The Center for Senior Renewal

Senior adults often face unique emotional problems that can make life abnormally difficult. If you or someone you know is having

• Difficulty coping with change
• Trouble adjusting to retirement
• Loneliness and isolation
• Feelings of anxiety and/or depression
• Difficulty adjusting to changes in physical health
• Strained family relationships
• Negative changes in eating and sleeping habits
  

Growing old is not meant to be a time of emotional despair. While changes are a natural part of life feelings of hopelessness are not necessary. The Senior Renewal program at Fayette County Hospital works with area seniors to help them deal with change.

OUR CORE VALUES

• Restoring the Quality of Life for our Patients by Focusing on Each Person as an Individual
• Valuing the Individual’s Specific Needs and the Role of Their Family as a Whole
• Commitment to Excellence in Treatment
• Ongoing Care and Support

OUR PHILOSOPHY

• Care
• Compassion
• Competency
• Concern

OUR SERVICES

• Individualized Counseling
• Individualized Group Therapy with other Senior Adults Struggling with the Same Issues
• Family therapy
• Regular Communication with Family Members
• Ongoing Communications with Case Managers

ADMISSION or REFERRAL
To make a referral to the Center for Senior Renewal call our office at 618-283-1731. Our staff will request some initial information and schedule an evaluation for the person being referred. All initial screenings are performed at no cost. We work closely with referring healthcare professionals so that timely communication can take place with families, physicians, social service agencies and others.

PROGRAM COSTS
The cost of participation in the Senior Renewal program is covered by Medicare and most secondary commercial insurance plans. Normal deductibles and co-pays apply.  

 “THE CENTER FOR SENIOR RENEWAL’S TIPS FOR HEALTHY AGING."

Healthy aging can be defined as successfully retaining an individual' s skills, capabilities, and faculties despite the inevitable process of growing older.  As we age, the processes of disease and illness may interfere with our physical and mental abilities.  However, our outlook and pleasure in living does not have to be reduced.  A positive mental attitude, some fundamental knowledge, and a little motivation to make small changes in your life can dramatically enhance your life experiences.

November’s Senior Health Tip

Get regular health screenings to ensure good health and independence. Early detection of disease processes is important for prevention of diseases and maximizing effective treatments once disease occurs. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults fifty and older receive the following health screenings to maximize a persons health status and promote functional abilities.

For men the recommended screenings include:

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. If you are between the ages of 65 and 75 and have ever been a smoker, talk with your doctor about being screened.
• Colorectal Cancer. Have a test for colorectal cancer. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you.
• Depression. Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. If you have felt "down," sad, or hopeless over the last 2 weeks or have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things, you may be depressed. Talk to your doctor about being screened for depression.
• Diabetes. Have a blood test for diabetes if you have high blood pressure.
• High Blood Pressure. Have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years.  High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher.
• High Cholesterol. Have your cholesterol checked regularly.
• HIV. Talk with your doctor about HIV screening if any of these apply:
• You have had sex with men since 1975.
• You have had unprotected sex with multiple partners.
• You have used or now use injection drugs.
• You exchange sex for money or drugs or have sex partners who do.
• You have past or present sex partners who are HIV- infected, are bisexual, or use injection drugs.
• You are being treated for sexually transmitted diseases.
• You had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985
• Obesity. Have your body mass index (BMI) calculated to screen for obesity. (BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.)
• Sexually Transmitted Infections. Talk to your doctor about being tested for sexually transmitted infections.

For women the recommended screenings include:

• Breast Cancer. Have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years.
• Cervical Cancer. Have a Pap smear every 1 to 3 years if you have ever been sexually active. If you are older than 65 and recent Pap smears before you turned 65 were normal, you do not need a Pap smear.
• Colorectal Cancer. Have a test for colorectal cancer. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you.
• Depression. Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. If you have felt "down," sad, or hopeless over the last 2 weeks or have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things, you may be depressed. Talk to your doctor about being screened for depression.
• Diabetes. Have a blood test for diabetes if you have high blood pressure.
• High Blood Pressure. Have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher.
• High Cholesterol. Have your cholesterol checked regularly.
• HIV. Talk with your doctor about HIV screening if any of these apply:
• You have had unprotected sex with multiple partners.
• You have used or now use injection drugs.
• You exchange sex for money or drugs or have sex partners who do.
• You have past or present sex partners who are HIV-infected, are bisexual, or use injection drugs.
• You are being treated for sexually transmitted diseases.
• You had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985
• Obesity. Have your body mass index (BMI) calculated to screen for obesity. (BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.)
• Osteoporosis (Bone Thinning). Have a bone density test at age 65 to screen for osteoporosis. If you are younger than 65, talk to your doctor about whether you should be tested. You may need to have this test again after 2 or more years.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections. Talk to your doctor about being tested for sexually transmitted infections.

Talking openly with your doctor is paramount to ensuring good health and good treatment outcomes. Please do not allow embarrassment or modesty interfere with appropriate treatments and screenings. Feel free to talk with and question your doctor regarding treatment options, treatments that you don’t understand or treatments that do not make sense to you. Let your doctor know if you do not feel good about decisions or current treatments. Make sure you feel comfortable with your doctor and that you feel he or she makes a good “fit” with you. Write down things to talk with your doctor about or the things that are discussed during your doctor visits. Don’t leave your appointment with any questions unanswered. The more you understand your treatments and treatment options, the better your outcomes will be. It is perfectly ok to get second opinions, you are being asked to make very serious decisions and the more you know, the better.

Each month The Center for Senior Renewal will provide a “Tip for Healthy Living” to promote the quality of life for seniors.  We hope that these will be helpful to you.  If you find there are topics that you would like to be discussed, please feel free to contact us at the link below.

Matthew Gartke, M.S., L.C.P.C. matthew.gartke@fayettecountyhospital.org