Health Today

Deteriorating health and not being able to live at home are among older adults’ greatest age-related fears, according to a recent study of people age 55 and older. Dementia of any kind makes the list of medical conditions that seniors dread most.

The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (ADC) program – launched recently by Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group – addresses these concerns and more. The program provides the infrastructure dementia patients need to continue living comfortably in the community.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, fewer children received their regular vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The numbers in Yavapai County align with national trends over the past year and a half.

As the world returns to pre-pandemic “normal” and healthcare stabilizes, local doctors are urging parents to talk with their children’s providers about getting back on track with routine vaccines (which include those for measles, poliovirus, rotavirus, Hepatitis A and B, and more).  

When patients take their medications correctly, their health can improve or, at minimum, they can better manage their condition. That’s why it is vital that hospitals and clinicians offer the education patients need—in terms of correct dosing and timing—to stay healthy while taking prescribed medications.

Is a total knee replacement on your radar? If so, you’re not alone. More than 600,000 Americans opt for the procedure each year, which makes total knee replacement the most frequently performed orthopedic surgery in the United States.

There is an inescapable, childlike joy that comes from riding a bike over-dramatic high desert landscapes, or through forests of towering pines, on one of Prescott’s many and varied trails. The good news is that you don’t have to be a pro to join the fun. In fact, whether you are seven or seventy, a novice or seasoned cyclist, there’s a ride for you in the 250 miles of winding local trails.

Many factors impact brain health and our ability to function well in our daily lives. The foods we eat, the amount of water we consume, and the quality of our sleep can have a profound impact on our mood and overall health.

Our environment, life experiences, and genetics also affect our cognitive abilities, as does trauma. According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, “Seventy percent of adults in the U.S. have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives.”

In a new video series, healthcare heroes from Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group share their thoughts about caring for our community during COVID-19.

Sleeves Up for the COVID-19 Vaccine features brief videos of YRMC physicians, nurses, radiologic technologists, support staff, and other members of the team, discussing all aspects of COVID-19.

Supporting your immune system with nutrition doesn’t have to involve loading up on expensive foods and supplements. In fact, research shows that making simple changes in your food choices, the amount of sugar you eat, and even the timing and pace of meals can boost and strengthen your front-line defenses.

Prescott native Megan Fernow Sitrin MSN, RN, ACNP-BC has loved science since her days in Mr. Les Fenderson’s anatomy class at Prescott High School (PHS). She’s always loved people, and that’s why she pursued a career in nursing; after graduating from PHS, she headed to the University of Arizona.

Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group (YRMG) has expanded its network of multispecialty medical practices to include Orthopedic Surgery.

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, the flu, and other viruses and germs. Even as the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more available, it’s important to protect our health, one handwash at a time.