Volume 18, No. 2, Spring 2010
Your Good Health Forum |
Radius Pediatric Center at Plymouth is a complete 62-bed skilled nursing facility for children and adults with severe developmental disabilities and multiple medical challenges and the heart of the Center includes two unique education programs.
The fully certified Radius Pediatric Center Day School, for individuals age 3 to 22, encourages the intellectual, emotional and physical growth of each student.
Recognizing that every student does not learn in the same way, programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of each student.
Plus, in the belief that education for individuals with specialized needs should not have to stop at a certain age, they also provide educational Specialized Services programs for those over the age of 22. It is designed to help these people attain their highest potential for communication, socialization and physical activities.
All instructors and instructor aides in both the Day School and Specialized Services program are trained as Certified Nursing Assistants.
Radius Day School is approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and serves both residents of Radius Healthcare Center and those who live at home.
In addition to participating in an age-appropriate school program based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, students receive direct occupational, physical and speech therapy treatments. Music therapy and adapted physical education sessions occur twice weekly in each classroom. Social workers are available to the students and their families.
Throughout the school year students participate in a variety of “community experience” trips. These include weekly grocery shopping to prepare for the classroom weekly cooking activity; swimming at the YMCA; equine activities at the Bridge Center; bowling; sailing at Duxbury Bay Maritime School; Pawtucket Red Sox games; visits to the New England Aquarium; Children’s Museum and Museum of Science;and walks on the Plymouth waterfront.
A certified teacher and at least one assistant teacher staff all classrooms and a school nurse is available during school hours.
More information may be obtained from Marisa Baronas, Director of Social Services,
508-927-3335, or Linda White, Director of Education, 508-927-3337.
A Parkinson Support Network (PSN) has been established to bring services to Cape Cod.
This newly formed task force includes Parkinson patients and caregivers as well as The American Parkinson Disease Association’s Massachusetts. Chapter, National Parkinson Foundation Cape Cod Chapter, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Medical Center Parkinson Disease Movement Disorder Center, Cape Cod Healthcare, Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands, Reaching Elders with Additional Community Help (REACH) and the Barnstable, Orleans, and Yarmouth Senior Centers.
Recognizing a shortage of these services, PSN is working on an action plan to bring comprehensive support services to the Cape to include education, exercise and support for Parkinson patients and their caregivers.
These support services are being kicked off with a Spring/Fling dinner dance May 23 at the Cape Codder Hotel in Hyannis. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased through May 2 by sending a check payable to BIDMC/Parkinson Support Network, 330 Brookline Avenue, 109 BR, Suite 270, Brookline, MA 02215. Include name, address, telephone number and e-mail. For more information, call Rose DiGregorio at 508-862 4753.
According to the 2000 census, 23.4 percent of Cape residents are 65 and over, compared to 13.3 percent statewide. Anticipated results of the 2010 census may be even more striking since it is known that seven of the top 10 most rapidly aging communities in Massachusetts are located on Cape Cod. In 1990, the over 65 population was 41,135; whereas in 2020, that number is expected to be 100,928.
Not only is there a higher incidence of chronic disease among the elderly but also the growth of the senior population in the Cape’s more rural areas presents additional challenges of accessibility and transportation.
Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressive movement disorder with an average onset at 63 years of age, although in some cases symptoms may appear earlier.
PSN’s goal is to provide central coordination to ensure the consistency and quality of information as well as the availability of trainers, facilitators and volunteers and to facilitate training, education sources, communication and referrals among providers and social agencies.
By Connie Durfee
The main reason for purchasing a stairlift is to allow those having difficulty climbing their stairs to remain in their home rather than moving to a one-level residence or engaging in an extensive and expensive major remodeling to add a bedroom and/or bathroom on the accessible level.
Changes affecting the outside structure of the house can be extremely expensive and finishing a basement is not only costly but it may isolate a family member from the rest of the home.
The focus of any purchase should be on safety considering the fragile physical condition of those for whom the stairlift system is intended. Fortunately, most stairlifts leave the modern assembly line equipped with the basic safety mechanisms.
