Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
Seniors
(Photograph by George Sakkestad) In case of emergency, it's important to act promptly. And providing accurate medical info is crucial. Looking over the EKG machine in the Good Samaritan Hospital emergency room are Barry Arata (left) and Stefan Donbay. Often seniors wait too long to get to ER after the onset symptons. Stroke symptoms include trouble walking, a sudden loss of strength, numbness in one or more parts of the face or body, difficulty speaking or slurring of words, dizziness, loss of balance, blurry vision, tingling in the face, or intense headache (By Rita Baum) "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ... " So wrote Charles Dickens in the opening chapter of his classic story A Tale of Two Cities. Since 1859, when the novel was first published, those memorable words have been applied to many situations. They certainly ring true for people who face a sudden and traumatic medical emergency, often during the best time of their lives; a time when the golden years of freedom and relaxation are unexpectedly turned around by an episode that necessitates an ambulance ride that thrusts them into a hospital emergency room. Approximately 40 percent of patients admitted to the Good Samaritan Hospital emergency room in San Jose are age 65 or older, and are there most often due to a stroke, heart attack or fall. "Getting to an emergency room promptly and obtaining accurate medical information can be the keys to preventing permanent disability," says Steven Matarelli, R.N., Ph. D., associate chief nursing officer at the hospital. But many older people delay calling 911 at the onset of symptoms, taking a wait-and-see attitude. Some believe their symptoms are not serious and will go away. Even if they do seek help, approximately 30 percent of these patients can't give an accurate accounting of their diagnosis, medical history and medications - perhaps due to the stressfulness of the situation, says Matarelli. These delays can adversely affect treatment. When treatment is started immediately, doctors can stop a stroke or heart attack quickly. Stroke is the number-three killer in America, but with new clot-busting drugs, victims have a better chance of survival and a good recovery, especially if treatment is obtained within three hours after the symptoms begin. During a stroke, blood flow to the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells in the affected area to die from lack of oxygen. Doctors must quickly restore blood flow to minimize the damage, and every minute counts. But not everyone makes it to the hospital in time. Denial and delay cause 25 percent of stroke sufferers to die before obtaining help. Almost one-third of strokes occur in people under age 65, and they too have a poor record for seeking immediate assistance. Eighty five percent of strokes are ischemic, caused by clots or narrowed arteries. The other 15 percent are hemorrhagic, occurring when a blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeding into the brain. Stroke symptoms include trouble walking, a sudden loss of strength, numbness in one or more parts of the face or body, difficulty speaking or slurring of words, dizziness, loss of balance, blurry vision, tingling in the face, or intense headache. If any of these symptoms occur, don't waste time calling for emergency medical assistance, advises the American Stroke Association. To reduce the risk of stroke, experts advise patients to lower their blood pressure, stop smoking and heavy drinking, take off excess weight, keep blood sugar under control, limit sodium intake, increase vegetable consumption, exercise daily, stay on medication, and see a doctor regularly. A heart attack occurs when the heart muscle is injured because the arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the heart become blocked with plaque or fatty substances, and a blood clot forms. The first hour of the attack can be the killer, warn experts at the Mayo Clinic, but more than half of Americans wait two hours or longer before seeking treatment, and about half of them die before reaching the hospital. According to Dr. Ronald Rossen at the Heart Associates of Northern California, located in Los Gatos, if clot-busting drugs are given in time or if balloon angioplasty is performed to open blocked arteries, the chances of survival are dramatically improved. Don't wait for severe, crushing chest pain before calling for help, advises the American Heart Association (AHA). Warning signs may be less dramatic, such as a feeling of uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest. Other signs include shortness of breath with or before chest pain; discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach; breaking out in a cold sweat; nausea; and light-headedness. If any of these symptoms occur, don't wait more than five minutes before calling 911. Automatic external defibrillators (AED) - portable devices that deliver a small electrical shock to restore normal heart rhythm during a sudden cardiac arrest - are standard equipment in ambulances and are becoming common in many police and fire departments, public buildings and recreation facilities. During a heart attack, time is of the essence - with each passing minute, more tissue is deprived of oxygen. The recommendations for reducing the risk of heart attack are similar to those for avoiding a stroke: reduce cholesterol level and high blood pressure; maintain a healthy diet and reasonable weight; avoid smoking; exercise; take recommended medications and see a doctor regularly. After heart attack or stroke, falls are the most common episodes that necessitate emergency treatment in older individuals, with the highest rate among people age 85 or older. For seniors, falls are the leading cause of death from injury in the home and the primary cause of accidental deaths. More than 90 percent of hip fractures are associated with falls. When falls occur at home, there may be a delay in getting emergency care if the elder lives alone and can't get up to call for help. Many older people who live alone subscribe to an emergency response system that can be activated by pressing a button on a small pendant or wristband that is worn 24 hours a day. Falls can be avoided by addressing household hazards such as poor lighting at doorways and stairs, loose rugs and electric cords, obstacles in paths and papers on the floor and slippery surfaces. Strategically placed grab bars and handrails can also be helpful in preventing falls. Taking four or more prescription medications may lead to dizziness due to drug interactions. Check with the doctor or pharmacist to learn the side effects of all drugs. Shoes should fit well and have nonskid soles. A daily walk or other exercise helps maintain good balance and equilibrium. When in unfamiliar surroundings, be alert to hazards. Older people who have fallen are advised to undergo a thorough medical evaluation. Falls associated with instability can be markers of poor health and declining function and a sign of an acute illness or exacerbation of a chronic disease. Be prepared for emergencies by keeping important medical information near the telephone at home and in a wallet when away from home. When calling 911, one should give an address and the nearest main street, make a simple statement about the nature of the problem, list the symptoms and give a brief medical history. Once contact has been made, stay on the phone for instructions. In a future column, I will review a variety of free or inexpensive accessible service and equipment options that make it easy to get lifesaving help fast. New technologies make it possible to call for and get help in minutes in almost any situation. But don't wait for an emergency - investigate new, unremarkable symptoms by making an appointment with a doctor right away. Early detection and treatment of a health problem may help keep the ambulance away. Rita Baum is a Los Gatos resident. She has a masters's degree in gerontology and has worked in the field of aging for more than 20 years. |
Feedback, or idea for a Story for the Sun?
(Close this Window to go back to our home page.)
Copyright © SVCN, LLC. Maintained by GoGuys, Inc.