Category Archives: Health

Medical Services at Skyline

From Skyline’s website: “THE SKYLINE MEDICAL ADVANTAGE “Skyline recognizes the vital role that physicians play in providing and overseeing care for our health-services clients. “At  Skyline, we are dedicated to providing a superior medical environment for people in short-term rehab or who … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, CCRC Info, Health, Skyline Info | 1 Comment

Reagan, Deregulation and America’s Exceptional Rise in Health Care Costs

Ed Note: It’s a complex subject but I think we’re all aware that health care prices are gobbling up a larger share of GDP (and our pocketbooks) year by year. The major issue isn’t that the utilization of services or … Continue reading

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Nagasaki Survivor Visits Hanford and the “Home of the Bombers”

An 81 year old survivor of the nuclear bombing of Nagasaki becomes the first visitor to Hanford. One of his wishes is to have the history of the suffering and the survivors part of the history of a new National … Continue reading

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The smart home is coming!

Mary Montgomery sent along this interesting article from Forbes Magazine. Some aspects of the smart home sound gimmicky to some but there are aspects which promote safety and comfort. I hear rumors that Skyline is considering having an apartment configured … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, happiness, Health, Retirement, Science and Technology, Skyline Info | Comments Off on The smart home is coming!

Take two leeches and call me in the morning

Click on this video to learn about those creepy but also useful leeches.

Posted in Health, Nature | Comments Off on Take two leeches and call me in the morning

Price, price & price

This cartoon seems a bit unfair to me. I didn’t know many doctors in the pocket of big pharma but it does happen. Actually, I’m more concerned about the big business of health care where hospitals are “profit centers” looking … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Health, Social justice | Comments Off on Price, price & price

Would making drug ads reveal cost really bring down prices?

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

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

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

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The Stem Cell “miracle” full page ads

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

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“Living with memory loss in our own words”

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

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Ellyn Goodman’s “The Conversation Project” on ABC

Click here for more information about The Conversation Project.

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Andy Warhol’s Art and Death – by John Ryan

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

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

  “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

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

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

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Advance Directives for Dementia – new frontier

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

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

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Sleep 101 – expert advice

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

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

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Nature vs nuture –

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

“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

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

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

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.

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Age-Wise local activities

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

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New Medicare cards are coming soon – things to know

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

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The Slow Medicine Movement

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

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