geriatric medicine

4 Helpful Tips for Healthy Aging Month!

woman-and-man-exercising-on-fitness-trailAs we age, our ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle only becomes more and more important. The risk of developing chronic disease or medical conditions like heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes increases over time, which is why it’s so critical to be proactive about your health as the years go on. September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to focus on the things we can do to improve the state of our overall health in order to age as gracefully as possible. With this in mind, our healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine were happy to provide a few tips in the spirit of healthy aging.

Prioritize Heart Health

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for adults in the US. But common forms of heart disease like heart attacks and congestive heart failure can be prevented, or at least have their risks minimized by living a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes regular physical activity (even just taking a daily walk) and eating a healthy diet rich in fiber, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Make The Right Lifestyle Adjustments

It’s amazing how small adjustments to your lifestyle can add up, especially when compounded together. No one should ever smoke, but the need to quit all nicotine only becomes more pressing as the years go on. The same goes for excessive alcohol consumption, as alcohol can contribute to a wide variety of health problems. If you do drink, we recommend sticking to one drink a day or less. Prioritizing healthy sleep habits like developing a sturdy bedtime routine and sticking with it, as well as doing something to relax before bedtime, can also pay major dividends.

Keep Your Mind Active

Like the body, our minds can also benefit from extra care, maintenance, and activity as we age. Many older people may experience memory issues, changes in cognitive abilities, reflexes, and more. But these effects too can be minimized with the right care and mental wellness regimen. Staying socially active is hugely helpful. So too are activities that keep the mind active and working like dancing, tai chi, puzzles, word games, and any activity that requires thinking.

Annual Wellness Appointments Are a Must

Seeing your doctor for an annual check-up appointment is a great way to gauge the status of your overall health and lay the groundwork for many more healthy years ahead. Doing so can help you gain a better understanding of your mental and physical health, get some essential health screenings done, and reconnect with your healthcare provider. These annual appointments are a cornerstone to wellness as we age and should not be taken for granted. This is an important time to be very transparent with your doctor and ensure they know your lifestyle habits and your genetic health history.

There’s no such thing as a bad time to work to improve your health, but we hope this month and these tips can serve as a jumping off point for meaningful, lasting change. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

Abraham Medicine: Taking Pride in Providing Geriatric Medicine

doctor-assists-older-patientHere at Abraham Family Medicine, we always strive to provide outstanding medical care to patients of all ages. We take special pride in being able to help older patients and being attentive to the unique needs that advanced age can demand. As we age, it becomes more and more important to be aware of the state of our health and do what we can to be proactive when it comes to health and wellness. With this in mind, we wanted to discuss our geriatric medicine services and the positive impact that they can have on our patients and their health.

Our geriatric medicine services prioritize prevention and ongoing maintenance to ensure the best-possible quality of life for our patients. These services range from formulating customized senior care plans to treatment and management of common health concerns like diabetes, heart disease, dementia and memory issues, arthritis, and much more. Our staff of experienced providers work to regularly monitor any age-related medical conditions and adjust methods as needed over the years.

To see for yourself how critical this level of care can be for aging patients, we wanted to present the following testimonials from our patients:

“Took my 84-year old father to Abraham Family Medicine for a visit. He is a stroke victim and needed a primary care physician as we just moved him to Georgia. Everyone at the office was very nice and patient with us. They were very thorough in answering all of our questions and explaining things to us. Will definitely keep using this practice.”

– Lori M (Google)

“I love Abraham Family and Geriatric Medicine! I have been a patient for over 10 years and have never, ever had anything but caring, kind, and excellent care from every single person. I refer friends to the practice whenever I learn of anyone needing a doctor. If you are looking for excellent care, superior medical professionals, and a feeling that you are truly cared about, this is the best medical practice you will ever find.”

