Category Archives: Health care

Why Seeing a Specialist Matters

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Improving your health means taking the time to visit the doctor now and again. As you get older, you want to get into the habit of annual checkups to ensure you’re doing what’s best for the needs of your body. Of course, there may come times when you’re faced with an ailment that may need more specific attention. This is where seeing a specialist comes into play. Medical specialists are doctors who have taken the time to become experts in specific fields. Visiting with one of these professionals can be a great move to make.

Target Specific Problems

While your primary care physician may be capable of treating a range of health concerns, he or she might not have the ability to take care of more involved problems. Should you experience a problem with your vision, it can be much more beneficial to see an ophthalmologist. Experts like Kang Zhang  who have studied ophthalmology are more adept at diagnosing and treating ocular disorders. If there’s a doctor who specializes in the area you’re experiencing an issue, then you definitely want to consider this as a top option for treatment.

Primary Care

It can also be helpful to know exactly what your primary care physician can help you with. Specialists may be suited to handle cardiovascular disease or ear infections, but your primary doctor is the person you should turn to for more commonplace ailments. When you need preventative care like immunizations or a checkup, this is the professional to see. Your doctor is also the person who is likely to initially diagnose a more complicated problem and refer you to a recommended specialist.

Knowing where to turn when you’ve got a health problem can be a huge help. When you’re faced with an ailment that seems specific, it is best to see a specialist. Ask your primary care physician for a recommendation and find the best solution for your needs.

3 Reasons Home Health Care Could Be Right for Your Family

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When you first realize that a loved one needs extra care, deciding what to do can seem overwhelming. There are many options, and choosing which one is right for you and your family can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. In this situation, a home health care agency could be the answer to your problems.

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Personal Care

Every person has unique needs, and home health care agencies Bethesda MD know how important it is for each client to be taken care of in a way that meets those needs. These agencies often make it a point to tailor their care to each person in a way that allows the individual to receive the help needed without making drastic lifestyle changes.

Trained Professionals

While the thought of a family member being cared for by a stranger can be uncomfortable at first, the truth is many home health care agencies employ only highly trained professionals with years of experience. They often take many precautions to ensure that their employees are both good at what they do, and enjoy doing it, too.

Convenience When You Can’t Be There

Even though many would like to be there for their loved ones when they need extra care, life can sometimes get in the way of that. This is another situation where home health care can be a great help. These agencies can assist your loved one on a weekly basis, or even provide around-the-clock care if necessary so that you can rest easy knowing your loved one has what he or she needs.

So while making a decision is usually not easy when it comes to the care of a family member, home health care agencies can be a great option, especially when the loved one in question would like to keep as much independence as possible. These agencies can be a way not only to ensure your loved one’s comfort and safety but to give you peace of mind, too.

Living With Chronic Pain: What You Can Do

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According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 20% or roughly 50 million people in the United States live with chronic pain. The causes can range from injuries to migraine headaches or fibromyalgia to arthritis. It can be difficult to manage because it may have multiple causes and every person responds differently to pain or pain treatment. If you are living with a condition that hurts on a daily basis, you need relief. Luckily, there are many options today that not only don’t involve pain medication but they may be able to alleviate, prevent or lessen the symptoms in a more natural way. 

Photo by Alex Boyd on Unsplash

Botox

If you suffer from migraines, you have probably tried virtually everything to get relief. Many depend on pain management jacksonville fl for botox treatment. This isn’t your average cosmetic treatment. As a pain management procedure, a very small amount of botox is injected at several points around the head and scalp. It is believed that the neurotoxin blocks the chemical pain receptors in the brain, causing a reduction in severity or complete cessation of headaches.

Accupuncture

This ancient Chinese form of therapy has been used successfully for many years to treat arthritis, headaches, backaches and more. In an accupuncture treatment, a very thin needle is inserted into the skin and left for anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour. The stimulation from the needle is purported to stimulate the flow of chi, or energy, allowing the body to heal itself. Another explanation is that the nerve stimulation causes the body to release its own pain blockers: beta-endorphins.

Meditation

As anyone dealing with the debilitating effects of chronic pain knows, stress can trigger or exacerbate inflammation which contributes to pain. Mindfulness meditation focuses on reducing stress and lowering blood pressure. In at least one study, blood tests have shown a reduction in the presence of the stress hormone ACTH and in the body’s inflammatory responses after practicing mindfulness meditation.

Caring for the Elderly With Adult Foster Care

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As the population ages, many families start to consider care for their elderly members. Senior living facilities have changed over the decades, focusing on both the physical and the mental health of the patients residing within their walls. If you are looking into adult foster care service Massachusetts, read on to learn how these facilities take care of the aging population.

What is Adult Foster Care?

The legal definition of adult foster care varies from state to state. Also known as small group assisted living or elderly foster care, it typically involves a small group of residents living within a common facility. Unlike large nursing homes, these facilities only house six or fewer people. Residents have their own private bedrooms, but they share living and dining areas. Services provided in these facilities are usually non-medical, and the staff is available to help with daily activities which can include:

  • Walking and navigating stairs
  • Dressing and personal grooming
  • Grocery shopping and meal preparation

The smaller number of residents allows for more personal care while giving residents a strong sense of independence.

The Cost of Adult Foster Care

The cost of adult foster care is different depending on where you live, but in general, adult foster care tends to cost less than nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Another factor that can affect the cost is the amount of care a resident will need. If a resident has more medical concerns that will need to be addressed or monitored, the cost can increase. Many options exist to help cover the costs of care, and while some are dependent upon the state of residency, they can include:

  • Medicaid
  • Social Security supplements
  • Veterans Directed Care Program
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Life Insurance Policy

When deciding on quality care for aging family members, there are many options available. Adult foster care can provide the medical care an elderly family member needs while allowing them to live in a home-like setting that keeps some of their independence.