Managing Health and Fitness

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Managing Health and FitnessPersonal Health Records, indispensible tools for

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People talk about• Gaining or losing weight

• Foods and diets• Exercise and physical fitness

• Aging and the diseases that accompany it– Declining memory and alertness– Aches and pains– Hair loss or gain– Little blue pills– Joint replacement and transplants– Circulatory problems including strokes and heart attacks– Cancer and diabetes

• Pregnancy, birth defects and childhood issues• Sleep disorders• The costs and shortcomings of healthcare insurance

and services

They wonder exactly what they should do and do first.


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Many decisions are left to others• Doctors, hospitals, labs• Rescue squads• Drug companies• Food producers• Restaurants• Employers• The government• Parents and children


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Yet, the rest complain about

• Mixed results from what is done on their behalf

• Too many things to think about• Confusing messages• Not really knowing what works• Paying too much• Wasting time waiting for appointments• Feeling like guinea pigs


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A lot more is going on than is realized• Rapid scientific and technical progress

– Genetic profiling and matching– New drugs and treatments– Robotic surgery and improved diagnostics– Gradual elimination of paper records– Custom instead of one-size-fits-all procedures

• Continuing waste due to errors and omissions• Escalating costs; not enough providers• Political controversy over reforms


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Why genetic profiling and matching?• Some treatments work for one person and

not for others• Identify the personal traits of those who

have had successful outcomes• Look for similar traits in those sharing the

same or similar illnesses• Hopefully what worked for one person will

help others who are enough alike• Narrowing choices will minimize delays in

beginning treatments and avoid costly and unproductive procedures

• Information contained in a Personal Health Record helps to make these decisions


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Conclusions and Expectations• As yet, there has been no quick fix, no silver bullet or

Fountain of Youth• Long-term, the secret is in our DNA, the code to life. It

is expected to:– Warn of impending disease– Provide a roadmap to personalized healthcare– Bring cost saving efficiencies and productivity

• Don’t wait for the DNA code to be unlocked right away• Interim measures need to be taken now• Everyone must start by taking personal responsibility

for managing their own health• They must support and help others to make decisions

and move forward


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What are these interim measures?• Recognize what is likely to have adversely impacted your

health and compromised your DNA. Look for: – Inherited traits from family members that are detrimental– Past exposure to chemicals, radiation and infectious diseases from

air, water, food, homes, neighborhoods, workplaces and travel– Impact of obesity; inadequate exercise; insufficient mental stimulation

• Get motivated and committed – others depend on you– Complaining gets nowhere and wastes time– Doing nothing is little better than doing the wrong things

• Avoid becoming overwhelmed by too many changes at once• Over time, even little things add up to make a big difference• Start simply with whatever seems most important to you


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Consider these elements


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No one else

• Has the patient’s central perspective and vested interest and can provide all the answers when they are needed

• Understands patient priorities

• Will manage details the way patients would want them to and keep important records indefinitely


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No perfect answer applies to everyone

Every individual must:• Learn for themselves and decide what is

important to them• Create expectations and set their own goals• Make changes they are comfortable with, e.g.,

– Reduce size of portions– Eat less meat, sugar and carbs; more vegetables with

high water content– Spend less time sitting; walk and climb stairs; play golf– Don’t retire – Volunteer or do something challenging

and productive• Measure progress and make changes regularly


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Expectation Setting

• Look for escalating progress in medicine and health care even in the near term

• We believe that our Lifelong PHR software and advice will prove instrumental in managing transitions and realizing benefits

• We look forward to helping others to apply it to improve their health and longevity


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A Personal Health Record

• Keeps track of important information

• Reminds of things that have been forgotten

• Is a help in times of emergency

• Provides answers others ask for

• Is a healthcare management tool

• Is like buying insurance . . . you never know when it will be needed


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In Summary

• Recognize that change is in the air for healthcare• Take interim measures until science and technology catch

up and give you what you really need• Get ideas and help from professionals, media, friends, the

Internet• Set goals, identify objectives, metrics and take action• Collect data and record results in a Personal Health Record• Track, compare and assess results• Consult professionals regularly and make continuing

changes where indicated• Keep making improvements


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Steps to take now

• Start a Personal Health Record (PHR) for yourself and family members– www.LifelongPHR.com

• Learn more about PHRs, healthcare options and other timely topics– www.OutcomeImprovement.com

• Contact us: [email protected]


Training & ConsultingFrom Rockwood Management

Life Management SoftwareFrom IDentometric Solutions

Managing Health and Fitness

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