Staying Healthy
Do you need a medical escort?
Some minor medical procedures can't happen unless you bring someone along.
- Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Need a colonoscopy? Cataract surgery? Extensive dental work? These minor procedures and others like them, which involve anesthesia or sedation, aren't trivial when you factor in one thing: all require a medical escort — someone who can usher you home safely afterward.
This seemingly small detail is becoming increasingly significant as more older adults lead solo lives. About 27% of the more than 54 million Americans who are 65 and older live alone — and most of them are women, according to the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
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About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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