Some of the more well-known steps you can take toward staying healthy as you get older include: exercising on a regular basis, keeping an eye on your nutrition, and completing routine medical check-ups. But they are not the only ones. There are plenty of new technologies and preventive tools than can help you be proactive and savvier about your well-being.
Taking health to heart
The odds of developing heart disease increase as you grow older if you have a family history of heart disease, you smoke or you are overweight. High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and previous heart attacks or strokes are other factors that may increase your chances of having cardiovascular complications.
Scheduling a cardiovascular screening is a smart move if you want to stay on top of your heart health. By completing Tri-City Medical Center's comprehensive screening program, you will have a clear picture of your heart health, plus you will get education on the appropriate steps you need to take in order to decrease your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
The recommended tests that can help you catch a life-threatening issue before it becomes a real problem include: comprehensive heart risk assessment, nutrition and exercise consultations, atrial fibrillation risk assessment, sudden cardiac arrest screening, and vascular screening.
New Advanced Technologies
Robotic systems have enabled doctors to perform minimally invasive surgeries to treat numerous conditions on seniors because it takes normally less time to perform the same procedure using these advanced technological innovations which means less time under anesthesia. For instance, the Mazor Robotic's Renaissance? system used by Tri-City Medical Center allows surgeons to perform safer, more accurate spine surgeries. For patients, this means lower complication rates, less pain, shorter hospital stays and a faster recovery. In addition, senior patients can also benefit from the use of other minimally invasive robotic technologies such as the da Vinci surgical system – for urology, gynecology, heart and general surgery.
Tri-City Medical Center also offers an advanced total knee replacement device called the E+?. This new technology consists of a resin made out of polyethylene blended with vitamin E, a natural anti-oxidant. The resulting device is designed to improve strength, stability and flexion for total knee replacement patients.
Fall Prevention
As a natural result of aging, men and women tend to lose awareness about the way they walk and move around. Their muscles are not as strong and their reflexes may be dimmer. That is why the prevention of falls is vital to avoiding injuries and maintaining personal independence.
Learning how to reduce fall risks and how to stay safe when out and about is key for all senior members of our community. Simple balance and strength training, as well as clear information on how to identify potential hazards are very useful tools for elderly people who want to stay active and move around with confidence.
Stepping On, a free falls prevention workshop designed by Tri-City Medical Center, can help people 65 years and older acquire such tools. Pre and post balance assessments, an exercise manual, weekly highly-participatory classes and a home visit are also part of the program.
Pulmonary Health
Breathing is something that is sometimes taken for granted. But for people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other types of lung disorders such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis, breathing can be difficult or nearly impossible.
Learning how the lungs work, recognizing and preventing flare-ups, as well as getting some physical and strength training can help you improve your quality of life. Believe it or not, something seemingly simple like learning how to breathe properly can have a positive effect on your overall health.
People suffering from pulmonary disorders can find continued support in Tri-City Medical Center's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program -the only one in North San Diego County.-
The program consists of weekly progressive, supervised exercise sessions and comprehensive education on pulmonary health.
A free monthly "Better Breathers Club" is also offered at Tri-City Medical Center, and other locations throughout the county, through the American Lung Association.
These support groups feature educational presentations for people with chronic lung disease, and their families, friends and support persons, on a wide range of relevant topics, including: exercise, treatment options, supplemental oxygen, lung transplant and breathing techniques, among others.
Taking health to heart
The odds of developing heart disease increase as you grow older if you have a family history of heart disease, you smoke or you are overweight. High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and previous heart attacks or strokes are other factors that may increase your chances of having cardiovascular complications.
Scheduling a cardiovascular screening is a smart move if you want to stay on top of your heart health. By completing Tri-City Medical Center's comprehensive screening program, you will have a clear picture of your heart health, plus you will get education on the appropriate steps you need to take in order to decrease your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
The recommended tests that can help you catch a life-threatening issue before it becomes a real problem include: comprehensive heart risk assessment, nutrition and exercise consultations, atrial fibrillation risk assessment, sudden cardiac arrest screening, and vascular screening.
New Advanced Technologies
Robotic systems have enabled doctors to perform minimally invasive surgeries to treat numerous conditions on seniors because it takes normally less time to perform the same procedure using these advanced technological innovations which means less time under anesthesia. For instance, the Mazor Robotic's Renaissance? system used by Tri-City Medical Center allows surgeons to perform safer, more accurate spine surgeries. For patients, this means lower complication rates, less pain, shorter hospital stays and a faster recovery. In addition, senior patients can also benefit from the use of other minimally invasive robotic technologies such as the da Vinci surgical system – for urology, gynecology, heart and general surgery.
Tri-City Medical Center also offers an advanced total knee replacement device called the E+?. This new technology consists of a resin made out of polyethylene blended with vitamin E, a natural anti-oxidant. The resulting device is designed to improve strength, stability and flexion for total knee replacement patients.
Fall Prevention
As a natural result of aging, men and women tend to lose awareness about the way they walk and move around. Their muscles are not as strong and their reflexes may be dimmer. That is why the prevention of falls is vital to avoiding injuries and maintaining personal independence.
Learning how to reduce fall risks and how to stay safe when out and about is key for all senior members of our community. Simple balance and strength training, as well as clear information on how to identify potential hazards are very useful tools for elderly people who want to stay active and move around with confidence.
Stepping On, a free falls prevention workshop designed by Tri-City Medical Center, can help people 65 years and older acquire such tools. Pre and post balance assessments, an exercise manual, weekly highly-participatory classes and a home visit are also part of the program.
Pulmonary Health
Breathing is something that is sometimes taken for granted. But for people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other types of lung disorders such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis, breathing can be difficult or nearly impossible.
Learning how the lungs work, recognizing and preventing flare-ups, as well as getting some physical and strength training can help you improve your quality of life. Believe it or not, something seemingly simple like learning how to breathe properly can have a positive effect on your overall health.
People suffering from pulmonary disorders can find continued support in Tri-City Medical Center's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program -the only one in North San Diego County.-
The program consists of weekly progressive, supervised exercise sessions and comprehensive education on pulmonary health.
A free monthly "Better Breathers Club" is also offered at Tri-City Medical Center, and other locations throughout the county, through the American Lung Association.
These support groups feature educational presentations for people with chronic lung disease, and their families, friends and support persons, on a wide range of relevant topics, including: exercise, treatment options, supplemental oxygen, lung transplant and breathing techniques, among others.