Category Archives: Health

When Life Throws You Curveballs, Embrace the ‘New Normal’

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Jim deMaine

By Jane E. Brody in the NYT, thanks to Donna D for finding this Just when I needed it most, I learned a valuable life lesson from Lynda Wolters, who has a cancer that is currently incurable, diagnosed just after her … Continue reading →

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Socializing, pain and depression study

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Jim deMaine

Dealing with pain can be a significant barrier to staying socially active, but there may be other options for socializing beyond in-person contact that can be beneficial for older adults’ well-being. To find out if pain encourages older adults to … Continue reading →

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CARE RECIPIENT Q&A ON PREFERENCES REVEALS SURPRISING ANSWERS

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Jim deMaine

Are older adults receiving the type of long-term services and supports (LTSS) they want? A recent study examines whether LTSS preferences match the care arrangements that older adults have, and if this relates to quality of life. The sample of … Continue reading →

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Older People Need Geriatricians. Where Will They Come From?

Posted on January 4, 2020 by Jim deMaine

By Paula Span in the NYT: Linda Poskanzer was having a tough time in her late 60s. “I was not doing well emotionally,” she recalled. “Physically, I didn’t have any stamina. I was sleeping a lot. I wasn’t getting to … Continue reading →

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How to get off that crane

Posted on December 30, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Gordon G. Mountain climbers enjoy!

Posted in environment, Health, In the Neighborhood | Comments Off on How to get off that crane

The Watch Is Smart, but It Can’t Replace Your Doctor

Posted on December 28, 2019 by Jim deMaine

The Apple Watch has been quite successful as a smart watch. The company would also like it to succeed as a medical device. The recently published results of the Apple Heart Study in the New England Journal of Medicine show there’s still a long … Continue reading →

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The American Health Care Industry Is Killing People

Posted on December 28, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Won’t you spare a thought for America’s medical debt collectors? And while you’re at it, will you say a prayer for the nation’s health care billing managers? Let’s also consider the kindly, economically productive citizens in swing states whose job … Continue reading →

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The Hidden Drug Epidemic Among Older People

Posted on December 18, 2019 by Jim deMaine

People in their 60s take an average of 15 prescription drugs a year. Combined with over-the-counter products, they may do more harm than good. By Jane E. Brody in the NYT While news reports focus on an epidemic of opioid abuse … Continue reading →

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Maybe we all need one

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Sandy J. for sending this along. If Apple Watch Series 4 or later detects a hard fall, it can help connect you to emergency services if needed. If Apple Watch Series 4 or later detects a hard fall while you’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness, Health, technology | Comments Off on Maybe we all need one

Groundbreaking Bill to Lower Prescription Prices Passes House

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Jim deMaine

A landmark bill that for the first time would cap out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare enrollees and direct the federal government to negotiate the price of many high-cost, lifesaving medications passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday. “This … Continue reading →

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Open letter to the Seattle Design Commission

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Jim deMaine
Posted in environment, Health, In the Neighborhood, Safety, Traffic | 7 Comments

For the Holidays, the Gift of Self-Care

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Jim deMaine

From the NYT: The Buddhist monk Haemin Sunim remembers the moment he discovered the power of self-care. He was a frustrated graduate student when a trusted friend told him the solution was to “be good to yourself first — then … Continue reading →

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The Surgical Complication That Can Damage Your Brain

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Allan A. who sent this along from the WSJ. Having had a brief general anesthetic not long ago, it certainly catches my attention! I often saw “transient” dementia in the ICU, but considered it to be always temporary. … Continue reading →

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Working out has sure changed

Posted on December 8, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pam P. for sending this great pic

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A Change in Medicare Has Therapists Alarmed

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Jim deMaine

From the NYT: Medicare revamped its reimbursement policy for physical, occupational and speech therapy in nursing homes. That has left some patients with less help. By Paula Span In late September, a woman in her 70s arrived at a skilled nursing … Continue reading →

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Juul Ends E-Cigarette Sales of Mint-Flavored Pods

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: Unfortunately the government continues to allow the sale of an addictive drug with no known medical benefits: nicotine. Juul has managed to expose 25% of our youth to this drug by means of enticing them to flavored vaping … Continue reading →

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Why curing cancer is so hard | Azra Raza | TEDxNewYork – coming to Town Hall 11/12

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Jim deMaine

We spend $150 billion per year treating cancer, yet mortality rates from this disease remain largely unchanged from fifty years ago. According to oncologist Azra Raza, our systems for treating cancer are fundamentally broken. In conversation with LeRoy Hood of the … Continue reading →

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The growth in population over time

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Gordon G for finding this. Just how many people can our planet support given the variables of climate change, birth control, fertility and consumption. What will be our quality of life with the projections of growth?

Posted in Climate, environment, Health, History, Nature | Comments Off on The growth in population over time

Did Warren Pass the Medicare Test? I Think So – by Krugman from the NYT

Posted on November 1, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Last week I worried that Elizabeth Warren had painted herself into a corner by endorsing the Sanders Medicare-for-all plan. It was becoming obvious that she couldn’t stay vague about the details, especially how to pay for it; and some studies, even by … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Politics | 2 Comments

You, your doctor and the Electronic Health Record

Posted on October 29, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Although we like our access on line to our electronic health records, many of us don’t like the computer sitting between the doctor and us. The doctor doesn’t like it either. ZdoggMD has several rapp videos about this issue. “A … Continue reading →

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What cancer can’t do

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Recently I heard a Harvard trained Oncologist present this as an opening statement in his overview of cancer.  It seems worth sharing to show we may have choices in dealing with the shocking words, “You have cancer of … and … Continue reading →

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Get a Dog, Live Longer?

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Benefits of dog ownership may be particularly pronounced in those who have already had a heart attack. From the NYT: People who own dogs live longer, a new review of studies suggests. And the benefits may be particularly pronounced in … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Health | 1 Comment

U.S. News ranks Puget Sound region’s best hospitals

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Jim deMaine

The University of Washington Medical Center is the best hospital in the state and among the top in the nation for several specialty categories, according to a ranking by U.S. News & World Report. The teaching hospital, which was founded in … Continue reading →

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The Thin Edge of Dignity – life of one resident in Assisted Living

Posted on October 5, 2019 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Aging Sites, happiness, Health | 1 Comment

This amazing, animated chart shows the aging of America

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Jim deMaine

From the Washington Post: This is a mesmerizing little animation created by Bill McBride of Calculated Risk. It shows the distribution of the U.S. population by age over time, starting at 1900 and ending with Census Bureau forecasts between now and 2060. … Continue reading →

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