Home Care Can Cut Disabling Conditions, Study Shows
People 75 and older have fewer disabling conditions when they are visited regularly at home by trained health-care professionals, according to a report from UCLA and Senior Health and Peer Counseling Center. The three-year study also shows that senior citizens were admitted less frequently to nursing homes because of the preventive health care and emotional support.
The researchers concluded that prevention of functional decline--as opposed to home care services after the disabling conditions became apparent--was the critical element that led to the reduction in nursing home admissions.
Briefly
Check out the fresh goodies at the Burbank Certified Farmers’ Market--fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, herbs and spices. Every week the farmers donate 5% of their earnings to the St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation. The market is on Orange Grove Boulevard, mid-block between 3rd Street and Glenoaks Boulevard in Burbank, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. For more information, call (818) 238-2660.
Events
UCLA’s Dr. Susan Love will give a “Breast Cancer Update” on Jan. 9, 7-9 p.m. Free; $5 charge for parking on campus. RPB Auditorium in the Stein Plaza at UCLA, 800 Westwood Plaza, Westwood. Reservations not required. Call (310) 794-6644 for directions . . . A nine-week course on lip-reading and coping skills for the hearing-impaired will be offered to adults on Wednesdays, starting Jan. 10. The beginners’ course will be held from 2:15 to 4 p.m. or from 5 to 6 p.m. The advanced course runs from 1 to 2 p.m. Spouses are welcome. Call (310) 395-1689 for fee and registration information. House Ear Institute, 2100 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles . . . On Jan. 11, 2-4 p.m., the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center “Yes We Can” stroke club will discuss controversy in stroke care. Free for stroke survivors, families and caregivers. 8700 Gracie Allen Drive, South Tower, Plaza Level, Harvey Morse Auditorium. Call (310) 855-6535 for information.
* This health roundup appears on Tuesdays. Items to be considered should be mailed 3 1/2 weeks before the event to Candace A. Wedlan, Health Watch, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. Fax: (213) 237-4888.
