Posts Tagged ‘cost of elderly health care’
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month-Learn More in Greenville, South Carolina
Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. It is equally common in men and women. An estimated 146,970 people were diagnosed in 2009, and an estimated 49,920 people will die from the disease. With recommended screening, this cancer can be prevented (by removing polyps before they become cancerous) or detected early, when it can be more easily and successfully treated.
At Risk
* Men and women age 50 and older
* People who use tobacco, are obese or are sedentary
* People with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or benign (not cancerous) colorectal polyps
* People with a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as long-standing ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
* People with a family history of inherited colorectal cancer
Risk Reduction
* Be physically active and exercise regularly.
* Maintain a healthy weight.
* Eat a high-fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and whole grains.
* Consume calcium-rich foods like low-fat or skim milk.
* Limit red meat consumption and avoid processed meats.
* Don’t smoke.
* Don’t drink alcohol excessively.
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Colon Cancer Prevention in Greenville, South Carolina
Stop colon cancer now: screening equals prevention
(ARA) – Colon cancer is the second-deadliest form of cancer in the U.S., yet it doesn’t have to be. More than 90 percent of colon cancer cases are curable if caught in their early stages.
In an effort to showcase the important message that screening equals prevention when dealing with colon cancer, an awareness campaign called Stop Colon Cancer Now, and powered by AmSurg, aims to educate the public about early detection and prevention of the disease, to eliminate the stigma associated with colonoscopies and to increase regular screenings for people over 50 and for other groups at added risk for the disease.
The risk of a person having colorectal cancer in his/her lifetime is about 1 in 19. Almost 75 percent of colon cancer cases have no prior family history and most have no symptoms. Scientists are still unsure of exactly what causes colon and colorectal cancer, but some risk factors have been identified, including a high-fat diet, diabetes, smoking, alcohol, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
Americans continue to battle this disease at alarming rates with 49,920 reported deaths in the U.S. in 2009. It is important to understand who is at risk, and what the available prevention methods are, to eliminate the onset of colon cancer.
Colon cancer indiscriminately affects people regardless of race, sex, economic status or geography. There often are no symptoms. It is important to get screened if you are:
* 45 and older and African-American
* 40 or older and have a family history of polyps or colon or rectal cancer
* Have a history of cancer or polyps found earlier
The easiest way to prevent colon cancer is to schedule a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a painless screening test that provides important information about your digestive health. For most patients, a colon cancer screening does not have to be performed at a hospital. Today, many outpatient centers provide screenings by highly skilled physicians in a more relaxed, personal environment and usually with much lower out-of pocket costs for the patient.
No matter where you live or work, stopcoloncancernow.com provides valuable education, colon cancer screening options, screening locations, insightful patient stories and more.
Additional information on colon cancer and prevention methods can be found online at www.stopcoloncancernow.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Cost of Health Care for the Elderly in Greenville, South Carolina
On average, the cost of elderly health care is $5,531 annually. Family members not only provide hands-on care but often dig into their own pockets to pay other expenses which include groceries, drugs and medicines, medical equipments such as wheelchairs, toilet seat risers and transportation. Many times family members have to miss work and lose out on their income to take care of elderly family members.
Many family members take loans, skip vacations and often ignore their own health. Government must start providing tax deductions and tax credits to family caregivers.
The expenditures incurred for elderly health care is increasing rapidly and reaching astronomical heights. Elders have many special needs when it comes to health care. One is often left frustrated when there are gaps in insurance coverage. Medicare programs offer only minimal assistance for serious health disorders.
There are some programs that cover senior citizens. It covers hospital expenses and doctor visits, even if you continue to work. All one needs to do is pay a premium every month. These programs are popular among a vast number of senior citizens.
One needs to apply for these programs before one reaches the age of 65. In case you don’t then one has to pay a high premium. One also has the option of enrolling for these programs after retirement.
The premium that one pays depends on your income and which company you will be purchasing coverage from. Senior citizens with low income are also eligible for the entire coverage under Medicare.
Prescription drugs which are used to treat a wide variety of diseases and illness are fully covered if one has a private insurance coverage. If you do not have private insurance, this could be matter of serious concern. Sometimes drug prices are simply not affordable, forcing the senior citizens to forgo other needs to pay for drugs.
Recent Medicare legislation has been a big disappointment for senior citizens, as drug coverage continues to be limited and fails to reduce the rising cost of drugs. Many seniors are forced to manage their medical plan on their own.
At times, the drug industry provides free drugs to the needy who are not covered under private insurance or any government program. Retail stores in the vicinity provide drugs at discounted rates. There are various medicine manufacturing companies that offer assistance to lower income senior citizens. One can seek out these discount programs if they have a financial need.
Katie Appleby is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about the cost of elderly health please visit Senior Health Today for current articles and discussions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katie_Appleby
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