Library
Welcome to our resource library where you can find specific information about health care issues such as Alzheimer's, cancer, and Parkinson's Disease. You can also find information about medications, complimentary and alternative medicine, and patient education to name just a few. Just click on any heading below to find a resource.
Advanced Directives
- An NHDD Speak Up Video about advance care planning.
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
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Health Reform and You: A User's Guide to Health Insurance Marketplaces provided by Patient Advocate Foundation. This guide is intended to help you better understand the new health insurance marketplaces in your state, so you can determine what coverage is right for you and your family.
Aging
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"30 Celebs Who Are Aging Gracefully" an AOL Healthy Living article about Tinseltown celebrities who have accepted the aging as a healthy and inspirational part of life.
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"Aging and Disability Services" plans, coordinates, and advocates for a comprehensive service delivery system for older adults, family caregivers and people with disabilities in King County.
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"Aging in place: A little help can go a long way" by David Crary of the Associated Press wrote this article, which appeared in The Seattle Times, about boomers wanting to stay in their homes as they age versus living in retirement communities.
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""52 Ways to Show I Love You: Aging with Joy" by Roni Beth Tower Ph.D.; ABPP for Psychology Today
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"Details on the Class Act" by Paula Span for the The New Old Age blog from the New York Times.
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Full Life helps adults of all ages with chronic illness, physical or developmental disabilities.>
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"Life lessons from the elderly in '30 Lessons for Living'" by Maggie Fazeli Fard for The Washington Post.
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Lifetime Learning Center is a resource that all older adults in the Seattle area should know about.
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"Needed: Health Professionals to Treat the Aging" a New York Times Retirement page article by Elizabeth Olson.
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"Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth" is a New York Times Health section article by Paula Span about Shakespeare's play, King Lear, that "portrays the indignities, vulnerabilities and conflicts of aging and family care giving."
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"Village Concept Promotes Aging in Place" by Donna Mae Mascarinas Scheib, MN, RN discusses how village living allows older adults to remain longer in their homes.
AIDS
- "HIV and AIDS at Answers.com" is a great site that contains a lot of valuable information about HIV/AIDS, its misconceptions, and much more.
Alcohol Addiction and Treatment
- "Addiction Group" is a comprehensive site will provide you with everything you need to know about alcohol misuse, abuse, and addiction. Learn about alcohol’s effects on the body and mind, alcohol use disorder, and treatment options.
Alzheimer's
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24/7 Helpline: A free resource for reliable information and support, day or night, at 800.272.3900.ALZConnected®: An online community that enables caregivvers to connect with one another.Alzheimer's Navigator®: A powerful online tool to help caregivers identify their needs and local community programs and services.Alzheimer's Reading Room--This site focuses on medical science, wellness, and the art of Alzheimer's care giving."A rampant prescription, a hidden peril" by Kay Lazar and Matt Carroll for boston.com about how some nursing homes use antipsychotic drugs to control "agitation and combative" behavior in their residents, which exposes them to dangerous side effects in some cases. (April 29, 2012)Community Resource Finder: A comprehensive listing of Alzheimer's and dementia resources and local community programs and services."For Elders With Dementia, Musical Awakenings" by NPR Staff is a part of a documentary called Alive Inside, which covers social worker, Dan Cohen, while he creates personalized playlists for people in care facilities with the hope that the music reconnects them "with the music they love.""Giving Alzheimer’s Patients Their Way, Even Chocolate" by Pam Belluck of the New York Times.Gladys Wilson and Naomi Feil--Naomi Feil, founder of Validation Therapy, shares a breakthrough moment of communication with Gladys Wilson, a woman who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2000 and is virtually non-verbal."In Push to Detect Early Alzheimer’s Markers, Hopes for Prevention" by Gina Kolata of the New York Times.Love, Loss, and Laughter: Seeing Alzheimer's Differently by Cathy Greenblat."Study Links Eating Fish to Reduced Alzheimer's Risk" reporter Mike Krauser of CBS Chicago news radio affiliate WBBM interviews Dr. Cyrus Raji of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine about his work that established a link between fish consumption, brain structure, and Alzheimer's.
