Category Archives: Health

Would making drug ads reveal cost really bring down prices?

Posted on May 20, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: In the New York Times yesterday, Robert Pear discussed the White House proposal to require that drug prices be posted in the ubiquitous drug ads we are subjected to. When I started practice, it was illegal to market … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Politics, Social justice | Comments Off on Would making drug ads reveal cost really bring down prices?

Trump’s plans to try to lower drug prices miss the mark

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Jim deMaine

The New York Times has several articles and opinion pieces about President Trump’s blueprint to manage the continually surging and unfair drug prices. Although there are several interesting ideas in the plan, major attempts to really control prices are absent. … Continue reading →

Posted in Finance, Health, Politics | Comments Off on Trump’s plans to try to lower drug prices miss the mark

The Stem Cell “miracle” full page ads

Posted on May 13, 2018 by Jim deMaine

According to the Seattle Times, “Stem-cell clinics have exploded in number across the United States. In 2009, there were two; today, there are at least 700 and likely hundreds more, according to Leigh Turner, a University of Minnesota bioethicist, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | Comments Off on The Stem Cell “miracle” full page ads

“Living with memory loss in our own words”

Posted on May 13, 2018 by Jim deMaine

The Greenwood Senior Center is having a special event this Wednesday evening when they will be screening a new short documentary by and about members of their memory loss community. The people in this film express the complexities of living with … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Dementia, Health | Comments Off on “Living with memory loss in our own words”

Ellyn Goodman’s “The Conversation Project” on ABC

Posted on May 12, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Click here for more information about The Conversation Project.

Posted in Advocacy, end of life, Health | Comments Off on Ellyn Goodman’s “The Conversation Project” on ABC

Andy Warhol’s Art and Death – by John Ryan

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Below is a video of the recent talk at Skyline by John Ryan, MD Emeritus Chief of Surgery at Virginia Mason.

Posted in Art, Health | Comments Off on Andy Warhol’s Art and Death – by John Ryan

Andy Warhol’s Art and Death – Surgeon John Ryan, MD at 3:30 PM today May 4th in the MBR

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Jim deMaine

  “Andy Warhol’s  death: not so simple after all”. This headline in the New York Times followed Dr. Ryan’s presentation to the Pacific Coast Surgical Association. The article went on to say, “Warhol’s death shouldn’t be seen as quite such … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Health | Comments Off on Andy Warhol’s Art and Death – Surgeon John Ryan, MD at 3:30 PM today May 4th in the MBR

Common sense isn’t so common when it comes to health habits

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: Most people at age 50 want to live a long healthy life. Not smoking, maintaining a normal weight, alcohol in moderation, some exercise and eating a healthy diet – this is common sense, right? But in a large … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, Food, Health | Comments Off on Common sense isn’t so common when it comes to health habits

Advance Directives for Dementia – new frontier

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Jim deMaine

One of the greatest fears many have is progressive dementia. The common advance directives including the POLST form don’t effectively address these fears. A few years ago, End of Life Washington developed a fairly complicated Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Mental Health … Continue reading →

Posted in Advance Directives, end of life, Health | 2 Comments

Medic 1 History – a unique Seattle story

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Medic One began with a basic need and focused vision. The Seattle visionaries who founded the Medic One program in the late 1960’s believed that bringing an advanced life support system right into the home of a heart attack victim … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, In the Neighborhood | Comments Off on Medic 1 History – a unique Seattle story

Sleep 101 – expert advice

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: If you missed the talk, I hope you view this. It is one of the best overviews of sleep that I’ve ever heard. We all sleep, but why don’t many of us sleep better. Watch this and learn … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

Seattle revives controversial business tax to combat homelessness

Posted on April 24, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: Obviously money is needed, but does the city have a comprehensive long term plan to deal with the homeless situation beyond housing. Is there to be more funding for mental health, addiction, social work, health care, family counselling, … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Politics, Social justice | Comments Off on Seattle revives controversial business tax to combat homelessness

Nature vs nuture –

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Why aren’t identical twins identical? Their genes are the same – basically like having the hardware of a computer. These genes can change their expression, much like software can change the way your computer works – or doesn’t work. Various life … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Science and Technology | 1 Comment

Sleep well – Skyline presentation this Friday April 20th at 4PM

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Jim deMaine

“He would lie in the bed and finally, with daylight, he would go to sleep. After all, he said to himself, it is probably only insomnia. Many must have it.” ― Ernest Hemingway, A Clean Well Lighted Place We’re fortunate this Friday at … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | Comments Off on Sleep well – Skyline presentation this Friday April 20th at 4PM

How, or how not, to choose your health care proxy

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: This video clip is from Ellyn Goodman’s the conversation project. Click here to learn more about conversations and choices.

