Main Line Health recently opened the Heart Pavilion located at Lankenau Medical Center, at 100 Lancaster Avenue just beyond City Avenue, Wynnewood PA.. This five-story facility is designed to provide both outpatient diagnostics, as well as 96 private rooms for inpatient cardiovascular care. On Saturday, September 28, 2013, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the hospital will host festivities for the entire family to celebrate the opening of the new center.
Of special interest to seniors, there will be free health screenings for osteoporosis and stroke. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend that all women 65 years of age or older be screened by bone densitometry. The exam at Lankenau on Saturday will be a "Dexa Scan." It will be a quick and uncomplicated screening of the heel bone density to see if there might be a thinning of the bones requiring further attention. Of those over age 50, 16% of women and 4% of men are reported to suffer from Osteoporosis.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.and the leading cause of disability. Each year in the U.S. 700,000 people suffer from a stroke and about 500,000 are first time attacks. A stroke is caused when there is a disruption of the blood flow to the brain due to a build up of plaque or when the vessel bursts. A carotid artery screening is one way of discovering problems. On Saturday, Lankenau will provide a free carotid artery screen as well as a blood pressure check.
Most of the clients in our Elder Law practice naturally assume they will die in their sleep without many complications, and without becoming a burden on family or friends. However, only 1 in 8 people actually die in their sleep. Seniors are much more likely to suffer a stroke or heart attack, and that will take place between 6 a.m. and noon as the body starts up for the day. Of those who experience a stroke, only 15% will die shortly thereafter;the remainder will continue to live with some kind of impairment. If that is not bad enough, the risk of stoke doubles every ten years after age 55. After the stroke has occurred, and the senior is impaired, they lose their ability to live independently. It is much easier to get screened and avoid stroke with the many medications and medical procedures available today. We can still perform a valuable service for that senior, but with a different focus. Lankenau's Heart Center can also perform a valuable service for that senior, but with a different focus too.
In addition to the items of interest to seniors mentioned above, the day’s festivities will include rides and activities, live music and entertaining street performers, A Taste of Philly gourmet food trucks, fire trucks, ambulance and fire safety house simulations. There will be free parking for attendees.
Anyone over 50 might want to take this test to measure how much you know about strokes in adults. Knowledge is power, especially regarding minimizing the risk of stoke.
Stay well until the next post. Feel free to comment below with your personal reflection about stroke or osteoporosis. Also write robert.gasparro@lifespanlegal.com or call 484-297-2050 with ideas for future posts. A map showing the location of the event is below.View Larger Map
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