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February Special Section
2 | February 2021 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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Recuperative in-home care can be the key to a healthier future Brought to you by — Home Helpers You’ve had a planned procedure or were faced with emergency surgery. The next critical step is a successful recovery, and to understand that people heal more slowly and can have more complications with age. It’s important to take stock of the care you’ll need when you get home, whether it’s directly from the hospital or from a rehabilitation center. At Home Helpers of North Atlanta, we understand the difference a proactive level of Care Management can make for a faster and more successful recovery. The transition home can be very challenging as your mobility, health and emotional needs have changed. With current COVID concerns, your support network must also be safe and appropriately use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Juggling physical or occupational therapy visits, managing nutritional needs and therapy homework can be overwhelming. Home visits from Physical or Occupational Therapists typically happen one to three times a week. We know the hardest part for you or an older loved one can be carrying out therapy homework instructions daily and exercising faithfully, but this can determine your mobility and best quality of life going forward. Here are some things to consider on your recovery journey. Your doctor will do a medical assessment to determine your in-home care needs, and what level of assistance you’ll need with the activities of daily living (ADL’s). With in-home care, you may be discharged directly home. If you enter a rehabilitation facility, that assessment
will happen when you’re ready to be discharged. In either case, work with your in-home care agency to determine a plan of care in advance. There are five areas of integrated wellness for a holistic approach we believe must be considered for the best level of recuperation. The safety of your current situation, whether hydration and nutrition needs are being met, what level of daily physical and therapeutic activity should be followed, your mental health, and levels of social and emotional support. The question we constantly seek to answer is where are you today, and what can we do to move your recuperation forward? Your skilled Home Helpers caregiver can take notes at therapist visits, help you follow a therapy homework schedule, remember any restrictions you should follow, help around the house, assist with personal care, infection control and medication reminders. They can provide specialized support for stroke recuperation, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. Change is constant as you recover, and it’s important to adapt quickly to your situation. It’s not enough to set up a care plan and make a wonderful match of heart centered caregiver to client. It takes proactive attention to detail by a team with depth and skill. At Home Helpers we have added Care Managers who form a critical communication and coordination link with you and your family as needs arise. We’re here to help – from six hours a day to 24/7 and live-in care. For a free consultation please call Home Helpers of North Atlanta at (678) 430-8511.
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Winter is the perfect time for skin rejuvenation By Kathryn Filipek, PA-C Premier Dermatology Microneedling and Platelet-Rich Plasma, or PRP. In the last twenty years of working in Dermatology, I have been excited to participate FILIPEK in amazing advances in our ability to care for and treat patients. When I started my career, there were few options for resurfacing the skin and few strategies for encouraging the skin to produce its own antiaging molecules. Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, some less effective lasers and early microneedling devices constituted the totality of the procedures that were generally available. Of all these devices, lasers and microneedling have undergone the most significant changes, and this article focuses on modern microneedling and how it can transform one’s skin for the better. Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure, sometimes referred to as collagen induction therapy, that involves a pen-like tool with sterilized needles. These needles can be adjusted to various depths and can penetrate into the skin to create small wounds, or microinjuries, to the top layer of your skin. Your body responds to these wounds by generating more collagen and elastin to heal your skin, which in turn can aid in correcting imperfections and make your skin look younger. These treatments can be utilized for several beneficial outcomes including: improving overall skin tone, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, assisting with acne or acne scarring, decreasing hair loss by stimulating growth, evening out scars or stretch marks, reducing the appearance in pore size and tightening loose skin. Generally, microneedling is a gentle procedure that causes minimal swelling, redness, or bruising depending of the depth of needles and the targeted endpoint of the procedure. More aggressive treatments may be required for treating acne scarring or scars themselves, resulting in small periods of downtime. Repeated treatments on a regular basis are required to maximize effects. Hold on a second – needles? And lots of them? No need to sweat. The gentle microneedling procedures often feel like a cat’s tongue scraping across one’s skin. For medium-grade microneedling, topical numbing creams are often applied 30-45 minutes pre-
procedure. And for the most aggressive microneedling focused on facial scar rejuvenation, prescription medication and bringing a driver can make even strongest treatments a positive experience. You can expect to begin seeing results around a week after the first treatment with some evening of skin tone, slightly reduced pore visibility and even a slight improvement in acne. With that said, for long-term results, long-term treatment will be required. This means that after an initial series of at least 3-4 treatments (more for acne scarring, hair loss, or deeper imperfections) 4-6 weeks apart, you will be able to see treatment benefit for several weeks after maximum results have been achieved. These results may not be permanent due to the normal aging process, and maintenance treatments can be scheduled as needed, sometimes every 6-18 months or so depending on one’s goals. One of the most exciting therapies available to complement microneedling procedures is the addition of plateletrich plasma, or PRP. This is a concentrate derived from whole blood that is taken from the patient at the time of the visit and is centrifuged (or spun down) to remove red blood cells. The remaining platelets work to heal wounds and injuries and are very rich in protein, growth factors, and cytokines, helping the skin tissue to repair itself and enhance the benefits of the treatment. While PRP can be utilized in several areas of medicine from joint pain to tendon repair, in dermatology we often utilize its benefits to enhance various cosmetic procedures. With microneedling, PRP is infused into the micro wounds during and after the treatment to aid in the outcome of the procedure, offering a magnified benefit and decreased healing time. Unlike some other treatment modalities, such as some lasers, microneedling can be utilized on most skin types. Consultations are imperative prior to scheduling a procedure so you and your provider can work closely together to prep your skin appropriately, make a plan regarding numbing cream or analgesia, and discuss lifestyle, sun avoidance and aftercare. At Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta, your skin is just as important to us as it is to you. Dr. Brent Taylor, Kathryn Filipek PA, and the entire Premier Dermatology team are committed to treating you and your loved ones like family and helping you exceed your skin health needs and goals.
