Focus on health
Seminars, screenings shed light on senior health
Health is a big part of the 2017 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Senior Expo. Visitors to the expo will receive a lot of information about their health from guest speakers and from essential health screenings to help attendees understand their personal health care needs. There is a lot you can do to keep your joints healthy. During Active Joints for an Active Life at 10 a.m., hear Dr. Jeffrey Stambough, an orthopedic surgeon, share the key components to ensure that you stay on the go. Dr. Noojan Kazemi, a neurosurgeon at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Dr. Christopher Paul from the UAMS Pain Management Clinic will illustrate comprehensive care in the Spine Institute at 10:30 a.m. with Kick Your Aching Back to the Curb! Options for Dealing With Your Spine Pain. A person’s eyes are also connected to overall health. At 1 p.m., attend Eagle Eye: Optimizing Vision as You Age, and learn from Dr. Romona Davis, an ophthalmologist, about the latest treatments for common conditions such as cataracts, along with tips and tools to help you have the best vision possible. Join Dr. Jeanne Wei, executive director of the UAMS Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, at 1:30 p.m. for the session Calling All Seniors: Healthy Is the New Wealthy!” Health screenings, such as lung, vision, glucose and more will also be provided by the experts at UAMS; no appointment is necessary. In addition, Ask the Doc — 15-minute private consultations — can be scheduled on-site. Seniors can also receive nutrition, vision and weight-loss information tailored to their specific needs from UAMS. UAMS departments that will be present include the Vascular Center, caregiver training, nutrition services, Reynold’s Aging, Orthopedic, Stroke Services and Physical Therapy.
AVAILABLE SCREENINGS AND INFORMATIVE SEMINARS
• Blood-glucose screening: This test measures the amount of sugar, called glucose, in the blood. Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells in the body. This test can help detect signs of diabetes. • Blood pressure and heart rate: Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. High blood pressure can cause serious problems such as stroke, heart attack and kidney failure. Blood pressure can be controlled through healthy habits and medication. • Body-mass index and body-fat percentage: This screening will determine if a senior is a healthy weight. Being obese or overweight means that a person’s weight is greater than it should be for good health. Being underweight means that a person’s weight is lower than it should be for good health. A sudden, unexpected change in weight can be a sign of a medical problem. • Vision testing: As we age, our eyesight naturally tends to get worse. Whether this is through nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, it often becomes difficult to see things as clearly as we used to. Through vision testing at the expo, seniors can find out if they need to alter their current eyeglass prescription or if they need to invest in new eyewear to see more clearly. • Medication and vaccination education: Knowing which medications to take, which medications to avoid taking together and which vaccinations may be necessary now and in the future is important for seniors’ health. Through this workshop, seniors will gain more knowledge on the subject to ensure their current and future health and safety.