Author: Valerie Smith

Living Options

Posted on July 16, 2020 by in Issues of Aging

…there’s no place like home. Dorothy, in The Wizard of Oz Living Options for seniors can be varied and challenging. They range from living independently to living with family, senior retirement centers to assisted living and more. Independent Independent: Home – house, apartment, etc. Most people want to stay living on their own. A Home

Diagnostic Lab Explanations

Posted on July 12, 2020 by in Diagnostic

Brief summaries of why common labs are ordered. Please click on the individual tests for more information. Complete Blood Count (CBC) Looks at Red Blood Cells for anemia and such, at White Blood Cells for inflammation/infection, etc, and Platelets for blood clotting ability. HCT / Hematocrit Hemoglobin MCH MCHC MCV Platelet RBC WBC Complete or

Diagnostic Imaging

Posted on July 12, 2020 by in Diagnostic

Imaging provides more detail information to assist in the care of our patients. What is a CT scan? A Computerized Axial Tomography (CT or CAT) scan is an image created by taking information from multiple X-ray beams, showing ‘slices’ of brain, chest, abdomen, etc. These studies are very helpful to discovering many medical problems. But there

Resources and Supporting Links

Posted on July 12, 2020 by in Issues of Aging

When the words appeared, everyone said they were a miracle. But nobody pointed out that the web itself is a miracle. Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White General: Counties: Clackamas County Social Services: (503) 650-5622 Multnomah County Aging & Disability Services: (503) 988-3646 Washington County Disability, Aging & Veteran’s Services: (503) 640-3489 Cities: Portland: Senior Resources Portland Parks Resources

End-of-Life Planning

Posted on July 12, 2020 by in Issues of Aging

Time has shaken me by the hand, and Death is not far behind. John Wesley (1791) With modern health care, we often have options near the end, regarding extensive medical treatments or comprehensive comfort care. Making our preferences known about end of life care may spare our family and ourselves added stress and suffering.  

Caregiving

Posted on July 12, 2020 by in Issues of Aging

No Spring, nor Summer beauty hath such grace, As I have seen in one Autumnal face. John Donne (1600) As important as Family care support is to the Health Care system, we need to ask, who is taking care of the Caregivers? Family Caregiving The help family and friends provide for the older and infirm

Senior Community Resources

Posted on July 12, 2020 by in Issues of Aging

Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m sixty-four? John Lennon (1967) Senior Community Resources are important to the health and well being of seniors. It starts in local communities.   Recreation, Social, Nutrition, Safety, and other services are available for older citizens in the communities where they live. Clackamas, Multnomah,

Medical Problems

Posted on July 12, 2020 by in Issues of Aging

If I’d known I was gonna live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself. Eubie Blake, age 100 (1983) Seniors face unique challenges. Please use the information and links to sites below to help deal with these and to stimulate discussions with your health care provider. General Aging Health Information See other Pacific

Diabetes

Posted on July 12, 2020 by in Medical Conditions

Your health care providers at Pacific Medical Group want to work with you to give the best medical care possible. We believe that the more you know about keeping in good health, and dealing with your conditions, the better we can work together. What is diabetes? What are the types? DIABETES MELLITUS (DM) Diabetes Mellitus

Anticoagulation Use

Posted on July 12, 2020 by in Medical Conditions

Working with you to give you the best medical care possible. Anticoagulation and anti-platelet medications Anticoagulation medications, or blood thinners, are medications used to decrease the ability of blood to clot. They are used to stop blood clots from enlarging and to stop formation of new clots. They are used in medical conditions where a