Are you and your doctor on the same page? Maybe not, new survey shows

Helping Americans recognize healthy habits and making them a top priority in daily life

(ARA) – Are you and your health care provider on the same page when it comes to discussing your health? Does he or she think you’re doing as well at maintaining your health as you think you are? Probably not, according to a new survey conducted by StrategyOne on behalf of GE, the Cleveland Clinic and Ochsner Health System.

While about a third of patients surveyed gave themselves grades of “A” on managing their personal health, eating well, exercising regularly, managing stress and getting preventative screenings, the majority of health care providers gave Americans a grade of “C” or lower on all points, according to the survey of more than 2,000 Americans age 18 and older, and more than 1,200 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dieticians.

What’s more, 70 percent of those surveyed admitted to avoiding their doctors at some point, even though 95 percent recognize the importance of regular doctor visits. And while 70 percent of providers say their patients only come to see them when they’re sick, only 38 percent of Americans say this is true.

“Healthy living is not easy and can be overwhelming at times,” says Olympic figure skating champion Michelle Kwan, who has teamed up with fellow Olympic champion Scott Hamilton, GE, Ochsner Health and the Cleveland Clinic to educate Americans on how to take simple daily steps to improve their health, and their communication with their doctors. “We learned there are times when Americans would rather clean their house than take care of their health, and with my hectic schedule, I can totally relate. You have to work to improve your health – it’s not something that gets better overnight.”

“It’s crucial for people to take ownership of their health if they want to maintain it,” says Dr. Joseph Bisordi, chief medical officer of Ochsner in New Orleans. “This is not just a question of motivation; we’re seeing a significant doctor-patient communication gap. Health care professionals are eager to help people achieve better health.”

So how can Americans improve their health and their communications with their physician? GE’s “healthymagination: Year of Better Health for More People” initiative aims to help. On the Web site www.healthymagination.com, Americans can get advice on:

* What questions to ask your doctor about your overall health and specific medical conditions that might concern you. Developed with WebMD, the Better Health Conversation asks you a series of questions about your health status and generates suggested discussion points to cover with your doctor.

* A free mobile application for iPhones or Androids that suggests easy-to-do activities to improve your health in surprising, imaginative ways.

* An interactive tool that allows you to share health news, features and blogs with others on a variety of sites.

* Interactive data, graphically presented allows you to apply the data and learn about health issues like the major health issues facing Americans and conditions frequently experienced by people with health profiles similar to yours.

“Unfortunately the survey showed most Americans are avoiding the one person who could help them live healthier,” says Bisordi. “It’s time for Americans to have a more collaborative relationship with their health care providers, and we believe that improving your knowledge of good health is the best way to start.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Visit www.angelcaremn.com if you need help for an aging loved one in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN.

What’s it Like Have Dementia?

By Frena Gray-Davidson

If you have a parent or a spouse with dementia, you probably wonder what people inside the disease feel. One thing that’s always okay is to ask them.

Dementia can be a very isolating condition. It can really affect how well people can communicate. Of course, as we all know, it certainly affects memory. It can be hard for people to even find the words or hold the thoughts they have. It makes it very hard to follow through a whole explanation about anything.

You won’t hurt a person with dementia by asking what you want to know. In fact, it might help them feel less lonely. Because of their condition, they might not be able to find you the answer you want. But that’s okay. Trying is good enough for both of you feel closer.

Five Questions People Ask About Dementia:

1. Does it hurt to have dementia?

Dementia is not a physically painful condition. It is emotionally painful, for family and for the person who has it. If you know someone with dementia who is also having head pains or other pain, it is essential to get them to a doctor for help and relief of their pain.

2. What do people with dementia think about?

Having dementia makes clear and flowing thought difficult. It is hard to be logical and rational with dementia because brain deterioration blocks the channels for clear thought.

That said, they think about their past, their family, their wants, their needs and maybe sometimes nothing much at all.

3. Do they lose all memory?

Not necessarily. Studies show that, while short-term memory becomes catastrophically bad, longterm memory may be anything from surprisingly good to very mediocre.

So a person who doesn’t remember anything about this morning may be able to tell in detail all about being young and living with their parents.

4. What does it feel like to have dementia?

From my 20 years with people with dementia, I’d say it feels frightening, lonely, confusing and full of bewilderment.

But also, just like us, they feel loving, angry, sad, anxious, grateful and add your own adjectives.

5. How can I help?

By using the qualities of patience, love, tolerance, understanding — and honesty. The best thing you can do is to be a fairly nice version of yourself and also truthful. You can say things like:

- “I hate this illness you have!”

- “I wish you were well again!”

- “It’s just not fair!”

- “I’m scared!”

