Vital Signs Spring 2014 | VOLUME 62 FEAT U RE S T O RIE S Oral Healthcare Page 4 Vacuuming Clots Page 6 Q&A: Music Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease Page 8 Community Calendar Page 12 Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Healthcare The life expectancy of children with complex illnesses has increased dramatically over the past three decades. As a result, many adolescents must learn to manage their own chronic diseases or disabilities when they become adults. The key to a smooth transition from childhood to adult care, experts say, is planning ahead. “Physicians sometimes hesitate telling their pediatric patients and families that it’s time to begin the transition to adult-based healthcare because they don’t want to worry them,” explains Debra Lotstein, MD, MPH, medical director of the UCLA Med-Peds Transition Continued on page 7 Vital Signs Spring 2014 | VOLUME 62 FEAT U RE S T O RIE S Oral Healthcare Page 4 Vacuuming Clots Page 6 Q&A: Music Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease Page 8 Community Calendar Page 12 Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Healthcare The life expectancy of children with complex illnesses has increased dramatically over the past three decades. As a result, many adolescents must learn to manage their own chronic diseases or disabilities when they become adults. The key to a smooth transition from childhood to adult care, experts say, is planning ahead. “Physicians sometimes hesitate telling their pediatric patients and families that it’s time to begin the transition to adult-based healthcare because they don’t want to worry them,” explains Debra Lotstein, MD, MPH, medical director of the UCLA Med-Peds Transition Continued on page 7 Vital Signs Spring 2014 | VOLUME 62 FEAT U RE S T O RIE S Oral Healthcare Page 4 Vacuuming Clots Page 6 Q&A: Music Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease Page 8 Community Calendar Page 12 Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Healthcare The life expectancy of children with complex illnesses has increased dramatically over the past three decades. As a result, many adolescents must learn to manage their own chronic diseases or disabilities when they become adults. The key to a smooth transition from childhood to adult care, experts say, is planning ahead. “Physicians sometimes hesitate telling their pediatric patients and families that it’s time to begin the transition to adult-based healthcare because they don’t want to worry them,” explains Debra Lotstein, MD, MPH, medical director of the UCLA Med-Peds Transition Continued on page 7