McLaren Health Care

Caring for a loved one with a chronic illness can be overwhelming and raise many questions. Concerns may include who will care for them, what living with a long-term chronic illness looks like, as well as where they will receive treatment. For those with chronic illnesses, palliative care may be a beneficial treatment option.  Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with serious illness. It is a holistic, multidisciplinary approach that focuses on pain and symptom management a...

Some may not be willing to discuss their mental health. Look for these signs. While the prevalence of mental health needs on the rise, one welcomed consequence has been the open and nurturing atmosphere many people find themselves in in which to share their feelings. There are others, though, who may still choose to keep their thoughts and concerns to themselves. Or their condition may be severe to the point that they’re not aware of their symptoms. No matter the patient, though, everyone can benefit fr...

A trip to the hospital can be overwhelming for anyone. There are bright lights, unfamiliar faces, noise and commotion all around. Now, imagine if you were a patient with special needs. All the sights and sounds would be intensified, making you feel overwhelmed and scared.  Megan Wilson knows the challenges of having a special needs child. Her son, Levi, was diagnosed at age two with autism spectrum disorder and childhood apraxia of speech. Individuals with autism have difficulty with communication ...

Walking is one of the simplest options to increase your physical activity and improve your overall health. Brisk walking for 30 minutes per day at least five days per week, can reduce your health risks for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and other conditions. Walking works several major muscle groups and is a weight-bearing exercise that can help maintain bone density and is easy on joints. What do you need to start a walking program? • If you have health issues or have been inactive, talk with...

Meet McLaren: Bariatrics  Greater Lansing area patients now have access to a high-quality, accredited program should they choose to pursue bariatric surgery with the guidance of their primary care physician.  The program’s telemedicine capabilities make it possible for patients to receive most of their care close to home. Much of the surgical weight loss journey can occur through virtual visits with the bariatric and metabolic institute team and the support of their primary care physician. Sur...

Listen as a social worker discusses how to recognize behavioral health issues in others. “I think, particularly for the elderly, they grew up with many of them with the mindset of you just kind of pull yourself up by your bootstraps, right? You don't talk about how you feel, you just go, and you get it done.” Theresa Chapman, a career social worker and the program director of the McLaren Macomb Senior Behavioral Health Center, recognizes that many people may be hesitant to talk about their own mental he...

80 percent of strokes are preventable. There are more than 795,000 strokes every year in the United States, and 1 out of every 4 is preventable. And with a stroke responsible for 150,005 annual deaths in the country, that means up to 120,004 deaths every year have the potential to be avoided. How, though, can it be avoided? By knowing and addressing stroke risk factors. Know your risk factors High blood pressure High cholesterol History of heart disease Diabetes Obesity Smoking and excessive alcohol use...

 Mental health refers to a person’s psychological and emotional well-being. It is essential to your overall health and quality of life. It influences how you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships, and your ability to deal with difficulties and stress. Anyone can experience sadness, anxiety, and stress, but those with strong mental health are more resilient. “People with strong mental health are better able to bounce back from adversity,” says William Holmes, Manager of Mental Healt...

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Several facts and figures demonstrate the prevalence of stroke. Often referred to as a “heart attack of the brain,” strokes are the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability in adults. A very serious medical emergency, strokes occur when blood flow in the brain is interrupted — either through a blockage or burst vessel — depriving it of oxygen, rapidly killing brain cells. Potentially life-threatening, the prevalence of stroke is o...

In 1963, a meeting between President John F. Kennedy and the National Council of Senior Citizens led to designating May as Senior Citizens Month—the prelude to Older Americans Month.  At that time, one-third of the 17 million Americans ages 65 and older, lived in poverty and the support and social programs to meet their needs were lacking. Now led by the Administration for Community Living, Older Americans Month recognizes the contributions of older adults across the nation and generates interest a...