Chronic Disease Prevention
By Nicole Bushman, MPH, Encore Coordinator at Hult Center for Healthy Living According to the National Council on Aging, approximately 92 percent of all older adults have at least one chronic disease, while 77 percent of older adults have at least two chronic diseases. In addition, heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes result in approximately […]
Choosing the Level of Care That Fits
By Leon Yeh, MD, Vice President/Chief Medical Officer, Emergency Services, OSF HealthCare In a world focused on speed, information, and choices, healthcare is responding to patients’ desires for convenient and quick access to care. In addition to emergency rooms for serious symptoms and urgent care facilities that treat minor illnesses and injuries, there’s now a […]
New Brace Means New Lease on Life
By Dave Tompkins A few years ago, Carolyn Stevens was experiencing unbearable pain in her right ankle. It was so severe that she was having difficulty walking and frequently came close to falling. At 73, aches and pains are not uncommon, but Carolyn knew this was different — and she is not your typical senior. […]
Angelman Syndrome
By Amber Schappaugh MA, RMA (AMT), Director of Allied Health, Extern Program Coordinator Angelman Syndrome (AS) is a neuro-genetic disorder characterized by intellectual and developmental delay, sleep disturbances, seizures, jerky movements, frequent laughter and smiling, as well as a usually happy demeanor. Our local communities are home to several children who have been diagnosed with […]
A Coach on Wheels On and Off the Court
By John Marchioro What do you get when you mix a passion for teaching and a love for basketball? The answer is the University of Illinois men’s wheelchair basketball coach, Matt Buchi. At the age of 29, Matt is one of the youngest college wheelchair basketball head coaches in the United States. Matt is also […]
Courtyard Estates of Peoria Provides Independence
By Lori Lovely Americans hold their independence dear every day, not just on July 4, when we gather with friends and family to go on picnics and watch fireworks. We cherish freedom and independence throughout our lives. The independence so often taken for granted when we are young can be taken from us when we […]
Depression and Suicidality
By Luke Dalfiume, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Co-Owner, John R. Day & Associates, Christian Psychological Associates Major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. Each year about 6.7 percent of U.S adults experience major depressive disorder. Women are 70 percent more likely than men to experience depression during […]
Test Your Home’s Drinking Water
Information from epa.gov Testing your home’s drinking water is the only way to confirm if lead is present. Most water systems test for lead at a certain number of homes as a regular part of water monitoring. These tests give a system-wide picture of whether or not corrosion is being controlled, but do not reflect […]
New Baby? How to Prepare Your Pet Part I
By Lauren Malmberg, Peoria County Animal Protection Services Congratulations, you’re expecting a new baby! What a happy time for you and your family. And, it can be a happy time for your pet as well, if you make arrangements and adjustments before the new addition actually arrives. Many pet owners make a smooth transition from […]
Seven Things Parents Say That Can Cause Eating Issues
By Michelle May, MD As parents, we sometimes forget that we are raising adults, not children. Our goal is to provide them with the skills and increasing responsibility for managing their lives without our constant vigilance. One key lifeskill is the ability to navigate our abundant food environment while maintaining optimal health. Here are seven […]