– Janet P (Google)

Being proactive about your health is important at any age, but it only becomes more essential as the years go on. If you or a loved one is in need of specialized care, our experts have the experience and knowledge to be there for you when you need us most. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month at Abraham Family Medicine

patient-consults-doctorLung cancer is a prevalent and incredibly serious health condition for adults in the US to monitor. While it is commonly associated with smoking, you don’t have to be a smoker to develop lung cancer. Lung cancer risk is higher than many people realize. We say this not to scare our readers, but to reinforce the importance of awareness and living a lung-healthy lifestyle. So in honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November, our healthcare providers wanted to present some helpful lung cancer statistics provided by the American Cancer Society.

  • Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer for both men and women in the US (not including skin cancer).
  • This year alone, about 238,340 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the US and roughly 127,070 Americans will die of lung cancer.
  • Making up about 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths in the US, lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death for Americans.
  • The average age a person is diagnosed is about 70, meaning geriatric patients are far more at risk.
  • The 5-year survival rate for people with localized lung cancers (cases where the cancer has not spread) is currently 65%.

Lung cancer can’t be “prevented”, but there are certainly things that you can do to reduce your risk of developing the condition. First and foremost, never smoke cigarettes (including e-cigarettes or vaping). If you do smoke, quit immediately or ask for assistance from a medical professional to help you quit. There are medications and other methods that may be able to help. Maintaining a smoke-free environment at home and in the office while avoiding secondhand smoke can be incredibly helpful. Annual screening for lung cancer is highly recommended for anyone with a history of smoking, people between the ages of 55-80, and people who have a family history of lung cancer. We also recommend getting your home tested for radon.

Respiratory health is a critical part of long-term wellness, and we hope that everyone reading this will take this warning to heart. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn and Loganville.

Stats to Know for National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

purple-Alzheimer's-ribbonWhile it is commonly associated with people later in life, there is profound benefit for people of all ages to understand and identify the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, can develop as a result of many factors including age, genetics, environment, and current mental and physical health. For many people, seeing basic statistics about a condition like Alzheimer’s can help paint a clearer picture of how common it is and why it’s so important to be aware of risk factors. That’s why our healthcare providers wanted to share the following statistics on Alzheimer’s Disease recently collected by The Alzheimer’s Association:

  • About 6.7 million Americans age 65 or older are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Alzheimer’s disease accounts for an estimated 60% – 80% of all dementia cases reported in the US.
  • There is a strong link between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s. Roughly one-third of people who experience MCI develop dementia due to Alzheimer’s within five years.
  • Women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s, as the percentage of people with Alzheimer’s dementia increases significantly with age. 5% of people aged 65 to 74, 13% of people aged 75 to 84, and 33% of people aged 85 or older will experience Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Just over 5% of people with Alzheimer’s disease start developing symptoms before the age of 65.

It can be difficult to fully prevent Alzheimer’s disease, as many of the most common risk factors are out of the person’s control. However, there are certain things that a person can do to reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s. This includes exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and other nicotine products, not drinking alcohol in excess, keeping your brain active with puzzles and other forms of stimulation as you age, and maintaining an active social life.

Generally speaking, maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle can be extremely helpful in the fight against Alzheimer’s. In addition to understanding your risk, it’s important to keep up with your annual wellness visits with a board-certified healthcare provider. For more information on Alzheimer’s or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn and Loganville.

What Our Patients Are Saying About Abraham Family Medicine!

three-ladies-in-armsWhen searching for a new family medicine doctor or medical practice, it can be hard to sift through all of your options. But there are fewer better barometers for the kind of care and experience you can expect than what patients have to say about their practice. We’ve received so many incredible medical testimonials from our patients lately and we thought sharing a few would be a great way to illustrate the level of patient care, professionalism, and commitment that patients can expect when they come to visit Abraham Family Medicine. With this in mind, check out the following firsthand medical testimonials from our patients that we have received:

“There is not any other team of doctors I would trust more with my elder loved ones than Dr. Abraham’s office! They have not only helped my mother greatly, but my friends too and helped me to take care of them better as a caregiver!”

– Angel M.

Just a reminder that If you are in need of geriatric medicine services, we diagnose and treat an array of geriatric health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, depression and memory loss to name a few.

