Senior Health News ​

​As you know, oral health is important to your overall quality of life. For seniors, maintaining oral health becomes doubly important. This is because as you age, you become more susceptible to diseases. Of course, it would be ideal to have regular dental check-ups and have yourself treated whenever an oral issue arises. But access to regular dental care is often difficult for seniors. Medicare doesn't cover it. Medicaid coverage is limited. Out-of-pocket expenses can be prohibitive to those on a fixed income.
 
Fortunately, there are organizations that can help. Here are 5 free or low-cost dental care options for seniors & and persons with disabilities:
 
1.    The first place you should start is the toothwisdom.org, a site dedicated to health resources for older adults. Aside from the informative articles on the site, you can also make use of the care locator tool, which will direct you to where you can find low-cost dental care in your area. 
2.    The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) supports federally-funded health centers for those with no insurance or limited income. Many offer sliding scale (based on what you can afford) payments. Visit the site or call 1–888–275–4772.
3.    Dental schools are an option for good low-cost care as many have clinics where students get experience working on patients and with dentures. The ADA's website has a listing of schools by state.
4.    The Dental Life Network (formerly the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped) provides “access to comprehensive dental services for people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically at-risk.”
5.    The non-profit Dentistry From The Heart (DFTH) provides “free dental care to those in need.” Volunteer dentists and hygienists donate their time for events around the country. Due to the number of patients serviced in every event, treatments only include cleaning, filling, and extraction. 
 
Caring for the most vulnerable in our society is of utmost importance. Our mission is to be a resource and of service to seniors and persons with disabilities. If there is anything, we can do to help you or someone you know, please give us a call at (402) 200-5555!
 

​What is a Heat Stroke? Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. This most serious form of heat injury, heatstroke, can occur if your body temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or higher. The condition is most common in the summer months.
Heatstroke requires emergency treatment. Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications or death.

Symptoms
Heatstroke signs and symptoms include:

• High body temperature. A core body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher, obtained with a rectal thermometer, is the main sign of heatstroke.
• Altered mental state or behavior. Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma can all result from heatstroke.
• Alteration in sweating. In heatstroke brought on by hot weather, your skin will feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise, your skin may feel dry or slightly moist.
• Nausea and vomiting. You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.
• Flushed skin. Your skin may turn red as your body temperature increases.
• Rapid breathing. Your breathing may become rapid and shallow.
• Racing heart rate. Your pulse may significantly increase because heat stress places a tremendous burden on your heart to help cool your body.
• Headache. Your head may throb.

When should you seek treatment? 
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When to see a doctorIf you think a person may be experiencing heatstroke, seek immediate medical help. Call 911 or your local emergency services number.
Take immediate action to cool the overheated person while waiting for emergency treatment.

• Get the person into shade or indoors.
• Remove excess clothing.
• Cool the person with whatever means available — put in a cool tub of water or a cool shower, spray with a garden hose, sponge with cool water, fan while misting with cool water, or place ice packs or cold, wet towels on the person's head, neck, armpits and groin.