Health and Disability

http://goo.gl/ps6UNL

At the same time, Prof Kress stressed that the amounts prescribed should not be the sole consideration: "We must look at the increasing use of opioids from a number of different angles. Opioids are not without side effects, and for this reason they should only be prescribed in cases where patients do not have adverse reactions, where there are long-term benefits, and where other methods of treatment have failed." In addition to well-known side effects such as constipation, nausea and dry mouth, opioids can trigger a range of other reactions, the significance of which is often underestimated. They affect the hormonal system and metabolic processes. This was demonstrated in a Spanish study presented at the EFIC Congress (EFIC Abstract Ferri et al). More than 40% of the patients investigated complained of side effects such as nervousness and sexual dysfunction, and more than 30% suffered from insomnia ordepression. Another international study presented at the Congress suggested that many patients are given opioids where there are no clinical benefits

Also, see "Understanding Pain", at  http://goo.gl/XpLH2S

http://weba.im/60o

Contradicting long-standing conventional wisdom, results of a Johns Hopkins-led analysis of data previously gathered on more than 3,000 family caregivers suggests that those who assist a chronically ill or disabled family member enjoy an 18 percent survival advantage compared to statistically matched non-caregivers.

In a report, published in the current online version of the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found that providing care for a chronically ill or disabled family member not only fails to increase health risk, but also is associated with a nine-month extension in life expectancy over the six-year period of the study.

According to the Commission on Long-Term Care, family caregivers — the backbone of America's long-term care system — provide an estimated $450 billion in care and immeasurable support every year. An aging America means more demand for caregivers who help care for the elderly, but a looming shortage of caregivers could endanger many of the most vulnerable.

"Taking care of a chronically ill person in your family is often associated with stress, and caregiving has been previously linked to increased mortality rates," says first author, David L. Roth, Ph.D., director of the Johns Hopkins University Center on Aging and Health. "Our study provides important new information on the issue of whether informal family caregiving responsibilities are associated with higher or lower mortality rates as suggested by multiple conflicting previous studies."

http://goo.gl/RYfT9l

In March, a study published by the University of Wisconsin researchers David Kindig and Erika Cheng found that in nearly half of U.S. counties, female mortality rates actually increased between 1992 and 2006, compared to just 3 percent of counties that saw male mortality increase over the same period.

“I was shocked, actually,” Kindig said. “So we went back and did the numbers again, and it came back the same. It’s overwhelming.”

http://goo.gl/LdtP88

The monitoring technology uses a two-level array of radio-frequency sensors placed around the perimeter of an individual’s room that can determine if someone is standing or lying down. 

When someone stands or falls inside the network of sensors, the signals being transmitted between each sensor becomes altered, thus determining the physical position of the person in the room.

Developers of the technology believe that being able to detect falls within a person’s home remotely can influence and even promote aging in place. 

http://goo.gl/0ivu6b

Seniors in long-term care facilities are at high risk of head injuries, with 37% of people experiencing head impact in falls, according to a study published in CMAJ(Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Falls account for more than 60% of hospital stays for traumatic brain injury in seniors over age 65 years, and the incidence is increasing, especially in people over age 80.

"Recent studies have documented a rapid increase among older adults in age-adjusted rates for fall-related head injuries, especially in the long-term care environment,"

http://goo.gl/AqIA6Q

The new study has three major findings that can help forecast cognitive ability in one's golden years:

1. The more one seeks out and enjoys cognitively demanding activities, the less likely one is to experience cognitive decline later in life.
2. Doing a variety of different cognitive activities helps boost brainpower post-retirement.
3. People who exhibit even mild signs of depression are more likely to show a decline in brainpower once they leave the office for good.

Michigan Information for Enrollees: http://goo.gl/va8Ys0

If you need health insurance you will be able to purchase it through the state’s health insurance marketplace and may be eligible for financial assistance to help with premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Even if you are young and healthy, it is important that you get health insurance. Health insurance gives you the peace of mind of knowing that you will be covered and be more able to afford your medical expenses if you have an accident or get sick. 

Depending on your income, family size, and a few other factors, you may qualify for health coverage tax credits or you may be able to enroll in the Medicaid program. This brief list will provide information and useful links to resources that can help you obtain coverage that is right for you and your family.

Resources for Patients:

Michigan Information for Physicians to Help Their Patients: http://http//goo.gl/wLoUgK

Patients trust their doctors. Polls show that when the public is asked which professions rate highest on honesty and ethical standards, physicians appear towards the top of the list.i So when patients have questions about health insurance, they’re likely to ask their physician for advice on picking the plan that best suits their needs.

As a recognized Champion of Coverage, the American College of Physicians has agreed to provide unbiased and understandable resources to its physician members on ways you can help your patients obtain coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This guide provides specific information for Michigan internists and patients on the resources that are available to them.

http://goo.gl/rKS4rI

Older black and Hispanic patients have a greater risk than white patients of developing complications following surgery, a difference that can be explained by a patients' gender and pre-existing medical conditions. These findings, which are published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS), indicate that efforts to carefully evaluate risk factors prior to surgery need more attention, particularly for older minority patients.

http://goo.gl/9u7NyG

In recognition of Falls Prevention Awareness Day on Sept. 22, Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership, offers five easy and inexpensive ways to instantly improve safety at home and invites readers to download a free 25-page fall prevention guide.

http://goo.gl/lcOc1j

Medicare is not part of the health insurance exchanges.   Seniors will still get health coverage through Medicare’s traditional fee-for-service program or Medicare Advantage plans, private health insurance plans that are approved by Medicare. Those who are enrolled in Medicare Part A, which covers hospital care, or the Advantage plans will meet the health law’s mandate for individuals to have insurance.

Q: Does the health care law offer any new benefits for Medicare beneficiaries?

A: Beneficiaries receive more preventative care services – including a yearly "wellness" visit, mammograms, colorectal screening, and more savings on  prescription drug coverage.  By 2020, the law will close the Medicare gap in prescription drug coverage, known as the "doughnut hole." Seniors will still be responsible for 25 percent of their prescription drug costs.