“Everyone is always so friendly and helpful – Great bedside manner by each provider we have seen. We are so grateful to have finally found a practice that treats us like people and not a number. Our time is respected, wait time is very minimal. We have always been called back at our appointed time or sooner. They are very transparent. Highly recommend this family practice. Thank you to all the staff for all you do.”

– Christine R.

“Staff are extremely nice and thoughtful. All the doctors are attentive with your needs and the quality of care is exceptional. They listen to your complaints and will send you for needed tests and many doctors are just too preoccupied to care about finding out why you have the symptoms or what is really wrong. I have been sent for MRIs, sonograms and CT scans and they have uncovered serious problems. So glad they followed up to make sure I had the proper diagnosis. If you are sick this is the practice that can help you get well.”

– Patricia B.

It’s so wonderful to read words like this from our patients and it means so much to our whole team of healthcare providers to know that our care is really making a difference for the patients we serve. To leave us a review of your own, please visit us on Google, Healthgrades, or Vitals. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our healthcare providers, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

What To Know About Aging In Place

BAPC-logoAs purveyors of geriatric medicine services, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine are passionate about doing what is best for our advanced age patients. One such consideration for families to keep in mind is the best living arrangement for their loved ones. It’s only natural for people to feel the need to keep their loved ones closer as they age, and for people to not want to leave their homes of many years to depart to a senior living facility. “Aging in place” is a practice where a senior chooses to remain at home instead of moving into an assisted living or nursing facility. To help better understand the pros and cons of aging in place, we wanted to present some information that everyone should be aware of.

When considering aging in place as a solution, three very important factors need to be considered. The individual person, the specifics of the home, and the available loved ones and other potential sources of support. When all these factors indicate that someone might be a good fit for an aging in place arrangement, it can be the easiest and most comfortable situation for everyone involved. However, this is not the case for everyone.

While the desire to remain at home may be there in some cases, aging in place may simply not be feasible or practical for a number of reasons. For instance, larger homes that demand more maintenance and physical exertion to get around in may not be suitable for aging in place. Certain physical limitations like loss of vision or hearing, decreased mobility, and bone fragility must be considered so that they are in a safe environment. Aging in place may be difficult for seniors who do not have loved ones or caretakers who live nearby. In some cases, hiring a professional caretaker can help, but not every family can afford this and some seniors may not be comfortable with an unfamiliar stranger in their home.

For those that think that aging in place may be right for their loved one, we recommend ensuring the following home adjustments for aging in place have been made:

  • Stairlifts (and ramps where applicable) to avoid potentially hazardous trips up and down the stairs
  • Handrails and/or grab bars positioned in hallways and bathrooms to protect against falls
  • Walk-in tubs or showers to avoid unnecessarily stepping over a high bathtub
  • Safety shower mats to prevent potential slipping in the bathroom
  • Ample lighting, including conveniently placed light switches, night lights, and motion detected lighting that comes on when a person enters a room
  • Easily accessible shelving in closets and pantry
  • A wearable security monitor, life Life Alert, to help alert the proper authorities in case of an emergency.

While we understand that these are never easy decisions, gaining a better understanding of the available options for elder care can only help our readers. We know that people just want the best for their loved ones and we feel that aging in place can sometimes be the most comfortable and beneficial option. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn and Loganville.

Understanding the Importance of Advance Medical Directives

advance directive, geriatric medicine, internal medicine, family planning, healthcare providerWe understand that it can be a difficult subject to think about for many people, but it’s important for people to make time for advance medical directives. Advance directives are written, legal instructions regarding a person’s preferences for medical care if they are ever in a condition where they are unable to make decisions for themselves. Although this kind of documentation is typically associated with people who are terminally ill, seriously injured, in a coma, or in the late stages of their life, advance medical directives are not just for older adults. Unexpected end-of-life situations can happen at any age, so it’s important to be prepared.

Advance directives can help ensure that you get the medical care you want while lessening the burden on the people that you love most. The most common advance directive is a living will. A living will is a written, legal document that specifies which medical treatments you would (and would not) want to be used to keep you alive. It can also specify your preferences for other pertinent medical decisions like pain management or organ donation. Other advance directives to consider include which person you will grant power of attorney in your absence as well as a do not resuscitate (DNR) order.

