PATIENT POWER Health Insights for Seniors, Loved Ones and Caregivers
American Heart Month Women in their 20s! Did you know that IF women know there’s a family history of heart disease, they should start having screenings in their 20s? That’s the info from the American Heart Assoc. (AHA), who notes even knowingly atrisk females don’t start ’til their 30s. Remind younger loved ones to see here: http://bit.ly/ 2jVWGI2
Remember ‘Bout Kids, Diabetes I wrote for Heart Insights about heart disease overall, including with diabetes, at-risk kids. See one edition here: http://bit.ly/ 2jaNJpY
Go Red 4 Women! Help raise recognition on heart disease in women (1 in 4). Women AND Men: don the color red for Nat’l Wear Red Day: Feb. 3. Macy’s been nat’l sponsor since ’04. https:// www.goredforwomen.org/ sponsors/macys/
Patient Power
photo: AssistedSeniorLiving.net
Keep “An Eye” on Your Health February’s always noted as Heart month (and sure, see info at left) but it’s also AMD/Low Vision Month. (AMD = Age-Related Macular Degeneration.) Among adults age 50+, it is estimated over one-and-a-half million have AMD. This and other vision issues—like cataracts, glaucoma and general nearsightedness—can create difficulties doing basic chores, like bathing, dressing, cooking, and paying bills. These vision problems also put people at greater risk of falls and fractures. As I started this issue, BrightFocus.org held one of its great online chats and Dr. Joshua Dunaief of University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine noted a new clinical trial. An Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT) is being tested in a new light. Introduced in 2010, IMT replaces your eye’s natural lens with this mini-telescope to make things you see even bigger. WM Medical Communications, Inc.
February 2017/ Page 1