Senior Health Blog

Rhiannon Anderson, PA, Orthopaedic Associates

Experiencing joint pain? Surgery is not your only option. There are many conservative (non-surgical) options that can provide significant relief from joint pain.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is very common—affecting about 14 percent of the US adult population. It’s closely related to diabetes and high blood pressure, and can cause serious complications.

It’s that time of year again! New Year’s Day is around the corner and many of us are starting to think about making a resolution. But how do you stick to your resolution and not give up before Valentine’s Day? We’ve listed some tips below on how to make and keep momentum toward your New Year’s resolution throughout the year.

Sridhar Bhaskara, MD, Deaconess Comprehensive Pain Centers

Shingles is a common, painful rash that will affect up to 1 in 5 people. Identifying and treating shingles quickly can prevent further pain and long-term complications.

Learn about these healthy tips and why they’re important to you. 

Dr. Anna Dauer, Deaconess Palliative Care Medical Director, and Andrea Lantz, LCSW, Palliative Care Clinical Social Worker

Perhaps you’ve heard the term “palliative care” but weren’t sure what it meant. Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with chronic illnesses, focusing on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a chronic illness regardless of the diagnosis. The overall goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
 

Lorrie Fox, ACSW, LCSW, Care Coordinator at Deaconess Primary Care for Seniors, and Ariel Myers from Deaconess VNA Home Care and Hospice

Caregiving for an aging loved one can be both rewarding and challenging. Many caregivers don’t know about resources and services that can help make their jobs easier and improve the quality of life for themselves and their loved one.

Interstitial cystitis (I.C.) is a problem with the lining of the bladder and is often called painful bladder syndrome or irritable bladder – and for good reasons, it's painful! I.C. occurs mostly in women, is underdiagnosed and often mistaken for a urinary tract infection.
 

Brian Wellington, DO, Deaconess Clinic Henderson- Starlite

Congestive heart failure, or CHF, is a very common, serious chronic condition and it’s a factor in 1 in 9 deaths. It's important to understand how your heart should work properly, and what happens when it doesn’t. 
 

Amanda Bohleber, MD, Medical Director, Deaconess Clinic

A doctor—and mom—shares her tips for choosing the right care at the right time at the right place.

Ankita Bahuva, MD, Internal Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Downtown

Your doctors’ appointments are an important and valuable time to connect with your doctor, share your perspective and information, and learn from your doctor’s expertise.  The best appointments happen when patients are very prepared.
 

Ankita Bahuva, MD, Internal Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Downtown

Chronic fatigue is a condition that causes someone to be extremely tired—to the point that they can’t function in their daily life.  It is also often misunderstood.
 

Jim Hays, Deaconess Home Medical Equipment, and Tom Fite, R.Ph, Manager, Deaconess Family Pharmacy

Recent national disasters have caused many people to give more thought to emergency preparedness.  As September is Emergency Preparedness Month, it’s a great time to be thinking about being disaster ready.
 

Mohammed Allaw, MD Internal Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Gateway Professional Building

Cancer screening recommendations can be confusing for many people--in my 20 years of practicing primary care medicine for adults, thousands of patients have had questions about various cancer screenings. 

In this article, I’ll focus on breast, prostate, lung, colon and skin cancer screenings.

Do you experience any of the following?

• Frequent urination
• A persistent “urgent feeling” to urinate
• Frequently waking up at night to urinate
• Involuntary loss of urine

Michael Luy, MD, Internal Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Downtown

Health screenings help doctors and other providers detect conditions at earlier, more treatable stages.

Rubin Bahuva, MD, Gastroenterologist, Deaconess Clinic
 
You’ve likely heard of hepatitis, and you may’ve even heard that some types of hepatitis are identified by letters A, B, & C. I’m glad to be writing about this, as so many people don’t know enough about hepatitis. It’s a serious issue, as hepatitis can cause serious illness and severe liver damage. Hepatitis C in particular is of concern, as more than 3 million Americans are infected—mostly “Baby Boomers.” Hepatitis C is actually the most common reason people need a liver transplant.

Cheryl Arnold, Hospice Manager, Deaconess VNA

There are many questions and misunderstandings about hospice. Hospice can be an emotionally-charged topic, so knowing and understanding the facts about hospice care can help make conversations and decisions easier.

Below, I address some of the most common myths, or incorrect beliefs, about hospice, and share additional information about why hospice is a wonderful service and resource for families when a loved one has a terminal condition. 

Dr. Darla Grossman, Family Medicine, Deaconess Clinic West

Osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and brittle, is a common condition that can have serious consequences—including premature death from complications of broken bones.

Rebekah Basham, PA, Deaconess Clinic Mary Street

Most people are aware pediatric vaccinations are very important and prevent serious diseases and related complications. However, people often forget there are adult vaccinations and boosters that are recommended to keep us healthy and prevent complications associated with certain infections. 

