House Calls of Carmichael

Wonder Drug Prescription

By Gina Hansen

 

 

Imagine today you are given a prescription. This prescription, when taken properly, becomes a wonder drug or a miracle pill. In fact this prescription will do more for your vitality, your quality of life, and your health and longevity than any other prescription on the market.

 

The prescription uses several names: movement, physical activity, exercise, fitness, and workout. In order for the prescription to do its wonder, it has to be taken properly and regularly. Take a closer look.

 

Frequency – can be taken at least 5 times per week. Not 2 times or whenever you feel like it. Some will take it 3 times per week if they’re just starting it, and that’s okay. Eventually you’ll want to work up to taking this drug 5 or more days per week.

 

Duration – requires more than swallowing it with food and water. The usual drug dose is a minimum of 150 minutes per week. Like anything, it’s best to spread out the dose evenly throughout the week. So if you divide the 150 dose minutes over a 5 day period, you get 30 minutes of a drug dose per day. It’s even okay to break up the 30 minutes into multiple sessions if you don’t have a 30 minute chunk of time or if it’s just too much. For example, try taking a dose of three 10 minute sessions or two 15 minutes sessions. Again, accumulating at least 30 minutes per day is an ideal drug dose.

 

Intensity – requires a certain amount of potency. Intensity level must be used at a percentage of your maximum heart rate – somewhere between 40-85%. The wide range allows you to use the best level for your current health status. For example, if you are a normal healthy adult then it’s best to use the drug at a higher intensity. If you have risk of heart disease or other chronic conditions present, then the low to moderate intensity is best for you starting out. You may increase your intensity level as your health and fitness levels improve. Below is a simple mathematical formula that helps determine your desired drug intensity called Target Heart Rate.

Example: Sally is 65 years old with a resting heart rate of 70, and wants to know her training heart rate for the intensity level 60% - 70%.

Sally’s Minimum Training Heart Rate:
220 - 65 (Age) = 155
155 - 70 (Rest. HR) = 85
85 x .60 (Min. Intensity) + 70 (Rest. HR) = 121 Beats/Minute

121 ÷ 6 = 20 Beats/10 Seconds

 

Sally’s Maximum Training Heart Rate:
220 - 65 (Age) = 155
155 - 70 (Rest. HR) = 85
85 x .70 (Max. Intensity) + 70 (Rest. HR) = 130 Beats/Minute

130 ÷ 6 = 22 Beats/10 Seconds

 

Sally’s training heart rate zone will therefore be 121-130 beats per minute OR

20-22 beats per 10 seconds.

 

If you’re not a number oriented person, then maybe you’ll want to measure your drug intensity level by a talk/sing method. Simply measured, if you can talk while exercising then it’s a good intensity, but if you can sing then speed up.

 

Mode – prescription may come in different brands. It’s best to choose a brand that uses large muscle groups and used continuously and rhythmically. For example, walking, jogging, swimming, biking, cross country skiing, dancing, kayaking, just to name a few. Any brand is ideal when it keeps your heart rate elevated for a sustained period of time. The most common and least expensive brand in today’s market is brisk walking. Why? Brisk walking has been found to have a higher compliance rate than other brands because it can be easily incorporated into a busy time schedule; does not require special skills, equipment or facility; is companionable; and less apt to cause injuries.

 

Caution – be sure to let your doctor know when you are ready to start using the wonder drug. Make it fun and enjoy the benefits!

Living the Active Life

By Gina Hansen

There is an old saying that goes like this, “Everyone wants to live forever, but no one wants to grow old”. Another one: “If I’d known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself”.

Aging is a very individual matter. Researchers have found extraordinary young 80 year olds along with extraordinary old 40 years olds. What influences the difference?

If the best worldwide clinicians, scientists, physicians, and researchers gathered together in one room, they would all agree upon one outstanding strategy that tends to be the single most important influence to a longer, healthier life. What do you think it is?…living the active life. Nothing can retard the aging process as much as regular physical activity, regular exercise, and regular movement! Call it what you want.

Exercise is like putting money in the bank! When one doesn’t engage in exercise on a regular basis, things decline in the human body at a faster rate. For example, there are losses in bone mass, muscles mass, lung capacity, balance, and much more. These losses accelerate without proper and regular exercise. The message: These declines can be counteracted in part with regular exercise.

