BEVERLY HOSPITAL LIFELINE l CENTER FOR HEALTHY AGING

LEDGEWOOD REHABILITATION AND SKILLED NURSING CENTER

NORTHEAST HOMECARE l NORTHEASTLINK l NORTH SHORE PRN

SEACOAST NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER

SPECTRUM ADULT DAY HEALTH PROGRAM l THE HERRICK HOUSE

JAN/FEB/MAR 2010

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ThE ROLE OF ExERcIsE IN FALL PREVENTION By sharon Gonick, PT, cOs-c, Rehabilitation Manager, Northeast homecare

Statistically, one out of every three individuals over the age of 65 years falls each year. Of those who fall, 50% fall repeatedly. Most falls result in bruises, strains, sprains and psychological distress, but roughly 1% of all falls result in a hip fracture. More than 90% of hip fractures are caused by falls, especially to the side. Falls resulting in a hip fracture can be both devastating psychologically and life-threatening.

common Factors contributing to Falls Many factors can contribute to a fall in the senior population. Medical factors which contribute to falls include osteoporosis, vision changes, cardiac conditions, strokes, Parkinson’s disease, urinary tract infections, incontinence, memory disorders, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, respiratory conditions, and multiple medications. Non-medical factors that contribute to falling are environmental hazards, weather conditions, uneven flooring, pets, poor lighting, unstable furniture, clutter, and poor footwear.

The Role of Exercise A regular exercise program has been proven to reduce the risk of elder falls. Ideally, everyone should perform some form of exercise at least three times per week. Sedentary individuals can lose 20-40% of their muscle mass throughout the course of their adult life. Increased muscle mass has been associated with the maintenance of functional independence and a decreased risk of falls.

The effects of weight training on frail elderly have been found to enhance overall mobility as well as improve spontaneous activity and balance.

Integrating Exercise into Your Life Before starting an exercise program, it is important to get a thorough physical exam from your physician, including a complete review of all of your medications. Proper footwear that has a closed toe, does not slip off, and offers support and cushioning is a must. Correct technique and proper guidance can help structure a program that is individual and will meet all of your needs. Start slowly and always remember to breathe while you are exercising. The motto “No Pain, No Gain” does not always apply. Muscle soreness or aches for 24-48 hours following exercise are common, but pain while exercising is not. If you experience pain during exercise, discontinue immediately and most importantly, find an exercise program that you will enjoy and have fun performing.

NORThEAsT sENIOR hEALTh PROGRAMs

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WEB cORNER

Helping seniors and families access valuable resources at the click of a mouse!

PatientsLikeMewww.patientslikeme.com

Founded in 2004, PatientsLikeMe is the leading online resource for people coping with life-changing

medical conditions. The site enables visitors to access the latest information on their particular disease while gaining valuable support from a network of

patients and providers.

GAIN PEAcE OF MINd WITh BEVERLY hOsPITAL LIFELINE

The Beverly Hospital Lifeline program offers a 24-hour Medical Alert Service that provides help at the push of a button, enabling you to maintain your independence in the comfort of your own home while bringing peace of

mind to both you and your family.

special Offer for New Beverly hospital Lifeline subscribers

Enroll by March 31, 2010 and get the first month of service free.

Call 978-921-1697, ext. 398 to enroll or to learn more.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common hand and upper extremity disorders that people seek out medical attention for. So what exactly is CTS? CTS is pain, weakness, tingling and numbness in the thumb, index and long fingers caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. The median nerve, as well as several other tendons, runs from the forearm to the hand through a small space in the wrist known as the carpal tunnel.

how does cTs occur?Outside of sustaining trauma, such as a bad wrist fracture that can create carpal tunnel syndrome, CTS has been linked to many repetitive activities, the most common being keyboarding on a computer. However, it has not been scientifically proven that computers are a direct cause of CTS. They are likely a contributing factor.

What are my treatment options?Fortunately for many patients, surgery is not the only treatment option available to treat CTS. The least invasive treatment method is for the patient to wear Velcro splints on his or her wrist(s) at night. This might seem strange but most people actually sleep with their wrists bent down, also known as flexed, which causes an increased amount of pressure on the median nerve. The splints are easy to use and rest the wrist in a position that applies the least amount of pressure on the nerve. By eliminating that excessive amount of pressure, the Velcro splints can alleviate a lot of symptoms that occur at night. Sometimes hand surgeons use other techniques in conjunction with splinting such as

corticosteroid (cortisone) injections. These injections have been shown to alleviate symptoms as well.