In order to help our patients navigate the challenges of aging, serious illness, disability, or loneliness Abraham Family Medicine utilizes the Five Wishes document for advance directives. The most commonly used advance directive in the US, Five Wishes separates itself from other similar directives by providing essential information in simple, easy-to-understand language instead of legal and medical jargon. Five Wishes includes all the instructions and information necessary to create a valid advance directive while focusing on the personal, spiritual, medical, and legal wishes of each person.

We know this can be a tough subject, but there’s no such thing as being too prepared when it comes to matters this important. Hopefully you found this information helpful and informative. This is obviously a complicated matter, so if you have any questions of your own, please don’t hesitate to contact Abraham Family Medicine and schedule an appointment with one of our healthcare providers. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

May is American Stroke Awareness Month

May is American Stroke Awareness MonthFor adults in the US, there has never been a greater need for awareness of the dangers of strokes. A stroke, sometimes referred to as a brain attack, can occur when a clot prevents blood from reaching the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Are you aware of the five main symptoms of a stroke? If you said no, you are not alone. Despite the fact that strokes are among the leading causes of death and long-term disability, there is much about strokes that many people may not understand. That’s why during National Stroke Awareness month this May, the healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide some essential information about strokes, warning signs to look out for, and what you can do to reduce your risk of experiencing a stroke.

We wanted to begin by presenting some statistics to illustrate the prevalence of strokes in the US:

  • About 140,000 Americans die of stroke each year, making it the fifth leading cause of death for adults in the US.
  • Every 40 seconds, someone in the US has a stroke. Every four minutes, someone dies of one.
  • Of the estimated 795,000 Americans who will have a stroke this year, about 610,000 of these will be first strokes and 185,000 will occur in people who have already experienced a stroke.
  • Although, strokes are commonly associated with seniors, about 15% of ischemic strokes occur in young adults and adolescents.
  • When you factor in the cost of healthcare services, medications, and lost productivity, it is estimated that strokes cost the nation $34 billion every year.

 

The sooner a stroke is detected and 9-1-1 is called, the better a person’s chances will be of receiving the medical attention they need. The five main symptoms of a stroke, that all occur suddenly, are numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body), confusion or difficulty speaking, vision problems, dizziness or loss of balance, and a severe headache. If you’re not sure that someone is having a stroke, trying asking them to smile. If one side of the face droops, they may be having a stroke. If you observe any of these signs, we recommend calling 9-1-1 immediately.

Some risk factors of a stroke like family history, age, and gender cannot be controlled. However, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of stroke. For instance, exercising regularly and eating a heart healthy diet are recommended, as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, and being overweight can all increase your stroke risk. Additionally, smoking and drinking too much alcohol can also potentially lead to stroke.

One of the best ways to prevent a stroke from occurring is to be proactive about your health and wellbeing. This begins by taking care of your body and mind and making a point to schedule regular appointments with your healthcare provider to make sure that you are in good health. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our providers offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for patients of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

The Importance of Routine Geriatric Checkups

“The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.”

– Madeleine L’Engle

Growing older is decorated with years of life experience and amazing memories but it also comes with changes to our bodies.  Maintaining good health to keep you feeling vital is important and one of the main reasons the Abraham Family & Geriatric Medicine team devotes part of its practice to focusing on providing the best possible care for geriatric patients.  We believe in prevention and ongoing maintenance because every patient deserves to live life to the fullest!  Annual exams are important for everyone in the family, but geriatric assessments are vital for us as we age to make sure that we’re keeping ourselves in good health despite many internal and external changes that occur as we age.  Let’s take a look at some of the geriatric assessments for men and women over the age of 60 and why you should make a conscious effort to have them performed each and every year.

geriatric services in gwinnett countyChanges to the Body

As we grow older, the physical changes don’t just occur on the surface of the skin.  Of course wrinkles and sagging skin are daily reminders, but important changes can also occur internally.  While these changes aren’t always causes for concern, it’s better to participate in routine screenings to improve an overall healthy lifestyle.  Each geriatric patient ages differently but a few of the most common changes one may experience can include (note this isn’t a comprehensive list):