Asbestos
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Mesothelioma Guide Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. It affects the linings of lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium). These linings are known as the mesothelium. There are many treatment options for mesothelioma depending on your specific diagnosis, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Many patients turn to clinical trials that are exploring promising new treatments like immunotherapy.
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. It affects the linings of lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium). These linings are known as the mesothelium. There are many treatment options for mesothelioma depending on your specific diagnosis, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Many patients turn to clinical trials that are exploring promising new treatments like immunotherapy. -
"Asbestos Exposure and Veterans" Each year, an estimated 3,300 people are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, a rare but virulent type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Of those patients, nearly a third are veterans who were exposed to high levels of toxic dust and fibers while serving on military bases and working on ships or in shipyards.
Back Pain
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Back Pain Support Group is a non-profit message board and live forum for "the open exchange of valuable information between fellow back pain sufferers." This site contains no advertising banners, browser cookies, registration sign-ups, and such.
Brain Injury
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Brain Injury Association of America is the oldest and largest brain injury advocacy organization in the nation. They are the "voice of brain injury" that advocates, educates, and "brings help, hope, and healing to millions of individuals with brain injury."
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Infant Brain Damage "Infant brain damage is a serious condition that affects millions of babies each year. Although there are a myriad of causes, the end result usually means that the baby experiences long-term, permanent neurological problems and a wide range of physical problems. To better understand infant brain damage, it’s important to educate yourself on how these types of infant brain injuries occur, the symptoms to look out for, how they are diagnosed, and ultimately, which best treatment methods may be employed."
Breast Cancer
- KeepAbreast is a breast cancer decision tree for patients and their loved ones.
- "Breast cancer toll among black women fed in part by fear, silence" by Venessa Williams for The Washington Post (March 20, 2012).
Caregiving
- "8 Life Issues You're Bound to Face When Caring for an Aging Parent" by Connie Matthiessen.
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The Caregiver's Path To Compassionate Decision Making by Viki Kind offers "tools and techniques that will limit your frustration and fears, and help you make informed, respectful decisions."
- "Caregiving as a 'Roller-Coaster Ride From Hell'" by Jane E. Brody; posted on Right at Home by Jenn Denfield on April 11, 2012.
- Caring Connections provides information and support for "planning ahead, caring for a loved one, living with an illness or grieving a loss."
- The Empowered Caregiver Network is a network for caregivers seeking information and support.
- National Center on Elder Abuse provides a help hot line and resources for adult protective services.
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"The Parent Trap" is a MoCo 360 Media article by Marilyn Werber Serafini about the "sandwich generation," a growing group of people who care, not only for their children, but for their parents as well.
- Personal Safety Nets provides a Home Care Quality Check List that will assist you in selecting the best caregiver.
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"Valuing the invaluable: 2011 update : the growing contributions and costs of family caregiving" from Valuing the Invaluable: 2011 report by Lynn Feinberg, Susan C. Reinhard, Ari Houser, and Rita Choula of the AARP Public Policy Institute.
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"Why Should a Caregiver Ask for Help" is The Intentional Caregiver's article about asking for help when a caregiver needs it the most.
Child Obesity
Chronic Disease
Clinical Trials
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CenterWatch is a leading source of clinical trials information for patients as well as clinical research professionals.
- Current Controlled Trials: an opportunity to help improve the quality of clinical research is an international database of randomized controlled trials. Researchers who want their study results published in one of the leading medical journals are now required to post their studies in this database.
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IDE Early/Expanded Access for medical devices is a guide to how to market your device.
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Mayo Clinic Clinical Trials is a comprehensive listing of clinical trials in various states around the country. It includes information about why the trial is being done, who is eligible to participate, contact information, as well as where the trial is located.
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Pancreatica.org. Phone 1-831-658-0600.
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The Physician Data Query (PDQ) clinical trials database, run by the National Cancer Institute, includes more than 2000 clinical trials. You can also get information by calling toll free 1-800-4-CANCER. (This same database can be accessed through the National Library of Medicine's database ClinicalTrials.gov.)
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The TrialCheck database is maintained by the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups. The coalition's members include many of the conductors of large cancer clinical trials in the United States. Phone toll free 1-877-520-4457.
Code of Ethics
Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
- Sanoviv Medical Institute--a medical facility, practicing Functional Medicine.
- Office of Cancer Complimentary and Alternative Medicine at the National Cancer Institute.
Consumer Health
- High-Deductible Health Plans
- FairHealth.org is a resource for "transparent, current and reliable healthcare charge information.
- Healthcare Blue Book is your "free guide to fair healthcare pricing."
- "How to choose a good hospital? Hint: Don’t listen to the ads." by Trudy Lieberman from KevinMD.com (November 28, 2014).
COVID-19
Dementia
- "A dementia that rivals Alzheimer's strikes before age 65" by Robert Bazell, for ABC News.
Depression
- "Anti-depressants likely do more harm than good, study suggests" is a ScienceDaily article about commonly prescribed anti-depressants and the problems that arise from using these medications.
Diabetes
- 5 Ways to Prevent Prediabetes from Becoming Diabetes" is an informative article prediabetes prevention from Health.com.
Disabilities
Dying
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"Looking for a Place to Die" is a New York Times Op-Ed article by Theresa Brown about the challenges of obtaining hospice care for the dying.
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"Why Jack Kevorkian had a profoundly correct message" by George Lundberg, MD is an article about Kevorkian's work with assisted suicide.
Elder Abuse
- Fast Facts: Preventing Elder Abuse information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention..
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Protecting Seniors is a service sponsered by the Washington State Office of the Attorney General that provides information about senior fraud, dealing with death, Medicaid fraud, prescription drug prices, and vulnerable adult abuse.
- Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers. Nursing home abuse lawyers help victims and their families receive financial compensation if a senior was harmed by staff members or other residents in a nursing home.
Elder Care
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The "Cost of Elder Care" is an NPR presentation that shows the average costs and rates paid for various types of adult care throughout the country. (April 27, 2012)
End of Life
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"The Conversation: A Family's Private Decision." Talking to loved ones near the end of life, an ABC News video.
Fall Prevention
- "Strategies to Prevent Falls" by Juliette Kleinman.
Fibromyalgia
- National Fibromyalgia Association , serving and supporting the Fibromyalgia community since 1997.
General Health Information
- Agency for Health care Quality and Research--recommendations based on the latest scientific evidence are available.
- "A Guided Tour of Your Body." Learn about your body and its vital organs from this New York Times Health tutorial.
- American Heart Association--information about understanding blood pressure readings, ways to deal with stress, what your cholesterol levels mean, and more.
- Contact Elected Officials is a useful USA.gov page that provides a reference for contacting your elected officials. You might find this page useful if you ever want to contact your senator, congressional representative, or even the president about health care and other related topics.
- Mayo Clinic--find information on hundreds of conditions. Check your symptoms. Improve your lifestyle.
- MedlinePlus--a health database maintained by NIH's National Library of Medicine.
- National Institute of Health--information from the US Department of Human & Health Services.
- "Navigating the Net Wisely in a Health Crisis" by Jane E. Brody is a New York Times Health article about using the Internet during a health crisis.
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The New York Times Health section, featuring articles about health and wellness.
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Seattle/LocalHealthGuide is your source for Seattle health news and information.
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"When Doctors Don't Tell the Truth" by Pauline W. Chen, M.D is a New York Times Health article about transparency and honesty when doctors communicate prognosis and outcomes with patients.
Health Economics
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"Today's hospital: spacious, single rooms, talking beds" by Carol M. Ostrom, Seattle Times Health contributor.
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"How to negotiate hospital bills and avoid medical bankruptcy" by Christina Lamontagne for the New York Daily News. The high cost of health care weighs heavily on many Americans, whether they're insured or not. Here a four strategies to help bring down the cost of your treatment.
Health Insurance
Health Policy
- "Who are the chronically costly? Health care's 1%" from RX Resource (March 5, 2012).
Heart Health
- FH Consumer Cost Lookup is a national, independent, non-profit that provides information about health insurance and health care costs. It also provides convenient medical and dental cost estimates through their easy-to-use estimator.
- A User's Guide to Health Insurance Marketplaces a PDF download provided by Patient Advocate Foundation. This guide is intended to help you better understand the new health insurance marketplaces in your state, so you can determine what coverage is right for you and your family.
- HealthWell Foundation is committed to addressing the needs of individuals with insurance who cannot afford their copayments, and premiums for important medical treatments.
- "Out-of-network care is expensive—but a couple of new options help" by Michelle Andrews published on the Seattle/LocalHealthGuide.
- Heart Foods Slideshow from WebMD.
Home Safety
Hospice Care
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National Association for Home Care & Hospice provides, among other things, an agency locator for finding home care and hospice resources.
Informed Decision Making
Integrative Medicine
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About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products--evidence-based information about herbs, botanicals, supplements and more from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Know About Where You Get Your Care
- Community Checkup from the Puget Sound Health Alliance.
- HealthCare.gov--provides information about finding insurance options, prevention, comparing care quality, and understanding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
- "How to choose a good hospital? Hint: Don’t listen to the ads." by Trudy Lieberman from KevinMD.com (November 28, 2014).
- Medicare Hospital Compare is the US Department of Health & Human Services’ comparison tool for Medicare hospitals.
- Medicare Nursing Home Compare is the US Department of Health & Human Services’ comparison tool for Medicare nursing homes.
Lupus
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Tax Tips for the Legally Disabled from TurboTax outlines several tax breaks that are available for people with disabilities-an important site to visit.
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"Lupus: The Expert Series" The Expert Series is an educational podcast series featuring leading lupus experts with a focus on helping you live well with lupus..
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Visit the the Lupus Foundation of America provides information about the causes, forms, and symptoms of this disease that can affect different parts of the body, such as the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys.
Medical Bill Negotiations
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"How to negotiate hospital bills and avoid medical bankruptcy" by Christina Lamontagne for the New York Daily News. The high cost of health care weighs heavily on many Americans, whether they're insured or not. Here a four strategies to help bring down the cost of your treatment.
Medicare
- "How Medicare Fails the Elderly" by Jane Gross for The New York Times Sunday Review Opinion Page.
- Medicare.gov provides information about medicare basics, benefits, and eligibility and enrollment. It also provides information about how to file an appeal.
- Medicare Quiz is an interactive quiz sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation that tests your knowledge about Medicare, it's benefits and rules.
Medications
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"Medications and Drug Allergic Reactions" as posted on the American Acadamy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology website.
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"Most Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs Chart" as posted on the Gateway Foudation website.
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"Drug-Nutrient Interactions and Drug-Supplement Interactions | What You Need to Know" as posted on FamilyDoctor.org.
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"Drugs, Supplements and Herbal Information" as posted on the NIH MedlinePlus website.
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"Getting Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs" as posted on the MCG Medicare Consumer Guide website.
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"Prescription Drug Abuse Infographic" as posted on Lakeview Health.
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"Primary Care Doctor Search by ZocDoc" as posted on ZocDoc, a website for finding a doctor or dentist near you, and booking an appointment.
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"How to store medicines" as posted on the NIH MedlinePlus website.
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"Taking Medicines - What to Ask Your Doctor" as posted on the NIH MedlinePlus website.
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"Five Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Doctor's Visit" as posted on the on the National Institute on Aging.
Medication Questions
Mesothelioma
- Mesothelioma.net provides assistance with accessing financial aid, selecting a doctor who best fits your needs, and veteran assitance.
- Mesothelioma Guide Mesothelioma Guide is your trusted ally in the fight against asbestos-related cancer. Our comprehensive guide includes up-to-date information about living with mesothelioma, top doctors and treatment options.
Nutrition
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"Vitamin D Deficiency Is a Predictor of Mortality in Elderly with Chronic Heart Failure" published on the National Library of Medicine.
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Mind Over Matter by Rosa Smith-Montanaro.
Nursing Homes
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"A Nursing Home Shrinks Until It Feels Like a Home" is a New York Times Health section article by Laurie Tarkan that covers how it might be possible to transform nursing homes in the way they care for patients.
Obesity
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"The best diagnostic medical device is right in your own home" by George Lundberg, MD uncovers the proper use of the everyday bathroom scale for controlling your weight.
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"Calories Are Everywhere, Yet Hard to Track" by Jane E. Brody for The New York Times Health column.
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"Childhood Obesity Leads to Unnecessary Surgeries" by Catherine Musemeche for The New York Times Style page takes a look at childhood obesity and how it's tied to gallbladder disease.
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"How Does Your Wasteline Matter? Let Us Count the Ways." by Gina Kolata for The New York Times Health column.
Ovarian Cancer
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Scene from "I Got Sick Then I Got Better," featuring cynecologic cancer survivor Jenny Allen.
Overtreatment
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"Medicare Claims Show Overuse for CT Scanning" by Walt Bogdanich and Jo Craven McGinty for The New York Times Health column. (June 17, 2011)
Parkinson’s Disease
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Physical Therapist Management of Parkinson Disease: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Physical Therapy Association from the National Library of Medicine
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Marching Through Life With Parkinson’s by Jane E. Brody of the New York Times.
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Parkinson's Disease: Tips for Caregivers by Sandra Ray, Staff Writer for Today's Caregiver.
Patient Advocacy
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"Advocates Can Help" by Kristen Gerencher for The Wall Street Journal.
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decision.org is a non-profit organization that is a resource for patients seeking medical insights about such things as clinical trials, access to drugs, and insurance reimbursement.
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"Stay Healthy in Body, Mind and Spirit After a Hurricane" published by AdventHealth.
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"Here to keep you health: Advocates navigate the health care hurricane" is an article about the role of health care advocates.
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Informed Medical Decisions Foundation (also known as the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making works to "advance evidence-based shared decision making through research, policy, clinical models and patient decision aids."
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National Health Information Center (NHIC) is a health information referral service. NHIC puts health professionals and consumers who have health questions in touch with those organizations that are best able to provide answers.
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National Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that provides you with a voice in improving access to and reimbursement for high-quality health care through regulatory and legislative reform at the state and federal level.
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Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program promotes the interests, well-being, and resident’s rights in long-term care facility residents.
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"Why You May Need a Health Advocate" by Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D., AHRQ from an AARP "My Medical Manager" bulletin.
Patient Education
- An Alphabet of Good Health in a Sick World by Martha Grout, MD, MD(H)
- Patient Empowerment--Trishia Torrey’s newsletter, "Patient Empowerment Guide," discusses many issues in health care, and provides practical information.
- The Savvy Patient’s Tool Kit by author and patient advocate, Margo Corbett. She provides you with a comprehensive guide to better health care.
- You Bet Your Life-The 10 Mistakes Every Patient Makes by Trisha Torrey.
Patient Safety
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"20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors" is a U.S. Department of Health & Human services patient fact sheet that gives you tips about what you can do to get safer care.
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"Advocates for Residents Rights"--an informative PDF from the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
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"Another Hospital Hazard for the Elderly" by Susan Seliger from The New Old Age blog of the New York Times.
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"Checklists that patients and doctors follow can improve hospital care" from The Washington Post National edition, written by Michelle Andrews.
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The Empowered Patient Coalition is a California non-profit and charitable organization that informs, engages, and empowers people to take a greater role in their medical treatment.
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The Joint Commission is a well-respected and independent non-profit organization. It accredits and certifies over 19,000 health care organizations and programs throughout the US.
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The Patient Survival Guide: 8 Simple Solutions to Prevent Hospital and Healthcare-Associated Infections by Dr. Maryanne McGuckin with Toni Goldfarb.
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RID (Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths) is a non-profit educational campaign that is committed to correcting a deadly problem that kills more people each year in the U.S. that AIDS, breast cancer, and auto accidents combined.
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Safe Care Campaign is an organization that provides information about preventing infections.
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"Your hospital survival guide: The basics" is a ConsumerReports.org Doctors & Hospitals video that features advice for a safe hospital stay.
Quality of Life
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Quality of Life Publishing Co. specializes in books and newsletters that help ease the way for patients and families with terminal illness and loss.
Respiratory
- Find a Flu Shot from the American Lung Association.
Respite Care
Right to Die
- "Push for the Right to Die Grows in the Netherlands" is a New York Times Health column article by David Jolly.
Seniors
- A Change is Afoot is an organization that provides senior housing consultants to the elderly.
- National Institutes of Health SeniorHealth (or NIH SeniorHealth) website.
Sleep
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" Snooze Into Daylight Saving Time from the Polyclinic" from the Polyclinic.
Social Security
Stress
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"Easing stress through diet" is a PCC Natural Markets article by Tom Ballard, RN, ND that that informs about how an optimal diet can reduce stress in your life.
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Nutrition-1-2-3 is Tom Ballard's, RN, ND, book about nutrition and its influence on your well-being.
Support Services
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American Cancer Society--For more than 40 years, the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program has helped people cope with their breast cancer experience.
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Camp Agape Northwest--PO BOX 65504, University Place, WA 98464; 206-325-4347.
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Cancer Pathways (aka Gilda's Club Seattle offers a community-based program of social, emotional, and educational support for cancer survivors, family, and friends.
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ElderFriends is a volunteer-based program that provides companionship, outreach, and advocacy services to isolated older adults throughout Seattle and King County.
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The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp--1-860-429-3444. A summer camp founded by Paul Newman for children with cancer and serious blood diseases. Located in Ashford, Connecticut.
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Senior Resource Center Resources is a useful center for caregivers who seek expert advice and other resources for caring for the elderly.
Understanding Cancer
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About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products--evidence-based information about herbs, botanicals, supplements and more from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
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cancerfacts.com--an online resource for people with cancer, their families, and caregivers that is dedicated to delivering accurate and personalized information. T
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Cancer Survival Toolbox is the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship's award-winning free, self-learning audio program that helps people develop important skill to meet and understand the challenges of their illness.
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National Cancer Institute--also known as the Cancer.gov site, this is one of the better places to go for accurate, credible cancer information.
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National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS)--NCCS is the oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization in the country, advocating for quality cancer care for all Americans and empowering cancer survivors. NCCS believes in evidence-based advocacy for systemic changes at the federal level in how the nation researches, regulates, finances, and delivers quality cancer care. NCCS organizes Cancer Advocacy Now!, a legislative advocacy network that engages constituents across the country in federal cancer-related issues. Patient education is also a priority for NCCS. We believe that access to credible and accurate patient information, such as NCCS’s award-winning Cancer Survival Toolbox® is key to demanding and receiving quality cancer care. Learn more and Register for their newsletter.
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"Patient Voices: Childhood Cancer" from the New York Times Health Guide. This video features how children and their families cope with childhood cancer.
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"Picture Your Life After Cancer" is a New York Times photo collage, featuring the challenges and successes of cancer survivors throughout the U.S.
Vision
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The "Voices of Macular Degeneration" by Tara Parker-Pope for The New York Times Health column provides information about age-related macular degeneration that can destroy the central vision of people, age 40 and above.
Women's Health Issues
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EmpowHer.com is a social health community for women.
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Guide to Women's Health is provided by MapleShade Dental Group that points out issues that contribute to women's medical and dental health as well as an over-all sense of well being.
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womenshealth.gov is a federal government website that's managed by the Office on Women's Health.
