Category Archives: Health

The lost art of lying down

Winston Churchill was famous for napping which is supported by his answering this question: “Mr Churchill, to what do you attribute your success in life?’ He responds, “Conservation of energy. Never stand up when you can sit down. And never … Continue reading

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Care for the Vulnerable vs. Cash for the Powerful — Trump’s Pick for HHS

The prestigious and venerable New England Journal of Medicine has spoken up strongly on the prospective drastic changes proposed in health policy: “Representative Tom Price of Georgia, an orthopedic surgeon, will be President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of health and … Continue reading

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smart911

I just got reminded by smart911.com to update my information. This was easy. Just verify my phone numbers, so if/when I call 911 on my verified phone my information will pop up on the dispatcher’s screen. So consider logging onto … Continue reading

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Alert from the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care

Residents in Long Term Care are in for some difficult times if there is a drastic change in the way our Medicaid system is funded and managed. The following is an ‘alert’ from  National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. … Continue reading

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Why the hype around medical genetics is producing promise fatigue

Knowledge of genetics can cure cancer, right – well, wrong. Predictions about living to 1000, curing aging, wiping out cancer – all of these are in the scrap-pile of medical promises. Click here to read an essay of “Why the … Continue reading

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What is a long-term care ombudsman?

    Did you know that Washington and King County have a robust Ombudsman program utilizing volunteers? They help by being an advocate and interfacing with staff in problem solving – giving you a stronger voice. The King County contact … Continue reading

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Dementia is developing in a smaller proportion of older Americans over time

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—In a hopeful sign for the health of the nation’s brains, the percentage of American seniors with dementia is dropping, a new study finds: “A Comparison of the Prevalence of Dementia in the United States in 2000 and … Continue reading

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Can we “solve” the obesity epidemic with medical devices?

The above device, called AspireAssist was recently approved by the FDA for qualifying individuals with morbid obesity (a BMI of 35 to 55). With obesity reaching epidemic proportions in developing countries, multiple solutions have been sought. The physiology of weight gain … Continue reading

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Human population through time

From Aeon: “From our origins in Africa, humans began migrating around the globe roughly 100,000 years ago. But it was only with the advent of agriculture about 12,000 years ago that our population started to swell to more than a million. This data … Continue reading

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To Die of Having Lived

Published author Rick Rapport has written about his personal experiences with patients, doctors and families in crisis when near death. Dr. Rapport is a colleague and Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at nearby Harborview Hospital. He has given permission to link … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Essays, Health | 2 Comments

Can there be anything good in illness?

“Surely not, well maybe not.” What is your answer to the “value” of illness. Is there any good in it? Does it in any way benefit us or those around us? This article in Aeon has some interesting commentary. “But … Continue reading

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A Neurosurgeon’s Crisis

What would you do if you were a 36 year old Neurosurgeon finishing a grueling 6 year training program at Stanford, a rising superstar, married, but just diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer? The cancer is treatable but … Continue reading

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Elderwise has moved across the street!

Elderwise, a community-supported leader in enrichment programming forpeople living with memory loss, has moved to Trinity Episcopal Church. Elderwise radically embraces creating space for those living with memory loss, delves into the present moment in a group setting, provides spirit-centered … Continue reading

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Where’s my memory – by AARP

This one’s from Dorothy W. (and AARP) and oh. too true!  

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Mentally ill – a death with dignity in Holland

“Doctor-assisted suicide for the chronically mentally ill is currently legal in the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland, despite being one of the most contentious points in the ongoing right-to-die debate. Letting You Go follows one such Dutch patient, 27-year-old Sanne, who, … Continue reading

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Man suing assisted-living facility over unanswered call for help

A Mercer Island assisted care facility has been in the news in an unfavorable manner. Apparently their call light system didn’t function properly. A resident was down in his bathroom for the whole day! It appears timely that Skyline has … Continue reading

Posted in Aging Sites, Health | 2 Comments

One reason for “health care” inflation

How can this happen? Well for one, Medicare is forbidden by law to negotiate with big pharma! Thanks to the lobbyists and big pharma. Click here for Bernie Sanders Takes on Big Pharma as California Eyes Drug Price Limits

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Spirituality at the end of life

There’s a wonderful web site from Australia that has an eclectic collection of essays. One recent one is on “being – not doing – makes space for spirituality in dying.” “Two of the great 20th-century theorists of care for the … Continue reading

Posted in Health, Spiritual | 5 Comments

Thoughts and experiences with VSED (Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking)

There is increasing public discourse and debate about the ethics of ending one’s life “in a dignified manner” when entering its terminal phase. But what if one is not terminal, yet finds themselves in an intolerable condition and wants to … Continue reading

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Is it time for a bracelet or necklace?

     There are a wide variety of bracelets and necklaces which can help make your medical information immediately available in an emergency. For example one resident wishes to never have cardiopulmonary resuscitation, so she is listed “DNR” on the … Continue reading

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The scientific 7 minute workout

Don’t try this on your own! Check with our pros in the workout room. But for your interest you may want to check out this intriguing article in the NYT. Just 7 minutes and you’re done? Too good to be … Continue reading

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A revolution in EMS care

We all love the 911 responders as we should. They do save lives. But their roll may be evolving as pointed out (from Alice M) in the September 26th WSJ (click here to read the article). It states, “There’s a revolution taking place in … Continue reading

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U.S. to Bar Arbitration Clauses in Nursing Home Contracts

Ann Milam alerts us to an article in the NYT today. I hadn’t realized, even though I trained as an Ombudsman, that serious issues of abuse in nursing homes were prevented from going to court. But, with a new ruling, when federal dollars … Continue reading

Posted in Health, Social justice | 1 Comment

Strength for the Journey – program for early memory loss at Harborview

A six week small group experience for people living with early stage memory loss Mondays, 1—2:30 pm Oct 17—Nov 21 Harborview Medical Center, Seattle Come together to explore inner strengths and emotions, hopes and fears, and strategies for living with memory … Continue reading

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Why do obese patients get worse care?

It seems to be true. Doctors focus on the obesity and often forgo an opportunity to treat the patient’s other problems. My sister went to a prominent clinic in Cleveland for breathing issues and basically was told that she was … Continue reading

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