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Category Archives: Health
The difficult C. Diff
Mrs. G was admitted from the ER to our ICU in shock. This quite healthy 80 year old woman had an infected toe about a month prior to admission. It responded to antibiotics and initially she did well. But when … Continue reading
Do you have questions about hospice?
Next Tuesday in the MBR at 3PM Questions and Answers about Hospice and Palliative Care This is an informal discussion intended to define and clarify what hospice might “look like” if you, a family member, or loved one were interested … Continue reading
Posted in Health, Hospice
4 Comments
Lack of direct sunlight may reshape the human eye and impair vision
Sunlight seems to be controversial. Can’t live without it though. Sunlight is good in the morning to help set your sleep cycle. But it’s bad for your skin and causes cataracts. Yet you need it for your bones and vitamin … Continue reading
Posted in Health
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Physician Aid in Dying Gains Acceptance in the U.S.
From the NYT: “The number of residents taking advantage of these laws in Oregon and Washington has climbed in the past two years. Still, after nearly 20 years in Oregon and eight in Washington, far fewer than 1 percent of … Continue reading
Posted in end of life, Health
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Federal Legislation to EXCLUDE Advance Care Planning under Medicare
Unbelievable – “Death Panel” phobia redux! Yikes! From the Medical Futility Blog: Congressman Steve King has re-introduced a bill to exclude coverage of advance care planning services under the Medicare program.Unfortunately, King fundamentally either misunderstands or deliberately mischaracterizes the current … Continue reading
Posted in Aging Sites, Health
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A few more thoughts
Let go of certainty. The opposite isn’t uncertainty. It’s openness, curiosity and a willingness to embrace paradox. — Tony Schwartz The Truth is rarely pure and never Simple – Oscar Wilde You are on Heaven’s Most Wanted List (Church) And … Continue reading
Posted in Health, literature
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Avoid fake news — find accurate health policy information here
Dr. Diana Buist knows that national health policy is complex and won’t get easier in 2017. Here’s how she keeps up with news and strategy. From Group Health Research Institute’s Dr. Diana Buist: Since November 8, like many people, I’ve … Continue reading
Posted in Health
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What really matters at the end of life – imagination!
B.J. Miller talks about his transition from a triple amputee to an MD focused on person centered care at his unique Zen Hospice in San Francisco. Just to let you know, Klein Galland will give a presentation about Hospice care … Continue reading
The Latest Trends in Income, Assets, and Personal Health Care Spending Among People on Medicare
Most people on Medicare are of very modest means. The slide show below shows that the 50% of the Medicare population had incomes below $24,000; whereas 5% had incomes above $93,000 and only 1% above $163,000. Click on the slides … Continue reading
Posted in Health
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Therapy Cats for Dementia Patients, Batteries Included
From the NYT: “The robotic cats, called Joy for All Companion Pets, are made by Hasbro. They hit the market last year and cost $99 — considerably less than previous generations of robotic therapy animals, which have been around since … Continue reading
It’s not the fat, the toxin is sugar!
From Aeon: “Researchers in harder sciences have a name for such situations: ‘pathological science’, defined by the Nobel Laureate chemist Irving Langmuir in 1953 as ‘the science of things that aren’t so’. Where experimental investigation is prohibitively expensive or impossible to … Continue reading
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Brain Training Programs – a critique
There continues to be hope that the use of technology can somehow improve the functioning of the brain, perhaps slowing or preventing the onset of dementia. There are many studies, but a recent peer reviewed literature review in a scientific … Continue reading
Posted in Health
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Healthcare and the Human Spirit: Walt Whitman on the Most Important Priority in Healing the Body and the Soul
There’s a lot (most everything) about Walt Whitman that I don’t know. Recently I’ve been introduced to a wonderful web site called brainpickings, delightfully filled with essays such as this one about Walt Whitman’s views on health care and the … Continue reading
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
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
Posted in Health, Uncategorized
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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
Posted in Health, Science and Technology
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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
Posted in Health, Skyline Info
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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
Posted in Aging Sites, Health
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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
Posted in Education, environment, Health, History, Nature
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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
Posted in Aging Sites, Health
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