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HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL
HEALTH
HMft annual Family Fair coming soon
Special to the Journal
Join Houston Healthcare for
Family Fair 2008 Aug. 2 from 10 a.m.
until 2 p.m. at the Galleria Mall in
Centerville.
More than 50 nonprofit organiza
tions will be represented offering
health screenings, freebies and tips
on keeping families healthy as well as
information on exercise, proper nutri
tion and preventing obesity.
“Family Fair is truly an event for the
entire family,” says Mary Jane Kinnas,
director of marketing for Houston
Healthcare. “Our goal is to promote
health and wellness information,
along with other tips for maintaining
a healthy family as well as ideas on
Ups on preventing tails offered to seniors
Special to the Journal
One in three people over
the age of 65 falls each year
in the United States, result
ing in serious injuries, dis
ability and even death.
Twenty to 30 percent of
senior adults who fall suf
fer injuries such as bruises,
hip fractures or head trau
mas, and the risk of being
seriously injured in a fall
increases with age. Adults
age 75 and older are also four
to five times more likely to be
admitted to long-term care
facilities for a year or longer
following a fall. Fortunately,
senior adults can reduce or
eliminate their risk of falling
by taking the following pre
ventive measures:
1. Safe proof the
home inside and out.
• Keep floors free of clut
ter.
• Avoid highly polished
floors and throw rugs. Use
carpeting instead.
• Fasten any rugs to the
floor or purchase rugs with
nonskid backing.
• Make sure bedrooms,
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I L. Healthcare’s Med-Stops offer care for your family’s
, minor illnesses and injuries on a walk-in basis when your regular doctor’s office
is closed or when you don’t need the technical services of the Emergency Room.
The Med-Stops are staffed by Board Certified Family Practice and Internal
Medicine physicians working with nurses and medical technicians. Lab and
x-ray services are available on-site.
♦ Houston Lake
Med-Stop
Hwy. 127 and Moody Road
9884865
Open Mon - Sat
7 am - 6:30 pm
s ION Hb *lTu
successful parenting to families and
Why are older adults prone to falling?
Falls can occur at any age, but the risk of falling increases as
a person ages because:
■ slower reflexes and some health conditions make it dif
ficult to regain balance.
■ Lost muscle mass makes it more difficult to rise from a
seated position.
■ Weakening vision causes changes to depth perception.
■ Taking blood pressure and heart medications, water pills
and muscle relaxers contributes to dizziness when sitting or
standing up.
hallways, stairs and bath
rooms are well lit.
• When getting up in the
morning, sit on the side of the
bed for a few minutes before
standing to allow blood pres
sure to stabilize to avoid get
ting dizzy on standing.
• Install handrails near
the bath, shower and toilet,
and on both sides of stair
cases.
• Keep kitchen items with
in easy reach.
• Wear shoes with firm,
nonskid soles inside the
house and outside.
• Paint a contrasting color
on the edge of steps to see
the stairs more easily.
Urgent Care..*
when you need it.
• Consider use a portable
phone to avoid rushing to
answer a call.
2. Take care when
walking outdoors.
• Use a cane or a walk
er for more stability in bad
weather.
• Use a shoulder bag,
fanny pack or backpack to
keep hands free.
• Check the height of curbs
before stepping down.
3. Maintain good
health.
• Get enough vitamin
D, which improves muscle
strength and aids in calcium
♦ Pavilion
Med-Stop
N. Houston Road at Houston Mall
923-2843
Open Daily
8 am - 7:30 pm
individuals while they are in the mall
shopping during tax-free weekend.”
This year’s Family Fair will focus on
exercise, proper nutrition and ways
to prevent obesity for every member
of the family. Experts estimate that
more than 60 percent of Americans are
overweight or obese. A more alarming
statistic is that 18 percent of children
and adolescents are now considered
overweight as well; however, according
to surveys, only 12 percent of parents
consider their children to be over
weight - a denial that can have serious
health consequences for a child.
For more information about this
year’s Family Fair or to reserve a fam
ily/health-related booth, call 478-923-
9771.
absorption. The recommend
ed daily dosage is 400 to 600
IU for adults over age 50.
• Get feet checked regu
larly particularly if experi
encing pain or have large,
thick toenails and corns.
• Do not smoke.
• Work with physician
to design an exercise pro
gram to prevent falls. Ankle
weights and stretch bands
can help strengthen muscles,
while water aerobics and tai
chi can help improve balance
and coordination. Weight
bearing exercises such as
walking can help increase
bone density.
• Try to practice balance
exercises every day, such as
holding onto the back of a
chair, a sink or a countertop
and standing on one leg at
a time for a minute. Slowly
increase the time, and when
comfortable, try balancing
with closed eyes or without
holding on.
• Don’t exercise alone to
prevent an accident.
4. Have eyes exam
ined regularly.
Renewing wedding vows
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Contributed
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Felder of Perry recently renewed
their wedding vows at Perry Hospital after 60 years of
marriage. According to a family member, the couple’s
actual wedding anniversary was in March, but Mrs.
Felder suffered a stroke and the ceremony was post
poned. Mr. Felder surprised the family with the cere
mony in the hospital’s medical/surgical unit by keep
ing it a secret until the day of the event. Officiated by
Reverend Clarington, the momentous occasion was
sealed with a kiss and a bite of strawberry cake.
• Have vision checked at
least once per year. Conditions
like glaucoma and cataracts
can limit vision and increase
chances of falling.
5. Review medica
tion with physician.
• Talk with physician
about medicine-related side
effects, such as dizziness or
weakness, that may cause
falling.
• Ask how aging affects the
way medicine works in the
body and any consequences
Hilary Kate EUwood, MD
Board Certified, American
Academy of Family Medicine
Kimberley R. Ham, MD
Board Certified, American
Academy of Family Medicine
Cynthia M. Jones, MD .
Board Certified, American
Board of Family Medicine
Gayatri Kamat, MD
Board Certified, American
Board of Internal Medicine
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2008 ♦
''Something to feel good about"
Barbara A. Matthews, MD
Board Certified, American
Board of Family Medicine
Jody Velie, MD
Board Certified, American
Board of Family Practice
Ferial WaUd,MD
Board Certified, American
Board of Family Medicine
that may cause falling.
Tracy Clark, physical
therapist with Houston
Healthcare’s Rehabilitation
Services, will present a free
lunch and learn program on
“Fall Prevention Tips for
Seniors” July 28 from noon
to 1 p.m. at Perry Hospital
in the Medical Library.
Seating is limited and pre
registration is required by
calling 478-923-9771 or visit
ing www.hhc.org/education/
lunch.
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