Presbyterian SeniorCare Unveils New Website, Social Media Presence

Posted by on Apr 24, 2012 in Boomers | 0 comments

Presbyterian SeniorCare, western Pennsylvania’s largest eldercare provider, announces the launch of its new website www.SrCare.org. The completely revamped site provides a wealth of information for the community, current and future residents, families, employees, and supporters. Visitors to the site will find easy-to-use navigation and interaction, plus beautiful images and detailed descriptions of Presbyterian SeniorCare’s campuses and its accredited and award-winning programs and services—where people are Positively Living!

Additionally, the organization is debuting two new channels through which its stakeholders may keep in touch: By “Liking” Presbyterian SeniorCare on Facebook and “Connecting” on LinkedIn. These social media profiles offer simple ways for residents, families, employees and our region to stay up-to-date with news, announcements and event information from our various communities across western Pennsylvania.

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Lesson Learned

Posted by on Apr 18, 2012 in Boomers, Long-Term Care | 0 comments

Melanie Michel

There’s a red Mustang in the garage of the Monongahela home where Debbie Leach resides with her long-time partner, Jim.  It’s easy to imagine Debbie, with her bright eyes, easy smile and quick laugh, taking the Mustang out for the sheer fun of it, perhaps with Jim or perhaps with her fellow mischief maker, her cousin Dee.  Debbie is a spirited, entrepreneurial and independent person.

So what happens when illness interrupts independence?

What happened for Debbie was that she learned the necessity of letting go and of letting people she didn’t know into her home and into her life.  The notion of Family Hospice and Palliative Care staff making home visits was not appealing at first, but Debbie says the most important thing she has learned to do is to ask for help.

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Your Health Matters: Exercise Benefits People of all Ages

Posted by on Apr 17, 2012 in Boomers, Senior Care, Wellness | 0 comments

By Dr. Judith Black

Americans are living longer and are in better physical condition than their predecessors because today’s senior citizens are more aware of the need to remain physically active into their “Golden Years.” Whether you are a senior yourself or you are looking for ways to help the seniors in your life live longer, healthier lives, it is important to remember that physical fitness can benefit people of all ages and physical conditions.

Many older adults may not get started with an exercise or physical fitness program because of their fear of injury, aggravating another medical condition or being strained beyond their limitations. Don’t worry, it is normal to feel this way. It is important to remember, however, that you should always begin by having a conversation with your family physician before starting with any new program. Everyone is different, but your doctor will know your medical condition and history as well as any limitations you may have. By discussing the degree and intensity of your exercise program, together you can agree on what has the potential to work best for you.

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Your Health Matters

Posted by on Feb 18, 2012 in Boomers | 0 comments

By Dr. Judith Black

Prepare now to make your hospital stay is less stressful

You know the saying: “A hospital is no place to be sick.” Eventually everyone must face the possibility of being hospitalized someday. With that in mind, I’m sure you have questions about what to expect. “How do I prepare for a stay at the hospital? What are some things I really need to think about?” Let’s take a few minutes to learn how you can make sure your hospital stay is less stressful.

Be involved and proactive about your health

Research shows that patients who take part in decisions about their health care are more likely to get better faster. As a patient, you can make your hospital stay a better experience by being an active, involved and informed member of your health care team. As a practicing geriatrician with 37 years of medical experience, I hope my advice will ease any anxieties surrounding your next hospital stay.

Unfortunately, being admitted to the hospital can be a stressful time and most hospital stays for people with Medicare are unplanned and unpredictable. However, if you do have the luxury of knowing about a hospital stay beforehand, I urge you to prepare in advance because careful planning can result in better outcomes and give you peace of mind.

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How Counseling Can Improve your Sex Life after Prostate Cancer

Posted by on Feb 9, 2012 in Boomers | 0 comments

By Cindie Hubiak

If you’ve experienced prostate cancer, you likely know all too well the disruptive side effects of the treatment process. Surgery and radiation can have a serious impact on a couple’s sex life and in some cases challenge the longevity of the relationship. For me and Steve that was certainly the case.

A study, recently published in an article by the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, revealed a promising finding however. Researchers discovered that married couples who underwent some form of counseling – either in-person or online – reported improved sexual function and satisfaction with sex.

According to the study, before counseling, only about 12 to 15 percent of men reported having minor erection difficulties, the rest reported more severe difficulties. After counseling, the number of minor difficulties increased to 36 to 44 percent. What’s more, at the one-year mark, men reported scores on the sexual function and satisfaction scale that were on par with healthy men who had not undergone treatment for prostate cancer.

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Salute to Senior Service—Search on for State’s Outstanding Senior Volunteers

Posted by on Jan 19, 2012 in Boomers | 0 comments

The Home Instead Senior Care® offices serving seniors in the Greater Pittsburgh Area, has announced the Salute to Senior ServiceSM program to honor senior volunteers for the tireless contributions they make to their local communities.

The program will include a search for the most outstanding senior volunteer in each state and culminate with the selection of a national Salute to Senior Service winner during Older Americans Month in May. Nominees must be 65 years of age or older and volunteer at least 15 hours a month. Nominations will be accepted at www.SalutetoSeniorService.com through March 15, 2012.

Nomination forms also can be requested at ckoehler@homeinsteadinc.com. State Senior HeroSM winners will receive plaques, and their stories will be posted on the SalutetoSeniorService.com website. In addition, $5,000 will be donated to the national winner’s nonprofit charity of choice. According to research conducted by the Home Instead Senior Care® network, 52 percent of seniors volunteer their time through unpaid community service. Nearly 20 percent (one in five) of seniors surveyed started volunteering when they reached the traditional age of retirement – 65 or older. Furthermore, 20 percent of seniors who volunteer say that their community service is the most important thing they do. (more…)

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