Surgery for CTS is one of the most common procedures that hand surgeons perform. A carpal tunnel release can be performed under local anesthesia with some mild sedation in the operating room. It is a safe and effective way to remove the pressure on the nerve. The procedure gives the median nerve an opportunity to regenerate, thereby alleviating the patient’s symptoms. Patients usually find relief from the more painful symptoms within the first 24 to 48 hours and, depending on the severity of a patient’s condition, sensation can return thereafter.

It is important to keep in mind that based on the longevity of a patient’s condition, he or she may require nerve conduction testing. This nerve conduction test is referred to as an EMG/NCS, which stands for electromyography nerve conduction study. This allows your physician to see the electrical activity of the nerve as well as the nerve’s response to activating the muscles. These tests can assist hand surgeons in devising proper treatment plans for patients with CTS.

There are many approaches to treating CTS, which if left unaddressed can be a chronic and very painful condition. It’s important to explore your options with a physician. If you, or anyone you know, are coping with what you feel may be CTS, please contact the Sports Medicine North Hand Service at 978-818-6350.

UNdERsTANdING cARPAL TUNNEL sYNdROMEPeter M. Prokopis, M.d., sports Medicine North

www.beverlyhospital.org3

JAN/FEB/MAR 2010 EVENTs

ROsE BAKER sENIOR cENTER - Free Lecture

March 24, 2010 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.Exercise safety & Fall PreventionSharon Gonick, PT, COS-C, Rehabilitation Manager, Northeast HomeCare

Please RSVP to 978-281-9765.

Free Brown Bag Pharmacy session: second Wednesday, Every Other MonthAn Addison Gilbert Hospital registered pharmacist will review your current medications and offer suggestions.

February 10, 2010 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Reserve your free and confidential 15-minute session by calling the Rose Baker Senior Center at 978-281-9765.

sEAcOAsT NURsING ANd REhABILITATION cENTER - Free Breakfast Lecture

March 18, 2010Breakfast served at 8:00 a.m., Presentation 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.stroke Rehabilitation: The Latest Therapeutic ApproachesChris Braid, COTA/L, RM, Rehabilitation Manager, Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Please RSVP to 978-283-0300.

Gloucester Events

WENhAM cOUNcIL ON AGING - Free LectureThis program to be held at Enon Village on Larch Lane in Wenham.

March 16, 2010 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m.Everyday Forgetfulness vs. Memory disorders: Exploring the differencesDarcey Adams, LICSW, Director of Community Programs, Northeast Senior Health

Free Wellness clinics: Fourth Wednesday of the Month Free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings available on a drop-in basis.

January 27, 2010 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. February 24, 2010 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.March 24, 2010 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

For questions or directions, please call 978-468-5529.

Wenham Events

Please note: Northeast Senior Health offers additional programs in communities beyond those listed here. For a complete listing of upcoming lectures and screenings, please call our Events Hotline at 978-524-6040. To request a speaker for an organization or meeting you are involved in, please call Northeast Senior Health’s Community Relations Department at 978-922-7018, ext. 1304.

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IPsWIch cOUNcIL ON AGING - Free Lecture

March 24, 2010 12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m.Breathe Easy: Respiratory healthcare TipsTom Gouzie, Registered Respiratory Therapist, Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center

Please RSVP to 978-356-6650.

Free Brown Bag Pharmacy sessions: Fourth Wednesday, Every Other MonthA Beverly Hospital registered pharmacist will review your current medications and offer suggestions.

January 27, 2010 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.March 24, 2010 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Reserve your free and confidential 15-minute session by calling the Ipswich Senior Center at 978-356-6650 at least two days prior.

Ipswich Events

Nationally, three programs of Northeast Senior Health – Northeast HomeCare, Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Beverly, and Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester – have become the first organizations of their kind to implement Myomo®, an innovative neurorobotic stroke rehabilitation technology.

Myomo’s robotic arm brace, based on technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), senses electrical signals in patients’ muscles that indicate the intention to move and then provides electronically-assisted movement. The process engages both neurological and motor pathways, reinforcing brain-to-body feedback, in such a way that stroke victims’ motor function can be re-learned and restored.

