HOME HEALTH CARE: WHAT TO CONSIDER Our population is rapidly aging. By 2030, nearly 72 million people in the U.S. will be 65 or older. And not only are we aging faster, we are also living longer. Additionally, chronic diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer's, are affecting more and more people. Whatever the medical condition, whatever one's age, however frail one may be, the desire remains strong to stay in one's own home, living as independently as possible. Home care may provide some help. If you have thought of home care for yourself or a loved one, here are some things to consider. START BY OBSERVING: Sometimes people don't realize that their parents or elderly family members can't do the things they once did. Look for warning signs. Is mom or dad having memory or vision problems, trouble walking or taking many medications? Is the person having difficulty with the normal activities of daily life? If the answer to any of hose is yes, it may be time to proceed. SPEAK UP: When you've identified the need for help, let someone know. Talk to the individual's physician about your concerns. Schedule a visit with all present and have an honest conversation. Many referrals to home care services first come from geriatricians or primary care doctors. GET READY FOR OFJECTIONS: Mom or dad may ofject at first to admitting a need for help or to having "a stranger" come into the home. Remember that family members caring for someone also need help, to get the things done that they need done while at the same time caring for a loved one. IDENTIFY WHAT YOU'LL NEED: Home health care services are more complex and numerous than ever before. Will you need skilled assistance such as nursing or physical therapy? Help with meals and hygiene? Or just houskeeping activities? This is a critical step, as it determines not only what kinds of care the individual needs but also the cost of care. CONSULT AN EXPERT: You needn't face these decisions alone. Professional home care agencies can assess needs, identify resources and develop individual care plans for a person's specific situation. ALLOW CARE FOR THE CAREGIVER: Most home care - up to 80% by some estimates - is provided by family members, juggling work, the care of their own families and that of their parents or other family members. Caregivers often become burned out and don't realize it. If the primary caregiver gets sick and ther is no back-up plan, the system of care collapses. One of the key things to remember about hame care is that it's not only taking care of the patient, it is also taking care of the caregiver. A TEAM EFFORT IS BEST: To do the best job for the patient, everyone involved must play key roles. It takes a team approach, with health professionals, home care aides, the family and the patient, so when something goes wrong, everyone can be alerted. Think of the patient and the family as the captains of the health care ship and the providers as the crew. OVERSEE AND ADVOCATE: Family members must remember to oversee the care that's given and to advocate for the patient. You want your family member to get the right care, and that comes from constant oversight and advocacy. If you see something you don't think is right, speak up and get it corrected. Remember: the patient and the family are the captains of the ship! source: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/

TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT AND CONTROL HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

1.Maintain a healthy weight

- Check with your health care provider to see if you need to lose weight.

- If you do, lose weight slowly using a healthy eating plan and engaging in physical activity.

2. Be physically active

- Engage in physical activity for a total of 30 minutes on most days of the week.

- Combine everyday chores with moderate-level sporitng activities such as walking to achieve your physical activity goals.

3. Follow a healthy eating plan

-Set up a healthy eating plan with foods low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol, and high in fruits, vegetables, and lowfat dairy foods such as the DASH eating plan.

- Write down everything that you eat and drink in a food diary. Note areas that are successful or need improvement.

- If you are trying to lose wwight, choose an eating plan that is lower in calories.

4. Reduce sodium in your diet

- Choose foods that are low in salt and other forms of sodium.

- Use spices, garlic, and onions to add flavor to your meals without adding more sodium.

5. Drink alcohol only in moderation

- In addition to raising blood pressure, too much alcohol can add unneeded calories to your diet.

- If you drink alcoholic beverages, have only a moderate amount - one drink a day for women, two drinks a day for men.

6. Take prescribed drugs as directed

- If you need drugs to help lower your blood pressure, you still must follow the lifestyle changes mentioned above.

- Use notes and other reminders to help you remember to take your drugs. Ask your family to help you with reminder phone calls and messages.

REDUCING SUN DAMAGE WHILE ON VACATION

Whether you are cruising or heading to a villa on the beach, vacations are all about the sunshine. While it does wonders for our mood, what it does to our skin is another story.

There are two kinds of ultraviolet rays that you need to protect yourself from.

• Ultraviolet B (UVB). UVB rays cause your skin to show the signs of sunburn, but most sunscreens protect against them.


• Ultraviolet A (UVA). UVA rays penetrate deeply, damaging collagen production and demolishing lipids - causing wrinkles, saggy skin and in extreme cases, cancer.

A good sunscreen is effective against both UVB and UVA. Pay attention to the SPF number - it indicates how much exposure your skin can handle before the sizzle starts. Most dermatologists recommend a minimum SPF 15 for all skin types. Multiply the SPF number by 10. As long as you are not sweating profusely or swimming, an SPF 15 protects up to 150 minutes before burning. Even with a protective sunscreen, dermatologists stress that you will still get some exposure, so reapply often.

For greatest protection, apply a generous amount over all parts of your body and face that will be exposed to the sun - now is not the time to skimp. Let it absorb for at least 15 minutes before applying make-up or going outdoors. Some sunscreens are water-repellent or waterproof, but they still need to be reapplied every two hours. Don't forget your lips - use a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher.

• Creams and lotions are good choices for use on the face and body.


• Gels are oil-free and won't clog pores.


• Sprays are useful for getting those hard to reach places and for restless children.


• Solid formulas target the lips, ears, nose and sensitiive skin around the eyes.