  • Bones, joints & muscles – bone density decreases and the muscles themselves become smaller and weaker in mass. This can make a person more susceptible to fractures, or breaks, or suffer from joint/muscle tears.
  • Mobility & balance – fall prevention is something geriatric patients should be mindful of. The weakening of bones, joints and muscles can contribute to balance issues that can lead to falls and possible damage to a patient’s body.
  • Body frame – growing older can mean growing shorter thanks to changes within the bones. Add a much slower metabolism and fat accumulation can make it difficult for older patients to maintain body weight that is optimal for their frame.
  • Hormones – often geriatric patients are at higher risk of developing diabetes due to changes to hormonal control of blood sugar and carbohydrate metabolism. Thyroid dysfunction, calcium and Vitamin D deficiencies, and sexual dysfunction can also be a concern for mature patients.
  • Memory – not all minor memory lapses are cause for concern; it doesn’t mean that you automatically have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Normal aging includes problems with memory loss among seniors, but it’s also common for us all – where’d we put that wallet?
  • Immune system – the white blood cells responsible for fighting off infections become weaker and can prove difficult in helping older patients maintain a strong immunity, leaving them more susceptible to sicknesses.

Geriatric Diagnostic Tests/Checkups

The United States Prevention Task Force (USPSTF) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have created recommended routine medical tests for seniors to keep them healthy, happy and safe.  Some of these recommended exams you may receive can include:

  • Blood pressure & diabetes screening
  • Weight, thyroid & cholesterol screening
  • Vaccinations (influenza, pneumonia, shingles, flu, etc.
  • Osteoporosis screening
  • Colon cancer screening
  • Female-only exams (bone density scans, breast cancer screening, pelvic screenings & pap smears)
  • Male-only exams (prostate cancer screening, rectal exams & PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) screening

These are just a few key assessments we find are necessary for helping our senior community live better, healthier lives as they continue to mature and thrive.   Additional screenings may be recommended based on your unique health needs but our team of experiences professionals is dedicated to your personal geriatric care.  To learn more about the available geriatric services at Abraham Family & Geriatric Medicine, please don’t hesitate to contact us.  Your health is important; it’s important to us so we can’t stress enough the benefits of not waiting until you’re not feeling well to take charge of staying healthy!

Study Shows Winter Months are Tougher on Arthritis Patients

As the cooler months set in and the number of daylight hours decrease, it is often harder for most of us to find a reason to exercise outdoors. While we may be able to go to a gym and get our exercise fix, older adults, especially those with the chronic medical condition arthritis, often have difficulty getting the necessary exercise to improve their health.

In a recent study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health researchers tracked over 240 participants’ daily activities over a period of three years. Each participant wore an accelerometer while they were awake in all different types of weather. Participants each had a diagnosed case of either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

The study’s finding suggest that older adults with arthritis often do not get the amount of weekly exercise recommended by orthopedic specialists (about 150 minutes a week or 20 minutes a day) when the weather reaches temperatures too low or too high for comfort. The dwindling daylight hours also had a negative effect on arthritis sufferers’ daily activity levels, increasing the amount of time they spent sedentary.

While it’s easy to get outside for a brisk walk in warmer months, it’s important that arthritis sufferers maintain an exercise schedule in the colder winter months as well. Exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness, increases flexibility and endurance, and builds muscle around the joints to protect them.

Dr. Ben Abraham specializes in osteopathic and geriatric medicine. Meeting the healing needs of older adults, Abraham Medical’s team of experienced providers work to ensure patients receive the utmost in care to allow patients to enjoy their retirement years and optimize long-term health. Whether you’re looking for indoor exercise ideas for the winter months or nutrition advice for aging, Abraham Medical strives to provide you with the tools you need to live a comfortable and productive life.

For more information on Abraham Medical’s geriatric services, family medicine, or cosmetic services, contact us. You can also stay up to date on the latest news by following us on Twitter.

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