If you or a loved one were in an Auto Accident..........

• Wouldn’t you like to meet the Owner/President of the company before making a decision?
• Don’t you deserve access to the Owner/President 24/7?
• What about a company that covers the cost of your caregiver to stay overnight with you while in the hospital?
• Wouldn’t you like a company that helps you resolve with outstanding medical bills?
• If you sustain a TBI, shouldn’t your caregiver educated by a Certified Brain Injury Specialists to your unique injury?

 Don’t you want your homecare agency empathetic to your needs as you cope through your grieving process of dealing with the outcome of the accident.

AdvisaCare is all about you and your family's best interests and needs. 

Call (877) 654-4144 for more information.

 

Important Health Test for Women
If you would like a printable document with dates please email me at newsletter@advisacare.com

Schedule your lifesaving annual checkups. A clean bill of health will give you the great peace of mind. And if something needs medical attention, the sooner it’s detected the better. Quick Tip: Try planning your checkups around your birthday or anniversary; they’re easier to remember that way.

TEST FREQUENCY Date Scheduled

BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST (for diabetes) 45 & older; Every 3 years if test results are normal, or as directed by doctor

BLOOD PRESSURE READING Every 1-2 years or as directed by doctor, more frequently if over 140/90

BONE DENSITY TEST (for osteoporosis) Under 65: for postmenopausal women with risk factors – Baseline test, then as needed 65 and older: Baseline test, then as needed.

CHOLESTEROL CHECK Every 5 years or as directed by doctor

COLORECTAL SCREENINGS 50 & older: one of these 7 schedules – Test that find polyps and cancer (preferred by the American Cancer Society): Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or double contrast barium enema every 5 years or CT colonography every 5 years or colonoscopy every 10 years.
Test that may find cancer 1. Fecal occult blood test 2, fecal immunochemical test 3. Stool DNA test

DENTAL CHECKUP Every 6 months or as directed by your dentist or doctor

ENDOMETRIAL SCREENINGS 35: Women with certain risk factors should discuss screening options with doctor.

EYE EXAM 20-29: at least once 30-39: at least twice 40: Baseline eye disease screening 40-64: as directed by doctor 65 & older: every 1-2 years.

HEARING TEST Test if hearing problems or loss is suspected or as directed by doctor

PAP TEST Annually if sexually active, normally after age 16 – 60 years of age

PELVIC EXAM Annually stating at age 18; earlier if sexually active before 18

ROUTINE PHYSICAL Annually no matter your age or health status

THYROID SCREENING 35 & older: Every 5 years or as directed by doctor

BREAST SCREENING Depending on your health and your family history, usually women 35 and old need to have this done every 3 years for the first exams then once every 4 years or as directed by your doctor.

BONE DENSITY All postmenopausal women under age 65 who have one or more additional risk factors for osteoporosis or as directed by your doctor.

**No information obtained in this article is meant to replace or supplement your physicals treatment or advice. Please consult your physical regarding any medical advice or procedures based on your specific needs.

The Nursing Facility Transitions Program
Disability Advocates of Kent County’s mission is to “to advocate and facilitate action by persons living with disabilities and the community to achieve equal access for all.”

As a Center for Independent Living, we provide four core services: information and referral, independent living skills building, advocacy, and peer support. There are numerous programs available to provide these services, one of which is the Nursing Facility Transitions Program.

The Nursing Facility Transitions (NFT) Program assists persons with disabilities in moving out of institutional settings to living as independently as possible in the community. An assessment is done to determine eligibility (Medicaid recipient with enough income to support oneself out in the community), the level of supports needed and the individual’s goals and desires related to the move. Every situation is assessed individually, and all services are tailored to meet one’s unique needs. It is all about finding the right options and services for the individual. A Person Centered Plan is developed which guides the rest of the journey. Following the individual’s lead, housing and transportation options are identified, as well as services and personal items needed. Family members and other support persons for the individual are actively involved in the transitions process.

The transitions worker supports the individual through the entire process, and is able to follow the person along for six months after the actual move in order to assure all needs are met.

For more information on the NFT Program, feel free to contact Kathy Carlile at Disability Advocates of Kent County, either by phone, 616-949-1100 x 225, or at kathy.c@dakc.us.

Did You Know?

