November 2017
PATIENT POWER Health Info for Seniors, Caregivers and Health Pros
Think ‘Bout Vets Don’t just think about our service folks on Nov. 11th. Think about and help them all this month. Whether it’s a quick salute, planting flags at V.A. cemeteries, or actually helping vets (e.g., taking them to doctor, movies, shopping…) there are a million ways to honor men and women who’ve served.
Salute Caregivers It’s National Family Caregivers Month so there are other folks to salute. Whether they’re health pros or friends/family, find ways to thank them. For help, check Family Caregiver Alliance.
And Say “Hello”! Bet you never heard that November 21 is “World Hello Day.” But now that you do know, think about other folks to greet. We’ve mentioned vets and caregivers, but how ‘bout teachers? Local police station? Your health pros? (Think how great to contact the last two when you don’t need them!)
Patient Power
photo: Laura B. Dahl via Flickr.com
It’s Time to Acknowledge Epilepsy It’s almost the leading brain disorder in the U.S. Three million people (minimum) have epilepsy in this country; i.e., one in three Americans knows someone with it. That’s 2x the number with Parkinson’s and 10x with multiple sclerosis. This is not to dismiss the other two neuro disorders of course. But at least they can be discussed openly without denigration. Epilepsy is still mostly hidden and taboo. Why the Stigma? The word epilepsy gloriously means “to seize upon” in its Greek roots and actually used to have a positive meaning. That is, someone having a “seizure” was an oracle with whom the gods were communicating. But then came the Middle Ages and suddenly those exhibiting WM Medical Communications
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