Should people be thinking about holiday deaths during the holiday season? Research from the University of California confirms that they should. Using official U.S. death certificates in various hospitals around Christmas and New Year, researchers examined daily mortality rates. Results indicate that mortality from natural causes is highest in dead-on-arrival (DOA) and emergency department (ED) settings on Christmas and New Year. There are more DOA/ED deaths on 12/25, 12/26, and 1/1 than on any other days for each of the top five disease groups. Yes, Christmas and New Year are risk factors for deaths.
Dr. Alice Jacobs, president of the American Heart Association, reccommends the following:
1) Don't skip regular appointments because of the holidays. Reschedule if needed.
2) Stick to your healthy habits through the holidays, and help your family do the same.
3) Be sure you have enough of your usual medications.
4) Check out the medical facilities where you'll be traveling.
5) Ask your doctor who you could see if you needed a doctor away from home.
6) If you have symptoms, don't ignore them.
It’s not too early to plan ahead for holiday death risk factors. Have safe and happy holidays!
Frances Shani Parker
“Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog”
http://hospiceandnursinghomes.blogspot.com/
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