Thrifty White and Lang Nelson...a valued partnership!

Thrifty White Pharmacy is currently holding health events at Lang Nelson communities where a Pharmacist or Registered Nurse is preforming blood pressure checks and educating residents on Health and Wellness topics.  Look in your community’s calendar and newsletter for the next scheduled Health Day in your community.  Also, please keep an eye out for information on your communities scheduled Flu Shot Clinic this fall, September 2014!

What is a cataract?  A cataract is clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision.  Most cataracts are related to aging and are very common in older people.  By age 80, more than half of all Americans have either a cataract or have had cataract surgery.

How do cataracts develop?  Age-related cataracts develop in two ways.  1) Clumps of protein reduce the sharpness of the image reaching the retina.  The lens consists mostly of water and protein.  When the protein clumps up, it clouds the lens and reduces the light that reaches the retina.  The clouding may become severe enough to cause blurred vision.  Most age-related cataracts develop from protein clumpings.  2) The clear lens slowly changes to a yellowish/brownish color, adding a brownish tint to vision.  As the clear lens slowly colors with age, your vision gradually may acquire a brownish shade.  Over time, increased tinting may make it more difficult to read and perform other routine activities.  If you have advanced lens discoloration, you may not be able to identify the colors blue & purple.  You may be wearing what you believe to be a pair of black socks, when actually you are wearing purple socks.

Who is at risk for cataract?  The risk of cataract increases as you get older.  Other risk factors for cataract include: -Certain diseases (for example, diabetes).  –Personal behavior (smoking, alcohol use).  –The environment (prolonged exposure to ultraviolet sunlight). 

What are the symptoms of a cataract?  -Cloudy or blurry vision.  –Colors seem faded.  –Glare.  Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright.  A halo may appear around lights.  –Poor night vision.  –Double vision or multiple images in one eye.  –Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses.

How is a cataract detected?  Cataract is detected through a comprehensive eye exam that includes:  -Visual acuity test.  This eye chart test measures how well you see at various distances.  –Dilated eye exam.  Drops are placed in your eyes to widen, or dilate, the pupils.  –Tonometry.  An instrument measures the pressure inside the eye.

How is cataract treated?  The symptoms of early cataract may be improved with new eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses.  If these measures do not help, surgery is the only effective treatment.  Surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens.  A cataract needs to be removed only when vision loss interferes with you everyday activities, such as driving, reading, or watching tv.  You and your eye care professional can make this decision together.  Once you understand the benefits and risks of surgery, you can make an informed decision about whether cataract surgery is right for you.

What can I do to protect my vision?  Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block ultraviolet sunlight may help to delay cataract.  If you smoke, stop.  Researchers also believe good nutrition can help reduce the risk of age-related cataract.  They recommend eating green leafy vegetables, fruit, and other foods with antioxidants.  If you are age 60 or older, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once every 2 years.  In addition to cataract, your eye care professional can check for signs of age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other vision disorders.  Early treatment for many eye diseases may save your sight.

 

Thrifty White Pharmacy is excited to announce that we now offer personalized nursing services!  Care Home Partners is a nursing company that is owned, operated and founded by Thrifty White Pharmacy.  This exciting opportunity means that we can now offer Lang Nelson residents our coordinated Pharmacy and Health Care Services in the comfort of their own homes.  A few of our services include:  

-In home nursing visits -Medication Management -Remote Monitoring

-Laboratory and Diagnostic Screenings -Health and Wellness Programs -Chronic Care Management

-Personal Care Services -Lab Blood Draws (INR check) -Foot Care Services

Our nursing services provide options for people that need additional assistance on a regular basis and options for individuals that experience temporary illness or injury.  Thrifty White Pharmacy strives to help Lang Nelson residents to live healthy, happy and independent lives.  Our pharmacy and nursing services provide a high level of care to help improve health outcomes.

 

Please call a Thrifty White Pharmacist to get your questions answered about My Personal Pharmacy:  1-888-558-9941. Please call our Case Manager Nurse to get your questions answered about Care Home Partners & our nursing services:  612-749-3102.

 

Lang Nelson has partnered with Thrifty White Pharmacy to bring you My Personal Pharmacy. My Personal Pharmacy offers the following to residents in Lang Nelson Communities:

 Individual and Personalized medication assistance, beyond services you would receive at another pharmacy 

 Medications and supplies delivered right to your door free of charge 

 Emergency deliveries free of charge, for those times of illness, pain, or bad weather

 Easy copay payment options with a pharmacy charge account and one monthly statement 

 Onsite monthly Health and Wellness educational sessions, blood pressure screenings and access  

to a health care professional to answer your personal health related questions

 Personalized Assistance, working with your current insurance company