Of course applying physical activity in your daily life can be the tricky part. Stay tuned for more to come on this subject in the next blog.

What is Quality Health Care for Seniors?

 

By Gina Hansen

 

Quality means different things to different people. Some think that getting quality health care means seeing the doctor right away, being treated courteously by the doctor, or having the doctor spend a lot of time with the patient and the family. Others believe being able to stay home and have the doctor come to the patient’s home for a personal house call or video conferencing on the computer is receiving quality health care. No matter the style of care, it’s important that all seniors have the opportunity to find quality health care that best fits them and their circumstances.

The Institute of Medicine defines health care quality by six attributes:

  • Safety – patients should not be harmed by the care that is intended to help them
  • Patient-Centered – care should be based on individual needs
  • Timely – waits and delays in care should be reduced
  • Effective – care should be evidence-based
  • Efficient – reduce waste
  • Equitable – care should be equal for all people

Quality health care for seniors should have even higher standards because a senior with multiple conditions is more vulnerable to seemingly minor changes in medications or a treatment plan. There should be a focus on preventive care and attention to the unique health issues of older adults. A senior patient should have every opportunity to participate in decisions about his or her care because respecting an individual’s health beliefs and goals must always be considered.

Dr. Caron Houston, a compassionate physician serving in the Carmichael Sacramento and Arden-Arcade communities, understands and believes in the significance of providing quality care for geriatric patients. If you are someone that is having difficulty traveling to a doctor’s office or needing more personalized medical care, Dr. Houston can deliver affordable, convenient, quality care in the comfort of your own home.

 

Aging in Place

By Gina Hansen

In the United States and other developed countries, the majority of older people live with a spouse until widowhood, after which most live alone for as long as possible until health and care needs make that impossible. Recent statistics show that about 75-­80% of elders own their own home, and about 50% of women 75 and older live alone.

According to statistics a greater number of seniors want to “age in place” – live where they have always lived. Their goal is to stay in their own home for as long as possible. Older adults, whether single or married, are the least likely to change residence compared to any other age groups.

Because most people want to “age in place”, home remodeling and adaptations is a big business. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is taking positive steps in new construction and home renovations, and they’re calling it “universal design” and “senior friendly” homes.

What should your house contain if you want to “age in place”?

  • No change in levels on main floor or one level floor throughout house
  • Master bedroom and bath on first floor
  • No threshold at home’s entrance
  • Non­slip flooring throughout house, especially at main entryway
  • Open floor plan, especially in kitchen/dining area
  • More and better lighting with multiple directions that reduce glare and shadows
  • Handrails at all steps, even with one step
  • Lever­style door handles
  • Bathroom grab bars near toilet and shower/tub area
  • Raised toilet seats with hand assists
  • Walk-in or wheel-in bath tubs and showers
  • Wider doorways to accommodate wheelchair use
  • Wheelchair ramp at home entrance
  • Call buttons to summon help

 

With careful planning and preparation, many seniors can safely and comfortably reside in their own home.

Baby Boomers Dominate the American Culture

By Gina Hansen

 

The aging of the baby boomers have become the greatest impact to what has been termed the “Age Wave”. One third Americans were born between 1946-1964. The first boomers turned 65 in 2011. One hundred boomers turn 65 every 18 minutes. Ten thousand boomers will turn 65 every day. By 2029, when all the baby boomers will be 65 and over, nearly one in five U.S. residents will be 65 plus (U.S. Census Bureau, 2013). As a result, for the next 14 years we’re going to see a major historical demographic shift, which will bring new concerns, needs, attitudes, and structures and styles towards aging.

 

Gerontologist Dr. Ken Dykwald, said, “When a few 1000 people across the country share an opinion, read a book, or buy a product that’s interesting; it may amount to a trend. But when 78 million people do so, it’s a revolution!” Hence “The Aging Revolution”.

 

When the baby boomers arrived:

  • Diapers, baby shoes, and the photo industries prospered
  • Spock was the man of knowledge
  • Elementary schools were built
  • TV kids shows emerged, like The Mickey Mouse Club, Captain Kangaroo, Ozzie and Harriet, My Three Sons, The Brady Bunch
  • Teenagers demanded soft drinks, movies, cosmetics, and records
  • McDonalds, Burger King, and the Gap were popular places to visit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://housecallsofcarmichael.com/index.php/2015/10/27/115/