Health care notebook

Classes offered on Alzheimer's care

Two free University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences workshops will address caregiving for patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

On Thursday at the Jacksonville Community Center, a "Dementia & Alzheimer's Experience: Take a Walk in Their Shoes" course will address caregiver issues and simulate symptoms of the conditions for participants.

People interested in registering for a class can call (501) 526-6500 or email rcarter@stathomehealth.net. The class runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A slightly different workshop is set for June 18 in Little Rock.

Participants will learn about such things as caregiving for people with dementia, managing stress and nutrition, and dealing with behavioral problems.

The workshop is to begin at 2 p.m. in the Parkway Village Retirement Community. Anyone interested in attending can email dbleblanc@uams.edu or call (501) 202-1641.

An estimated 56,000 people in Arkansas are living with Alzheimer's disease.

Medicaid credited for fewer deaths

There were fewer deaths from cardiovascular problems in states, such as Arkansas, that expanded Medicaid under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, an analysis found.

In a paper published last week in The Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that for adults between the ages of 45 and 64, there were smaller increases in cardiovascular mortality rates in the counties of Medicaid expansion states.

The difference was an average of 4.3 fewer deaths per 100,000 residents per year.

Although the researchers named several limitations to the study, including not establishing a causal link, they said the association may be relevant for policymakers.

They observed that cardiovascular disease disproportionately affects people in lower socioeconomic situations and people who don't have insurance -- people the Medicaid expansions target.

Foot, ankle pain focus of seminar

A free seminar in Fort Smith on Tuesday will offer tips on treating foot and ankle pain.

Podiatrist Dr. Spencer Mortensen will go over foot pain management and offer information on maintaining an active lifestyle without causing toe and heel problems later in life.

The class at Baptist Health-Fort Smith begins at noon.

Registration is required. People interested in registering can call (888) 227-8478 or visit baptist-health.com to sign up.

Metro on 06/09/2019

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