Nora has knee pain. Combine 55 years of normal wear and tear, a bad fall skiing last year, and decades of wearing high heels left Nora with recurrent pain in her left knee. She researched doctors on the Internet and chose a female orthopedist at the local Bone Palace. Dr. Barnes ordered the usual tests. After Nora visited Radiology, she headed over to Dr. Barnes’ office. Dr. Barnes showed Nora her MRI results on a tablet. Good news! Nora does not need knee replacement and will most likely see improvement from physical therapy. When Nora visited the therapist, her test results were instantly available on the integrated computer system. Nora’s therapist set her up on a routine of visits to his practice, and also worked with her on a home schedule tied into an app on her smart phone. The app will not only remind her of home exercise, but will track her progress.

Nora’s story and the almost instantaneous communication between doctor and patient illustrate the sea change technology is bringing to modern healthcare. New technology and tools are increasing connectivity between providers and patients. Accenture surveyed 3,700 physicians in eight countries and found that more doctors are adopting the use of EMRs (Electronic Medical Records) and joining HIEs (Health Information Exchanges). In essence, the digital doctor is now fully in the office.

Evolving technology has infiltrated healthcare in almost every conceivable way, from smart phone apps for diabetic compliance to physician e-prescriptions.
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Our country is aging, and the number of pensioners on government benefits is growing, according to government statistics. Pensioners over the ages of 50 and 60 receive a proportion of more than half of all of Britain’s total benefits budget (about £109 billion or $166 billion). The benefits are also boosted by a mechanism that guarantees adjustments to the pensioners’ benefits. This so-called triple lock provides increases based on earnings increase, price inflation or a 2.5 percent broad increase. Pensioners receive whichever is the highest of all of these over a given time.

Government programs, such as free bus passes, winter fuel allowances and even free TV licenses over the age of 75, also benefits seniors. As simply giveaways, the benefits are not based on need at all, which frustrates disability advocates. About one billion people in the world live with some form of disability, according to the United Nations. And here in Britain, our seniors with disabilities have a tougher time finding benefits for disabled persons.
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By Charlotte Wlodkowski

Within the next 10 years, the Pittsburgh region will see the population of those 65 years and older double.  We know them as Boomers and they have a different mind-set than those who have retired before them.

Scott Wolovich, a physical therapist and graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with over 14 years’ experience, sees his patients taking their physical and mental balance in a different way.  He coordinates care by supporting the patient, their families and caregivers through education.  Scott’s primary role is in community based care in home health and he has served the older population for some time now.  He is also the founder of Revel Pittsburgh, a regional initiative providing resources and tools to promote active, healthy lifestyles for older adults and those who love them.

Q.  What drew you to this field?

Scott:  After recovering from injuries, I was exposed to the field of physical therapy.  I am now working to improve the health and quality of life for patients and get them back to doing the things they want to do.  I stay in this field because helping other people is truly rewarding.  You get as much from working with other people as they get from you.

Q.  How can the older adult population take better care of themselves?

Scott:  The single most important thing is staying active.  There is a very clear correlation between physical movement, staying engaged in the community, and independence for the aging population.  Studies increasingly point to social isolation as a strong predictor of declining health.  Those older adults who continue to work tend to keep themselves informed and educated.

There is more information available today than has ever been in terms of ways to improve healthy lifestyle changes.  There is greater access to more local resources.  The challenge is, while information is available, people are not always finding it.  Part of taking care of yourself is taking an active role in your health and getting the right resources.

Another challenge is changing people’s eating habits.  Everyone knows that we should eat healthier meals but old eating habits are hard to change.  People need to be open to these changes for better health. Nutrition is a powerful and underutilized component to improving health.

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Marking another milestone in its 85 year tradition of serving the needs and desires of older adults, Presbyterian SeniorCare today celebrated the 30^th anniversary of Bellmead Apartments, its first senior housing community, which includes a total of 120 one- and two-bedroom apartments subsidized by HUD.

Perched high atop a hill in Washington, Bellmead sits on a picturesque wooded lot surrounded by flowering gardens and winding, red brick walkways. The 126 residents who call Bellmead home readily enjoy seeing wildlife as much as having the convenience of many on-site amenities, including a grocery store, beauty shop, chapel and wellness center.

Community and civic leaders joined Bellmead residents and families along with leadership and representatives of Presbyterian SeniorCare for a morning ceremony, which included remarks by Larry Maggi, Chair of the Washington County Board of Commissioners and a proclamation read on behalf of Representative Brandon Neuman.

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As a caregiver, your role wears many hats. One of them is to be an external source of motivation. In general, we are all creatures of habit and those habits just get deeper and deeper engrained in us the older we get. As your loved one ages, him or her continue to be active and independent:

Arrange for delivery of food and medicines to be delivered.

Some seniors don’t feel comfortable driving in areas with considerable traffic. Others may not be able to stand for long periods of time in a grocery store. Because of this, a simple trip to the drug store is no longer that simple. Have groceries and medications delivered directly to your loved one’s door. Most neighborhoods have at least one pharmacy where delivery is an option and some prescription plans even allow medications to be mailed. Many grocery stores have online shopping available so seniors can select items and add them to a virtual cart, then arrange for delivery right to their homes. For example, Shop.Safeway.com offers same-day delivery if the order is placed before 8:30 a.m.
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In 2002, after twelve years of filming for a video company that produced memorial tributes, Gary Hanson decided to start CreationScapes and he has been enriching lives ever since with his incredible nature video programs that include music and scripture. The superior quality, therapeutic, and inspirational qualities of his work were soon noticed by Daystar Television Network, the largest Christian network viewed worldwide. The videos were aired nightly on Daystar for nearly nine years and are currently aired globally on the Hope Channel and SkyAngel with their newly formed Video on Demand content.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the quality of photography and music on CreationScapes is some of the best in the world. The programs are all filmed in High Definition and contain scenes from China, Britain, Italy, Hawaii, Mexico, and all over North America. They are accompanied by the natural sounds of nature and range from every theme imaginable – seascapes, mountains, flowers, baby animals, waterfalls and streams to sunsets, patriotism, farm and country, and so much more, covering all four seasons. CreationScapes even offer videos specific to holidays or special days/events as well as themes for every family memory and every age.

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