Sedgebrook	UPDATED: Tuesday, March 06, 2007
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Could a hospital stay harm your health?

Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2007

By Melissa Borgerding
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

The hospitalization rate for people 65-plus is 24% higher today than it was in 1970, according to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Meanwhile, hospitalization rates have dropped sharply among every other age group.

Experts blame this striking disparity on the chronic and multiple conditions older adults are more likely to face, and argue that a significant number of hospitalizations could be prevented simply though better management of chronic conditions.

Hospital costs climb
The CDC puts the average length of a hospital stay for all diagnoses at just under five days. Studies suggest that every day spent in the hospital increases a patient’s risk of depression or infection from other ill patients. For older adults, the risk is higher.

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the average costs for a hospital stay rose 24% between 1997 and 2002 alone, from $13,900 to $17,300.

Avoid an extended stay
Twenty-one-percent of adults ages 65 to 84 are discharged from the hospital directly to long-term care facilities, reports the AHRQ. That number is nearly double for adults 85-plus.

However, older adults who take an active role in managing their health and wellness can greatly reduce the need for hospitalization, along with the need for future assisted-living or long-term care.

Already, technology is making it easier than ever for older adults to self-manage their health. Heart rate sensors worn underneath clothing can constantly monitor a person’s vitals, potentially alerting him or her to a heart attack before the onset of physical symptoms.

Portable blood pressure cuffs and hand-held diabetes testing devices provide convenience and freedom, and are a relatively inexpensive investment.

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A health-friendly house
For the next generation, houses may even help to monitor health. Researchers are in the early stages of developing and testing so-called “smart” houses. Equipped with high-tech sensors to detect heat and heartbeats, and state-of-the art safety features like ovens and irons that shut off automatically, these cutting-edge houses could bring peace of mind to individuals living with health concerns.

The smart house identifies irregularities within the house and communicates them instantly to a central base, much like a home security system. As a result, falls could be detected as soon as they occur. Appliances will even “talk” to you and remind you to take your medication.

The cost of these cutting edge houses, however, is expected to be exorbitant.

The key to prevention
Talking toasters aside, medical experts point to one major flaw to the smart house and many other new medical gadgets geared to helping people avoid the need for hospitalization and nursing home care: these products are only useful after the fact. In other words, they don’t educate people on how to prevent a problem from occurring.

To successfully manage your health and avoid the risk of hospitalization, doctors agree that you have to play an active role in your own care.

Erickson Health, available at Sedgebrook, has proven exceptionally successful in helping people 62-plus maintain independence. In fact, as few as 1.3% of Erickson residents move to assisted living each year.

These statistics are due primarily to Erickson Health’s “whole person” approach to health care. Along with full-time, onsite physicians, Erickson Health employs full-time nurses, including practitioners specializing in geriatric medicine, fitness specialists, and nutritionists. When they do need more specialized care, Erickson residents have access to home health, home support, on-campus primary and specialty medical care, emergency medical services, and more.

“At Sedgebrook, we’re really able to work as a team,” says Guy Petty, the community’s fitness coordinator. “Since Dr. Kroger is right down the hall, we’re always communicating about the best fitness and health programs for residents.” Like a personal trainer, Petty works one-on-one with residents to help design individualized fitness programs.

Become an expert
For those without a personal health team in their home, the Internet is an invaluable resource. According to a poll by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, 93 million adults in the U.S. go to the Internet for health information.

Only by arming him or herself with the knowledge to stay healthy can a person avoid becoming a patient.

How to find the most accurate information

The Internet provides a wealth of health resources right at your fingertips, but how can you be sure that you’re getting the most reliable and up-to-date information? Here are a few questions to help you evaluate the credibility of information on the Web.

How can I tell who is behind this site?

The most reliable health information usually comes from medical professionals. Go to the “About us” or “Main” page to find out who created this site and why.

How do I recognize quality information?

Phrases like “editorial board”, “selection policy”, and “review process” are clues that information on this site is carefully reviewed by more than one person. Look for sites that reference specific medical studies and include citations or bibliographies.

How do I know this news is current?

Out-of-date information is more than just irrelevant, it can be dangerous. Look to see when this info was posted. In most news articles, the date appears below the headline. Other sites may include a phrase such as “Date last reviewed” at the bottom of a page.

How can I protect my privacy?

If a site asks you to sign up or register, be sure there is a link to a privacy policy. Read the site’s privacy policy carefully to make sure that your info will not be shared with outside interests. Only share information with which you are comfortable.

While the Internet is a valuable tool, always be sure to talk to your doctor about your health concerns and any new treatment options you would like to know more about.