UsING cUTTING-EdGE NEUROROBOTIc TEchNOLOGY, NORThEAsT sENIOR hEALTh dELIVERs ENhANcEd sERVIcEs ANd NEW hOPE TO sTROKE VIcTIMs

With the Myomo technology, Northeast HomeCare, Ledgewood and Seacoast have expanded their services to assist a number of patients impacted by strokes. Most notable about Myomo is that it

can even support patients whose stroke occurred as many as 20 years ago, bringing new hope and opportunity for recovery to patients with long-term disabilities.

The integration of Myomo marks Northeast Senior Health’s ongoing commitment to delivering the latest therapeutic approaches and technology to residents of the North Shore. To learn more about

Northeast Senior Health’s Myomo capabilities, please contact Karen Gomes at 978-921-2615, ext. 1233 or kgomes@nhs-healthlink.org.

EssEx sENIOR cENTER - Free Lecture

March 4, 2010 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.Nutrition and the New Food PyramidErica Cintron, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietician, Beverly Hospital at Danvers

Please RSVP to 978-768-7932.

Essex Event

3 www.beverlyhospital.org

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EVENTs

800 Cummings Center, Suite 266U, Beverly, MA 01915

To update your mailing information or to be removed from our mailing list, please call 978-922-7018, ext. 1306.

ThE hERRIcK hOUsE - Free Luncheon Lectures

January 12, 2010 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.Talking to Your Physician: Know What Questions to AskBeth Desrochers, RN, BSN, Nurse, Northeast Senior Health

February 9, 2010 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.Organ donation: sharing Awareness About Organ and Tissue donationBerta Grunbeck, Hospital Relations Coordinator, New England Organ Bank

March 10, 2010 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.Older drivers: The Balance of Personal Independence and Public safetyRobert Stern, Ph.D., Co-Director, Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical and Research Program

Please RSVP to 978-922-1999.

BEVERLY cOUNcIL ON AGING - Free Lectures

January 20, 2010 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.Infection control Measures to Protect Your healthEllie Genest, RN, Director of Staff Development, Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center

February 17, 2010 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.Taking care of Yourself: self-care Tips for Family caregiversCamille Ciarametaro, LSW, Director of Social Services, Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

March 17, 2010 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.Managing diabetesGlenn Selig, RN, CDE, Diabetes Educator, Northeast HomeCare

Please RSVP to 978-921-6017.

Free Brown Bag Pharmacy sessions: First Wednesday of the MonthA Beverly Hospital registered pharmacist will review your current medications and offer suggestions.

January 6, 2010 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.February 3, 2010 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. March 3, 2010 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Reserve your free and confidential 15-minute session by calling the Beverly Senior Center at 978-921-6017 at least two days prior.

Beverly Events

PEABOdY cOUNcIL ON AGING - Free Lecture

March 15, 2010 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.Natural Approaches to Optimizing Your ImmunityTracy Valletti, BFA, LMT, Leisure Program Director, Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center

Please RSVP to 978-531-2254.

Peabody Event

dANVERs cOUNcIL ON AGING - Free Lectures

January 6, 2010 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.Infection control Measures to Protect Your healthEllie Genest, RN, Director of Staff Development, Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center

February 3, 2010 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.Memory and AgingBarbara Jaworski, LSW, Alzheimer’s Program Director, Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

March 3, 2010 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.Taking care of Yourself: self-care Tips for Family caregiversCamille Ciarametaro, LSW, Director of Social Services, Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

For questions or directions, please call 978-762-0208.

cENTER FOR hEALThY AGING - Free screeningLocated at the Beverly Hospital Hunt Center, 75 Lindall Street in Danvers

Blood Pressure clinicFree blood pressure screenings available on a drop-in basis.

March 2, 2010 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

For questions or directions, please call 866-479-3302.

danvers Events

TOPsFIELd cOUNcIL ON AGING - Free Lectures

February 25, 2010 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.Exercise safety and Fall PreventionSharon Gonick, PT, COS-C, Rehabilitation Manager, Northeast HomeCare

March 25, 2010 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.Nutrition News: Eating Well as You AgeErica Cintron, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietician, Beverly Hospital at Danvers

Please RSVP to 978-887-1523.

Topsfield Events