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Reducing the spread of disease through better indoor air Brought to you by — Oaks at Suwanee Creek Oaks at Suwanee Creek, a brand new Assisted Living and Memory Care community in Suwanee, recently had 12 GPS air purification systems installed with technology that attacks and kills pathogens such as viruses, mold spores and bacteria, in addition to reducing particles that bother those with allergies and neutralizing odors. It’s Mother Nature’s way of cleaning GPS technology (Global Plasma Solutions) generates the same ions as Mother Nature creates with lightning, waterfalls, and ocean waves. Mother Nature uses energy to break apart molecules. It is nature’s way of cleansing the air naturally and creating a healthy environment. The only difference is that GPS technology does it without forming ozone or other harmful byproducts. Rate of reduction results after sensivitiy and simulation testing Coronavirus 90% Tuberculosis 69% E.coli 99.6% MRSA 96.2% Norovirus 93.5% Staphylococcus 96.2% Clostridium Difficile 86.8% Legionella 99.7%
HOW DOES IT WORK? GPS clears the air of particles faster Particulate matter includes pollutants, dust, allergens, mold, bacteria – and viruses. GPS technology constantly generates a high concentration of positively and negatively charged ions. These ions travel through the air continuously seeking out and attaching to particles. Larger by virtue of combination, they are more easily captured by the ventilation and filtration systems or become too heavy to remain suspended in the air. GPS Inactivates Pathogens When ions come into contact with pathogens, they steal away hydrogen from the pathogens, reducing the infectivity of the virus. GPS is Safe Needlepoint bipolar ionization is OZONE free and safe to use across commercial, industrial and residential buildings. Traditional bipolar ionization systems produce harmful ozone as a byproduct. Oaks at Suwanee Creek is excited to have this incredible new technology already installed in advance of their opening. They are currently offering specials and scheduling tours, so please reach out today for more information by calling 470-235-5300 or emailing benita.watts@oaksseniorliving.com. Make sure to like and follow their Facebook page as well!
Oaks at Suwanee Creek, a brand new Assisted Living and Memory Care recently had 12 GPS air purification systems installed
Committed to Serving with Faith, Knowledge, Compassion and Love Newly installed GPS air purification systems with technology that attacks and kills pathogens such as viruses, mold spores and bacteria, in addition to reducing particles that bother those with allergies and neutralizes odors. Vaccine clinics being held on March 19, April 9 and April 30
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When can I change my medicare plan?
Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs Specializing in Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement Plans
Brought to you by — Jay Looft Medicare Insurance Broker, SeniorSource Medicare Solutions
Serving North Atlanta Seniors for More Than 10 Years
If you watch any news channel during the fall, you’ll see commercials from every Medicare LOOFT insurance company. That’s because they are advertising for the Annual Enrollment Period. The AEP, which runs October 15th - December 7th, is the main time of the year in which anyone on Medicare can make changes to their plan. However, Medicare understands that you may need to make a plan change at other times during the year as well. A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) may be granted by Medicare for certain common situations such as moving residences, losing group health insurance, or a change in Medicaid status. Most recently, SEPs have been granted to those affected by natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes. Another Enrollment Period, outside of the AEP,
Representing Most Medicare Insurance Companies • Experienced Medicare Insurance Broker • Provides Personalized Plan Analysis
is called the Open Enrollment Period (OEP). This Enrollment Period runs from January 1st - March 31st of every year. The OEP allows anyone on a Medicare Advantage plan to make a one-time change to another Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare. If you do go back to Original Medicare, we recommend adding a Medicare Supplement and a Prescription Drug Plan. If you have questions about AEP, SEPs, or the OEP please contact us today. Call us at (770) 913-6464 or visit our website at www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com.
Bungalows & Cottages Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care Village Park Milton 555 Wills Road Alpharetta, GA 30009 470.509.4557
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | February 2021 | 5
Village Park Alpharetta 12300 Morris Road Alpharetta, GA 30005 678.740.3499
Jay Looft Owner/Agent
• Annual Plan Updates, Including Upcoming Trends • No Cost to Use Our Services
770.913.6464
www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com
6 | February 2021 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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FREE Upcoming Webinar: Protect your family today!
March 5, 2021 at 3:00pm
EC 201: Elder Law (VA, Medicaid, Asset Protection) & Home Care Basics
Be sure to check out our webinars at Wilson-legal.com/events-listing/
Attorney Michelle Wilson
407 East Maple St., #105 • Cumming, GA 30040 • (770) 205-7861
Trusts as the Primary Claimant on your Homeowner’s Insurance Brought to you by — Michelle Wilson, Wilson Legal, PC I get asked a lot by clients about whether your trust should be a claimant on your homeowner’s insurance after you place the WILSON home into your trust. My answer – YES!! Not only should your trust be a claimant on your homeowner’s policy, but it should be the PRIMARY claimant. Additional claimant is not good enough. Here’s why. If there’s a fire that kills the homeowners in whose name the homeowner’s insurance
is placed, then the check the repair the home will be made payable to “The Estate Of Homeowner”. In order to cash that check, the family will have to file a petition to probate the will of the person who died, be approved as the estates representative, get a tax id number, then open a bank account in the name of the estate. That process takes time – weeks and months of time. One of the major purposes of having a trust in the first place is to make life easier for the people you leave behind. If you have a trust and you are not sure if you have made the changes on your accounts and assets to make life as easy as possible on those you leave behind, call us at 770-205-7861 and reserve your strategy session with our team today!
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