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January Special Section
2 | January 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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Sunlight and health – everything in moderation? By Dr. Brent Taylor Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta Recently, a friend of mine brought to my attention an article that made the case that regular sunlight exposure might help us live longer. This topic seems to be of broad general interest, so I thought it worth including in this month’s paper. Dr. Taylor For years, the dermatology community has been preaching sun avoidance. This is only natural given that much of a dermatologist’s job is focused on the prevention, detection and treatment of skin cancer. The science linking ultraviolet radiation to skin cancer is solid. Melanoma has also been very strongly linked to sun burns and tanning bed use. The case is clear that sun exposure causes skin cancer. During my residency, my attendings had us read numerous articles on vitamin D. One of the strongest arguments put forth by the pro-tanning bed community and pro-sun exposure community was that avoidance of the sun could lead to vitamin D deficiency, which leads to rickets in children, osteoporosis in adults, and a likely higher incidence of autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and possibly even a higher incidence of some non-skin cancers. To many dermatologists, this argument seemed weak because vitamin D supplements are readily available, and it seemed that oral vitamins could simply replace the vitamin D that the sun helps provide. We could have our cake and eat it, too. Avoid the sun and take vitamin D supplements, and you’ll avoid skin cancer and avoid vitamin D deficiency. But the plot thickens. Researchers found out that ultraviolet radiation stimulates nitric oxide production in the skin, which lowers blood pressure and may lead to a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. Because cardiovascular disease kills more people than skin cancer, the argument was made that sun avoidance might have a net effect of hurting rather than helping. Once again, the argument was made that we could simply take medication designed to lower blood pressure. So, now, we are avoiding the sun, taking vitamin D supplements and taking antihypertensive medication. But uh oh, additional data suggests that sun light might change serotonin
levels and improve mood and regulate circadian rhythms and assist with sleep. But that can be fixed with medication. So, now, we are avoiding the sun, taking vitamin D supplements, anti-hypertensives, fluoxetine, and melatonin. But…..additional concerns keep arising – autoimmune, cancer-related, and more. What is everyone to do? In my opinion, the answer seems to be that we need to embrace personalized medicine and customize our recommendations for the individual. There are unbelievable variations between levels of UV radiation in Ireland vs equatorial Africa, and we cannot expect sun light recommendations for Irish and African descendants to be identical. This is not to say that general rules can’t be created. For example, avoid blistering sun burns seems like fairly safe advice no matter who you are. However, a one size fits all approach to sun exposure is likely not wise. And it is responsible to admit that there exists a body of data and arguments that support both positive and negative effects of sun exposure. If a patient comes to me in his 70s riddled with skin cancers on his face and scalp, then wearing hats and sunscreen, at least on the face and scalp, seems sage advice. If a young patient develops a melanoma, then avoiding sun burns and erring on the side of less sun exposure rather than more seems prudent along with very regular self and professional skin exams. For someone with equatorial African genetics, avoidance of sun might be more harmful than helpful. We just don’t know optimum doses of sun exposure, but ancestry likely informs us regarding optimum levels of sun exposure. And who knows whether many of the positive health effects in those receiving a lot of sun came from active lifestyles and exercise. Many studies have not been able to convincingly control for exercise when quantifying health effects of sun exposure. We likely do not need to have guilt from small amounts of sun exposure. Instead, we can enjoy the great outdoors, exercise, and the occasional ray of sun light, and we need to be honest with ourselves about our genetic heritage, our risk factors, what is hurting us, and make adjustments to fit our individual situations. For professional dermatologic care that is personal and personalized, please consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. It is our pleasure to serve you.
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Longleaf Communities Brought to you by Kathy Rice Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Longleaf Communities is the premier luxury homebuilder for active 55+ adults in metro Atlanta. Their spectacular, English Cottage style homes and communities are designed to meet the lifestyle needs Rice and wishes of active seniors while providing low maintenance living. With three convenient locations, Longleaf Communities 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 currently has 3 communities: Village Green of East Cobb in Marietta (1 opportunity remains), Longleaf Woodstock in Cherokee County (with
Clubhouse and Pool) and Longleaf Battle Park in West Cobb (with Pool & Clubroom). 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) 6974984
Battle Park • East Cobb • Woodstock 678.523.7063
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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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4 | January 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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Soleil Laurel Canyon named Best 50 Master-Planned Communities Tucked away in the North Georgia foothills of Canton and just a short drive from exciting Atlanta, Soleil Laurel Canyon is more than a beautiful community of maintenance-free, ranch-style homes and breathtaking views. It’s the lifestyle you’ve worked your whole life to enjoy. If you are 55+, we invite you to come experience Soleil’s incomparable array of recreation, culture, and entertainment for yourself. You’ll have no doubt why it was named among the Best 50 Master-Planned Communities in the U.S. by Where to Retire Magazine in 2015. “Clubhouses, fitness centers, social clubs and education classes mean residents get much more than a house at a planned community,” said Karen Northridge, publisher of “Where to Retire.” One of the great pleasures of living at Soleil is that a low-maintenance home gives you the free time to take advantage of all that the community offers or take a trip without concern. The landscaped grounds of Soleil Laurel Canyon are always impeccably maintained, while your HOA dues cover complete lawn maintenance and an irrigation system, in-home security monitoring and maintenance, and even Comcast cable TV. Soleil Laurel Canyon offers a selection of Cottage, Traditional and Craftsman-style single-family homes from the mid $200,000s to $400,000s for adults 55+. Residents live independently in homes that range from 1,500 square feet to almost 3,000 square feet. All of Soleil’s new floor plans include elegant details and are designed for aging-in-place with stepless-entry access and wide doorways. These homes are energy ef-
ficient with HERS ratings above standard. Soleil residents have membership in a 28,000-square-foot clubhouse complete with an arts and crafts room, billiards room, fitness center, gourmet teaching kitchen, indoor heated saline lap pool, and library. Outside the clubhouse, residents have a heated Lagoon-style pool, a community garden and greenhouse,
a 3.5-acre fishing lake and the tennis facility with a full-time USPTA-certified teaching professional. The Fairways of Canton golf course is located just outside Soleil’s gate within Laurel Canyon, and offers challenging golf for a reasonable, daily-fee price. Two Lifestyle Directors maintain a full social calendar of events including wine socials, movie nights, trips to nearby attractions, and Grandkids day.
