My FIrst Day

Hello,

My name is Dr. Vanessa. For more information about me, see my profile, or check out my web site at http://www.safeaging.com/dazio.htm .

Why do this blog?

1. I believe this: People don't know what they don't know. Duh!

• If a person hasn't been trained in health care, it can seem like a foreign world.


• The language is frightful and very hard to understand.


• Doctors are busy, and so many people are afraid to take up their time.


• Many people are still afraid to ask questions.


• Many just do not know what questions should be asked.

2. If you don't recognize a risk, a hazard, or a potential problem, you cannot fix it.

In health care , we spend our greatest resources on reacting, that is, working after the fact. We treat the sick or injured person with all that we have after they have suffered a massive injury, or after they are hospitalized for a very severe medical condition.

We provide rehabilitation services to people after they have a stroke, or break a hip, or lose their vision. Then, we get to visit the person in their home, and make suggestions to improve home safety, but unfortunately, always after the fact!

Anyway, my point is, so much money and effort is and has been spent on reaction or treatment. And, don't forget, how much pain and suffering has been caused due to so many preventable injuries, and so many horrible health conditions (many caused by lifestyle choices.)

Why aren't we focusing our major efforts on really helping people to self recognize and self manage risk factors or hazardous situations that caused the

• injury


• ill health


• discomfort


• loss of abilities


• loss of independence


• decline in quality of life

3. Why aren't we, as medical professionals helping our healthy seniors to stay healthy, to wisely and safely live fulfilling lives at home and in their community?

The answer is, we are unable to make a living. Insurers have not yet recognized this preventive approach as cost effective. The individual senior hasn't recognized this as that important, if it is an out of the pocket cost. Until insurers offer in home preventive visits by skilled occupational therapists, for the purpose of identifying, quantifying and helping healthy seniors to manage risk,

we will continue to work in the same old medical model of treatment. Something has to give.

4. How can we help people to figure out their own level of risk?

I think that starts with knowledge. So, my blog will try to focus on a wide range of topics about health, safety and injury prevention, in the home, on the road, and in the community. If something risky applies to the reader, that is a good indicator that you just may have that risk factor. Sound the alarm and see if there is something you can do about it. If you have a question, write in, and maybe we can all figure it,...who knows,...with prevention, you can't say for sure we saved a life, or prevented a broken hip,.....but just knowing you improved something that could have caused an accident has to make a person feel good. Right?

5. How can we help people to make the needed changes before anything serious happens to them?

Once people are aware of risks, or can recognize hazards, they can make changes. By changes, I mean, eliminating or at least reducing the risks. Knowledge is power.

So, I will post articles, pictures, comments, and maybe some slide shows and videos (eventually) and other things, as I get more proficient, to help people learn how to help them selves at home.

Who Might Be Interested in Wise Aging Blog?

• Healthy adults


• Healthy seniors


• Seniors living at home with some difficulty


• Senior service providers


• Family members


• Businesses serving seniors


• Legislators


• Insurance companies


• Health care equipment companies


• Caregivers


• Nursing aids, technicians


• Others,....please let me know who you are


• Students


• Nursing homes and ALF's

How often will I blog?

At this point, I don't know yet. I am a newbie at this, and technically awful. I need help at this blogging stuff. So, as a new learner, please forgive me until I get the hang of this. I will do my best to do regular entries.

To Interested Followers

I look forward to comments, suggestions, ideas, questions, etc. Also, anyone who notices I am doing something wrong with any of the technicalities of posting, PLEASE tell me.

About Ads

I will be honest with everyone, I am hoping to make some additional income through the use of AdSense, as this does take away some extra spare time. I hope you all understand and graciously accept this, and support the sponsors in the ads.