Arthritis Tips for Daily Living # 4

Continuing our series regarding “Arthritis Tips for Daily Living,” Dr. Hulon Crayton is always looking for ways to ease the pain for his patients associated with the simplest of daily tasks. The Arthritis and Infusion Center found an article in Significant Living magazine by Dr. Rick Caracciolo, and have adapted a list of his suggestions regarding things to keep in mind AROUND THE HOUSE and IN THE CAR:

·      Many furniture manufacturers have made lift chairs that no longer look sterile and can ease the pressure on your joints when you have to get up.

·      For cleaning, use reaching tongs to pick up items and expandable dusters.

·      In the car, seatbelt pullers, gas-cap turners, and car-key adapters would be  helpful.

·      When doing household chores, consider electric scissors, pre-threaded needles, or gardening tools with large handles.

·      Use a voice-activated or large button phone, complete with a headset.

You may find other information that’s helpful from the National Institutes of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, you may want to consider a subscription to ArthritisToday magazine, which covers other helpful hints to ease the pain of day-to-day living.

However, it’s vital that you find a doctor who really listens to you. Dr. Hulon Crayton has garnered a reputation for not only listening to his patients, but working in tandem with them to develop the most effective treatment plan available. Call us today to see how The Arthritis and Infusion Center can help make your life easier and more pain free!

Arthritis Tips for Daily Living #3:

Continuing our series regarding “Arthritis Tips for Daily Living,” Dr. Hulon Crayton is always looking for ways to ease the pain for his patients associated with the simplest of daily tasks. The Arthritis and Infusion Center found an article in Significant Living magazine by Dr. Rick Caracciolo, and have adapted a list of his suggestions regarding things to keep in mind around the BEDROOM/DRESSING:

  

• Rather than having to pick up laundry, use a wheeled cart to push the dirty clothes to the washer/dryer. 
•  When you are dressing, sit down as much as possible.   
• There are numerous aids to assist you in dressing – for instance, zipper pulls or sock aids. (Just Google “Items for senior citizens” and you will find many sites that offer simple solutions to life’s daily challenges as you age.)

•  It should go without saying that non-skid mats should be used not only in the bedroom, but all through the house. (The use of throw rugs should be discouraged around senior citizens.) 
•  Just as in the bathroom, bed rails will assist you in sleeping more securely and rising in the morning. 
•  Wear clothes that are wrinkle-free so you do not have to iron.

You may find other information that’s helpful from the National Institutes of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, you may want to consider a subscription to Arthritis Today magazine, which covers other helpful hints to ease the pain of day-to-day living.

However, it’s vital that you find a doctor who really listens to you. Dr. Hulon Crayton has garnered a reputation for not only listening to his patients, but working in tandem with them to develop the most effective treatment plan available. Call us today to see how The Arthritis & Infusion Center can help make your life easier and more pain free!

Arthritis Tips for Daily Living #2

Continuing our series regarding “Arthritis Tips for Daily Living”, Dr. Hulon Crayton is always looking out for his patients and seeking ways to ease the pain associated with the simplest of daily tasks. The Arthritis and Infusion Center found an article in Significant Living magazine by Dr. Rick Caracciolo, and have adapted a list of his suggestions regarding things to keep in mind around the BATHROOM:  

• It should go without saying that non-skid mats should be used not only in the bathroom, but all through the house. (The use of throw rugs should be discouraged around senior citizens.)
• Within the tub, non-skid strips are helpful, as is a cushioned, suction mat.
• Some people prefer to utilize a tub bench, or bath chair, when bathing, but regardless of whether or not you are using one of these options or choose to sit in the tub, grab bars are suggested for both inside and outside the tub.
• Grab bars are also a good idea next to the toilet, and utilizing a raised toilet seat would eliminate a lot of straining to get up.
• Long-handled sponges and back brushes help reach areas of your body without putting stress on your joints and muscles.
• Place towels within easy reach. 
• Simple additions like liquid soap, toothpaste in a pump dispenser, and an electric toothbrush can help make the task of personal grooming less painful.

You may find other information that’s helpful from the National Institutes of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, you may want to consider a subscription to Arthritis Today magazine, which covers other helpful hints to ease the pain of day-to-day living.

However, it’s vital that you find a doctor who really listens to you. Dr. Hulon Crayton has garnered a reputation for not only listening to his patients, but working in tandem with them to develop the most effective treatment plan available. Call us today to see how The Arthritis and Infusion Center can help  make your life easier and more pain free!

