Day: May 5, 2022

What is Remote Patient Monitoring?

Posted on | by New Horizons | Leave a Comment on What is Remote Patient Monitoring?

As we age we strive to keep our independence. Remote Patient Monitoring is a great way to help monitor chronic health conditions and prevent medical emergencies – helping you stay safe and healthy in the comfort of your home.

Remote Patient Monitoring is simple and easy to use. Depending on your own personal needs you can use at-home devices to track your oxygen levels, blood pressure, glucose, temperature, and weight. The consistent monitoring of these biometrics helps to create a baseline and monitor any changes that might indicate a medical emergency.

Your vitals get sent to a medical team in real-time. If your readings are outside of the normal range for you, a nurse will call you to triage your condition and coordinate any next steps like scheduling a visit with your doctor or reviewing your medication.

Remote Patient Monitoring is a great way to help manage chronic health conditions like:

  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Regular tracking of biometrics, symptoms, and medication adherence help to better manage chronic health conditions and prevent medical emergencies. What’s most important about all of this is that consistent monitoring increases your ability to stay home and empowers you to better self-manage your health conditions.

Remote Patient Monitoring is a proven, low-cost way to improve healthy living at home. That’s why many Medicare patients are eligible to receive this service at no cost, with no copay.

Remote Patient Monitoring can help you live a happier and healthier life at home.

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease

Posted on | by Parkinsons Resources of Oregon | Leave a Comment on Understanding Parkinson’s Disease

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder. It occurs when certain nerve cells (neurons) in a part of the brain, called the substantia nigra, die or become impaired. Normally, these cells produce a vital chemical known as dopamine. Dopamine allows smooth, coordinated function of the body’s muscles and movement. It is not until approximately 80% of the dopamine-producing cells are damaged that the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appear.

What are the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s?

The loss of dopamine production in the brain causes the primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The key signs of Parkinson’s disease are tremor (shaking), slowness of movement, rigidity (stiffness), and difficulty with balance. Other signs of Parkinson’s disease may include small, cramped handwriting, stiff facial expression, shuffling walk, muffled speech, and depression.

Who gets Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s disease affects all genders, although more men than women are diagnosed. It shows no social, ethnic, economic or geographic boundaries. In the United States, it is estimated that 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, joining the 1 million Americans who currently have Parkinson’s disease. While the condition usually develops after the age of 65, 15% of those diagnosed are under 50.

How is Parkinson’s diagnosed?

The process of making a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis can be difficult. There is no single test that can confirm Parkinson’s disease. A physician arrives at the diagnosis only after a thorough examination. Blood tests and brain scans are known as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be performed to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms. People suspected of having Parkinson’s disease should consider seeking the care of a neurologist who specializes in Parkinson’s disease.

What is the treatment for Parkinson’s disease?

There are a number of effective medicines to help ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Most symptoms are caused by a lack of dopamine. The medicines most commonly used will attempt to either replace or mimic dopamine, which improves the tremor, rigidity and slowness associated with Parkinson’s disease. Several new medicines are being studied that may slow the progression. Currently, there is no cure that will prevent or reverse the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. As the disease progresses, treatment plans may need frequent review and adjustment to maintain functioning and quality of life.

Where can I find support?

Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon (PRO) is a local non-profit serving the Pacific Northwest. With support groups across the region, a toll-free helpline, and online and in-person education, you and your family can rely on PRO for personal support and encouragement.

Early warning signs of Parkinson’s Disease

Sometimes it is hard to tell that you might have Parkinson’s disease. The early symptoms are mild and could have other causes making it challenging even for experts to confirm an early diagnosis.

Some of the more common early signs of Parkinson’s disease are indicated below. If you are noticing these warning signs and have unexplained symptoms, tell your doctor and ask for an evaluation. Many of these symptoms are normal, caused by medications or other conditions. An expert will be able to evaluate and help you determine their cause.

  • Tremor or Shaking: Tremor or shaking of limbs is a common early sign of Parkinson’s.
    Small Handwriting: A sudden change in handwriting, such as smaller letter size, may be a sign of Parkinson’s.
  • Loss of Smell: Sense of smell can be changed by a cold, flu or stuffy nose, but ask your doctor if it persists.
  • Trouble Sleeping: Even in sleep, Parkinson’s signs can be detected with sudden movements and thrashing while deeply asleep.
  • Trouble Moving or Walking: Stiffness and rigidity that doesn’t go away when you move or walk.
    Constipation: If you do not have enough water or fiber in your body, it can cause problems in the bathroom. Also some medications cause constipation. Speak with your doctor if you are concerned.
  • A Soft Voice: While not always an early symptom, a very soft or hoarse sounding voice might be caused by Parkinson’s disease. Masked Face: If others comment that you have a serious, depressed or mad look on your face, even when you are not in a bad mood it could be related to PD.
  • Dizziness or Fainting: Feeling dizzy or fainting can be signs of low blood pressure and can also be linked to Parkinson’s disease.
  • Stooping Over: Many people with Parkinson’s experience stooping, leaning or slouching when standing.
  • No single one of these signs means that you should worry about Parkinson’s disease. If you have multiple indications or are concerned, you should make an appointment to talk to your doctor.

For more information about Parkinson’s disease and local services to help contact Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon at 800-426-6806.

Types of Senior Housing, Care Facilities & Licensing

Posted on | by Senior One Source | Leave a Comment on Types of Senior Housing, Care Facilities & Licensing

Educating yourself on the types of options for yourself or a loved one starts with knowing what each setting provides. Also, using a local Senior Living Advisor will be most helpful in navigating which options are the best fit.

Independent Senior Living Communities: 1-3 Meals/day, housekeeping, transportation, activities

Assisted Living Communities (ALF): 3 Meals/day, housekeeping, transportation, and activities. 24/7 Care staff available to assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) such as Bathing, Dressing, Toileting, Transferring, Grooming, Medication Administration, and Escorts to and from meals and/or activities.

Residential Care Facilities (RCF): 

Provide similar services as ALF in a smaller setting. Typically accommodate 2-person transfers, Hoyer lifts, catheters, and tube feeding.

Memory Care Communities:  

Licensed as RCF and provide the same basic services listed under ALFs. Staff is trained and experienced in working with those diagnosed with Dementia, Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments. Activities are focused on improving cognition & memory.

Adult Foster Care Homes (AFH): 

Provides assistance with ADLs in a home-like setting with up to 5 Residents maximum. Typically 1 staff member provides care, cooks meals, and cleans. Minimal to zero activities are facilitated in an AFH although there are some that do provide routine activities.

Night-time care is not available in most AFHs unless they have an additional staff member on duty at night.

Respite Care: 

Short Term stay of 30 days or less in an ALF, RCF, or MCC in a furnished apartment or room.

Home Care: 

Caregiver assistance with ADLs, grocery shopping, transportation, and companionship in a private home or on-site in most Independent Living Communities. Paid out of pocket or through a Long Term Care Insurance Policy.

Home Health:

Provides services at home or in an ALF, RCF, or AFH. Assistance with bathing a few days a week, Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy, Wound Care, IV Therapy, Injections, Catheter Changes, Tube Feeding, and more. Services are ordered by a physician, are covered by Medical Insurance, and are typically provided following a hospital or skilled rehab stay.

Intermediate Care Facility (ICF): 

An ICF is a facility that provides, on a regular basis, health-related care and services to individuals who do not require the degree of care and treatment that a hospital or SNF is designed to provide but require more assistance than an AFH, ALF or RCF can provide.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF): 

A nursing facility providing 24-hour non-acute nursing, medical, and rehabilitative care.