Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing a device that monitors glucose using light pulses rather than finger pricks. This would enable people to measure their blood sugar without the normal bloodletting.
Link to article
Thursday, August 19, 2010
One in five hospitals stays involve diabetes!
There was a great article in FireceHealthcare about how diabetes contributes to increaced healthcare cost and decreased quality of life. The problem seems to be growing out of control. With all the attention given on the recent flu scare we seem to be ignoring the larger problem right in fornt of us.
Here are some of the stats:
Between 2004 and 2007, the number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes rose 22 percent to 17.9 million. Here are some other findings from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project on hospital use by patients with diabetes in 2008:
• Hospital stays for patients with diabetes were longer, more expensive, and more likely to originate in the ED than stays for patients without diabetes.
• Medicare covered almost 60 percent of total hospital costs for patients with diabetes, followed by private health insurance which covered 23 percent of total diabetes-related hospital costs.
• The South had the highest rate of hospital stays for patients with diabetes (2,829 stays per 100,000 persons in the region), while the West had the lowest rate (1,866 stays per 100,000 persons in the region).
• Sixty-one percent of patients with diabetes who stayed in the hospital were admitted through the ED.
• The top three most common principal reasons for hospitalization among patients with diabetes were diabetes, congestive heart failure, and coronary atherosclerosis.
• The rate of hospitalization was highest for patients with diabetes the lower their income.
Link to report
Here are some of the stats:
Between 2004 and 2007, the number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes rose 22 percent to 17.9 million. Here are some other findings from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project on hospital use by patients with diabetes in 2008:
• Hospital stays for patients with diabetes were longer, more expensive, and more likely to originate in the ED than stays for patients without diabetes.
• Medicare covered almost 60 percent of total hospital costs for patients with diabetes, followed by private health insurance which covered 23 percent of total diabetes-related hospital costs.
• The South had the highest rate of hospital stays for patients with diabetes (2,829 stays per 100,000 persons in the region), while the West had the lowest rate (1,866 stays per 100,000 persons in the region).
• Sixty-one percent of patients with diabetes who stayed in the hospital were admitted through the ED.
• The top three most common principal reasons for hospitalization among patients with diabetes were diabetes, congestive heart failure, and coronary atherosclerosis.
• The rate of hospitalization was highest for patients with diabetes the lower their income.
Link to report
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Do You Know Your HbA1c?
HbA1c levels can determine if you are one of the about 6.2 million people in the US that have diabetes and do not know it. Scary....
I just read a report that showed, if you have diabetes, how lowering your A1c levels by 1-2% can reduce you chance of stroke, kidney and eye disease by over 70%. I know many friends that have it or are borderline so I wanted to do something that would help.
There is an old saying that “what gets measured gets done” This underscores that the first step to controlling and lowering your A1c levels is knowing it. In this case, ignorance is NOT bliss! All of us need to become more aware of our own medical conditions, whatever they may be, and face the fact that unless we decide to change nothing positive will happen magically al by its self.
There have been a number of studies done like the (Diabetes Control and Complication Study) that prove that even moderate monitoring programs can improve outcomes. If you need help controlling and monitoring your diabetes at home or remotely I created two (2) options that might help.
1. If you do not have access to technology (internet/mobile), or are nor comfortable using it, we use an automated voice calling system that can capture your reading by just speaking it. We convert to digital and save it for you so that it is available for review at anytime (doctor visits).
2. For techies there is a Free text message (SMS) and email based option that allows individuals to save their readings using SMS from their mobile phone or computer email.
Each option provides the ability to see a report of saved data by web/SMS/Email at anytime 24/7. There is also the ability to set alert levels that will immediately alert you, caregivers or family if readings are outside preset safe limits.
Contact me and I can show you how you can try it free right from your mobile phone. 888-804-3622 info@caryltech.com
I just read a report that showed, if you have diabetes, how lowering your A1c levels by 1-2% can reduce you chance of stroke, kidney and eye disease by over 70%. I know many friends that have it or are borderline so I wanted to do something that would help.
There is an old saying that “what gets measured gets done” This underscores that the first step to controlling and lowering your A1c levels is knowing it. In this case, ignorance is NOT bliss! All of us need to become more aware of our own medical conditions, whatever they may be, and face the fact that unless we decide to change nothing positive will happen magically al by its self.
