Informed - Parma Community General Hospital

Welcome new members
of our Medical Staff
6
Michael Arvanitis, MD
RADIOLOGY
25001 Emery Road, #100
Beachwood, OH 44122
216-831-9786
William Biggers, MD
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Parma Hospital
7007 Powers Boulevard
Parma, OH 44129
Brennan Cribbins, PA
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Parma Hospital
7007 Powers Boulevard
Parma, OH 44129
Thomas Klosterman, MD
FAMILY PRACTICE
5500 Ridge Road, #237
Parma, OH 44129
440-886-4000
Brent Reyburn, DO
NEONATOLOGY
11100 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-844-3387
Mary Elizabeth Vadera, MD
FAMILY PRACTICE
5500 Ridge Road, #237
Parma, OH 44129
440-886-4000
Andrew Wagner, MD
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Parma Hospital
7007 Powers Boulevard
Parma, OH 44129
Austin Wellock, MD
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Parma Hospital
7007 Powers Boulevard
Parma, OH 44129
Looking for a physician?
Go to www.parmahospital.org/PhysicianDirectory
or call 440-743-4900 for a referral to one of the
more than 500 members of Parma Hospital’s
Medical Staff.
The changes in Shirley Harnest’s
89-year-old father were subtle. But
his inexplicable mental confusion
and suddenly shaky health status
were enough for an attentive daughter
to notice.
Cases like Bill Masek’s are the
specialty of the Geriatric Assessment
program at Parma Hospital. A
physician-led team of professionals
provides a thorough evaluation of
older patients to establish a baseline
of daily functionality. Then they refer
families to support services and appropriate
medical care.
“He would have moments of being
really clear and then lapse into
this fog,” said Harnest. “He wasn’t
eating properly or taking his pills like
he should. I wanted to get him evaluated
by a geriatric specialist to see if
there were underlying problems.”
A detailed assessment covers the
patient’s physical, mental and social
wellness. Blood work and other tests
may be ordered. The geriatric team,
including the doctor, nurse and
social worker, then meets with the
family to discuss their findings.
Referrals may be made to other
programs and services, including the
Beyond Driving with Dignity driver
evaluation program through Parma
Elvira L. Bailey, LISW-S, Lois Biagiola,
Mary Gorjanc, MD and Sue Owen, RN, BSN
Evaluating elderly loved ones
Hospital’s ElderCenter.
In Masek’s case, a medication he
was taking contributed to his compromised
state. He is now under the
care of Dr. Gorjanc, an internal medicine
doctor with a focus on geriatrics.
He passed his driving evaluation
and has returned to his Parma home,
aided by a medical alert system that
will notify his family and a response
team in case of emergency.
Reasons for a geriatric assessment
may include but are not limited to:
Decline in physical abilities
Unexplained changes in behavior
Falls and trouble with balance
Signs of memory loss
Depression or anxiety
Medication concerns
. Concerns about driving safety
“Everybody was very nice, helpful
and caring towards an older person,”
said Harnest. “It’s a great program
that can provide you with a lot of
information and resources. It makes
me feel a little more comfortable
that we’re doing the right thing.”
To schedule a
Geriatric Assessment,
call 440-743-2888