Treasury to Phase Out Paper Checks by 2013
The department of the Treasury recently announced it will phase out paper checks for Federal government benefits by March 1, 2013.  This new rule will extend the safety and convenience of electronic payemtns to millions of Americans.  People who do not have electronic payment for their federal benefits by that time will receive their funds via a pre-paid debit card. To learn more about hte Federal government's switch to direct deposit or to change benefits to direct deposit, please visit http://www.godirect.org/ 

Information about the federal government's "Go Direct" campaign is also available at 1-800-333-1795



AHRQ Launches New Website for Men

Data show that men are 24 percent less likely than women to visit a doctor regularly and 30 percent more likely to be hospitalized for potentially preventable conditions such as congestive heart failure and complications from diabetes.  Healthy Men, a new website developed by the Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Ad Council, helps men learn what preventive medial test they need and when they need to get them.  The website includes the latest recommendations on screening for colorectal cancer, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and other diseases, as well as immunization information, such as when to get flu and pneumonia shots; information for men on daily healthly choices; tips on talking with the doctor during medical appoitments; understanding prescriptions; finding advice and support when diagnosed with a health problem; and sources of information to help men become more knowledgable about their health.  To learn more please visit the website http://www.ahrq.gov/healthymen

Fun Facts!

Interesting Facts That You Don’t Know That Maybe You Would Like to Know But Didn’t Know You Wanted To Know…………….

1. The human head is one-quarter of our total length at birth but only one-eighth of our total length by the time we reach adulthood.

2. Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil.

3. There are about 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body.

4. The heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood through those vessels every day.

5. Men without hair on their chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver than men with hair.

6. The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica.

7. The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades.

8. Your nose can remember 50,000 different scents.

9. Scientists say the higher your I.Q. The more you dream.

10. The width of your arm-span stretched out is the length of your whole body.

11. Once a human reaches the age of 35, he/she will start losing approximately 7,000 brain cells a day. The cells will never be replaced.

12. Your brain is 80% water.

13. Hair is made from the same substance as fingernails

Continuum of Care: What Do I Need to Know?

National Transitions of Care Coalition 2009

National Transition of Care Coalition (NTOCC) was formed in 2006 to address a serious U.S. health care issue: problematic situations which can occur when patients leave one care setting and move to another care setting. The U.S. healthcare system often fails to meet the needs of elderly patient populations during these transitions because care is rushed and responsibility is fragmented with little communication across care settings and multiple providers. These failures lead to undue burdens on patients and their families and negatively impact patient safety, quality of care and outcomes. The focus of NTOCC is to bring together leaders and health care experts from various settings to address this critical issue, define solutions and develop tools to address the gaps impacting patient care. Tools and resources developed by NTOCC will be made available to everyone in the health care industry including providers, payers, patients and consumers.

Transitions of care include situations in which a patient moves from primary care to specialty physicians or moves within the hospital including moves from the emergency department to other various departments, such as surgery or intensive care; or when a patient is discharged from the hospital and goes home or to an assisted living or skilled nursing facility. Patients, especially older persons, face significant challenges when moving from one level of care or practice setting to another in the healthcare system. During these transitions, lack of communication can result in redundant or conflicting information that often creates serious issues for patients, their caregivers and their families.

Steps to Improve communication during transitions between providers, patients, and caregivers:
• Implement electronic medical records that include standardized medication reconciliation elements;
• Establish points of accountability for sending and receiving care, particularly for hospitalists, SNFists (physicians practicing in skilled nursing facilities), primary care physicians, and specialists;
• Increase the use of case management and professional care coordination;
• Expand the role of the pharmacist in transitions of care;
• Implement payment systems that align incentives; and
• Develop performance measures to encourage better transitions of care.

The last concern most individuals have when they or their loved ones are dealing with a health situation is ensuring effective communication between their doctors, nurses, social workers and other health care providers. However, it is poor communication between well-intentioned professionals and an expectation that patients themselves will remember and relate critical information that can lead to dangerous and even life-threatening situations. NTOCC believes that patients are at the center of care and can play an active role in improving communications and use tools to ensure effective transitions. We have brought together industry leaders who have created resources to help you better understand transitional challenges and empower you as part of the care giving team.

NTOCC.ORG (2009)