You won’t hurt a person with dementia by being honest about how you feel. In fact, it might help them a lot. It might bring you back closer together. Because what you feel about their illness might well be just what they feel. Maybe they can’t find the words and you being honest might help them talk about it.

Remember, people with dementia are ill, but not necessarily fragile and breakable. So you can talk to them as if they could understand an adult conversation. You’ll soon find out if they understand or not. If they don’t understand today, they may understand tomorrow.

And it’s really okay to experiment and find what works. If you can make them laugh, you will notice that they function at a much higher thinking level for anything from about half an hour to maybe two hours.

It’s the miracle of endorphins. Use and enjoy!

Frena Gray-Davidson is a longterm Alzheimer’s caregiver and her latest book is “Alzheimer’s 911: Hope, Help and Healing for Caregivers”, available from http://www.amazon.com. Frena presents dementia seminars nationally and internationally. Go to her website at http://www.alzguide.com/ and sign up for her free monthly online newsletter for caregivers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frena_Gray-Davidson

Visit www.angelcaremn.com for information and assistance with home care in the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota areas.

Tips for choosing the right aid for your hearing loss

(ARA) – More than 31 million Americans of all ages live with some level of hearing loss, according to the Better Hearing Institute. Our increasingly noisy society has, unfortunately, ensured hearing problems are no longer an exclusive affliction of age; while people 55 to 64 make up the largest group with hearing loss, the second largest segment are people who are just 45 to 54, a time when many of us are in our prime financially, socially and professionally.

Hearing loss can stand in the way of all those positive things in life. Research has linked hearing loss to a number of emotional problems, from negativism to chronic depression. Helen Keller, blind and deaf since infancy, once observed that while a loss of vision “separates us from things,” hearing loss “separates us from people.”

Fortunately, assistive technology has advanced by leaps and bounds since Keller’s era. It’s now possible to find a hearing aid to fit nearly any lifestyle, no matter how active or relaxed, and any cosmetic preference, from discreet to virtually invisible.

“Wearing a hearing aid has improved my quality of life,” says golf legend Arnold Palmer. “Golf is my business. I found that when I could hear the click of a golf ball to actual noise level, it improved my golf. Once I could hear the golf club hitting the ball, it gave me a much better definition of what I needed to do in hitting some shots.”

“Early hearing aids didn’t assist the wearer well in certain complex sound situations, such as when using a cell phone or in a noisy environment like a concert or crowded restaurant,” says Dr. Barry Freeman, from hearing aid maker Starkey Laboratories, Inc. “And many people were concerned with the cosmetic and social aspects of wearing an aid.

“Hearing aids are not just large pieces of plastic sitting behind your ear any more. Today’s hearing aids run and process sophisticated algorithms just like a computer to provide the listener with an excellent experience – all wrapped in an elegant package,” Freeman adds. “From hearing better in noisy situations like restaurants to eliminating annoying whistling (feedback), there is a hearing aid solution to meet every need.”

Choosing a hearing aid that’s right for your hearing loss can directly affect your quality of life. The experts at Starkey offer some tips and advice when choosing a hearing aid:

Consider the style.

There are now many options, including behind-the-ear (BTE), receiver-in-canal (RIC), completely-in-canal, in-the-canal and in-the-ear. Each offers a different level of assistance and cosmetic appeal.

* BTE styles are appropriate for most types of hearing loss, and technology such as Starkey’s Sweep Technology, which allows the wearer to adjust volume and settings with a simple sweep or touch of the finger, make a BTE aid appropriate for those with limited dexterity. A BTE sits on the back of the ear and has a tube that runs to an ear bud or custom earmold in the ear.

* RIC styles are appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss and offer a more discreet, open-fit solution. They lessen feedback by widening the distance between the microphone and the receiver. The RIC also sits behind the ear and has a thin tube that connects to an ear bud or custom earmold in the ear. The receiver in a RIC is in the ear near the ear bud instead of in the case behind the ear.

* For those seeking a small, discreet aid, completely-in-canal is a good option. Nearly invisible when worn, this style is good for treating mild to moderate hearing loss and uses the natural anatomy of the head, pinna and ear canal to provide a clean, clear signal. They are custom designed to fit entirely in the ear canal, reducing feedback and improving sound quality.

* In-the-canal styles fit within the ear canal but are still slightly visible within the outer ear. Good for treating mild to mildly severe hearing loss, they offer a variety of options despite their small size.

* People with limited dexterity might also benefit from an in-the-ear style, which is a custom-made shell that fits in the outer portion of the ear. Appropriate for mild to severe hearing loss, they are easy to insert and adjust.

You can learn more about hearing aid styles and how to choose the one that’s right for you at www.Starkey.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Visit us at www.angelcaremn.com for help with an aging loved one in the Minneapolis/St. Paul MN area.