How to Keep Your Personal Health Record

My Personal Health Record is a valuable website that includes a guide to help you be a more active participant in managing your personal health information, ensuring complete documentation of your treatment and medical history. 

For Additional Safety

Lifeline Systems
Pendant - when pressed, alerts local monitoring station that the wearer needs help. Increases safety and independence, especially for those who live alone.
(800) 635-6156.

MedicAlert Foundation
Bracelets or pendants with phone number for 24-hour emergency medical information
(800) 825-3785

Vita-LINK
Pendant - when pressed activates an alarm system, and the subscriber will be connected to their emergency response center. Recommended to increase safety and independence at home.
(800) 752-5522

Prevention Resources

2 Minute Breast Exam
This website is a project of Dr. William Goodson, a breast surgeon who has practiced in San Francisco, California for over 25 years. Dr. Goodson believes that "all women should have an annual clinical breast exam and that each breast should  be examined for at least one minute (2 minutes for both breasts).This website includes a free online video designed to educate the public and doctors about both the importance and how to do a complete breast exam. This is definitely a case of the old phrase: "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...."

New Social Services Telephone Number
If you've ever tried to get information on housing, childcare, eldercare or other social services you know how difficult it can be. There are so many services out there, it's hard to know where to start. A new service should make this process much easier. Simply by calling 2-1-1, residents of Contra Costa County and around the Bay Area will reach real people who can make referrals to local social service organizations and agencies. Dial 2-1-1 is a nationwide program, funded largely by United Way in cooperation with local agencies. It's available in many parts of the country. Eventually it will be nationwide. Every county manages the service a little differently. The Contra Costa Crisis Center is handling 2-1-1 calls here. For more information check out the website at:
211.org 

For help, call National Crisis Resource Center, 800-273-TALK (8255) or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org which will direct you to a local resource center.

Illness-Related Foundations and Websites

American Chronic Pain Association

Arthritis Foundation

Diabetes Society

Humor, Grace and Music are some of the gifts that Ric Masten had in his bag of tricks before he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This site includes his "one-liners" drawings and personal experiences.
ric-masten.net

Mended Hearts
Grass roots organization, run by and for people who have heart disease.

Multiple Sclerosis
nmss.org and  msconnection.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness
This grass-roots self help organization's mission is: "Informing, educating and supporting people with mental illness and their families."

National Mental Health Consumers Self Help Clearinghouse
Self Help Group Referrals (800) 553 4539

National Mental Health Association
(800) 969-NMHA

National Organization for Rare Disorders

The National Pain Foundation
The NPF Mission is "To improve the quality of life for those living with pain through information, education, and support that connects persons with pain to each other and to those that can help."

National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization's Mission is to benefit people affected by chronic disorganization. "The NSGCD explores, develops and communicates information, organizing techniques to professional organizers, related professionals and the public." Provides free, downloadable advice to help you be more organized and efficient.
 
Osteoporosis:  Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education
Osteoporosis is a disease that breaks down the tissue in our bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. "Treatable and preventable! Osteoporosis is epidemic in the United States and a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans or 55 percent of the people 50 years of age and older. One out of every two women and one in five men will suffer from osteoporosis in their lifetime. However, younger people also are vulnerable to this disease."  American Bone Health's Dr. Claude Arnaud, President of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board.

Sickle Cell Anemia
(800) 421-8453

Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic: Trouble Sleeping? Check out these helpful tips from the Stanford Sleep Clinic. link: www.stanford.edu/~dement/howto.html

SITES FOR PEOPLE WITH MEDICAL ILLNESS & THEIR LOVED ONES 

CaringBridge
Personal web sites for those experiencing significant life events.
CaringBridge is a non-profit organization that offers free, personalized web sites to those wishing to stay in touch with family and friends during significant life events. CaringBridge authors craft messages that are informative and reflect a special sensitivity to privacy issues. At each web site, well-wishers can read updates about the subject and leave messages in the Guestbook.

CarePages
Provides free websites, blogs and supportive information for patients that connect friends and family during a health challenge.

Lotsa Helping Hands
Helps friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors assist loved ones in need manage and coordinate offers of help.

Ask Medicare
Ask Medicare website, medicare.gov/caregivers launched by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services includes information on navigating systems for Medicare beneficiaries: health care services, links for support for patients and caregivers.

TWELVE STEP RECOVERY PROGRAMS

Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)
Alcoholics Anonymous
Debtors Anonymous
Food Addicts Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Sexual Compulsives Anonymous 

RESOURCES FOR AGING

Exit Strategies: A Plan and A Place For Your Estate Information, an interactive CD and workbook by Jeanne K.Smith.
This helpful CD provides a way to create and save documents that help people plan for and address: Personal Information, Legal Issues, Household, Health, Insurance, Vehicles, Finances, Final Arrangements and Spiritual Issues. Users can adapt the forms meet each persons individual and/ or family needs. The CD can be ordered online at www.exitstageright.com

AARP: American Association of Retired Persons
America's largest organization that represents people over 50. Their website has a wide range of helpful pieces about coping with health problems, or planning for retirement.

