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For
Providers
Signs and Symptoms
New! Series of Signs and Symptoms for Direct Care Staff - click here.
Signs of Possible Glaucoma:
- Rock hard orbit
- Cloudy cornea
- Crescent shadow on the nasal side of the iris means increased risk of glaucoma
- Red blood vessels in the iris (neovascularization from glaucoma or diabetes)
- Oval pupils
- Unilateral mydriasis
- Pupillary reflexes: absent direct response but present consensual response
- Apparent loss of temporal vessels on fundoscopic exam
- Bone white disc with normal blood vessels
- Vertically oval appearance of the disc cup
- Enlargement of the disc cup
Read more about this from the article "Examining the Eyes of an Older Person";
Stroke Detection
How to detect if a person is having a stroke --
Remember the STR's of a stroke:
* S - Ask the person to SMILE;
* T - Ask the person to TALK, to speak a simple sentence, coherently; and
* R - Ask him or her to RAISE both arms.
So, if you're in the presence of someone who may be having a stroke, remember the"STR"s of stroke detection.
New NCPAD Article: Congestive Heart Failure
Heart failure is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases
today. Nearly five million Americans are affected by heart
failure, with 550,000 new cases diagnosed each year. With
the advancing age and longer life span of our population,
these
numbers are likely to increase drastically.
The price
tag for treating heart failure will also rise in the
future. The direct
and indirect costs of heart failure for 2005 have been
estimated at $27.9 billion. As treatment for conditions contributing
to heart failure, such as heart attacks and high blood
pressure
improve, it is expected more individuals will be diagnosed
with heart failure.
Read the
entire article.
Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders in Adults with learning disabilities
DC-LD Diagnostic Criteria for psychiatric disorders intended for use with adults with moderate to profound learning disabilities. It can also be used in conjunction with ICD-10 and DSM-IV manuals, when working with adults with mild learning disabilities. For more information, click here.
Signs
of a Heart Attack
HTML or  full-text PDF (88
KB) of this article
Dr. Chahira Kozma's articles
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What is a stroke? Check out the new article by Chariha Kozma, M.D. |
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Check out the article from Chahira Kozma, MD, on Pain and Pain Scales |
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Genetic Aspects of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
Chahira Kozma, MD
full-text PDF (32 KB) of this
article
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Incidence
and Implications of Overweight and Obesity Among Individuals
with Mental Retardation,
Chahira Kozma, MD
HTML or full-text PDF (88 KB) of this
article
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Disability Data
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published the 2006 Disability and Health State Chartbook: Profiles of Health for Adults with Disabilities.
Click here for the report specific to the District of Columbia.
For all states, click here. |
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Focus on D.C. Providers
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Read the interview with Wali Sehi, Director of the Excel Group, which provides in-home phlebotomy services in the DC area. |
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Resources for Caregivers
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Tips for Caregivers for Individuals with Alzheimer's disease
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Prevention, Assessment and Intervention for Falls, specifically for
Adults with Developmental Disabilities |
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New! The M.E.E. (Move * Experience * Engage) Calendar!
developed by occupational and physical therapists
365 fresh ideas for things to do! by Janet Thomas, Jamie Hall, Toby Long, and Rachel Brady
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New! SENSAtional Ideas for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Suggested activities for all the senses, arranged in a checklist format to aid in documentation!
developed by occupational and physical therapists
by Janet Thomas, Jamie Hall and Toby Long
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Family Care Resource Connection -- searchable database for resources |
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The Comfort of Home TM : A Complete guide for Caregivers - 3rd edition 2007
by Meyer & Derr (2007)
This guide helps caregivers learn how to make the home safe, comfortable, and handle everyday activities such as toileting, bathing, and wheelchair transfers.
Check it out of the library or purchase at a bookstore.
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Family Caregiving 101 - web site with assistance and information for caregivers, co-sponsored by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the National Family of Caregivers Association |
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Cerebral Palsy: A Complete Guide for Caregiving, 2nd edition
Alfred I. duPont Institute, Miller & Bachrack, (2006)
resource for caregivers, health professionals, & adolescents and adults with
cerebral palsy
Check it out of the library or purchase at a bookstore. |
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What Every Patient, Family, Friend and Caregiver Needs to Know about Psychiatry, 2nd edition, by
Roukema (2003)
This information is written for patients and caregivers, including family, friends, and professionals.
Check it out of the library or purchase at a bookstore. |
Wound Care
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Wound and Ostomy Care Resources
HTML or full-text PDF (68
KB) of this article
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Weight Management, Wellness and Nutrition
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Here are three links with current information on the importance of nutrition in primary care:
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Moderate Weight Gain in Women Linked to GERD, CME/CE
via Medscape, News Author: Laurie Barclay, MD, CME Author: Hien T. Nghiem.
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New Recommendations Regarding Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes Issued, CME/CE
via Medscape,
News Author: Laurie Barclay, MD CME Author: Désirée Lie, MD, MSEd
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Exercise Fact Sheet
HTML or full-text PDF (88
KB) of this article
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Exercise
Lowers Dementia Risk in Older Adults; "Tremendous and
Fertile Area of Research" for Intellectual Disability
Field, Says Expert
HTML or full-text PDF (95
KB) of this article
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Other Information
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New !
Using Motivation Interviewing to Promote Patient Behavior Change and Enhance Health
Belinda Borrelli, posted July 28, 2006 via Medscape |
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It is important to schedule your clients to receive the Influenza vaccine. It is also critical that for your patients who meet age and clinical criteria, that they also receive the pneumococcal vaccine. Take a moment to register yourself on Medscape so that you can view a recent news release that emphasizes the improved survival rates in the elderly.
Also, check out the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Flu vaccinations. The CDC recommends annual vaccination for the following persons: (excerpted list)
- Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
- Persons aged >50 years;
- Adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma (hypertension is not considered a high-risk condition);
- Adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunodeficiency (including immunodeficiency caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus);
- Adults and children who have any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions, or that can increase the risk for aspiration;
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions;
- Persons who live with or care for persons at high risk for influenza-related complications, including healthy household contacts and caregivers of children aged 0–59 months; and
- Health-care workers.
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Researchers identify a gene that contributes significantly to problems for people with Down Syndrome. *Researchers at Stanford University have discovered that one specific gene on the chromosome responsible for Down Syndrome is responsible for the cognitive impairment that results from having the Syndrome. This discovery allows for possible treatments to focus on that specific gene rather than the entire chromosome. Down syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, giving persons born with it a total of three such chromosomes. Down syndrome is a major cause of mental retardation.
Read a press release on the discovery from Stanford University
Read an article on this discovery published in Neuron
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Diseases
and Drugs: References and Suggested Books
HTML or full-text PDF (76
KB) of this article
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AAMR
F.Y.I. is a free, online monthly newsletter
that keeps you informed about recent developments in the
developmental disabilities community and the latest AAMR
initiatives.
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