Late one night, a drunk lost his keys in the middle of a dark block. A few minutes later, a friend found him searching for the keys under a streetlight on the corner.
“Why are you looking here when you lost them in the middle of the block?” his friend asked.
“Well, the light is better here,” responded the drunk.
Of course we laugh at the foolish drunk. But many of us show a similar lack of common sense in searching for better health. We’ve focused our attention and dollars on what doctors do. However, the greatest – and perhaps easiest - gains will come from focusing on what we do as patients – especially when close to 50% of us don’t follow doctor’s orders.
For the past few years, I’ve asked the same questions to hundreds of people in dozens of settings: “Who has more control over your health? ...The people in Washington debating health care reform? ....Your doctor? ...Or you?”
The response is always the same. Your health depends mostly on you.
Of course, good medical care is important and it should always remain a priority. But you don’t need an appointment to meet the person who controls your health and happiness. All you need is to look in any mirror.
Unfortunately, in our quest for health, the light (and the funding) shines more brightly on what physicians do than what we (patients and caregivers) do. Funding is the best for specialists, and their work is wonderful and important. But care needs to be coordinated to assure that medications and other therapies do not conflict with each other – and patients need to be a full partner in the process.
But when health education is provided, it’s often as fragmented, confusing and spotty as our health care. Many health educators are also specialists – whether it’s in diabetes, exercise, yoga or nutrition. But you need to coordinate your care and your education to get the best outcomes.
Confusion and exhaustion lead to crisis. Both occur when patients and caregivers see each illness and every problem as a totally new challenge - rather than an opportunity to apply lessons that have worked with other problems.
Witness the patients and caregivers who don’t realize that most of the steps to control their high blood pressure can also prevent or control diabetes.
Or consider the man who learns, by chance, about the importance of connecting his care to avoid hospitalizations – but never learns to turn his stress into satisfaction, the best places to call for services; or to share his wishes about the kind of care he wants at the end of life. You can win one battle to improve your health, but still lose the war for wellness if you don’t have a plan that works for every problem.
Or meet the adult daughter who thinks that her path to health and happiness is blocked by the demands of her elderly parents. What if she nevers learns that the same steps that can help her at 47, can also help a grandma who is 77 and a grandson who’s 17?
The Center for Health Management has been shining the light on these issues for the past several years. Our work has been honored by AARP’s Social Impact Award and our research shows that we’re headed in the right direction.
Our related Connections Counseling Service helps individuals, couples and families to find better health, more happiness and greater peace.
Our programs can help you connect the dots between the separate silos of care, and work with your doctor to learn what works.
But we realize that too much light or too much information can be overwhelming. Thus, our task is to provide you with the information you need, when you need it and how you need it – whether it’s a link on the Internet, a video in a hospital room or a story shared in a living room.
Please contact us if you need help to find your path to better health for your mind, body and spirit - or would like to help us light the way for others.
For information about the Center for Health Management, please visit us at http://www.beingyourbest.org/.
“Why are you looking here when you lost them in the middle of the block?” his friend asked.
“Well, the light is better here,” responded the drunk.
Of course we laugh at the foolish drunk. But many of us show a similar lack of common sense in searching for better health. We’ve focused our attention and dollars on what doctors do. However, the greatest – and perhaps easiest - gains will come from focusing on what we do as patients – especially when close to 50% of us don’t follow doctor’s orders.
For the past few years, I’ve asked the same questions to hundreds of people in dozens of settings: “Who has more control over your health? ...The people in Washington debating health care reform? ....Your doctor? ...Or you?”
The response is always the same. Your health depends mostly on you.
Of course, good medical care is important and it should always remain a priority. But you don’t need an appointment to meet the person who controls your health and happiness. All you need is to look in any mirror.
Unfortunately, in our quest for health, the light (and the funding) shines more brightly on what physicians do than what we (patients and caregivers) do. Funding is the best for specialists, and their work is wonderful and important. But care needs to be coordinated to assure that medications and other therapies do not conflict with each other – and patients need to be a full partner in the process.
But when health education is provided, it’s often as fragmented, confusing and spotty as our health care. Many health educators are also specialists – whether it’s in diabetes, exercise, yoga or nutrition. But you need to coordinate your care and your education to get the best outcomes.
Confusion and exhaustion lead to crisis. Both occur when patients and caregivers see each illness and every problem as a totally new challenge - rather than an opportunity to apply lessons that have worked with other problems.
Witness the patients and caregivers who don’t realize that most of the steps to control their high blood pressure can also prevent or control diabetes.
Or consider the man who learns, by chance, about the importance of connecting his care to avoid hospitalizations – but never learns to turn his stress into satisfaction, the best places to call for services; or to share his wishes about the kind of care he wants at the end of life. You can win one battle to improve your health, but still lose the war for wellness if you don’t have a plan that works for every problem.
Or meet the adult daughter who thinks that her path to health and happiness is blocked by the demands of her elderly parents. What if she nevers learns that the same steps that can help her at 47, can also help a grandma who is 77 and a grandson who’s 17?
The Center for Health Management has been shining the light on these issues for the past several years. Our work has been honored by AARP’s Social Impact Award and our research shows that we’re headed in the right direction.
Our related Connections Counseling Service helps individuals, couples and families to find better health, more happiness and greater peace.
Our programs can help you connect the dots between the separate silos of care, and work with your doctor to learn what works.
But we realize that too much light or too much information can be overwhelming. Thus, our task is to provide you with the information you need, when you need it and how you need it – whether it’s a link on the Internet, a video in a hospital room or a story shared in a living room.
Please contact us if you need help to find your path to better health for your mind, body and spirit - or would like to help us light the way for others.
For information about the Center for Health Management, please visit us at http://www.beingyourbest.org/.
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