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Document Sample
”Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care
is the most shocking and the most inhumane.“
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
Living Long
Living Well
Raye Richardson, PhD Hosea Thomas, MD, MPH
Raye Richardson’s, PhD voice has a gleeful tone in it as she He/she can monitor your health, answer your questions,
shares her views on living a long and good life. “There are and talk with you about your concerns.
joys at every age. I’m living a new reality at 86, and I have • Make sure you have beautiful things around you.
new possibilities for joy.” These don’t have to be expensive or elaborate. A pretty
picture, a flower, or a special piece of fabric can all bring
Dr. Richardson feels strongly that being involved is the key
beauty into your life.
to being happy. “It’s such a big world and you only experi-
• Coping with the losses in life are very difficult for all of
ence a very small piece. Within that piece, you have to
us. Many elderly people outlive spouses, family members,
do a lot of exploration.” Dr. Richardson has lived her life
friends and neighbors. Talking to someone – friends, clergy,
exploring, learning, and giving to the community. She was
or a mental health professional – oftentimes helps.
an Associate Professor of Black Studies at San Francisco
State University and, along with her husband Julian, raised In addition to offering tips for seniors, Dr. Thomas emphasizes
four children, and in 1960 founded Marcus Books. that “we are all in training on how we are going to behave
when we are elderly. If we are doing things now to develop
Hosea Thomas, MD, MPH, Chief of Staff of the Medical
healthy habits and to learn coping skills, we will be more
Service at Laguna Honda Hospital agrees with Dr. Richardson’s
likely to live well when we are seniors.”
approach to life. He stresses that one of the main concerns
with seniors is that they will become socially isolated. Dr. Richardson lives what she believes. She is still involved
Staying engaged with others and getting and giving in the running of Marcus Books, is active in the community,
support are important ingredients to living well and being and is the much loved matriarch of her family. Dr. Richardson
happy. Dr. Thomas also stresses that successful living is exercises at the gym three times a week, takes her medication
not necessarily being free of disease. Many chronic diseases as prescribed, doesn’t smoke, and eats well. She reminds us –
can be managed well. “Do what makes you happy in this moment, because this
is the moment you have. And – always remember to laugh.”
Dr. Thomas emphasizes the need to practice these healthy
life habits at every age:
Physician Referrals Resources in San Francisco
• Regular exercise will make you feel better physically Physician Referrals Resources in San Francisco:
and emotionally. You don’t have to join a gym to be active. California Pacific Medical Center: 888-637-2762
Walking is one of the best ways to exercise and walking Chinese Hospital: 415-677-2365
with others is a great way to spend time with people. If Kaiser Permanente San Francisco: 415-833-3450
leaving your house is a problem, you can walk – or dance – Saint Francis Memorial Hospital: 415-353-6566
St. Luke’s Hospital: 415-821-3627
at home.
St. Mary’s Medical Center: 800-444-2303
• Eat balanced meals. Remember to prepare a special
San Francisco General Hospital: 415-206-5176
meal for yourself – even if you only do it occasionally. Try UCSF Medical Center: 888-689-8273
to have of couple a meals a week with friends. You can VA Medical Center San Francisco: 415-221-4810 x2234
call someone on the telephone and “eat together.” Friendship Line for the Elderly 415-752-3778
• Mental activity is key in keeping your mind alert. Telephone hotline that provides emotional support,
Activities such as reading, crossword puzzles, writing, information and referrals to elderly callers and their families.
and jigsaw puzzles can be fun and challenging. Find ways 8:00AM-11:00PM – emotional support
to do some of these activities with others. If you have 11:00PM-8:00AM – crisis intervention
difficulty getting out of the house, ask a friend to read the
same book so you can talk about it on the phone. For more information, visit www.hospitalcouncil.net click on
the African American Health Disparity Project tab or email
• Regular check-ups with your physician are important.
aahdp@sbcglobal.net or phone the Hospital Council at 415-616-9990.
Participating Hospitals: California Pacific Medical Center, Chinese Hospital, Jewish Home,
African American Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, Laguna Honda Hospital, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital,
H E A LT H D I S PA R I T Y P R O J E C T St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco General Hospital, UCSF Medical
San Francisco
Center, VA Medical Center - San Francisco.
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