Arthritis Tips for Daily Living #1

At The Arthritis and Infusion Center, we’re always looking for ways to help our patients cope with Arthritis, while at the same time giving them strategies for daily living.  Recently, we found an interesting article by Dr. Rick Caracciolo, in Significant Living magazine, and have adapted a list of his suggestions regarding things to keep in mind around the KITCHEN:

• Use electric appliances. (Manual options can put stress on your joints.) 
• Use pre-cut vegetables and nuts.(Although a little more pricy, you will be more  likely to eat these health-giving snacks, and your joints will thank you as well!) 
• Keep pots and pans near the stove and try to store them at waist level. (This reduces lifting and stress on hand and wrist joints.) 
• Use large handle kitchen utensils for easier grip. (And, light-weight utensils would also help.) 
• Sit down while preparing meals. (What’s the hurry? With Arthritis, it’s important to lower your stress level.) 
• Install lever faucets, or easy grips, on faucet handles for easier turning to close. 
• Use disposable pans, non-stick pans, foils, and sprays to reduce, or eliminate, cleaning.
• Dispose of all clutter, and set up work stations (cutting area, coffee, etc.). 
• If you use mats in the kitchen, make sure they are the non-slip, industrial variety that provide good support and cushion for your feet and legs. (Rugs should be avoided.)

You may find other information that’s helpful from the National Institutes of Health (www.nia.nih.gov) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov). However, it’s vital that you find a doctor who really listens to you. Dr. Hulon Crayton has garnered a reputation for not only listening to his patients, but working in tandem with them to develop the most effective treatment plan available. In fact, several of his patients have actually moved to this area just because of the level of treatment they receive from Dr. Crayton. Call us today to see how The Arthritis and Infusion Center can make your life easier and more pain free!

“Why We Chose EMR”

"Most of my patients are totally unaware that the Federal Government has mandated that doctors and hospitals have Electronic Medical Records (EMR),” explained Dr. Hulon Crayton of The Arthritis and Infusion Center (AIC). “In fact, if medical practices do not comply by the year 2014, they will be penalized.

“Quite frankly, although it has greatly altered everything I do on a daily basis within the office, because I’ve had to learn a new way of doing things, I must say that my entire staff has acclimated quickly – and our patients like the efficiency of the process. We compile all prescriptions and tests ordered, as well as including test results and my personal notes regarding each specific patient,” said Dr. Crayton.

EMR systems are designed to keep a record of a person’s entire health and medical history in a computerized, electronic format. The initiative is not a new one. In fact, according to an article in US News and World Report, the Institute of Medicine began the process of encouraging such record keeping almost 20 years ago. The Institute maintained that EMRs “would make healthcare better, safer, and more efficient, if every person’s complete medical history was stored on computers linked across the country. Clinicians anywhere could then view every patient’s every blood test, hospital stay, and X-ray.”

According to Jon White, director of health information technology for the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality – “Electronic records help your doctor capture and manage your health information,” – which, in turn, should help deliver better care with better outcomes.

As usual, The Arthritis and Infusion Center is “ahead of the curve” in initiating this important digital process in maintaining patient records. “It is extremely important to me to be ‘connected’ to my patients, not only electronically, but also as a caring and compassionate physician, who really listens to their concerns. When my patients tell me they hurt, I believe them,” said Dr. Crayton. “I always tell them: Pain is not normal and we can help.

“I also encourage my patients to compile an electronic PHR – Personal Health Record – which they can bring into the office to make certain that whatever care they have received from other sources is accurately maintained within their AIC file.”

Used 2 Use

Dr. Hulon Crayton of The Arthritis and Infusion Center is thrilled to partner with The Bay Education Foundation in a drive to provide local students with musical instruments. If you have unused instruments at home, please consider donating your instrument. Donations can be dropped off at Almega Sports, the Bay County Courthouse or The Arthritis and Infusion Center. You can also drop off the instruments at any of the participating schools below. You will receive a tax letter for your records at the time of donation. Thank you for your support!

School	Address	Need
Bay H. S.	1200 Harrison Avenue	Band instruments
Breakfast Point Academy	601 N. Richard Jackson Blvd	Band instruments, esp. trumpet
Callaway E.S.	7115 Hwy 22	Guitars
Cherry St. E.S.	1125 Cherry St.	Small instruments for demonstration (non-working ok)
Deer Point E.S.	4800 Hwy. 2321	Keyboards
Everitt M.S.	608 School Avenue	Band instruments
Jinks M.S.	600 W. 11th Street	Band instruments
Mosley H.S.	501 Mosley Drive	Band instruments
Mowat M.S.	1903 Hwy. 390	Band instruments
North Bay Haven	1104 Balboa Avenue	Keyboards, hand drums, guiros, claves
Patterson E.S.	1025 Redwood Avenue	Drums, flute, clarinet
Springfield E.S.	520 School Avenue	Band instruments
St. Andrew	3001 W. 15th Street	Cello, violin

Can you predict the weather?

It’s that time of year that many dread – Hurricane Season.  Floridians are fortunate that we usually have time to prepare for such a weather-related occurrence; however, other people dread it because of the pain the low barometric pressure causes and the accompanying joint discomfort.  Patients of Dr. Hulon Crayton of The Arthritis and Infusion Center claim that they can actually “predict” weather changes.