UP TO $20,000 IN SAVINGS on Select Homes through 2/15/19
Amenity-Rich Resort Living for Active Adults NEW HOMES from the LOW $300s Live the way you feel and continue experiencing all the things that give you pleasure. Just north of Atlanta, Soleil is the place to be. Award-winning resort style 55+ community only minutes from shopping, dining, hospitals, culture and Blue Ridge. Find Your New Home at SoleilLaurelCanyon.com
Popular floor plans still available, but are selling fast.
Call Today for Your Personal Tour 678.710.9258
102 High Mountain Trace Canton, Georgia 30114
©2018 Lifestyles at Laurel Canyon, LLC. Special offers, prices, home designs and other information subject to errors, changes, omissions, deletions, availability, prior sale and withdrawal at any time without notice. Not an offering to CT, NJ or NY residents. Void where prohibited.
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The safe way to start and stick with an exercise plan Brought to you by Home Helpers of Alpharetta The new year is always a great time to resolve to start and stick with an exercise plan. For your older loved one, however, it’s important to know how to safely carry it through effectively. There’s a lot to factor in when your older loved one starts a new exercise routine. First, check with the doctor and make sure the exercise plan is acceptable. Then remember to start slowly and ramp up each routine. The key to all of this is to really listen to one’s body. It’s normal to have some muscle soreness at first, but actual pain should not be a part of the process. That old saying about “no pain, no gain” is a fallacy. Make sure activities are safe If your older loved one has joint issues, osteoporosis, balance problems or any other health conditions, then the activities done for exercise should be safe and chosen with those limitations in mind. Talk with their therapist or doctor about what exercises are best. The wrong choices can bring pain or injury. If a particular type of exercise proves to be too taxing, don’t hesitate to switch to something else. Enjoyment should be part of the plan. Once they experience the benefits of exercising regularly, it’s going to be a lot easier to stick with the program.
Weight-bearing exercise is good, high impact might not be Weight-bearing exercises are exercises that cause the body to bear weight in some way. They work against gravity in order to move the body. These exercises strengthen bones and muscles, which is good. High impact exercise, on the other hand, like jogging, can be very jarring to older joints and bones. Avoiding high impact exercises is a way to also avoid injury. It can be very helpful to work with a physical therapist or a personal trainer if your older loved one hasn’t worked out in a really long time. This may also be time to consider the benefits and peace of mind professional in-home care can provide. The companionship and assistance a carefully matched, heart centered Home Helpers caregiver provides can help your older loved one stay safe, healthy and happy as they age in place. Our highly personalized care can help boost self-confidence and connect with their youthful spirit. A Home Helpers caregiver has the skills to assist with all personal care, help around the house, transportation, and provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. It’s a decision that can make a real difference in their and your life. For a free in-home consultation to help your loved one live life to the fullest in the comfort of their own home, please contact Home Helpers of Alpharetta at (678) 430-8511.
