Newsletter	April 2010

Topics in this Issue...

• Save Lives - Immunize
  April 24-May 1, 2010 is National Infant Immunization Awareness week.
  


• "Learn and Live"
  You've heard the expression "Live and Learn," which usually refers to learning a life lesson after the fact or "the hard way." At Bristol Park, we're offering free "Learn and Live" classes to help you make the right choices about healthy living without the hard part.
  
  

Save Lives - Immunize

April 24-May 1, 2010 is National Infant
Immunization Awareness week.

Immunizations have saved millions of lives over the years and prevented hundreds of millions of cases of disease. However, many people today mistakenly believe that the diseases of their own or their parents' generation have been eradicated and they no longer need to have their children immunized.

None of us want to see our children get sick. Getting them immunized can protect them from a number of very serious diseases.

Not only will getting your child immunized protect him/her, but it will also protect:

• Friends and schoolmates: Some children are not able to get certain vaccines for medical reasons and some children's families may not be able to afford to have them vaccinated. For these children, the immunity of people around them is their only protection.
• Your grandchildren and their grandchildren: If enough children go without immunization, diseases that had been under control for decades can come back to cause epidemics. This has been known to happen in several countries.
• The future: Immunization has allowed us to eradicate smallpox. Polio is nearly gone, and in the future measles and other diseases will follow if parents continue to have their children immunized.

Current immunizations include:

Diphtheria Pertussis - (Whooping Cough) Hepatitis A Pneumococcal Disease Hepatitis B Polio Hib - Hemphilus Influenza Type B  Rubella (German Measles or 3 Day Measles)  Influenza Smallpox Measles Tetanus Mumps Varicella (Chickenpox)

All of these diseases have, at one time or another, been a serious threat to children. Most of them are now at their lowest levels in history, thanks to years of immunization. And, because of that, many people mistakenly believe they no longer need to get vaccinations. You don't have to have actual body contact with someone who is infected to be at risk; many of these diseases are spread through the air. Children and adults who were not vaccinated are at risk due to visitors and immigrants from other countries who may not have had the opportunity for vaccination and may unknowingly be carriers.

Ask your doctor about what immunizations your child qualifies to have for their age group and medical history.

Sources: www.cdc.gov

Learn and Live

You've heard the expression "Live and Learn," which usually refers to learning a life lesson after the fact or "the hard way." At Bristol Park, we're offering free "Learn and Live" classes to help you make the right choices about healthy living without the hard part.

Bristol Park is out and about in the community bringing you free learning opportunities and information about your health and healthcare options. Some of the events are geared to certain age groups, others to specific health issues.

Here are the programs scheduled for April. Seating may be limited, so please RSVP to the number listed for that event.

Date / RSVP Lecture Location Tues, April 6, 1:30p-3p RSVP: 866-276-3627 Lecture: GERD & IBS Dr. Duong, Internal Medicine, explains it all. Carmel Village Senior Living: 17077 San Mateo, Fountain Valley, CA Mon, April 12, 10a-Noon RSVP 866-276-3627 Lecture: Fearless Aging Dr. Alan Israel, Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, talks about putting your best efforts into aging well. Irvine Senior Center: 20 Lake Road, Irvine, CA Tues, April 13, 1p-3p RSVP 949-380-0155 Lecture: Fearless Aging Michele Cooper, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, talks about putting your best efforts into aging well. Florence Sylvester Senior Center: 23721 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA Wed, April 14, 6p-7:30p RSVP 800-636-6742 Lecture: Acupuncture Join Dr. Trinh, Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Acupuncture, as he talks about the uses of Acupuncture today. Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center: 9920 Talbert Ave, Fountain Valley, CA Sat. April 17, 10a-11:30a RSVP: 866-276-3627 Lecture: Medicare Frank Van Nostrand, Medicare expert from Social Security Admin. explains all about Medicare. Perfect if you're turning 65, just retiring, or even already on Medicare. Irvine Rancho Senior Center: 3 Ethel Coplen Way Irvine, CA Wed, April 21, 10:30a-12 RSVP: 866-276-3627 Lecture: Sleep Apnea Not getting enough sleep? Dr. Kristine Arthur explains why Sleep Apnea is unhealthy for you and what you can do about it. Palm Island Senior Living: 11300 Warner Ave, Fountain Valley, CA

Look for future classes in upcoming newsletters.