Health &
Health & Wellness Senior Life
Wellness Events
May 17 • 3 p.m. CataLaze Vision Seminar Brevard Eye Center is the first in Central Florida to use the revolutionary new CataLaze equipment and procedures. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-984-3200 May 21 • 10 a.m. Greater Palm Bay Senior Health Fair Free health screenings, free parking, lots of raffles and giveaways. Come join us and meet the doctors, medical facility personnel, financial specialists, hospitals, Medicare providers, get vaccinated by Walgreens and much, much more. Greater Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive Palm Bay, 772-480-9844 May 31 • 5:30 p.m. Stem Cell & PRP Seminar Brevard Family Walk-in 1950 Rockledge Blvd. Rockledge, 321-877-1855
Medical scientists still searching for relief for lupus sufferers BY AUSTIN RUSHNELL Living with a chronic affliction is something that most people might never have to face. Chronic pain, or chronic disease, is something that is longstanding and, more importantly, does not offer any reprieve to sufferers. May is Lupus Awareness Month and is a time to reach out to loved ones with lupus and share support. Lupus is defined by the Lupus Foundation of America as “... a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs).” During a case of lupus, the body’s immune system overworks itself and creates a problem of ‘autoimmunity.’ Autoimmunity is when the immune system cannot distinguish between foreign bacteria and the body’s own healthy tissue. While no one is sure what causes lupus, the disease is not contagious. There are doctors, thankfully, that specialize in rheumatology and often offer services to sufferers of lupus. In Brevard County, there are various rheumatological professionals
Who is at risk for developing lupus? In the United States, at least 1.5 million people have lupus — and about 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported each year. People of all ages, genders and racial or ethnic groups can develop lupus. But, certain people are at higher risk than others. Susceptible people include women ages 15 to 44, certain racial or ethnic groups such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders.
that help patients with lupus manage their symptoms. There also are centers focusing on lupus around Florida, including a Lupus Foundation of America, Florida Chapter Center in Boynton Beach. “Lupus is a complicated disease and can be very frustrating at times,” said Support Services Manager (of the Boynton Beach chapter) Fredda Steidle, who herself lives with lupus.
“Every day is a little bit different; symptoms come and go, and you never know what to expect. A lot of times, it doesn’t show, and people really question whether you’re sick or not, and that can be frustrating also, not only from a physical perspective, but (also) from a social perspective. “The medical community is looking very diligently on trying to find a cure,” Steidle added. “And with some of the medications, the side effects are worse than the actual symptoms, so patients don’t always want to take their medications. It’s a challenging disease.” Living with lupus doesn’t have to be depressing, however, according to Steidle. “Living with this has also had a positive (effect),” Steidle said. “It’s made me appreciate every day a little more than I think I would have if I didn’t have this illness. It’s made me appreciate the people around me, even if I disagree with them, because I’m able to interact with them.” For more information about lupus and lupus centers in Florida, go to the Lupus Foundation of America website at lupus.org/florida. SL
Our aging community is a sacred asset that we should learn from, honor, and support.
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Call us to Volunteer: » Assist with Food Prep at the Kitchen » Meals on Wheels Driver » Provide a senior transportation » Provide a veteran transportation » Provide information to Caregivers at the Sunflower House
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Seniors At Lunch
group dining at neighborhood sites
Call us if you need: » Caregiver Respite » Caregiver Training and Support » Case Management » Catering » Handyman Services » Information and Referral » Light Housekeeping » Meals on Wheels » Personal Care » Seniors at Lunch Fellowship Dining » Transportation » Volunteer Opportunities WEARE
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Home & Community ,\ Based Services
Aging Matters in Brevard is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofu organimtion recognized by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging as the LRad Agency for senior servues in Brevard County.
www.AgingMattersBrevard.org
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SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2019
Serving the Matters of Aging Since 1965 • myseniorlife.com