. 1-800-838-0879 F. 732-577-8644 www.wellspouse.org Women’s Health Initiative 2 Rockledge Centre, Suite 8093, MS 7935 Bethesda MD 20892 P. 301-402-2900 F. 301-480-5158 www.nhlbi.nih.gov/whi Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) 101 North Wacker Drive, Chicago IL 60606 P. 1-800-USA-YMCA (872-9622) F. 312-279-0416 www.ymca.net Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) 2025 M St., NW, Suite 550 Washington DC 20036 P. 1-800-YWCA-US1 (992-2871) F. 202-467-0802 www.ywca.org
Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) PO Box 13305 Portland OR 97213-0305 P. 1-800-837-8428 F. 503-229-8064 www.vestibular.org Vision Council of America (VCA)/ Better Vision Institute (BVI) 1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 500 Alexandria VA 22314 P. 1-866-826-0290 F. 703-548-4580 www.visionsite.org www.checkyearly.com
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RSVP Health Sponsors Lutheran Senior Services P. 314-968-9313 www.lssliving.org Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield www.anthem.com Miracle Method P. 573-358-7228 P. 314-293-0074 www.miraclemethod.com Mineral Area Regional Medical Center P. 573-756-4581 www.marmc.net Innovare Health P. 314-843-4794 P. 636-931-5112 www.innovarehealth.com Midwest Cardiovascular P. 636-931-7107 P. 573-701-0090 www.midwestcardio.com HBD Construction Inc. P. 314-781-8000 www.HBDgc.com Midwest Health Group Convenient Care P. 573-454-2466 www.midwestconvenientcare.com Thurman, Shinn & Company P. 573-760-9400 www.ThurmanShinnCo.com GloStream/Something Cool P. 573-436-2665 www.somethingcool.com Clayton Sleep Institute P. 314-645-5855 www.claytonsleepinstitute.com VanNess Orthopedics and Sports Medicine P. 573-756-7779 www.vannessorthopedics.com Supertalk Radio KREI-800 AM P. 800-842-2330 www.mymoinfo.com
www.VanNessOrthopedics.com | 573-756-7779
Surgery Alternatives: VanNess Orthopedics and Sports Medicine works hard to give you options and alternatives to surgery. We have partnered with leading technologies to deliver the best solution when it comes to your health. Surgery: In the times that surgery is a necessity, we employ board certified surgeons that perform quality work. For more information on board certification and board certified surgeons, visit VanNessOrthopedics.com/about Workers Compensation: We understand the balance of keeping a strong and healthy workforce along with bringing quality care. We work with employers to provide a better workers compensation solution that delivers better care to your employees while helping to eliminate down time. Contact us to talk more about our workers compensation solutions.
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