The ideal home stairlift must be able to detect any obstruction in its path. Most now are equipped with devices that effectively stop the lift the moment they detect any kind of obstacle along its path. If there are small children in the house, consider an optional lockable power switch that will prevent the lift from operating if the normal user is not present.
All stairlifts have a rated weight capacity not to be exceeded and there should be sufficient margin between the user’s actual weight and that rated capacity.
When getting off, especially at the top of the stairs, the user should always exit onto a landing, not onto a stair step. Therefore the chair must be able to swivel. For added safety, the seat should have pre-set lockable positions so it will not move when the user is exiting onto the top landing. Plus a seat belt.
Stairlifts run either on AC or DC power. AC powered units typically use more electricity and will be immobilized during a power outage. That could leave the rider stranded in the middle of the stairs.
A DC powered stairlift typically has two12-volt batteries and can operate even during a power failure for two to three days. Whichever the type of power, a normal household outlet is usually sufficient to run the lift.
Always make sure that the manufacturer has a good reputation. And consider whether the manufacturer is located in this country to assure spare parts are available in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost. The ideal company not only sells, but also installs and repairs its product.
Finally, the supplier should have a showroom where the products can be seen and possibly ridden and also should send an expert to inspect the home and recommend an appropriate model. Ask for a written price quote and double-check the warranty.
Stairlifts should be inspected and serviced at least once a year.
It may be tempting to order online, but then there is little or no support from the Internet seller after the sale and installation is your responsibility. Self-installation is always risky and the fix-it costs can be high.
For a used stairlift, your best bet is to contact a reputable dealer. You know their used inventory has been restored to good working condition and thoroughly tested and inspected by qualified technicians.
Renting can save money, but only if you know you’re just going to require it for a short time. More than three months, you may end up paying more than if you had decided to purchase one in the first place. Make certain the rental company maintains and services its equipment on a regular basis. And check the costs of installation and removal.
(Ms. Durfee is co-owner of Mayflower Mobility of Plymouth, 508-503-1208 or www.mayflowermobility.com)
You’ve fallen and you can’t get up. For some time, pendants have been available that enable the victim to press a button and call for help.
But what if you’re unconscious, otherwise immobilized, forget to push the button, or feel you can manage on your own? Or you’re just embarrassed about calling for help?
Well, now there’s a solution.
Cape Cod Medical Alarms President Mark Turley has announced availability of an enhanced medical alert service called Lifeline with AutoAlert that contains automatic fall detection capabilities as a backup system.
The company bills it as the only pendant-style help button that can automatically phone for help if a fall is detected and a senior is unable to push the button. According to an internal laboratory study of simulated falls, the company says that its Lifeline with AutoAlert detected 95 percent of many types of falls with a low rate of false alarms.
According to Mr. Turley, 16 patents were involved in creating this little device which consists basically of a gyroscope and a computer chip programmed to record such factors as height and distance involved in a fall, rate of descent, sudden movements or an apparent struggle and various patterns of problematic activity.
Then, if there is no discernible movement by the subject within 30 seconds, “that awakens the instrument to call for assistance,” Mr. Turley explains. If nobody picks up when the call center phones to check, help is quickly on the way.
The device is battery powered, but it’s also programmed to alert the call center automatically when the battery runs low.
Statistics show that among seniors, falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma, as well as injury-related deaths. And that close to 50 percent of seniors can’t get up from a fall without help and lying on the floor for an extended period of time can lead to serious complications.
Lifeline with AutoAlert is designed to help reduce the risk of long lie times. A quick response reduces emotional distress and potential costs of extended treatment, rehabilitation and supported living.
For information or to place an order contact 508-398-1177 or www.capecodmedicalalarms.com.
It’s that time of year for outdoor yard work. A healthy habit to be sure. But not totally. Especially if chemicals are involved.
Silent Spring Institute warns that one’s chemical habits in the yard and garden not only can affect you while outdoors, but the indoor environment as well.
Here are some tips for avoiding or at least minimizing potantial cancerous threats: