RSF Senior Scene: Understanding diabetes and cardiovascular disease medication options

By Terrie Litwin, RSF Senior Center, executive director

Diabetes is a very serious health problem that can often lead to additional cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. While about 18.2 million Americans suffer with diabetes, only 13 million of them have been diagnosed and approximately 41 million adults have pre-diabetes. Many people are not diagnosed for years, which can lead to additional heart, kidney and vision problems. Individuals over 60 years of age are highly represented in the diabetic population with approximately 8 million seniors having the diagnosis of diabetes.

Please join us at the Senior Center on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at 10 a.m. for a presentation by Stephanie Matinpour, PharmD., certified geriatric pharmacist, about what you can do to manage your diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol medications. Topics to be discussed include: Why diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) often go hand-in-hand, current medications used to treat diabetes and CVD, medication side-effects that you should be aware of, and practical steps you can take to reduce your risk of diabetes and CVD. Bring your medications with you, and speak with a pharmacist about your specific medication-related questions.

Stephanie Matinpour, PharmD, CGP, is a board-certified geriatric pharmacist who received her doctor of pharmacy degree from University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy, and completed her general pharmacy practice residency at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Diego. She is a licensed pharmacist in the State of California and an active member of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. Dr. Matinpour is a senior care pharmacist, and the owner of PillBoxTalk Consulting. She provides in-home consultative services to those with multiple medication issues, and takes the mystery and myth out of medication related questions. She also helps family members understand how to assist a loved one who is having difficulty safely managing their medications at home.

Learn how to protect yourself from scams, shams and schemes:

Presentation by:

Henry Tirado

Crime Prevention Specialist

San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept.

Wednesday, Aug. 8

10 a.m.

16780 La Gracia, RSF