HEALTH & WELLNESS
Our New Healthcare ExplainedThe new one-stop-shop that helps you take control of your health care coverage — President Obama wanted to be sure you know about this great resource. Check out this video he made demonstrating the website and learn how you can benefit from the tools and resources on www.HealthCare.gov
New More Effective CPR MethodShort Video on Continuous CPR
Physical Activity for Arthritis Why is physical activity important for arthritis?
Scientific studies have shown that physical activity can reduce pain and improve function, mood, and quality of life for adults with arthritis. Physical activity can also help manage other chronic conditions that are common among adults with arthritis, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
How much physical activity do adults with arthritis need?
2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week OR
1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes) of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week OR
an equivalent combination* of moderate and vigorous activity.SAM — Suitability Assessment of Materialsfor evaluation of health-related information for adultsFree Hearing and Balance SeminarMassachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary will host our 10th Annual Public Forum on Hearing and Balance on Saturday, September 25th starting at 9:00am.Alzheimer's Listening Sessions for SeptemberThe newly formed MASSACHUSETTS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE and RELATED DISORDERS (ADRD) STATE PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE is conducting Alzheimer's Listening Sessions across Massachusetts.Don't give your personal information to anyone who calls you about the $250 rebate check!Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report anyone who does this.
TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
For further information regarding "Donut Hole" concerns, please contact:
Cynthia Phillips, State SHINE Director, Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Suite 517, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-222-7416 — Fax: 617-727-9368 — Email: Cynthia.Phillips@state.ma.usConsejos para Tomar sus Medicamentos de Forma Segura:
Tips for Taking Medicines Safely This AHRQ Podcast advises Spanish speakers to tell their health care providers about all the medications they're taking, including herbal supplements, so they can avoid dangerous interactions. Listen to the Podcast at: http://healthcare411.ahrq.gov/radiocastseg.aspx?id=1123&type=seg.
For other Spanish language Podcasts and consumer information, go to: http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/espanoix.htm. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEMA ADVISES CAUTION DURING EXTREMELY HOT WEATHERFRAMINGHAM, MA -- With the extremely hot weather the Commonwealth is presently experiencing, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is advising people to be cautious during this period of extreme heat, and is offering some tips to help keep cool and safe.
"A few common sense measures can reduce heat-related problems, especially for the elderly, the very young and people with respiratory ailments, who are more susceptible to the effects of high temperatures," said MEMA Acting Director Kurt Schwartz. "As this extreme weather continues, some communities may be setting up cooling centers to assist those seeking relief from the oppressive heat."
Here are some tips to follow during hot, humid weather:
• Slow down, avoid strenuous activity. Do not try to do too much on a hot day.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature. Protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat.
• Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you do not feel thirsty. Attempt to stay hydrated.
• Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. They can actually dehydrate your body.
• Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals. Avoid high protein foods that increase metabolic heat.
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• If you do not have air conditioning, stay on your lowest floor, out of the sun. Electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help evaporate perspiration, which cools your body.
• Go to a place where you can get relief from the heat, such as air conditioned schools, libraries, theaters and other community facilities that may offer refuge during the warmest times of the day.
• Check with your community for information about possible local 'cooling centers'.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80%.
• Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin's ability to cool itself. If you are outside, use sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating.
• Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors.
In normal weather, the body's internal thermostat produces perspiration that evaporates and cools the body. However, in extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain normal temperature, which may lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If you believe you, or anyone you are with, is experiencing a heat-related medical emergency, promptly call 911, and if possible, move to a cooler place.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA, go to www.mass.gov/mema. Continue to follow information from MEMA on Facebook and Twitter.
Peter W. Judge
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
400 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01702-5399
Phone: 508-820-2002 — Fax: 508-820-2030
24-hour: 508-820-2000
peter.judge@state.ma.usBU Study: How Emotion Affects Memory for DetailsHealthy adults, ages 59-85, needed for noninvasive study examining How Emotion Affects Memory for Details. Research conducted at Boston College (average time commitment is 2 hours). Complete pen-and-paper tasks, perform computerized tasks, and receive $10/hour for participation. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us. Phone: 617-552-2083 Email: canlab@bc.eduExpansion of Long Term Care Options CounselingHome Oxygen Fire SafetyDear Colleagues:
Thank you for your participation in our campaign to promote Home Oxygen Fire Safety. In addition to the brochures, we have just printed posters that are suitable for places such as physician's waiting rooms. The goal of the posters is to start conversations between patients and medical professionals on the special fire dangers of bringing oxygen into the home.
If you would assist us again, by alerting your network of professional colleagues that this brochure and poster are available to help raise the awareness of the fire danger of home oxygen use and how people can use it safely, we would be very grateful. To see them and get additional resources, please go to the Department of Fire Services website at www.mass.gov/dfs and search on "home oxygen safety". Please contact our staff, Adrienne Beaudoin, at (978) 567-3721 — Adrienne.Beaudoin@state.ma.us, or Jennifer Mieth, (978) 567-3381 — Jennifer.Mieth@state.ma.us if we can send you copies of either the brochure or the poster or both.
Thank you again for helping to spread this safety message.
Stephen D. Coan - State Fire Marshal, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Department of Fire Services
P.O. Box 1025 - State Road, Stow, MA 01775-1025
978-567-3111 (direct), 978-567-3121 (fax), http://www.mass.gov/dfsArthritis Foundation training coursesApril to June 2010Samaritans — WorkshopsStay Cool During Hot, Humid WeatherMassachusetts H1N1 Flu Situation Weekly ReportsSwine Flu Fact SheetsDifferences between Cold, Seasonal Flu, and H1N1 SymptomsDPH Press Release on E. Coli Outbreak in New EnglandLifelines for Elders Living on the EdgeAnn Hartstein, Secretary of Elder Affairs
CDC Public Health and Aging Listserv Announcement- I. Resources
- II. Articles and Reports
- III. Conference and Event Announcements
- IV. Funding Opportunities
Monthly Webinars on Depression ManagementAlzheimer's Association — Memory Walk, Summer 2009"The Memory Project"A documentary that focuses on individuals experiencing memory loss.
|
