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Let's Start Talking About Pain
From
Health Matter for Medicare Consumers Winter 2005
Northeast Health Care Quality Foundation
15 Old Rollinsford Rd., Ste 302 Dover, NH 03820-2830
Www.medicarequality.org 1-800-772-0151
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Heart Attack and Stroke:
What's the Connection?
Both heart attacks and strokes often are caused by clots in the arteries. Fatty deposits called plaque start to develop in arteries early in life. Genetics and some lifestyle choices determine how quickly they build up as we age.
A clot can be caused by the rupture of plaque inside an artery. When platelets in the blood clump together on or near the ruptured plaque, they can stop or reduce the flow of blood to various parts of the body. A heart attack can occur when the blockage is in an artery that supplies blood to the heart. A stroke can occur if the blockage is in an artery that supplies blood to the brain.
Having a heart attack increases the risk of having a stroke, and vice versa. The good news is that taking steps to decrease your risk of heart disease also decreases your risk of having a stroke. For most people, this means keeping body weight under control, getting regular exercise, and avoiding tobacco products. Talk with your health care provider about the steps you should take.
Van Riders Wanted!
The Bugbee Sr. Center van provides transportation to Hartford and Norwich residents from their homes to the Center, to medical appointments, and shopping on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. There is no fee but donations are appreciated. Medical appointments need 24 hour notice. Call 295-9068 for details.
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Chronic pain is very common in the older population. If left untreated, pain can have some serious side effects, such as:
Difficulty sleeping;
Difficulty walking or moving about;
Feeling depressed;
Having no appetite;
Feeling hopeless or frustrated;
Difficulty concentrating;
Feeling confused.
Many people in pain don't talk about it with their doctors.
Talk To Your Doctor
Pain is the body's way of asking for help. If pain is affecting your level of activity or preventing you from doing the things that you like to do, tell your doctor. Don't assume that you have to live with pain. Let your doctor work with you to try to find the cause and the best treatment for your pain. Don't ignore it!
There are many different causes and types of pain. There are also many ways to treat pain.
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How To Explain Your Pain
Because pain cannot be "seen", health care providers have found that a pain scale is a good way to help people describe their pain.
Patients are asked to rate their pain using a scale of "0" to "10" -- with "0" being no pain at all and "10" being the worst pain. This also helps a patient measure the pain on an on-going basis -- letting both the doctor and the patient know if the treatment is working.
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Senior Service Clinics
The VT Medicare Partnership Project (VMPP), the Medicare Advocacy Project of VT Legal Aid and the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) are collaborating to assist elders with healthcare benefits, deal with billing errors and provide an opportunity to connect with appropriate service representatives. As part of their collaboration, they will be offering a free "senior services clinic" at Bugbee Senior Center on Friday, April 22nd from 9 AM to noon.
Services represented at this clinic will include COVE, VMPP, SHIP, Office of VT Health Access, Social Security Administration, Yankee Medical Supply, Health Care Omsbudsmen.
This is a "health fair" so no appointment is needed. Come on in between 9 and noon.
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Bazaar Wish List
Children's leather ice skates to be painted and decorated.
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