Cell Phone Breast Cancer | BlackDoctor

Ladies, it is time to invest in a cell phone case and stop dropping it inside the bra (bras are for boobs not your cell phone) read why...
 Cell Phone Breast Cancer | BlackDoctor

Beat The Holiday Blues: 7 Ways To Feel Better Faster | BlackDoctor

Beat The Holiday Blues: 7 Ways To Feel Better Faster | BlackDoctor

Using Technology to Empower Seniors in Their Care

Using Technology to Empower Seniors in Their Care

Successful Tips For Managing Your Back Pains

Successful Tips For Managing Your Back Pains | Daily Health Boost

Hip Hop Public Health

Hip Hop Public Health

Minimize Unsafe Medication Usage

Close to 1.5 million people are harmed due to medication errors annually in the United States. Such errors and abuse can be significantly minimized by the use of a Medication Manager or the support of a close family member/friend who obtains information concerning to safe use of medications. Read more about how this can lead to better education and use concerning medication use..Dedicated Medication Management Program. 

When You Take Your Daily Medications May Be Key

When You Take Your Daily Medications May Be Key - AARP

Helpful Tips for Holiday Safety - Smart911

Helpful Tips for Holiday Safety - Smart911

Community - Smart911

Community - Smart911

Antihormone therapy anastrozole may provide new option for breast cancer prevention

Antihormone therapy anastrozole may provide new option for breast cancer prevention

The Value of Patient Communication at the Bedside

The Value of Patient Communication at the Bedside

Words of Wisdom ~ Happiness & Wellbeing

Words of Wisdom ~ Happiness & Wellbeing

Seeds Of Death - Full Movie

Study Identifies Skin Biomarker for Parkinson's Disease

Study Identifies Skin Biomarker for Parkinson's Disease

Overcoming Patient Engagement Challenges

Overcoming Patient Engagement Challenges

Community Benefit - Preparing Communities to be Healthy, Resilient

Community Benefit - Preparing Communities to be Healthy, Resilient

Mindfulness in Education

Jon Kabat-Zinn: Mindfulness in Education | Harvard Graduate School of Education

Self Help Tips That Can Bring Positive Changes To Your Life! | Daily Health Boost

Self Help Tips That Can Bring Positive Changes To Your Life! | Daily Health Boost

Technology helps take the sting out of shots - Buzzy

As a former worker with pediatrics patients, one thing which always pulled at my heart strings was to see a child's fear of shots. I would always ask parents never to say that it would not hurt because I felt this fostered mistrust between the child and the medical environment. No matter how gentle it was done, needles to some degree causes some discomfort (remember pain is always relative to the individual experiencing it). When I read an article about a new product "Buzzy" I felt finally technology had hit a home run. Read more about "Buzzy" in this article "An Innovation For Pain Relief That's Worthy Of Some Buzz"

Drugs That May Cause Memory Loss Side Effect - AARP

Drugs That May Cause Memory Loss Side Effect - AARP

“Good” Patients and “Difficult” Patients — Rethinking Our Definitions — NEJM

“Good” Patients and “Difficult” Patients — Rethinking Our Definitions — NEJM

Health Benefit Exchange Authority | Health Benefit Exchange Authority

The most important thing consumers of health services do is to become informed of what options are available to help ensure adequate coverage. Do not rely on hearsay...get the information first hand with a vast array of assistance provided. Visit the website to begin your educational process. 
Health Benefit Exchange Authority | Health Benefit Exchange Authority

Genetic Mutation May Explain Increase in U.S. Whooping Cough Cases

Genetic Mutation May Explain Increase in U.S. Whooping Cough Cases

Sleep Champ App Helps Kids Sleep Like Champs

Sleep Champ App Helps Kids Sleep Like Champs

Mental Illness and the Family: Recognizing Warning Signs and How to Cope: Mental Health America

Mental Illness and the Family: Recognizing Warning Signs and How to Cope: Mental Health America

Enhancing Patient Engagement Beyond the Clinic

Enhancing Patient Engagement Beyond the Clinic

Prescription Discount Cards - To Use or Not to Use

Today every household is seeking ways to make their funds stretch.  One area where this is vitally important is when it comes to purchasing medications. If you are like most individuals, you have either received what are slated as discount prescription cards unsolicited in the mail or have had someone walk up to you offering you one. So, the questions that should come to mind is -"are the cards legitimate and will they really save me and my family money? Take a look at what patient advocate Trisha Torrey has to say on the topic "Discount Prescription Drug Cards - Saving Money on Prescription Drugs".     Be an informed consumer, in other words, DO YOUR RESEARCH!  Read the fine print to determine if the card will be of benefit to your situation and NEVER cancel your health insurance because these cards are NOT health insurance, merely a DISCOUNT card for purchase of medications.

