Health

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[edit] Overview

There is a great deal of reliable information available on the Web to help you understand more about diseases, conditions, symptoms, medical resources and ways toward optimum health. While no means an exhaustive list, we have attempted to provide you with some helpful guidelines on how to do research on the Web. Some websites are aimed at the general public, others are for medical professionals. Remember, anyone can post information on the Internet, so knowing which sites are authentic, reliable, accurate and up-to-date is essential. Senior Planet can help you become a more discerning Web user; be sure to check out our Evaluating Websites link.

Being an educated patient can also be useful when it comes to discussing your particular condition with your care provider. For example, being prepared for your medical appointments with a list of questions, can help them go more smoothly and may help ease anxiety. You can check out our Doctor's Appointment page for more tips and information.

Remember, the Web is just one resource for information and is not intended to replace the care of a medical professional. Be sure to seek medical assistance in any emergency.

Please read the Disclaimer.

[edit] Google Health

For many seniors, maintaining health records can be overwhelming. With doctor's appointments, prescriptions, and test results to keep track of, your medical history can seem out of control. Google has developed an online program that helps you organize and maintain your health records.

Google Health allows you to securely organize your health records and information so that everything is in one place. Users can gather their medical records from doctors, pharmacies, and hospitals and add them to their account on Google Health. All your information is in one, easy to find location for the convenience of you and your doctors.

  • Google Health also allows you to review helpful and trusted resources so that you are informed about the health issues that affect you.
  • Google Health is free, secure, and private. All you need is an email address to open an account.
  • Take a Tourof Google Health to find out more. Or learn more about Google Health and its Features.
  • Review Google Health Privacy Policy.

[edit] Health Care for Seniors

Medicare

  • MedlinePlus provides an overview of Medicare as well as Latest News, Journal Articles, and Program guidelines to help answer any of your questions.
  • How to fight Medicare Fraud and Abuse from the Department of the Aging.
  • Find out if you are Eligible for medicare.
  • Need help with the Medicare Process? AARP's interactive tool can help guide you through the Medicare Process.
  • 2009 Medicare Rates
  • Medicare Interactive: Need help figuring out Medicare? This website has all the answers you need in an easy-to-read, interactive format. Learn what Medicare is, coverage options, covered services, prescription drug coverage and much more!

Individual Health Insurance

Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC)

  • EPIC helps seniors in New York State pay for their prescription drugs. Visit the EPIC website for eligibility requirements and more information.

Find a Doctor or Hospital

  • Search for doctors in your area and read their profiles to find the doctor that is right for you.
  • ZocDoc allows you to find a doctor appointment and book online instantly for free.

[edit] Health Organizations


[edit] HIV/AIDS

This section is for students learning about HIV/AIDS in an OATS course sponsored by ACRIA.
Much of the material below about HIV/AIDS was created and provided by ACRIA.


  • CDC Basic Information on HIV/AIDS

  • CDC Information on Symptoms of HIV Infection

  • A Snapshot of Older Adults Living with HIV
    In 2005, 1,000 people volunteered for a study performed by ACRIA to shed light on the needs of people over 50 living with HIV. The study, called Research on Older Adults with HIV (ROAH), found that 80% of volunteers were people of color and 33% were women, mirroring older people living with HIV in New York City. ROAH found that their concerns focused on illnesses of aging, increased feelings of isolation from social support networks, and the negative impact of HIV stigma, shame, and discrimination based on age. Among the facts the study revealed:

    -Volunteers had been living with HIV for an average of 13 years, and while half had an AIDS diagnosis based on serious illness, only 13% had a CD4 count below 200. Nearly 85% were taking HIV meds.
    -67% self-identified as heterosexual, 9% as bisexual, and 24% as homosexual.
    -70% lived alone, which is double the number of all older New Yorkers.
    -More than half of those who had used alcohol or drugs were in recovery. Over one-third continued to use recreational drugs or alcohol, and more than half smoked.
    -Thirty-six percent had used injection drugs at some time.

    ROAH and other research have found that older adults with HIV often lack the family and community support that can provide the care they need as they age. This type of care is critical; about 44 million Americans currently act as caregivers to family and friends who have various illnesses. If this informal care were replaced by paid caregivers, it would cost more than $300 billion a year.

  • HIV and Older Adults
    Because of advances in HIV treatment, people with HIV are now living much longer. The number of older adults with HIV is today larger than ever – and the percent of people living with AIDS over age 50 is now more than double that of people under 24.
    Even though the success of HIV treatment is the reason for the “graying” of the epidemic, one in every six new cases of HIV in New York City is found in people over 50 as well. It is likely that the majority of New Yorkers living with HIV will be over 50 years old within the next decade, and this trend is happening across the US. Currently, people over 40 make up 70% of all people with HIV in New York City.

  • Older New Yorkers with HIV experience stigma in many aspects of life
    People with HIV, particularly those who are aging, face many social challenges to emotional wellness, including the stigma that results from ignorance about the disease. The ROAH study revealed that:

    -Over half said that they do not receive support from their places of worship, mostly because of negative attitudes toward people with HIV.
    -Only 46% had told all their family members they have HIV, and only 35% had told all of their friends.
    -The participants in the study reported depressive symptoms five times more often than the general New York City population. About a third reported social isolation.

    HIV stigma can be deadly for these and many other reasons. It often combines with racism, sexism, homophobia, and ageism to create barriers to the services people need. It can have a strong impact on health and well-being, and can cause older adults to become isolated and fearful and to avoid needed medial and social services. It can prevent them from reaching out to their families, churches, or community organizations for help, and it can reduce the effectiveness of HIV prevention efforts.

