Seniors are living longer and remaining in their own homes.  At the same time, falls have become an epidemic problem that jeopardizes seniors’ chances to live independently. Every year in the U.S., one out of three people age 65 and over will fall. This statistic translates to 13.3 million people who will fall in 2010, or one person falling every 2.3 seconds on average.  And there is a 50% chance that if a senior falls they will do so again within a year.

Falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma, as well as injury-related deaths among seniors and the primary reason that most medical alarms / Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) are purchased today.  Lying on the floor for an extended period of time can lead to serious complications, including pressure ulcers, muscle necrosis, dehydration, hypothermia and pneumonia.

Unfortunately, PERS pendants are not effective if one is unconscious, unable, or  unwilling to press the call button.  Studies have shown that in 4 out of 5 falls, manually activated medical alarms are never activated.  When the elderly fall they are often forget to push their button, won’t push their button because they feel they can manage the situation independently or are too embarrassed to call for help.

Recent technological advances have addressed this problem through the development of PERS devices that can detect when a fall has occurred and automatically contact a monitoring center so that assistance can be dispatched.  Briefly, multiple sensors within these devices constantly monitor the wearer’s movements and activities as they go about their daily routines.  In addition to measuring elevation and orientation to the horizontal position these devices also measure acceleration rates associated with changes in position.  When a rapid decrease in height is detected, followed by no vertical movement at all, a call for help is automatically sent.  The most advanced of these devices is small, lightweight and waterproof, and has been determined to detect a fall with 95% accuracy.

Receiving help quickly after a fall can reduce emotional distress and the potential effects of losing consciousness due, for example, to a stroke or insulin shock that can be experienced by a diabetic.  Rapid response can also significantly reduce the costs of extended treatment, rehabilitation or supported living.  The automatic call capabilities now available with some PERS systems ensure that a call for help will be made, even if the one in need cannot make that call themselves.

Provided by Columbia Medical Alarm
503.644.4736

Important Information for Persons With a DMV-Issued Disabled Parking Permit

The 2009 Legislature passed Senate Bill 937, which requires all persons applying for an original or renewal of a disabled person parking permit to submit certification from a medical professional that the applicant is a person with a permanent disability. In the past, only original applications required the certification form.
Medical professionals qualified to sign your application are licensed physicians, certified nurse practitioners, licensed physician assistants, or licensed optometrists. The medical professional must sign the certification within six months before the date of application. The medical certification must include the state-issued licensing number of the medical professional who signs.

If you hold a permanent renewable disabled parking permit, you will receive a form you can use for this purpose with your driver license or ID card renewal reminder. The form has your driver license or ID card renewal information on one side and a certification form for the medical professional to sign on the reverse side.

These renewal reminders will replace the postcard renewal reminder you have received in the past when it was time to renew your disabled parking privilege. Also, the necessary permit renewal certification forms are available on the DMV Web site, field offices and many doctors’ offices.

Dental Implants Reverse Bone Loss And Restore Oral Health

You probably already know that in order to avoid cavities and more serious dental problems, you have to take good care of your teeth. But consistent brushing and flossing habits, in conjunction with regular check-ups at the dentist, do more than just protect your oral health—they also help keep a host of other serious conditions at bay. Heart disease and stroke, for instance, have both been linked to poor dental hygiene.

As we age there is more to consider when it comes to our teeth. These days they say 60 is the new 40, but some older adults are not sure their teeth have heard this news! The Center for Disease Control & Prevention says 26% of senior citizens over 65 have lost all of their teeth. Dentures have historically been the solution for this condition but many still suffered from severe jaw- bone loss, decrease in the ability to chew, problems with speech, and gum irritation.

In regards to the bone loss, bone needs stimulation to maintain its form and density. That is why the astronauts lose bone mass while they are in space—their bones lack the stimulation that results from our everyday resistance to gravity.

“The bone in your jaw is constantly reinforced by the force applied by your teeth,” says Dr. Sharma, an expert on the subject with years of experience treating bone loss. The teeth transmit force to surrounding bone, so when you lose a tooth, the lack of stimulation results in bone loss or “resorption.”

Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone in place of missing teeth. Then prosthetic restorations, like porcelains, bridge-work, or dentures are attached to a post or abutment placed inside the implant. So when you chew, the implant acts like the root of a tooth—it transmits force to the jaw and stimulates the bone. It is as if implants “trick” the bone into thinking there is still a tooth present. By transmitting the natural forces of chewing to the jaw, implants increase bone density. Dental implants have been proven not only to stop bone loss, but in some cases actually to reverse bone loss and restore the health of the jaw.

Consistent brushing, flossing and regular visits to your dentist will significantly improve the health of your gums and teeth. If you are missing teeth though, consider the health of your jaw bone as well when making decisions about your dental care.

Article provided by
Dr. Sharma MDS
Premier Dental
(360) 882-9595