DO YOU READ THE LABELS?

When it comes to taking over the counter (OTC) medications it is always advisable to consult with you medical practitioner, especially if you are taking prescription medications. There can be harmful interactions that when taking more than one medication (this is true for prescription as well as OTC medications). Because OTC medications are not monitored when purchased, what can have an even more negative and possible harmful impact on your health is not knowing, or taking the time to know, the possible side effects of OTC. One common OTC pain reliever, Tylenol (aka acetaminophen), is one such medication. One company, Johnson & Johnson, is moving to help consumer's by changing the top's of Tylenol to warn consumers to ALWAYS READ THE LABEL before taking this OTC medication. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a good OTC pain medication, however, it cannot be taken by everyone and definitely you need to take the time to know "Is it safe for me to take Tylenol"?
Always remember the pharmacist should be included in your team of health care providers. They are an excellent source of a wealth of information and can help you monitor all of you medication needs, both prescription and OTC. The next time you visit the pharmacy, try stepping over to that section labeled  "CONSULTATION" and begin building a relationship with the pharmacist that can be one of the most valuable relationships you may ever have.

Addressing Systemic Barriers to Efficient Discharge Planning

Addressing Systemic Barriers to Efficient Discharge Planning

Completing Your Life Planning

End of life care is one of the most difficult discussions that family members have but as I am the caregiver of someone with stage 4 heart failure I have done a lot of thinking on this matter lately. It appeared to me that when someone finds out that they are expecting a child so much preparation goes into that nine month period before the child's arrival and I wonder why the same preparation is not put into the planning of how one would like life to end? I  know that we do not determine the time or manner in which this happens but the care we desire can be our choice. I recently read an article on Dr. Keven Pho's blog, "When Donated Blood is Wasted" which further made me feel that enough effort to plan is not put into this life duty.
Except in the case where a person dies suddenly or accidentally, some planning should be done for end of life care, regardless of how or when the event occurs. As a responsible adults we need to begin the discussion of some of our wishes LONG BEFORE illness or a  tragedy occurs. If the conversations were to begin, you will find that most people have preferences on this topic (if given a choice, where would you want to die-home or hospital, who would you want to care for you, what kind of treatments would or would you not want, etc.). The Family Caregivers Alliance website has a wealth of information and resources for you to begin to take that first step. You not only owe it to your loved ones to lift this burden but you owe it to yourself so you end choices are yours and not ones made for you.

Regulation of Dietary and Herbal Supplements

Regulation of Dietary and Herbal Supplements

Getting the monkey off your back

Monkey on the back

Hospital Room Innovation Built Around Engagement, Quality of Care

Hospital Room Innovation Built Around Engagement, Quality of Care

Patient-Generated Health Data Can Add Clinical Value

Patient-Generated Health Data Can Add Clinical Value

Moving from Volume- to Value-Based Health Care

Moving from Volume- to Value-Based Health Care

AHRQ Patient Engagement Strategies: Eliminating Communication Gaps

AHRQ Patient Engagement Strategies: Eliminating Communication Gaps

How Patient Perception Affects Satisfaction

As a consumer of healthcare...it is important that you voice your opinion in relation to the service you receive from providers. No one has to accept mediocre service. Speak up because your voice does matter!!
How Patient Perception Affects Satisfaction

Study Shows Baby Boomers Care Falling Short, Few Healthcare Practices Offer Medicare Wellness Visits

Few Healthcare Practices Prepared to Offer Medicare Wellness Visits

Most Consumers Don't Know About Health Insurance Exchanges

Even I was a consumer who did not know that if you live in the Washington DC Metro area, are disabled with Medicare, because you cannot buy a supplemental insurance until age 65 there is a program for those who qualify to assist you with premiums and supplemental coverage. This is a real puzzle but worth the time and effort to piece together.
 Most Consumers Don't Know About Health Insurance Exchanges - Highlight HEALTH