The National Council on Aging - Benefits CheckUp
Are You Getting all the Government Benefits You Are Entitled To? The NCOA reports that 5 million older adults are currently missing out on benefit programs that can provide help with health care, transportation, housing, energy assistance, and other services. Benefit CheckUp is a free, easy-to use public service that will help you find out what benefits you qualify for and how to get them.

ADVOCACY RESOURCES

Ask Medicare
Ask Medicare website, medicare.gov/caregivers launched by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services includes information on navigating systems for Medicare beneficiaries: health care services, links for support for patients and caregivers.

Cystic Fibrosis Legal Information Hotline
Free, general legal information resource about laws designed for people with cystic fibrosis, their caregivers, and others.
(800) 622-0385

The Department of Justice
Maintains an ADA Information Line to assist the public in understanding and interpreting the Americans with Disabilities Act. Line also provides contact information for the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and other agencies with regulatory responsibility under the ADA
(800) 514-0301 (voice), (800) 514-0383 (TTD)

Independent Living Centers
Services and resources for individuals with disabilities. "Definition of a Center for Independent Living from Section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended: Center for Independent Living. The term center for independent living' means a consumer controlled, community based, cross disability, nonresidential private nonprofit agency that is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and provides an array of independent living services." To find your local center contact your local department of rehabilitation, call (713) 520 0232 or send an email to: ilru@ilru.org. The Calironia Forundation for Independent Living Centers has a section entitled Find an Independent Living Center in California.

Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI)
Nonprofit providing legal assistance to people with disabilities, striving to "protect, advocate for, and advance their human, legal, and service rights."
(800) 776-5746 (voice/TTY)

The National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives
Helps those denied Social Security Disability Insurance
(800) 431-2804

Social Security Disability Secrets "Tips, secrets and advice to win social security disability (SSDI, SSD) & SSI Benefits:"

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES ABOUT ADVANCED HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES

The American Bar Association's toolkit
To help you plan for how you want your health care decisions handled when and if you are unable to speak for yourself in an emergency as well as detailed information about issues to consider when planning for end-of-life choices.

Health Related Resources

Dr Koop.com
Major Health Search Engine

Loansome Docs
a medical library designed to be used by individuals who are not health care professionals. If you become a member you can order full text medical articles.

National Center for Health Statistics
United States' principle health statistics agency, part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Statistical Resources on the Web

United States National Library of National Institutes of Health
includes links to Biomedical journal literature from MEDLINE/PubMed, also en espanol, provides free health and drug information for patients, family and friends.

PRESCRIPTION Resources

Consumer Reports Best Buys on Drugs

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Many Americans are having problems being able to pay for necessary prescription medication. This program offers one possible solution. This program "brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that's right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible. Through this site, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. To access the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by phone, you can call toll-free, 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669)." (from their web site) 

WHY PARTICIPATE IN A CLINICAL TRIAL, THEY ARE NEVER SUCCESSFUL

Q: Why should I participate in a clinical trial? If I participate in a trial I take a risk and probably the trial will fail to prove that there is a better drug or treatment, so why should I put myself at risk with no chance of anyone getting any benefit?

A: This is an excellent question that many of us ask. However, we also know that clinical trials are vital in our search for better methods of prevention, detection and treatment for not only prostate cancer, but for all cancers and diseases. In a study published in "Archives of Internal Medicine" (2008; 168:632-642) Dr. Benjamine Djulbegovic M.D., Ph.D. from the Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute at the University of South Florida, Tampa Florida assessed the success rates of NIH sponsored phase III clinical.

The study assessed 624 trials involving over 216,000 different subjects. He found that 25% to 50% of the trials demonstrated that a new, novel treatment that was the subject of the trial was successful. So, don't assume that you are not contributing to making significant progress towards better treatments. Also, remember that even negative results contribute to our knowledge base.

Written by Joel T Nowak MA, MSW
Used with author's permission, from www.advancedprostatecancer.net a rich resource that shares experiences, support and advice for men with advanced and recurrent Prostate Cancer.

Note: If you have a non-profit resource that you think others would benefit from knowing about, please contact Dr. Steiner to have the information included here.

DISCLAIMER
This website is designed for educational purposes, and is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological care. This website is privately and individually supported by Dr. Steiner and does not accept or host any advertising. All information posted on this site is the opinion of the author and is provided for educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as medical advice. Products, resources and services are mentioned on this site because of their relevance to the mission of this site.