We all know that it’s “good” to give. Giving to charitable causes helps these organizations to continue functioning, providing services, and helping the community. But did you know that giving is actually good for your physical and mental health? 

Aziz Mehrzad, MD, Deaconess Primary Care for Seniors
 
More than 5 million people in the US suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease, and it is currently the 6^th leading cause of death in this country—more than prostate and breast cancer combined.  

Ruston Stoltz MD, Family Medicine, Deaconess Clinic
 
Sepsis is a serious complication of an infection, and it can happen to anyone.  Young or old, sepsis can be life threatening, as between ¼ and ½ of all individuals who develop sepsis will die from it.

Terry Gehlhausen, DO Deaconess Clinic Family Medicine, Oakland City
People who follow a few simple steps to improve their health have less cancer and heart disease compared to other Americans, and their overall death rate is significantly reduced compared to other people under age 65. Here are ten choices you can make that will lead to a longer and healthier life:

By James Gutmann, MD  Family Medicine, Deaconess Clinic
 
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lesser-known respiratory disease but is every bit as dangerous and difficult to manage as asthma.  COPD is an umbrella term for a grouping of specific symptoms that are incurable but manageable with appropriate treatment and lifestyle adjustments.  

John Hufstedler, Deaconess Cross Pointe social work therapist and tai chi instructor
 
Tai chi—you’ve probably heard of it and even seen it before, but you may not know exactly what it is. 
 

Becky Richardville, MSW, LCSW, Care Coordinator at Deaconess Primary Care for Seniors
Growing older is a privilege, but let’s face it—aging definitely brings about changes in our bodies and minds.

Dr. James Gutmann, Family Medicine Physician at Deaconess Clinic Mt. Pleasant
In my 26 years of practicing family medicine, I have treated hundreds of patients with shingles and seen how painful and debilitating it can be. My goal in writing this article is to help people either learn how to potentially avoid shingles, OR help them know what to do if they get shingles. 

Dr. James Gutman, Family Medicine Deaconess Clinic
Chickenpox are nearly a childhood rite of passage…  Quarantine from others, being doused in calamine lotion and strong inclinations to take a hairbrush to those itchy miserable lesions.  The varicella virus (or chickenpox) primes patients to develop herpes zoster later on in life.

Peggy Matacale, Chaplain, Deaconess Religious Life, and Candace Foster, Deaconess Privacy Officer

Here at Deaconess, patients and family members are making decisions on others’ behalf every single day.  Sometimes the situation is sudden, such as after a car crash.  In other situations, a family member has been in a gradual decline. But in all circumstances it can be a difficult time, so having the right information, with the desired decision-makers, is very important.

Terry Gehlhausen, DO Deaconess Clinic Family Medicine
People who follow a few simple steps to improve their health have less cancer and heart disease compared to other Americans, and their overall death rate is significantly reduced compared to other people under age 65. Here are ten choices you can make that will lead to a longer and healthier life:

Ann B. Raibley, Certified Clinical Audiologist
Protecting your ears from hazardous noise and keeping ear infections at bay are fundamental ways to minimize hearing loss. However, a healthy lifestyle with exercise and a balanced diet can also help maintain hearing health.

Dr. Errin Weisman,  Family Medicine

When does drinking become a problem? The aging population is not immune to alcohol abuse.  For men and women 65 years of age or older, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse considers one drink per day to be the maximum amount for “moderate” alcohol use. 

Kim Childers, MSW, LSW Care Coordinator at Deaconess Primary Care for Seniors

Complications due to falls are the leading cause of death from injury in seniors age 65 and older. Prevention of falls in the home is so important. You’re protecting someone’s vitality, independence and life. 

Scott Burke, Deaconess Mature Health Center and Shirley Powers, Deaconess Senior Services/Helping Hand Specialist 

There is a lot of confusion related to Medicare and Medicare supplement plans. This two part series answers several of the questions you or your family members might have.

Scott Burke, Deaconess Mature Health Center and Shirley Powers, Deaconess Senior Services/Helping Hand Specialist 

There is a lot of confusion related to Medicare and Medicare supplement plans. This two part series answers several of the questions you or your family members might have.

Arthritis is a very common condition, affecting as many as half of all Americans in their lifetime. In my more than 20 years of practice, I’ve seen thousands of patients who are suffering from arthritis. It can be a painful and debilitating disease. However, arthritis is a broad term that describes one of several conditions.

Shingles: A Patient’s Perspective – Part One
Many people don’t know that about one in three people in the US will develop shingles during their lifetime, and older people are at the greatest risk for developing shingles. In fact, half of all people who live to age 85 will develop shingles at some point.

Content Provided by Deaconess VNA Plus Personal Care Services​

Realizing that someone you love is not functioning as well at home as they used to can come as a shock; discovering what in-home care costs can be even more surprising, particularly since many people believe that Medicare or traditional health insurance will pay for all types of assistance.