Health Info & Resources for Seniors
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.
Practice Physical Distancing, not Social Isolation
CALL YOUR MOTHER!
As we stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19, Dr. Roopa Anmolsingh of St. Luke’s Senior Care Associates reminds us to keep older adults socially connected.
St. Luke’s Encourages Seniors to Practice Physical Distancing, not Social Isolation
While it’s important to pull together to slow the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing, be sure to stay connected socially, advises 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.”
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 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.
Fresh Air and Sunshine Improve Physical and Mental Health
To reduce your risk of exposure to COVID-19, it’s important to heed the recommendations of public health officials regarding social distancing but that doesn’t mean you have to stay cooped up indoors, says geriatric specialist Roopa Anmolsingh, MD of St. Luke’s Senior Care Associates.
“It’s true that older adults are more susceptible to both getting COVID-19 and having serious complications from it,” she says. She explains that as we age, our immune system also changes in its ability to fight disease and our cells become less adept at identifying pathogens, which are organisms that cause disease. To make matters worse, many older adults have other conditions, such as malnutrition, diabetes, COPD and cardiovascular disease, which lower their ability to fight an infection.