Appen Media Group
April Special Section
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The Wellstar guide to taking care of your mental health during COVID-19 In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, many people may feel anxiety or stress. Handling strong emotions during this challenging time is a normal response, according to Wellstar health experts. “Things are changing very rapidly,” says Dr. Chirag Patel, Wellstar Medical Director of Population Health. “This virus is very new, and Wellstar has been preparing and taking care of the communities we serve. We also encourage people to take care of themselves physically and mentally.” Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations like the COVID-19 outbreak. How you or your loved one responds can depend on a variety of factors, such as their background and environment. According to the CDC, reactions during the outbreak can include: • Fear and worry about your health status and that of your loved ones who may have been exposed to COVID-19. • Changes in sleep or eating patterns. • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating. • Worsening of chronic health problems. • Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Figuring out ways to cope with stress and axiety can help you, your
loved ones and your community. If stress begins to interfere with your daily life, reach out to your healthcare provider. Coping with Stress & Anxiety During COVID-19 Finding ways to manage your stress and anxiety during this time can help you stay happy, healthy and hopeful. Here are several helpful coping tips that can keep you feeling upbeat and positive: • Break away from news coverage. Avoid excessive exposure to media cover-
age of the COVID-19 outbreak. • Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and avoid alcohol and drugs. • Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do some other activities you enjoy to return to your healthy life.
• Connect with others. Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships. • Support your loved ones. Check in with your friends and family often. Virtual communication via phone, email, text messages, video chat or social media can help you feel connected. • Stay optimistic. Maintain a sense of hope and positive thinking. For more information and tips, please visit wellstar.org/COVID-19 or cdc.gov.
Kaiser Permanente is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Kaiser Permanente depends on contractrenewal. You must reside in the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan service area in which you enroll. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Nine Piedmont Center, 3495 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305. H1170_018_43_C 61139410-B-KM 01/19
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Longleaf Communities Brought to you by Kathy Rice Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Final opportunites available at Longleaf Communities Woodstock. Longleaf is a luxury homebuilder for active 55+ adults in metro Atlanta. Their spectacular, English Cottage style homes are designed to RICE meet the lifestyle needs and wishes of active seniors while providing low maintenance living. Longleaf Woodstock provides things other Active Adult communities provide: proximity to area attractions and life necessities, low maintenance and ease of living, a lock and go lifestyle and neighborhood amenities. With a Longleaf home, you can have all that plus, the distinguished architecture, attention to detail and superb craftsmanship you’re accustomed to. Our elegant homes feature airy floor
plans with lofty 10-foot ceilings and solid 8-foot doors outfitted with generous millwork throughout. Choose from a variety of custom cabinetry for your designer kitchen and select your preferred finishes for your designer bath. All of our homes feature two main floor bedrooms,
each with a full bath and laundry on the main. The upstairs includes a finished loft, additional full bath and the option to add another bedroom for more livable space to welcome guests. Longleaf Woodstock in Cherokee County has a Clubhouse and Pool, bocce
court, community gardens and a dog park) Our thoughtful floor plans and Longleaf’s reputation for superior craftsmanship, are what make Longleaf the luxury builder of active adult communities. www.longleafsouth.com (678) 697-4984
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d. 678.697.4984 o. 770.442.7300
Marketing and Sales by Atlanta FIne Homes Sotheby’s International Realty - 770.442.7300. © All Rights Reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. Information contained herein is believed to be accurate but is not warranted and is subject to change without notice.
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Viruses, skin cancers and therapeutic advances By DR. BRENT TAYLOR Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta What a challenging time for our country and the world. In response to the coronavirus, governments, businesses and individDR. TAYLOR uals struggle to respond appropriately. An excessive lockdown could threaten businesses, jobs, and individuals’ livelihoods, but an inadequate response could result in a spike in cases that surpasses hospitals’ and intensive care units’ capacity to care for the sick. Either scenario results in loss of life and suffering. Now is certainly a time for patience and grace. In the world of dermatology, we are gaining an increasing understanding of the role that viruses play in disease and skin cancer, and recent discoveries are giving us cause for hope. Unlike the coronavirus pandemic, these cancer-causing viruses are endemic – they have lived with us for years, and recent discoveries indicate we are winning the fight. Of the seven viruses that are most associated with cancer in humans, five viruses are linked to to different types of skin cancer. The seven viruses most commonly associated with human cancer are Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), the human papillomavirus family (HPV), human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8), human adult t-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1/2), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Only the last two (HBV and HCV) are not linked to skin cancer (but rather liver cancer). A summary of these viruses’ role in skin cancer is as follows: EBV and HTLV-1/2 are often associated with lymphomas, which may present in the skin. HHV-8 causes Kaposi’s sarcoma (a cancer of blood and lymph vessels classically seen in the immunocompromised). HPV is linked to squamous cell carcinomas including those of the penis and cervix but is increasingly implicated in non-genital squamous cell carcinomas as well. Merkel cell polyomavirus causes a cancer of cells called Merkel cells that are in our skin and that are partially responsible for our ability to feel touch. Advances are taking place for each of these cancers. For EBV-associated lymphomas, experiments are taking place looking at using white blood cells specific for this virus to help fight the lymphoma. HTLV-1 is a cousin of HIV and both HTLV-1 and its cancers appear to respond to some of the antiretroviral medication developed to treat HIV.
