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Stroke can happen to anyone, at any age and at any time.

On average, someone in the United States suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, someone dies of a stroke every four minutes, and nearly 800,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

A stroke occurs when not enough oxygen-rich blood is reaching part of the brain. The usual result of a stroke is paralysis of one side of the body. A stroke is an emergency situation and, like a heart attack, requires immediate medical attention. Healthcare providers caution that “time is brain.” About 1.9 million brain cells die each minute during a stroke.

It’s important to learn the warning signs of a stroke so you can help save a life and reduce the physical repercussions and recovery time.

With stroke, every minute counts. People who delay seeking medical care for more than one hour after experiencing stroke symptoms have a much higher likelihood of permanent damage to brain tissue, disability and death. So it’s critical that patients get the treatment they need as soon as possible.

Warning signs of stroke include:

•             Balance: Loss of balance or coordination.

•             Eyes: Changes in vision.

•             Face: Look for an uneven smile.

•             Arms: Check if one arm is weak or drifts downward when raised.

•             Speech: Listen for slurred speech.

•             Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

Why dial 911? It’s safer.

You may think driving a patient to the nearest hospital is the fastest and most helpful response, but there are clear advantages to dialing 9-1-1. The biggest advantage is that the emergency medical services team can assess and route patients to the best hospital for their condition, and they will give the hospital advance notice of the patient’s arrival. This advance notice triggers a “code neuro” over the hospital PA system and initiates a system of rapid responses so that diagnostics and treatment begin immediately upon arrival.

If the patient deteriorates during transport in a private vehicle and no one is able to provide lifesaving interventions and medication, the driver would have to pull off the road and then call 9-1-1 for assistance.

Remember, a stroke can happen at any time. It could happen to a friend or family member or someone you observe in a grocery store. If you remember to be fast and dial 9-1-1, you could save someone’s life.

Source: MultiCare Health System, a not-for-profit healthcare organization with hospitals, clinics and other services in Pierce, King and Kitsap counties and elsewhere in Washington and Idaho.

srmedia by — June 24, 2019 in Health & Fitness

According to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, approximately 150,000 people in Washington who are eligible for a Dual Special Needs health plan (DSNP, or dual plan) aren’t enrolled in one. That means dual-eligible consumers could have up to three different coverage entities providing their care – the U.S. government, the state and a managed care organization – which may make it more complicated to provide coordination of care.
The 2019 annual enrollment period has ended, but people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid can use a special election period to change plans once per quarter during the first nine months of the year.
About 9 million people in the U.S. are dual-plan-eligible.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) notes that dual plans enroll beneficiaries who are entitled to Medicare and medical assistance from a state plan under Medicaid, and offer the opportunity of enhanced benefits by combining those available through Medicare and Medicaid. Those who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid may be eligible to enroll in a dual plan that may offer additional benefits such as dental, hearing and vision coverage. Dual-eligible consumers may be in poorer health and require more care, or may need additional financial support. These additional benefits and services could play a larger role in keeping them healthier.
With a dual plan, recipients may also receive help to purchase approved health items, transportation to health care appointments, and to manage and coordinate their care. People eligible for a dual plan can often enroll for no monthly premium, which may help make it an affordable option.
Additional information is available from private health plan companies and cms.gov.

Source: United Healthcare of Washington

srmedia by — June 24, 2019 in News
Jewish grandparents and their legacies

The first-ever national study of Jewish grandparents has shined light on their attitudes and beliefs, behaviors and needs in relation to grandparenting, including their desire to share their legacies in an age of complexity and change.

In the research commissioned by the Jewish Grandparents Network in partnership with 17 national organizations and Jewish federations, nearly 8,000 individuals revealed that:

  • Most grandparents are committed to transmitting of Jewish values.
  • Nearly half of the grandparents in the national representative sample have a child married to a non-Jewish partner.
  • While the vast majority of Jewish grandparents find their role to be a joyful experience, grandparenting can have its difficulties.
  • Most frequently, interactions between grandparents and their grandchildren take place in their homes and their grandchildren’s homes around birthdays and national holidays.

Some of the grandparents don’t model Jewish involvement for their grandkids, or have no interest in passing on Jewish practices to the youngsters.

David Raphael co-founder of the Jewish Grandparents Network, said the “challenge” for the Jewish community is “to pivot towards the wonderful opportunity to engage grandparents in ways that ultimately bring the entire family together in meaningful Jewish experiences. Grandparents really can be partners in the Jewish-engagement work that so many communities look to do.”

srmedia by — June 24, 2019 in Lifestyles
Wheels for a good cause

Representatives of Mountain View Community Center in Edgewood and Pierce Transit celebrated the awarding of a used, 12-passenger transit van to the center to take seniors on day trips and children to summer camps. When Pierce Transit’s vans and shuttles reach the end of their use for public transportation, the agency donates them through its Care-A-Van program to non-profit organizations that provide rides and services for people with special needs. The trips can be to jobs, meal sites, medical appointments or stores for shopping. Application forms and rules for eligibility are available at piercetransit.org. Vehicles are awarded quarterly. In addition to Mountain View Community Center, recipients of vans include Spanaway Lutheran Church, Road to Independence, Tacoma Rescue Mission, New Hope/Homeward Bound–Freezing Nights, Alchemy Indoor Skatepark and Education Center, Graham-Kapowsin Community Council, Goodwill, Tacoma Housing Authority, and Tacoma Shine Youth Athletics.

srmedia by — June 18, 2019 in News