| Medical issues today are vast and ever changing in answers, so where can you go when you need trusted advice for today’s issues? Look no further than the pages of our new feature, Expert Advice. We took the time to ask the commonly asked questions to our professionals so we can share them with you, our readers.
What are some of the advantages of having in home senior care?
With more seniors aging today, in-home care is more vital than ever. Depending on the situation, the advantages more often than not far outweigh the alternatives.
For the adult children of aging parents, especially those who live a distance away, an in-home caregiver can be your eyes and ears, someone to watch over and care for your parents when you can’t be there.
For an older adult, in-home care can provide a sense of security, and the constant assurance that you can accomplish those daily activities, which aren’t as easy as they used to be.
For seniors coming out of the hospital, having in-home assistance can mean the difference between staying home and getting well, or having a relapse and going back to the hospital, something that happens to every one in five Medicare patients.
The goal of in-home senior care is to help older adults live as happily and independently as possible for as long as possible, in their own homes where they feel comfortable, secure and safe.
Charlene Perrone,
CSA-Certified Senior Advisor, SHARP Certified?Owner
Home Instead Senior Care for Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valleys,?a CAHSAH certified Home Care Aide company
28542 Constellation Road,
Suite A?, Santa Clarita
661-254-8701
With children going back to school, how can we prevent our children from getting sick at day care or school?
Hand washing is one of the best ways to eliminate the spread of germs. Frequent hand washing cleans away viruses and bacteria that may have been picked up from various sources like sick individuals, contaminated surfaces or animals. Any mild soap will do and antibacterial soap is not necessary. Hand sanitizer may be used when water and soap are not available.
Children should be taught to cover their mouth when sneezing or coughing. Covering the mouth with the arm rather than the hand is better. They should also be taught to use facial tissues to wipe or blow the nose.
Dressing properly for the cold weather is also important. Sweaters, coats and other cold weather gear should be worn when necessary to prevent illness.
Many illnesses can be prevented by available vaccines. It is important to make sure that all children have received the required vaccines to prevent the spread of illnesses like whooping cough, measles and chickenpox. All children should receive seasonal influenza vaccine to prevent the spread of this respiratory illness.
Children should be kept home when they are ill, and will generally recover quickly from an acute illness with rest, a well-balanced diet and lots of fluids. They can return to school or daycare when any fever associated with an illness has resolve for 24 hours and the other symptoms have become minimal.
Dr. Thomas Connolly is a Board Certified Pediatrician who is located in our Copper Hill office.
Facey Medical Group
17909 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country, 661-250-5225
27924 Seco Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, 661-513-2100
26357 McBean Parkway, Valencia, 661-222-2620
What is a dental implant, and what are the benefits of implants vs. dentures?
A dental implant is a metal device designed to replace missing teeth. The device is usually made out of titanium and is surgically placed into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. Unlike a dental bridge, an implant is permanent.
By replacing a lost tooth with a dental implant, the overall health and function of the surrounding teeth are maintained. The implant can prevent tooth migration and loss of structure and will help avoid loss of bone from the jaw in that area. Further, implants reduce the impact of the lost tooth on surrounding teeth, as traditional bridge structures often require reduction (filing down) of the two flanking teeth to hold the bridge in place with a crown. Implanting avoids such alterations to the surrounding teeth when replacing a lost tooth.
When replacing dentures, implants can provide even more benefits. Implants do not slip nor do they have the potential of limiting the diet to easily chewed foods as can happen with poorly fitting dentures. If appropriate, implants are the method most able to surgically restore one or more missing teeth to their original conditions.
Lawrence Fealy, D.D.S.
Lawrence Fealy, D.D.S.
Valencia Medical Center
25880 Tournament Road, Suite 101, Valencia, 661-253-0812
What are some common symptoms of a stroke that people often overlook and when should you seek medical help?
According to Darrin Privett, MD, an Emergency Room physician at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital:
People often overlook headaches, dizziness and weakness, and one-sided numbness to the face, arm and leg. The classic symptoms of a stroke include drooping on one side of the face, weakness on one side when you try to raise both arms, slurred speech and not being able to speak a simple sentence. Some people describe their symptoms as having the worse headache of their lives.
If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately. Lost time could be lost brain. If it’s a stroke, act FAST: Face/Arms/Speech/Time.
Darrin Privett, MD, an Emergency Room physician at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital is an Advanced Primary Stroke Center.
Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital
23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia
661-253-8000
What causes gum disease, and how often should I visit a dentist to prevent it from occurring?
Gum disease is caused by bacteria that live on the surface of your teeth. When these bacteria accumulate in large numbers, they are visible on the surface of the teeth as plaque. The plaque bacteria produce toxins that are very irritating to the gums. In early gum disease, or gingivitis, the plaque causes gums to be puffy and prone to bleeding when brushed or flossed. As the plaque progresses below the gum line deep pockets will form between the teeth and gums, and the bone around the teeth will begin to recede. The presence of these deep pockets and/or bone loss is called periodontitis.
The ideal frequency for hygiene visits depends on the kind of gum disease you have. For controlling gingivitis, a standard six-month schedule followed by good brushing and flossing habits is usually adequate. Depending on the depth of the pockets and the amount of bone loss, visits as often as every three months may be appropriate for patients with active periodontitis. Patients who do not improve on a high frequency schedule should be referred to a gum specialist (Periodontist) for treatment.
It should also be mentioned that most patients never will require scaling and root planing (“deep cleanings”). For patients that do have multiple deep pockets or measurable bone loss it is an appropriate initial treatment. If you follow the recommended cleaning intervals and brush and floss well should rarely need such extensive treatment more than once.
Ryan Monti, Ph.D, D.D.S. joins Christopher Go D.D.S. and Regan Lawrence D.D.S. at Go Dental.
Go Dental, 27560 Newhall Ranch Road, Suite 309, Valencia, 661-257-0880
What types of things should you look for in an assisted living facility?
When choosing an assisted community it is important to assess your needs as they are now and determine if the community can accommodate any changes you may have in the future.
We recommend using a checklist to help you decide which assisted living community is right for you. Consider the following as you investigate the various communities:
Services: Is the staff available to provide 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living? Does the community offer daily transportation? Does the community provide nutritionally balanced meals and snacks? Are there a variety of common dining/snack areas? Are customized housekeeping and laundry services available?
Is there a secure and specialized environment for residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease? Are wellness services such as nursing, physical therapy and occupational therapy available in the setting? Is there an organized activity program offered daily?
Atmosphere and Physical Features
Do you receive a prompt and warm welcome from the staff? Does the administrator/staff address the residents by name and interact warmly with them? Is there an emergency generator and will it run the elevators and common areas? Are handrails available for increased safety in the hallways? Does the community have adequate natural and artificial light? Does each suite have individually controlled central heat and air? Is a kitchenette provided with a refrigerator and a microwave? Is there a 24-hour emergency response system accessible from the unit even if the building should lose power? Are all bathrooms and showers equipped to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers? Does it look, feel and smell like home?
Margie Veis, PT, B.S., Summerhill Villa
24431 Lyons Avenue, Santa Clarita, 661-254-9933 |
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