Communications Main Driver for Successful Patient Engagement

Communications Main Driver for Successful Patient Engagement

Frequently Asked Questions about Medicinal Charcoal

Frequently Asked Questions about Medicinal Charcoal

4 Healthy Breakfast Alternatives to Cereal | Healthy Recipes and Sustainable FoodHealthy Recipes and Sustainable Food

4 Healthy Breakfast Alternatives to Cereal | Healthy Recipes and Sustainable FoodHealthy Recipes and Sustainable Food

Building a more complete client picture

Building a more complete client picture

A Guide to Safe Reusable Grocery Bag Use

A Guide to Safe Reusable Grocery Bag Use

Caregiver Action Network & Medicare Made Clear PSA

Mental Health Month LIVEvent: Depression in Senior Adults - Adventist Behavioral Health

Mental Health Month LIVEvent: Depression in Senior Adults - Adventist Behavioral Health

Top five tips for National Women's Health week | 211info

Top five tips for National Women's Health week | 211info

Empowering All Generations to Embrace Patient Engagement

Empowering All Generations to Embrace Patient Engagement

Patient Satisfaction Is Directly Tied to Quality of Care

Patient Satisfaction Is Directly Tied to Quality of Care

GetWellNetwork - A Platform to become a member of your healthcare team

Leading Provider of Interactive Patient Care | GetWellNetwork

Career Article - Five Healthcare Buzzwords and Their Meanings

Career Article - Five Healthcare Buzzwords and Their Meanings - HealthcareJobSite.com

Slow Down: How Our Fast-Paced World Is Making Us Sick | Alternet

Slow Down: How Our Fast-Paced World Is Making Us Sick | Alternet

Lung Cancer in Non-smokers: What’s Your Risk?

Lung Cancer in Non-smokers: What’s Your Risk?

Fats and Cholesterol: Out with the Bad, In with the Good

Fats and Cholesterol: Out with the Bad, In with the Good

Sugar, Diabetes and a Call for Regulation

Sugar, Diabetes and a Call for Regulation

Colorectal Awareness

Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the Nation. Colorectal cancer affects all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people age 50 and older. http://healthfinder.gov/nho/MarchToolkit.aspx

Ten Remarkable Lemon Benefits - Beliefnet.com

Ten Remarkable Lemon Benefits - Beliefnet.com

RECALL ON GLUCOSE TESTING MONITORS

2 million blood glucose meters recalled worldwide

March is Save Your Vision Month

Learn more about various diseases of the eye and what you need to do to protect your vision on Eye & Vision Problems on the American Optometric Association website

Thank a Social Worker during the month of March

About Social Workers « Helpstartshere.org

March marks National Nutrition Month

National Nutrition Month

The National Kidney Foundation:

Most Americans know that heart disease and cancer can be silent killers and understand that monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol are critical to protecting their health. Too few adults—and not enough doctors—realize, however, that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is another common, life-threatening illness that often goes undetected until very advanced when it could be diagnosed early through simple tests.Learn more at
 The National Kidney Foundation: News

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

Brain injury is not an event or an outcome. It is the start of a misdiagnosed, misunderstood, under-funded neurological disease. Individuals who sustain brain injuries must have timely access to expert trauma care, specialized rehabilitation, lifelong disease management and individualized services and supports in order to live healthy, independent and satisfying lives. Learn more
 Welcome to the Brain Injury Association of America

Fight Stress with Healthy Habits

Fight Stress with Healthy Habits

Bed alarms don't work and won't reduce patient falls

Bed alarms don't work and won't reduce patient falls

Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer

Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer

Glaucoma Cases Expected to More Than Double by 2030

Glaucoma Cases Expected to More Than Double by 2030

Technology Helps Seniors Stay at Home - Kiplinger

Technology Helps Seniors Stay at Home - Kiplinger

Smartphones - Facilitating Better Health Care

How Smartphones Are Facilitating Better Health Care

2013

Below is a post from the wall of a Facebook friend which I thought was great advice for starting off the years 2013

2013 HANDBOOK

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2012 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree....

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40. Please share these guidelines with everyone you care about, I just did.

How to be Healthy

How to be Healthy - Dr. Oz's Tips for a Longer Life - AARP

Centered

Centered