Posted in Advance Directives, Advocacy, end of life, Health | Comments Off on How, or how not, to choose your health care proxy

Alternate help with prescriptions

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Sent in by Katherine Graubard: Washington residents need help paying for prescription drugs. The Health Care Authority (HCA) offers a state-sponsored program to provide savings to all people living in Washington. Click here for information.

Posted in Finance, Health | Comments Off on Alternate help with prescriptions

Age-Wise local activities

Posted on April 2, 2018 by Jim deMaine

AgeWise King County has very useful newsletter about activities and presentations that are going on in our community. Click on any of the list if interested. Chair’s Corner: Refreshing News About the Aging Network Public Health: Increasing the Number of … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Aging Sites, Education, Health | Comments Off on Age-Wise local activities

New Medicare cards are coming soon – things to know

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Sent in by Barb Williams New Medicare cards are coming starting in April  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will start mailing redesigned Medicare cards to beneficiaries in Washington state after June 2018. The new card contains a … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | Comments Off on New Medicare cards are coming soon – things to know

The Slow Medicine Movement

Posted on March 20, 2018 by Jim deMaine

What it you’re over 75 and seeing a doctor when a question about starting a statin comes up. She might note that your cholesterol is elevated. But is there a real benefit to starting a statin as a preventative?  The evidence … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | Comments Off on The Slow Medicine Movement

Drugmakers want to overturn new law that lowers costs for beneficiaries

Posted on March 17, 2018 by Jim deMaine

From http://www.agingkingcounty.org/ “Per our partners at the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4), next week we will know more about how the omnibus funding bill for FY2018 might impact aging programs and services.  As Congress continues to push up … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Health, Politics | Comments Off on Drugmakers want to overturn new law that lowers costs for beneficiaries

Lost for decades, the Alcoholics Anonymous original manuscript will be auctioned for millions

Posted on March 11, 2018 by Jim deMaine

From the Washington Post: “The Alcoholics Anonymous book has stats most authors only dream of: more than 30 million copies sold. Translated into 67 languages. In 2012, the Library of Congress ranked it No. 10 in its top 25 “Books that Shaped America.” But … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Health | Comments Off on Lost for decades, the Alcoholics Anonymous original manuscript will be auctioned for millions

Ezekiel Emanuel – “Are hospitals becoming obsolete?”

Posted on March 2, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: Ezekiel Emanuel (brother of Rahm), an academic Oncologist and Ethicist, writes in the NYT that our use of hospitals is declining.This may be so but costs seem to be ever rising as hospitals consolidate into mega-merges as is … Continue reading →

Posted in CCRC Info, Health | Comments Off on Ezekiel Emanuel – “Are hospitals becoming obsolete?”

The industrialization of hospital care

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: The article below rang true to me. Our hospitals are where we are cared for by strangers in that our family physician seldom, if ever, visits. If we are readmitted, there’s a second group of strangers. None know … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Health | Comments Off on The industrialization of hospital care

Health Fair in Bellevue Saturday March 3rd

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Jim deMaine

On Saturday March 3rd there will be a health fair for active seniors. Talks will include such things as vision, tremors, atrial fib and back pain. Also, there will be workshops on medications to avoid to prevents falls, tips for cooking … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | Comments Off on Health Fair in Bellevue Saturday March 3rd

New Shingles Vaccine Available

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Jim deMaine

The new Shingles vaccine called Shingrix is now available in multiple pharmacies including Bartells. It is strongly recommended for us by the CDC. If you’ve known someone with complications of the Shingles, you’ll easily be convinced that the new vaccine … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | Comments Off on New Shingles Vaccine Available