In the past, our parents and grandparents had doctors that made house calls and as we know that has changed!  Time is a rare commodity for doctor and patient alike.  Having good communication with your doctor is critical.  Appointment times vary and a high- quality visit is vital.

Coming prepared to your visit can make all the difference.  Read on for some steps to make the most of your doctor’s visit.

Set an agenda of what’s concerning you.
Be prepared and bring along medication lists and necessary health information.
Be honest about all aspects o…

“So, do you have any questions for me?”

Hearing this from a healthcare provider at the end of an appointment can often cause your mind to either race or go blank. Surely, you have questions, but sometimes they come to you just as the provider walks out the door.

Communicating with healthcare providers can be difficult; our current healthcare system offers limited time and opportunity for both doctor and patient to connect in a meaningful way. According to a study conducted by the University of Southampton and published in the American Journal of Medicine, inef…

A hospitalization is usually an unexpected and stressful time for both the patient and their loved ones. This article will review some helpful hints to navigate your stay.
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First, make sure to clarify with the staff whether the patient is under observation or officially admitted to the hospital. Just because they are placed in a hospital room doesn’t always mean that they are an admitted patient. This is especially important for traditional Medicare recipients, because if they need extended care in a rehabilitation facility after their hospitalization, Trad…

It is October.  The first 9 months of 2020 have served up many challenges and hardships. And there does not seem to be an end in sight.  All the world has been affected. And personally, we have had to deal with so much.  Truly, this has forced us to dig in and call upon our ability to be resilient.
Strength against adversity.
The image of a single tree growing in a desert illustrates what being resilient can feel like.  Resilience helps us survive, and even thrive, during such difficult times.

This video from Friends Life Care’s Director of Wellness Initiatives spe…

Making your home accessible as you age is a key factor in staying in your home. This video explains the most common home modifications adults make and explains why they are important.
 

Contributed by:
Nancy Thomas, MS, OTR/L, CAPS
Care Coordinator

Nancy is a licensed occupational therapist (OT) in Pennsylvania who is also Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) certified. Her passion is to help older adults thrive in place! Since the start of her OT career, she has been working with the older adult population in different long term care settings including…