Health Info & Resources for Seniors
Laser Procedure Treats Unsightly and Painful Varicose Veins
"A minor surgical procedure that uses laser energy to treat varicose veins lessens pain, discomfort, and the blue or purple lines on the legs, ankles, and feet," says St. Luke’s vascular surgeon, Calogero DiMaggio, DO.
Make Up Missed Doctor Appointments This Summer
With its long days and warm weather, summer is the perfect time to catch up on medical appointments missed during the COVID-19 shutdown, says Roopa Anmolsingh, MD of St. Luke’s Senior Care Associates.
Cybercriminals Are Exploiting the COVID-19 Pandemic
Cybercriminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to gain access to confidential personal and financial information, warns David Finkelstein, St. Luke’s Information Security Director. He encourages everyone to be wary of on-line ads and websites that offer COVID-19 cures or preventions. “The COVID-19 pandemic creates a perfect environment for unscrupulous individuals,” Finkelstein says. “Many people are afraid and desperately looking for ways to protect themselves and their families. As a result, they are more vulnerable to falling for a hacker’s trick than they might be during more typical times. Unfortunately, there are no easy fixes for COVID-19 so be sure to get your information from reputable sources like www.sluhn.org or www.CDC.gov.”
A Safe Transition from Hospital to Home
COVID-19 has dominated not only the headlines, but also the headspace of people across the planet. Physical restrictions and perceived limitations have dramatically altered the routines of life.
Unfortunately, the presence of the coronavirus has not created the absence of other diseases, accidents, and injuries that also cause people to seek medical care. As individuals receive care and transition between hospital, rehab facility, and home, they can now do so with greater peace of mind.
Health Providers Encourage Patients to Seek Medical Services
Area health care providers remind patients of the importance of seeking medical services to address chronic and acute health conditions as Pennsylvania begins to lift some of the restrictions enacted to slow the spread of COVID-19. Dennis McGorry, MD, St. Luke’s primary care physician, said the benefit of seeing your doctor during an in-person meeting to manage a chronic illness, such as heart disease, diabetes, and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, far outweighs any potential risk of exposure to COVID-19. Precautions in place at doctors’ offices and hospitals address patient safety.
Virtual Technology Enabled Patients to Keep Health Care Appointments
One of the positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the development of innovative ways to provide health care services to patients at home. For example, within a matter of a very short time, St. Luke’s greatly expanded its ability to connect patients with primary care physicians, medical specialists, and physical, occupational and speech therapists. Patients connect with health care providers through a computer, laptop, tablet, or phone, using an on-line meeting program, such as Microsoft Teams meeting.