An attentive audience attended Friday’s EPGO presentation offering preventative health care hints that can help senior citizens avoid unexpected ER visits at the Way Station in East Palestine. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

EAST PALESTINE — Seniors heard Friday afternoon from a medical doctor how to avoid emergency care visits with a dose of prevention.

Elder care is a particular area of interest for Dr. Joseph Cataline, of Convenient Care Solutions, as his parents face the same challenges as many of EPGO members.

Cataline is a primary care doctor, specializing in sleep medicine and weight management. His company conducts virtual and in-office visits for everything from acute and urgent care to chronic disease management.

He detailed how many ER visits result from the patient ignoring symptoms, like sudden weight changes, fatique, dizziness, speech discomfort or chest discomfort, which potentially result trigger pneumonia, heart attacks or even strokes.

“If you have been diagnosed with heart failure, diet and medication compliance is the most important thing you can do for yourself,” he explained.

Cataline cautioned audience members about making sudden changes to medication without medical guidance, whether it to increase one’s dose or stop it altogether.

Patients should bring updated medication lists to every appointment, as various medical practices use different electronic medical records systems and don’t always have access updated access to that information consistently.

He also advised audience members an occupational therapist can examine one’s living situation to advise needed change to make falls less likely if you get in touch with a member of your care team or even him.

Cataline discouraged use of health car websites like Mychart and Healow as methods to communicate with your doctors regarding health concerns as the response can be delayed –instead call.

He urged patients to advocate for themselves and their loved ones with medical professionals for the best results.

His company is one of many that offers remote patient monitoring, which allows tracking on health-related measurements like blood pressure and oxygen levels on a regular basis so healthcare providers can review trends and identify potential problems earlier.

For more information, Cataline invited audience members to call him at 330-862-9127 or visiting his website, www.convenientcaresolutions.com.