Before you leave for vacation, treat yourself to a brand new bottle of sunscreen - one that offers complete protection.

source:www.gogirlfriend.com

CONGRATULATIONS to our very first employee appreciation winner at Harbor Health - BARB CAMERON! Great job...

TIPS FOR TAKING YOUR MEDICATION AND STAYING HEALTHY

Have you ever skipped a dose of a prescription drug or taken less than prescribed? Have you ever started taking a prescribed medicine and then stopped? Or have there been times when you did not even pick up the first prescription of a new medicine prescribed by your doctor from the pharmacy? Did you know that not taking medicines as prescribed by your doctor for chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, can make you sicker and even result in a hospital stay or emergency room visit that could have been avoided? This is called "medication nonadherence," an issue that not only impacts your health, but also results in estimated costs to the U.S. health care system of approximately $300 billion each year.

Some of the most common reasons for not taking medicines regularly include cost and side effects, but a recent study found there are also more subtle reasons, which people may not even realize are influencing their behavior. The study, sponsored by CVS Caremark and conducted by Minds at Work, a consulting company based in Cambridge, Mass., looked at people who said they would like to be taking their medicine as prescribed but weren't completely sure why they were not. The study revealed that, of those individuals who participated in the suvey:

• Twenty-four percent believed that taking prescribed medicines interfered with personal priorities, such as taking care of family members or their social life.


• Twenty-one percent said that taking medicine made them feel as if they were losing control of their lives and by stopping their medicine they were "resisting authority."


• Seventeen percent believed that taking medicine made them feel old or gave them another identity that they didn't like.

Recognizing the reasons why you are not taking a prescribed medicine can be the first step toward addressing the problem, getting back on track and staying healthy. Here are some other tips for keeping up with your prescriptions:

• If cost is a concern, consider switching from a brand-name medicine to a generic. Generic medicines offer a safe and effective option at a fraction of the cost. In fact, hundreds of popular brand-name drugs are now available as generics, which can help you save 30-80 percent on prescription drug costs.


• Talk to your health care professional. If medication side effects are bothering you, talk with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist - you may be able to switch to a different medicine or adjust the timing of your dose to lessen the problem.

Taking your medicine regularly is not always easy - but the benefits are just what the doctor ordered.

written by: NAPSI

HEALTHY HEART, HAPPY STOMACH For more than a decade, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension(DASH) eating plan-or the high blood pressure diet-has been a model of healthy eating. Studies show that following the DASH pattern, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and minimizes saturated fat and sodium, is effective in treating mild hypertension. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans released this past January cited the DASH pattern as a healthy eating plan for all adults, not just those with high blood pressure. The great news about DASH is that a wide variety of foods and flavors fit the pattern, so you can keep your heart healthy without losing flavor. "Family Meals Matter" features recipes selected by registered dietitians from the thousands of user-contributed recipes available at our free online nutrition and meal-planning website. Register free at www. MealsMatter.org to add recipes to your meal plan and shopping list. source: http://www.kansascity.com/

MEDICARE Q&A: TIPS TO HELP MAKE MEDICARE ENROLLMENT EASY

So you are turning 65...congratulations! It is time to start taking advantage of your Medicare benefits. How do you do that?

First, a quick overview of the benefits. Medicare Part A pays for hospitalization, and many eligible people don't have to pay premiums for it. Part B covers doctor's fees, outpatient care, home health care, screenings fro cancer, glaucoma, diabetes and other disease, and other medical services. Part B has a monthly premium, which for most beneficiaries is $115.40 in 2011. Part C is Medicare managed care and Part D is prescription drug coverage.

In most cases, if you're already getting benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, you'll automatically get Part A and Part B starting the first day of the month you turn 65.

You'll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail three months before your 65th birthday. If you do not want Part B, follow the instructions that come with the card, and send the card back. If you keep the card, you keep Part B and will pay Part B premiums.

If you are not getting Social Security or RRB benefits, you will need to sign up for Part A and Part B. It is easy to do. You can sign up by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you are 65 or older, you can also apply online for Part A and Part B at www.socialsecurity.gov/retirement. The whole process can take less than 10 minutes.

You can sign up when you are first eligible for Part B. If you are eligible for Part B when you turn 65, you have a seven-month window that begins three months before the month you turn 65,, includes the month you turn 65, and ends three months after the month you turn 65. Make sure you sign up early! That way you will avoid any delay in getting your benefits. The best time is the three monts before you turn 65. Then you will get coverage the month you actually hit your 65th birthday.

If you wait until the last four months of your Initial Enrollment Period, your start date for coverage may be delayed for as long as three months. You may also face a penalty in the form of a higher Part B premium.

If you didn't enroll in Part A and/or Part B when you were first eligible because you were employed and covered under a group health plan based onthat employment, you have a Special Enrollment Period. That means you can sign up any time while you or your spouse are working and you have employer or union group coverage. Or you can enroll during the eight-month period that begins after your employment ends or your group health coverage ends, whichever happens first. Usually, you don't pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a Special Enrollment Period. But, here is an important point: If you have COBRA coverage or a retiree health plan, you don't have coverage based on current employment. You are not eligible for a special enrollment period when that coverage ends.

For more information about enrolling in Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov/MedicareEligibility. You can also get free, personalized counseling from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program(SHIP). Call 1-800-MEDICARE to get a number for your state's SHIP, or to ask other questions about Medicare.

source: www.gvnews.com/lifestyle