There have been a number of studies done like the (Diabetes Control and Complication Study) that prove that even moderate monitoring programs can improve outcomes. If you need help controlling and monitoring your diabetes at home or remotely I created two (2) options that might help.
1. If you do not have access to technology (internet/mobile), or are nor comfortable using it, we use an automated voice calling system that can capture your reading by just speaking it. We convert to digital and save it for you so that it is available for review at anytime (doctor visits).
2. For techies there is a Free text message (SMS) and email based option that allows individuals to save their readings using SMS from their mobile phone or computer email.
Each option provides the ability to see a report of saved data by web/SMS/Email at anytime 24/7. There is also the ability to set alert levels that will immediately alert you, caregivers or family if readings are outside preset safe limits.
Contact me and I can show you how you can try it free right from your mobile phone. 888-804-3622 info@caryltech.com
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Don't Forget the caregivers
I came across a great article that highlights many the sometimes forgotten caregivers that are so critical to improved and continued healthcare for senior family members. Many technology solutions leave out this group in their models. I have always made caregivers the center of our solutions and this article echoes my thoughts on this subject. I would love to hear what you think.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Great New Resource for Homecare Funding
Not sure how many know about a great resource for funding if you are a veteran or spouse of a veteran. I found this great web site (www.veteranAid.org) that explains how veterans are entitled to $1,949 a month in funds that can be used to help with homecare and health related expenses if you qualify. You will have to prove eligibility and have the necessary paper work but it is well worth the effort.
Seems like it is not a well known resource even by the Veterans Administration call centers so you may have to press them to get the necessary information. There are income limits but it could be helpful for some.
Seems like it is not a well known resource even by the Veterans Administration call centers so you may have to press them to get the necessary information. There are income limits but it could be helpful for some.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Do you have a WEP for seniors that live alone?
The recent weather reports from around the country reminds me of the reason that I created the WEPs. What is a WEP?
A WEP is a 30 day Weather Emergency Program (WEP) subscription that can be activated whenever there is a severe weather condition that could present a danger to seniors who live alone. It creates an in-home monitoring system that automatically checks on loved ones using their own home phone. WEP enables notification even if the senior’s power or phone lines are disrupted.
Family members, caregivers, or seniors can register for a 30 day My Buddy Check WEP membership and not activate it until there is a weather emergency. At that time, you simply call/email/SMS My Buddy Check to activate your registered WEP and for the next 30 days your loved ones will receive the full services of My Buddy Check’s daily monitoring system with status updates to their family and friends.
I don't know how many times I have heard of seniors trapped in their homes in bad weather and find themselves cut-off from family and friends for an extended period? They run out of needed medications, household supplies, suffer from hypothermia due to cold weather conditions, or hyperthermia in heat waves. In this age of technology, there really is no reason for this to be happening.
The cost start at less than $10 so that anyone can have peace of mind from knowing that this safety net is in place and ready for immediate use when needed.
We have set aside a limited number of Free WEPs for selected areas so call today to apply or for more information.
888-804-3622 info@caryltech.com
A WEP is a 30 day Weather Emergency Program (WEP) subscription that can be activated whenever there is a severe weather condition that could present a danger to seniors who live alone. It creates an in-home monitoring system that automatically checks on loved ones using their own home phone. WEP enables notification even if the senior’s power or phone lines are disrupted.
Family members, caregivers, or seniors can register for a 30 day My Buddy Check WEP membership and not activate it until there is a weather emergency. At that time, you simply call/email/SMS My Buddy Check to activate your registered WEP and for the next 30 days your loved ones will receive the full services of My Buddy Check’s daily monitoring system with status updates to their family and friends.
I don't know how many times I have heard of seniors trapped in their homes in bad weather and find themselves cut-off from family and friends for an extended period? They run out of needed medications, household supplies, suffer from hypothermia due to cold weather conditions, or hyperthermia in heat waves. In this age of technology, there really is no reason for this to be happening.
The cost start at less than $10 so that anyone can have peace of mind from knowing that this safety net is in place and ready for immediate use when needed.
We have set aside a limited number of Free WEPs for selected areas so call today to apply or for more information.
888-804-3622 info@caryltech.com
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