Categories
Article

HealthE aging

Print printer friendly version
Today’s seniors are healthier than ever. More and more older people are incorporating exercise and proper eating habits into their daily routines.

The Hospital of Saint Raphael encourages seniors to remain active, and offers a wide array of health and wellness programs for people over the age of 55. To find out more about today’s active seniors and the ways Saint Raphael’s is keeping them healthy, Health E-Times recently sat down with Dorothy Ventriglio, Saint Raphael’s director of community health and outreach.

HealthE-Times: Why are older people more active than ever before?

Ventriglio: “I think this trend is attributed to a heightened sense of awareness, medical advances, and a general change in attitude. In recent years, an emphasis has been placed on healthy lifestyles. People know that aging can increase certain health risks, so they’re taking extra steps to prevent them by taking care of the body, mind and soul. It’s apparently working – studies show that people are living longer than ever.”

HET: Exercise is important for people of any age. But why is it so important for older people?

Ventriglio: “Behind smoking, lack of exercise and poor diet are the leading killers among older people. Remaining active in your senior years can help in the prevention and treatment of heart disease, diabetes and stroke – all diseases that greatly affect older people. Aging adults may think they’re too old to start an exercise program or eat healthier, but the fact is that it’s never too late to benefit from a lifestyle change. The health and wellness programs here at Saint Raphael’s are designed to help people improve their quality of life – whether they’ve been health conscious for years, or just starting later in life.”

HET: How important is early detection of disease or illness?

Ventriglio: “Early detection is the best defense against most illnesses. The sooner an illness is addressed, the easier it is to treat. Throughout the year, Saint Raphael’s holds health screenings in community sites throughout Greater New Haven. Cholesterol, diabetes, skin, hearing and vision are just a few of the areas commonly screened.

“We believe prevention, detection and early intervention are key. Following each screening, we ask patients if they’d like their results sent to their primary care physician to ensure appropriate treatment is administered. Patients are also sent a full report detailing their results along with educational materials about healthy living. Saint Raphael nurses follow up with each ‘at-risk’ patient to make sure they have seen or plan to visit their doctor following the screening. If a patient does not have a doctor, nurses will help find appropriate services through our physician referral line or clinics. We try to close the loop and provide patients with a continuum of care”

HET: Saint Raphael’s CareCard program is a very successful. What can people expect to receive with their membership?

Ventriglio: “CareCard is Saint Raphael’s most popular program for aging adults. With more than 23,000 members, it’s one of the most successful health and wellness program among people 55 and older in Connecticut. With its comprehensive menu of services, CareCard promotes healthy living through physical activity, prevention methods and education. By joining this free program, members have access to a host of services including health screenings, annual flu shots, prescription discounts, educational seminars and exercise programs. In fact, CareCard’s senior exercise programs were named among the nation’s best according to the National Council on Aging. Above all , the most important aspect of the CareCard program is that it provides members with a direct link to the Hospital of Saint Raphael and its elder care services.

HET: How can people get information about CareCard, health screening and all of Saint Raphael’s senior services?

Ventriglio: “Saint Raphael’s recently started the Healthy Aging Line to provide older adults with a gateway to the medical care and support they need. The line is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for older adults, their caretakers and allied health professionals for Saint Raphael’s elder care services. The Healthy Aging Line, which can be reached at 203-789-3275, directly connects callers with Saint Raphael’s specialty clinics, CareCard, patient education services and exercise programs. Calls placed to the Healthy Aging Line are fielded by service representatives who specialize in expediting requests regarding Saint Raphael’s senior services.

“The goal of the Healthy Aging Line is to give folks access to the comprehensive services they need, be it healthier lifestyles or medical advances. To further promote healthy lifestyle choices, we have available a free Healthy Aging information packet for callers. In addition to a magnet and notepad, the packet contains information on exercise routines, healthy diets, medication usage and check-up schedules.

HET: Caring for an elderly parent or loved one can be difficult. Where can caregivers turn for information and support?

Ventriglio: “Nearly 45 percent of Americans between the ages of 45 to 55 play an active role in the care of an elderly parent or loved one. Finding the right care for that loved one can be a stressful task for any caregiver. By calling the Healthy Aging Line, qualified service representatives can help caregivers access all that Saint Raphael’s has to offer – from geriatric medicine services to wellness programs to physician referrals.

“In addition to directing caregivers to the services needed to help their loved ones, Healthy Aging Line reps also have information about and can direct callers to support services specifically designed for caregivers. For example, there’s a Geriatric social worker on staff at Saint Raphael’s who is available to consult with patients and caregivers. We also have a comprehensive list of local and national programs designed to help make a tough time a little easier for caregivers.”

For more information on Saint Raphael’s health and wellness programs for older adults, or for your free Healthy Aging Packet please call the Healthy Aging Line at 203-789-3275 or click here to e-mail us at [email protected].