Kaposi’s sarcoma that occurs in the setting of HIV often respond when HIV is treated with antiretrovirals and is now generally a very treatable disease. HPV-related cancers are expected to decline as the HPV vaccine (e.g., Gardasil®), is being used to prevent penile cancer, cervical cancer and genital warts. Just as exciting, preliminary evidence suggests that HPV vaccine-based therapies may be useful in treating the greater than 1 million cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas that occur in adults each year. In late 2018, Cemiplimab gained FDA approval for treating locally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Cemiplimab works by releasing the brakes on the immune system allowing a person’s own immune system to fight off the cancer and is one of many new immune system-based medications making tremendous progress in our fight against multiple cancers including melanoma. Finally, Merkel cell carcinoma had no FDA-approved treatment prior to 2017. Since then immune system based therapies have made great strides in treating Merkel cell carcinoma just as has been the case for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Prior to 2017, survival from Merkel cell carcinoma was often less than 10% after 3 years. With new therapies, survival at 3 years is now exceeding 60%. For the most common skin cancers – basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, the most effective treatment is still Mohs surgery when caught early. For non-recurrent basal and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, cure rates with Mohs surgery are typically 99%. If you or a loved one has a skin cancer diagnosis or another dermatologic issue, consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. Fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon and vein specialist Dr. Brent Taylor and highly accomplished and experienced physician assistant Kathryn Filipek, PA-C are here to care for you and your family.
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FREE Upcoming Webinars: Protect your family today! May 1, 2020 at 3:00pm 5 Must Have Tips for Coping with COVID.
May 15, 2020 at 3:00pm 2 Tips to Make Sure You’re Cared For and You Can Say Goodbye.
Attorney Michelle Wilson
Check out wilson-legal.com/contacts for more webinars. 407 East Maple St., #105 • Cumming, GA 30040 • (770) 205-7861
Create guidelines for the future By MICHELLE WILSON Wilson Legal, PC What if someone you love gets sick or dies and you missed out on the chance to say goodbye…to tell them how important they are to you? These situations WILSON happen when there are car accidents, dementia, suicide, and now with COVID-19. How do you help when you cannot be with your loved one at the hospital by their bedside? At Wilson Legal, we have encouraged our clients to create a Caregiver Guideline for years. It’s like a letter to a babysitter except it’s for you and not your kids. Remember writing that letter? You would include things like emergency contacts, the child’s doctor, allergies, meal plans – or foods the kids would actually eat. You’d specify bedtimes and quirky things like how they might like to run around naked for 5 minutes before PJs which is alright as long as you make them use the potty first. Or maybe they like a particular story before bed or a special stuffed animal or blankie. Your letter to your future caregiver
is very similar. Talk about your daily routine; what you like; what you don’t like. Things that make you frustrated or angry like someone leaving shoes in the middle of the floor or serving you watermelon without cutting it up first. Maybe you don’t ever miss the 10 o’clock news. You type this letter up and give it to your caregiver at home or at a hospital. Now you’re going to get taken care of the way you want to be taken care of. We have samples and a checklist available if you want some help creating your own.
Bungalows Cottages Independent Assisted Memory Care Village Park Milton 555 Wills Road Alpharetta, GA 30009 470.509.4557
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The Memory Center Atlanta The Memory Center Atlanta is the most unique and comprehensive community for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Devoted specifically to memory care, our expertly designed program meets the challenging conditions of an aging brain with a caring, interactive community. We understand a diagnosis of dementia doesn’t mean you or your loved one stops living, rather it means finding new ways to live by providing assistance to maintain an active and meaningful lifestyle. Our residents enjoy music, dancing, live entertainment, art, gardening, - even outings, pet therapy and religious services. Enjoy a drink in the Chattahoochee Tavern, grab a movie in the Fox Theater or ice cream at the Bull Dog Café. All residents experience socializa-
tion and activities accessible across all levels of dementia. Even those who need 24/7 care benefit from life at The Memory Center. Overseen by our medical director who specializes in the field of geriatric healthcare, our team of Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants provide the best 24/7 care. Don’t let a crisis determine where your loved one receives care. If you are considering memory care, we encourage you to explore options as early as possible. Take the time to ask questions, tour and include your loved one in the decision making process. Transitioning to memory care early ensures the best quality of life with daily socialization and engaging activities designed to meet the needs of you or your loved one.
Get in touch - ask us a question or schedule a tour of The Memory Center Atlanta to learn more about how our team provides a seamless transition for your loved one into their new home. Lo-
cated at 12050 Findley Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30097, less than ½ mile from Medlock Bridge Rd. directly behind Emory Johns Creek Hospital. Call Today, (770) 476-3678.
NORTH ATLANTA’S HOT TOPICS ON PODCAST
Go to NorthFulton.com, click on Podcasts and select Inside The Box
8 | April 2020 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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C a l J a l i
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Cad
He’S BaCk! M
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new show. Same ride.
The Cadillac Jack: My Second Act podcast is aired twice a week and hosted by Caddy and his wife Donna. Caddy was made famous as Atlanta’s renowned morning host for nearly three decades on country radio. In his second act, Caddy will bring his listeners informative and entertaining conversations on current events in podcast form. You’ll recognize Caddy instantly with his unique approach to discussing trending news topics, the latest in country music, and some personal stories from the home front.
Sponsored by: For additional sponsorship opportunities email hans@appenmediagroup.com or call 770.442.3278.
1 GO to NorthFulton.com
2 CLICK on Podcasts
3 SELECT Cadillac Jack: My Second Act