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Senior Notes
Seniors can get their bone density tested
The Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education (FORE) invites all senior citizens in the Saratoga and Los Gatos area to take part in a bone density screening on March 1 from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the Longs Drugs at 12940 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road in Saratoga.
The test is a non-invasive, painless scan of the forearm that takes seven minutes and uses an extremely small amount of x-ray radiation. The bone-testing machine is called a pDEXA and is used on a rotating basis throughout Central and Northern California.
No appointments are necessary. Technicians perform the screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. Because certain testing times are very popular, those being tested are advised to arrive early. The cost of the test is $30, with proceeds supporting the FORE's bone density testing program. Call 510.832.2663 for more information.
Free memory-loss services available to Asian seniors
The Older Adult and Family Center, which is affiliated with the Stanford University School of Medicine and the Veterans' Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, offers a free new service for older Japanese- and Chinese-Americans who are experiencing memory problems.
Its mission is to help these seniors and their families understand and cope with memory loss related to various dementia syndromes, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or vascular dementia. The program is made up of three main steps:
* Memory testing, in which trained staff members ask seniors specific questions related to their medical histories, current medications and memory-loss symptoms or problems.
* Diagnostic evaluation, which involves a two-hour appointment at the Stanford/VA Diagnostic Center in Palo Alto. Seniors will receive CAT scans, blood and urine tests, x-rays and a neurological exam to rule out other medical causes of memory problems.
* A family meeting, at which time doctors will discuss diagnoses with families and can provide recommendations and referrals to many other support services.
The Older Adult and Family Center is working collaboratively with agencies in the Japanese and Chinese communities to offer memory testing throughout Northern California. English speakers can call Kellie Takagi at 650.617.2774; Japanese speakers can call Rose Tsunekawa at 408.264.2505 or Roz Enomoto at 650.343.2793; Mandarin speakers can call Sandy Stokes at 408.282.8669 or Teresa Mo at 408.975.2730; Cantonese speakers can call Josefa Tse at 510.986.6000 ext. 229 or Kitty Man at 415.666.1895.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
