Stroke Patients Stop Taking Medications

Stroke patients who implicitly followed doctors orders generally understood why they were taking their medications and/or had adequate health insurance to pay for them.

However, one study recently published noted that 25% of stroke patients "stopped taking one or more of their stroke prevention medications within three months after their stroke." And patients who are either more severely disabled or without insurance are even more likely to discontinue medications.

Doctors need to be aware of this event so that they can properly handle medical incidences.

According to a lead researcher both patients and caregivers need clear streamlined instructions and follow-up on new risk factors.

Over the last 15 years, there has been very little improvement in the use of medical therapies that have been shown to improve outcomes in outpatients with heart failure. Certain medications such as ACE inhibitors and beta blockers need to be prescribed more. Why doctors are not prescribing them as much as they once did is a mystery. Perhaps doctors are getting tired of using the same old drugs in favor of the newer, more expensive ones.

Information taken from MedlinePlus, health information from the National Library of Medicine

For more on strokes, visit 50somethinginfo.com

Danger In Your Pantry Or Medicine Cabinet: Seniors Ignore Expiration Dates

Guess what? Moms aren't perfect. But my mom has a "tragic flaw."

Little was more fun than our family's rivalry over finding the oldest foodstuff or medication in mom's pantry or medicine cabinet. As soon as we'd arrive at her house, we'd scramble towards our treasure (barely greeting the anxiously awaiting mom/grandma!) robustly declaring a victory when we'd find a bulging (unsafe), non-dated item or a well-expired antibiotic.

Mom thinks that dates are scams by companies to make the consumer buy more. To a degree she's correct. According to a medical newsletter expiration dates do not mean that the medicine is not effective. In fact, many are safe well beyond the printed date--so long as they are stored correctly--in a cool, dry, dark place--which means not in pockets, cars, or bathrooms.

For more on Health and Wellness Safety, visit 50somethinginfo.com.

Play it safe with your medicine.

Top 10 Websites for 2009, Part 3

This is the second to last of my 10 websites that will change the way boomers use the Internet in 2009. 

7. USA.Gov

Thanks goodness our tax dollars are working.  The U.S. government has provided a huge number of useful references for web-savvy citizens and visitors.  Arrange to be notified by email when policies or laws change.

Enlarge the text (top right-hand corner), use the search box and get assistance for caregiving, consumer protection, employment, end-of-life, health, money and taxes, retirement, travel and more.

Find your representatives.  Turn up your volume to view and listen to an easy presentation on how you can access government information.  Shop government auctions and sales.  Apply for benefits and grants.  Locate in-person services near you.  Email or speak to a real-live person using toll-free numbers.

8.  Drug Digest

Drug Digest is "an educational, non-biased drug information site dedicated to helping consumers make informed choices about trade name and generic" drugs and about treatment options.

This site is a fabulous tool for comparing drugs and checking interactions.  Learn not only about your drug, vitamin or supplement but also what the pill should look like (photos provided) so you are absolutely certain you are taking the correction medication.

Stay tuned for our final 2 fabulous websites.  

*For more great websites, visit 50somethinginfo.com, the search engine dedicated to delivering the best of the net to boomers and seniors.