    Stigma related to HIV is more common than that of most other health conditions. Fear of HIV is so powerful that it can extend to the families and friends of people with HIV, and even to their HIV care providers. Some people fear that disclosing their HIV status or insisting on using condoms will limit opportunities for sexual contact or lead to rejection or violence from partners. For other people, the negative reactions they experience may decrease their desire to stay healthy, including taking all prescribed medications on time.

    Older adults with HIV may also experience age discrimination from service providers, friends, and family. This creates a double barrier to prevention, treatment, and care. Knowledge about HIV and aging can go a long way to reduce the stigma caused by the misinformation that is still too common.

  • HIV stigma is present in the bedroom
    The stress of disclosing HIV status, and the potential rejection that could – and often does – follow that honesty, drives many people either to stick to positive sexual partners or to avoid sex altogether. A high number of the older adults living with HIV in ACRIA’s study said they weren’t sexually active. Still, a great many older adults are clearly choosing to remain sexually active – and that fact has crucial implications for those living with HIV.

    The myth that sex is only for younger people remains strong. But the biological changes that happen when we do age do not always include reduced sexual desire. Researchers have found that 60% of men and 38% of women over age 60 say they are sexually active.

    One study found that older adults who had sex at least once a month said that maintaining an active sex life was an important part of their relationships with their partners. Most said that they were at least as satisfied sexually as they had been in their 40s – about half of people aged 45-59 had sex at least once a week.

    The older adults in this study said that being ill or on medication lessened sexual activity, and they reported that if their health were better, their sex lives would improve.

    All of this means older adults face real risk for HIV transmission. Yet many, especially post-menopausal women, do not see themselves at a risk for HIV or other STDs. As a result, they may be less likely to practice safer sex than younger people. Since erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra and Cialis can increase sexual activity, prevention strategies and safer sex messages that target older adults are needed.

    Half of the volunteers in ACRIA’s ROAH study said they had not had sex in the last three months. This may be due to the fact that 70% of them lived alone and that only 15% lived with their sexual partners. The stigma and repeated rejection that those living with HIV encounter may also play a part.

    Sixteen percent who said they were sexually active reported that they had unprotected anal or vaginal sex with a partner who was not known to have HIV.

    While 28% of those who were sexually active said they would not have unprotected sex under any circumstance, 32% said that a desire for sex and an attractive partner might lead them to do so, and 32% said they might if the partner asked for it. Many reasons were offered for having unprotected sex: 27% cited being high on drugs, 19% said they felt depressed or needy, and 14% believed there was only a low risk of getting an STD.

  • The Four Levels of Risk

    Level 1 – No Risk
    -Closed-mouth kissing
    -Mutual masturbation
    -Massage and body contact

    Level 2 – Very Low Risk
    -Open-mouth kissing
    -Oral sex without ejaculation or swallowing, or with a condom

    Level 3 – Low Risk
    -Oral sex with ejaculation or swallowing
    -Vaginal sex or anal intercourse with a condom

    Level 4 – High Risk
    -Vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom
    -Sharing sex toys (vaginally or anally)
    -Sharing Needles, syringes, or other drug equipment (including needles for diabetes and other conditions)

  • CDC Podcast on HIV Testing

  • HIV Test Locator


  • Additional Resources

    CDC Podcast on HIV Prevention

    New York Association of HIV Over 50 (NYAHOF)
    Telephone: 212-367-1009

    Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Elders (SAGE)
    Telephone: 212-741-2247

    Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC)
    Telephone: 212-367-1000

    Gay Men of African Descent, Inc. (GMAD)
    Telephone: 212-828-1697

    GRIOT Circle, Inc.
    Telephone: 718-246-2775

    Hispanic AIDS Forum (HAF)
    Telephone: 212-868-6230

    Types of HIV Tests

    Standard blood test
    This test requires that a tube of blood be drawn from the person’s arm, and actually consist of two separate tests, the ELISA and the Western Blot. The ELISA test comes first, and screens for HIV antibodies. If it is “Reactive” it must be confirmed with a Western Blot test, which is more specific and will confirm if someone is truly HIV positive. A Western Blot is needed because other conditions – such as lupus or syphilis – can produce a false-positive ELISA result. Results for both tests can take up to two weeks.

    Oral test (Orasure)
    The Orasure HIV test is an alternative to the standard blood test. It uses a specially treated pad placed in a person’s mouth and gently rubbed between the lower cheek and gum. The pad collects an oral fluid that contains HIV antibodies in an HIV-infected person. It does not test for HIV in saliva. Results can take anywhere from three days to one week.

    Rapid HIV antibody tests (OraQuick)
    Because of the delay in getting results for both standard blood tests and oral tests, care providers have found that many people do not return for their results. But a rapid HIV test gives results in about 20 minutes, and is the type most often used at testing sites today. This test uses either oral fluids or a fingerstick sample of blood to detect antibodies to HIV. If you test negative, your results are final. But a “reactive” result must be confirmed with the more specific Western Blot blood test.

    Home testing kits
    The do-it yourself test kit uses the same technology as the standard blood test. An individual fingerstick sample of blood is collected at home and mailed to a laboratory. Test results are provided over the telephone in three to seven days. The serum home testing kit costs between $30 and $60 and is available at many drug stores. Currently there is only one FDA-approved home sample-collection kit; it is called Home Access

    General Treatment Information (from AIDSInfo)

    HIV Treatment Brochure (from AIDSInfo)

    Treatment of HIV Infection (from NIAID)

    Treatment of HIV Infection Fact Sheet (from NIAID)

    NIAID's HIV/AIDS Research Program


[edit] New York City Health Organizations

[edit] Articles

Find an article about a specific health related topic.

If you haven't found an article on the health topic you are looking for please add it to the list or visit one of these websites for health gudies: AARP's Health Encyclopedia or NYTimes Health Guide

[edit] Planning for the Future

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