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Senior News October, 2004 Vol. 25. No. 10
Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.
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Humboldt Senior Resource Center Back issues Table of Contents
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I wonder why by Barbara Ogden The Humboldt County Public Health Department provides free health assessment clinics all over Humboldt County and in Crescent City each month for senior citizens. These health clinics are staffed by skilled and experienced public health registered nurses. These clinics are both for those people who have their own doctors and for those who do not have a personal physician. To begin, they compile a complete personal health history on each person. They measure your height, weight and blood pressure, check your eyes and hearing. They do an involved review of your eating habits and nutrition needs. I wonder why more seniors do not take advantage of these clinics. After completing your health assessment, the nurse will give you suggestions to improve your health. The nurse will take into account your current health and any problems you may have. She will also teach you steps to reduce health risks, such as making healthy choices in foods. She will have ideas on exercises you can do and where to find certain exercise classes. One of the most important things the nurses do is help you to discuss your problems with your doctor and help you to understand what your doctor is telling you. If you don't have a doctor, they can make referrals. I wish more seniors would take advantage of this service. I hear so many seniors complain that their doctors don't seem to take the time to sit down with them and answer questions, explain what's going on or offer advice. This is what these nurses do best. Your visit with them is always private. They sit down with you and make you feel like you are the most important person in the world. They listen to what you are saying. Because most of these clinics are held in senior centers, the fearful, sterile atmosphere of the doctor's office is not there. The nurses are never in a hurry. They don't make you feel rushed or that you are just a number, that the doctor has patients lined up waiting for his time, or that you are just a Medicare payment. I wish more seniors would take advantage of this one-on-one health visit. Maggie and Roseann and the other nurses who do these clinics arc wonderful, caring people. They are dedicated to helping senior citizens stay healthy and active. These women are knowledgeable about senior services in our county and have been known to make referrals unrelated to health issues. If you would like to visit with these nurses, call the senior health clinic at 268-2107 for an appointment. I think you will find this a rewarding experience. You may meet a new best friend in a special nurse and come away with the great feeling that someone really cares about you. I wish more seniors would use these clinics. Why don't you give it a try? Barbara Ogden is director of the McKinleyville Senior Center. Editor's note: Humboldt County is only one of 15 such county health programs in the state. In recent years, our county health department has taken the clinics to Del Norte County as well. |
Senior News