It’s fall time

Happy October. This month launches us into all the fun fall holidays and leads us into the new year. I always love this time of year.

October always brings more awareness to cancer and other illnesses. They come to mind in a more prominent way, which usually leads me to make all of my annual appointments for checkups and physicals during this time.

That brings me to our cover feature. If we are more conscious about early detection and preventive ways to stay healthy, then we won’t have to be burdened with pain, sickness, illness and disease. With blood tests and scans that can show you years in advance whether you’re predisposed to certain health conditions, you can be more preventive and know ways to stay healthy.

You also don’t want to miss our article about whether we spend too much time in front of a screen. I bet we all would answer yes to that. We are always looking at a cellphone, a computer tablet or our television. Read this month’s article to find ways to help protect your vision along the way.

And then, last but not least, we all need to read the article on stress. All we hear is “I’m stressed,” “I’m overwhelmed,” “I’ve got too much on my plate.” All the doctors are telling us that stress is the No. 1 killer. Jim Richards, who holds doctorates in theology, Oriental medicine and human behavior, contributes an article that provides important ways to help us better manage stress. Wishing you much health and happiness.

COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? Our goal is to provide you with the best quality publication, so

Doug Akers / President doug@akersmediagroup.com

Kendra Akers / Publisher/Editor-In-Chief kendra@akersmediagroup.com

Sabrina Ciceri / Associate Publisher sabrina@akersmediagroup.com editorial, design & photography

Jason Fugate Creative Director jason@akersmediagroup.com

Chris Gerbasi Managing Editor chris@akersmediagroup.com

James Combs Staff Writer james@akersmediagroup.com

Theresa Campbell Staff Writer theresa@akersmediagroup.com

Leigh Neely Staff Writer leigh@akersmediagroup.com

Victoria Schlabig Digital Copy Writer victoria@akersmediagroup.com

Volkan Ulgen Art Director volkan@akersmediagroup.com

Michael Gaulin Production Director michael@akersmediagroup.com

Douglas Tyler Designer douglas@akersmediagroup.com

Megan Mericle Designer megan@akersmediagroup.com

Anthony Rao Staff Photographer anthony@akersmediagroup.com contributors

Dr. Richard T. Bosshardt, Dave Ramsey, Jim Richards, Dr. Steven Moravec, Dr. Alisa Cooper, Sine Wallace, Dini Klein, Chris Hogan, Kimberly Tice and Venita Litvack, Adita Lang, Dr. Hanish Patel, Nicole Hamel sales & marketing

Tim McRae Vice President, Sales tim@akersmediagroup.com

Melanie Melvin Director of Marketing melanie@akersmediagroup.com

Dillon True Advertising Executive dillon@akersmediagroup.com

Shaena Long Sales Assistant shaena@akersmediagroup.com administration

Deb Matlock Director of Client Services deb@akersmediagroup.com

Aubrey Akers Simmons aubrey@akersmediagroup.com distribution

Scott Hegg / Distribution Manager scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com

Sabrina

Lrmc Gets High Ranking

Leesburg Regional Medical Center was recently ranked No. 3 out of 20 hospitals in the Orlando metropolitan area by U.S. News & World Report, according to a news release. In its 30th year, the annual Best Hospital rankings and ratings changed course this year. U.S. News studied patient-centered care and the difference in patient population at 4,500 medical centers around the nation.

LRMC also received the highest rating of performance in four specialty programs: heart bypass surgery, heart failure treatment, care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and knee replacement surgery.

“We are honored that our team has earned this sustained recognition for providing excellent, highquality care to our community,” says Don Henderson, president and CEO of Central Florida Health, the not-for-profit healthcare organization comprising LRMC, The Villages Regional Hospital, and TVRH Rehabilitation Hospital. “When we are acknowledged by a national publication that has very strict criteria for how they grade hospitals, and we stack up with some of the best hospitals in the state, it’s just another validation of our caring experts who are by your side delivering life-saving treatment close to home.”

Tvrh Announces New Director

Brian Arndt is the new director of nursing on the administrative team at The Villages Regional Hospital. He is responsible for the hospital’s overall nursing care and patient perception of care.

“I am very passionate about providing exceptional, patient-centered care,” Brian says in a press release. “I came to The Villages because of the great environment here and the amazing hospital team. The depth of knowledge of the staff and huge volunteer group is nothing short of extraordinary.”

The new director’s health-care career spans 20 years in various hospitals and he has professional certification in nursing leadership from the American Organization of Nursing Executives. He plans to use his experience to continue the hospital’s goal of exceeding patient expectations.

“It is of the utmost importance to me that every patient under our care feels like a member of our family,” Brian says.

Snore No More

A Healthy Living staff member home-tested SomniFix Mouth Strips as a source for improving breathing, reducing snoring, and providing better sleep. While the strips work, it does take time to get accustomed to wearing them because they cover the lips, leaving a small opening for breathing through the mouth. SomniFix is clinically tested and designed to fit all lip shapes and sizes, according to information provided by the manufacturer. They do reduce dry mouth caused by mouth breathing, which was a noticeable benefit. They’re also hypoallergenic, gluten-free, and breathable. See somnifix.com for more information.

COLD-FILTERED WATER

TAJA Coconut Water is the first of its kind to be cold-filtered. This is done with a patented oxygen-free production process. What does it mean? Better hydration when you drink TAJA, and the water keeps its natural nutritional content. Sampled by staff members, TAJA was deemed refreshing and great tasting, a definite improvement on simple water. Check tajacoconut.com for more information.

U.S. STATISTICS REGARDING ADULTS AND ANXIETY

6.8 MILLION 6 MILLION 15 MILLION 19 MILLION

SUFFER FROM GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER

HERE'S YOUR GARDEN VARIETY COMPOST

Olga Kachook is a sustainable expert at World Centric for a Better World, an environmental organization. If you’d like to create your own compost for your garden, she offers these tips:

•

•

ARE AFFECTED BY PANIC DISORDER

ARE AFFECTED BY SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER

ARE AFFECTED BY SPECIFIC PHOBIAS