Posts Tagged ‘Interim Healthcare’

A representative from Interim HealthCare will present a talk titled “Blood Pressure” at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. The seminar is part of the ongoing “Here’s To Your Health” monthly series.

Blood pressure is considered a barometer of overall circulatory health and is one of the vital signs; it’s a measure taken by medical professionals to assess the body’s most basic functions. Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood the heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in the arteries. The more blood pumped and the narrower the arteries, the higher the blood pressure.

When blood pressure is too high (also known as hypertension) and left untreated, serious health problems such as heart disease or stroke may occur. High blood pressure is a common condition in people which typically develops over many years and eventually affects nearly everyone. In fact, people can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms.More than half of seniors have high blood pressure.

This condition is easily detected and managed, but the only way for a person to find out is to have blood pressure measured by a doctor or nurse. A diagnosis of high blood pressure is given if repeated readings are 140/90mmHg or higher.

Reducing high blood pressure is as simple as exercise and a healthy diet. A low-salt, low-fat diet focused on fruits, vegetables and grains has been proven to help reduce hypertension. In addition, 30 minutes of exercise a day is recommended.  For seniors this can translate into simply walking more often or engaging in household chores.

Medication is also an option for those who struggle with implementing a lasting lifestyle change.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

Interim Healthcare will present a lecture titled, “Cataract, Glaucoma & Blood Pressure,” at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

Blood pressure, if it is too high, can damage the small, delicate vessels that supply blood to the eyes. High blood pressure also increases a person’s risk for cataracts and glaucoma.

A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye, which eventually clouds the vision. Although cataracts develop slowly, with time it can become difficult to read, drive a car or even see the expression on a friend’s face. Fortunately, cataract surgery is a generally safe and effective procedure.

Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders resulting in optic nerve damage, usually caused by abnormally high pressure inside the eye. This may cause loss of vision, and is in fact one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S.

It is estimated that over four million Americans have glaucoma but only half of those know they have it. People over 60 are considered a part of the high risk group for developing this disease. It is important to get eyes examined regularly, as early diagnosis and treatment can minimize or prevent optic nerve damage.

Interim Healthcare is the nation’s oldest healthcare franchise company. With more than 300 locations in 43 states, it provides nursing, therapy and non-medical home care, hospice and healthcare staffing.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. For more information call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

Cathy Conlon, RN, from Interim HealthCare will present a talk titled “Medication Management” at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. This seminar is part of the ongoing “Here’s To Your Health” monthly series.

The main reason people are hospitalized or go the emergency room is because of over-the-counter and prescription drug errors. Seniors use prescription drugs almost three times as frequently as the general population, and their use of over-the-counter medications is even more extensive.

Since 1992, the Food and Drug Administration has received nearly 30,000 reports of medication errors.

The elderly make up 13 percent of the population but receive one-third of all prescribed medications. They tend to have more chronic pain issues, use multiple medications and may be experiencing waning cognition, so they are especially susceptible to unintentional misuse or abuse of their medications.

The most common types of medication errors include:
•    administering an improper dose
•    giving the wrong drug
•    using the wrong route of administration

These errors result from a combination of a lack of communication between doctors and patients and performance and knowledge deficits. Almost half of fatal medication errors occurred in people over 60. Seniors are especially at risk for errors because they often take multiple medications. In addition, drug metabolism changes with age predispose seniors to more toxic effects of medications.

Ways to minimize medication errors include understanding:
•    what drug is prescribed, what it’s for and how to properly take it rather than simply letting the doctor write a prescription
•    how to properly store a drug (room temperature, refrigerator, etc)
•    what foods or beverages should be avoided with the drug
•    what side effects to expect and what to do if they arise

Avoid mistaking similar bottles (i.e. eye drops and ear drops) by reading the label every time, and use the proper measuring device included. A current list of all medications (including over-the-counter, dietary supplements, sleeping aids, etc) should be on hand for doctors, and all medication allergies and past drug reactions should be discussed with doctors.

In addition, fill prescriptions from the same pharmacy if possible, so all records are in one place. Even if a medication has been taken in the past, if anything seems different about it a second time around, questions should be asked.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.