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | January 2019 | 5
6 | January 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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Take steps to improve your retirement confidence (NAPS) — A recent study by the Insured Retirement Institute found that only 25 percent of baby boomers believe they will have enough money in retirement and just 28 percent believe they did a good job financially preparing for their retirement years. This dismal view of their retirement prospects by so many aging Americans is concerning, but what is even more sobering is the study found that boomers are actually less satisfied with their finances than they were as recently as five years ago. In 2012, 41 percent of baby boomers believed they were doing a good job of financial preparation. This decline in retirement confidence has taken place in spite of healthy market conditions and rising interest rates for most retirees’ investments. Fortunately, the news doesn’t have to be so bad if seniors allow this news to serve as a wake-up call for them to take action. Here are five steps that experts say boomers can take to revisit their retirement plans now and fix things that have gone awry: 1. Reassess priorities. Take stock
of your available resources and prioritize your needs vs. your wants, based on where your life is now and what is most important to you in the years ahead. 2. Raise cash. Consider options that may be available to you for boosting your savings, such as a part-time job or perhaps selling off some possessions you no longer need. 3. Generate interest. Re-evaluate where your money is sitting today and consider moving as much as you can out of cash and into interest-bearing accounts, which are paying depositors more than they have in several years. 4. Look for hidden assets. Inventory all your assets that might create cash flow, including those you may have overlooked in the past, such as a life insurance policy. A life insurance policy is your personal property and, if you no longer need or can afford it, you may be able to sell it for an immediate cash payment. 5. Leverage your house. If you own your home, consider a reverse mortgage or a home equity line of credit as a way to free up cash that you can use to pay
There are several things older Americans can do to improve their chances of a secure retirement. off health care bills or other expenses. Of these five steps, the one that could produce the most immediate cash flow may be the sale of a life insurance policy, known as a life settlement. Most consumers who qualify for a life settlement are 70 or older and own a life insurance policy with a benefit of at least $100,000.
Discover a new class in
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The Memory Center Atlanta The Memory Center Atlanta is the Southeast Region’s most unique, allinclusive, residential memory care community for people living with Alzheimer’s and any other form of dementia. A diagnosis of dementia does not mean that you cannot keep many aspects of your current lifestyle. It simply means you may need assistance maintaining that lifestyle. At The Memory Center Atlanta, we strive to ensure you truly live with us. Daily activities include Music, Dancing, Local Entertainment, Outings, Art Therapy, Pet Therapy, Religious Services and more. Enjoy a drink in the Chattahoochee Tavern, grab a movie in the Fox Theater or enjoy an ice cream cone at the Bull Dog Café. All residents experience socialization and activities and
those who need 24/7 medical care will benefit from the care provided at The Memory Center Atlanta. We are proud to have Dr. Gary Figiel, M.D., a locally and nationally renowned expert in the field of geriatric healthcare, as the Medical Director. Dr. Figiel works with our team of Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants to provide 24/7 care within the comfort of your loved one’s new home. Don’t let a crisis determine where your loved one can receive care. Deciding on memory care early enough, will allow your loved one the opportunity to have the best quality of life and that decision is priceless. Schedule a tour of The Memory Center Atlanta and learn more about how our entire team works together to provide a seamless transition
for your loved one into their new home. Located at 12050 Findley Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30097, less than ½ mile in
NORTH ATLANTA’S FOOD TOPICS ON PODCAST
from Medlock Bridge Rd. and directly behind Emory Johns Creek Hospital. Call Today – (770) 476-3678.
Join Us For
Sweetheart’s Happy Hour Wednesday, February 13th at 4:00 p.m.
Bring your spouse and enjoy hors d’oeurves, sweet treats, and cocktails. Space is limited so RSVP to Michelle at 770.476.3678 or michellem@thememorycenter.com WINNER
Go to NorthFulton.com, click on Podcasts and select Lunch Break
2018
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
12050 Findley Rd., Johns Creek, GA 30097 (Behind Emory Johns Creek Hospital)
8 | January 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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I told the kids I would disown them... Then I saw Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek
Discover the absolute best in senior living Assisted Living | Memory Care
3180 Karen White Drive, Suwanee Hwy. 141 at Laurel Springs Parkway 770-809-6552 www.AT-JohnsCreek.com/Senior
Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek offers exemplary memory care Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek uses Teepa Snow’s trademarked Gem Programming, Positive Personal Approach and other techniques in caring for residents with a dementia challenge. This approach helps families relate to their loved one in a meaningful, engaging way. They offer personal appointments and tours for families to come and learn more about the Arbor Advantage and their 60-day guarantee of satisfaction. This exemplary resort-style community offers beautiful apartments for Seniors at every stage of their care needs. They have several floorplans for Assisted Living and in their Bridges neigh-
borhood. Families love Bridges higher engagement activities designed for early cognitive challenges. Their Evergreen Memory Care Neighborhood is available for when higher care is needed on their dementia journey. They also offer a furnished suite when needed. Families can now focus on the relationship with their loved one in a less stressful manner and begin to feel the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved ones are exceptionally cared for by a well trained caring team of professionals. Call Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek at 770-676-2410 to schedule a personal tour.
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Laser therapy comes to Johns Creek Class IV Laser Therapy is the most advanced pain relief technology available to the public and it’s now available right here in Johns Creek. Laser therapy uses a process called photo-bio-modulation to enhance your body’s ability to heal itself. Laser Therapy works by flooding the tissues with photons, energizing the damaged cells and increasing circulation to the painful area. Treatments are fast, painless and don’t require any down time but the therapeutic effect continues to soothe and heal long after you leave the office. Laser Therapy is FDA cleared to treat pain, inflammation, arthritis, and muscle spasms and are a great alternative to medications and injections. Laser Therapy can treat a host of conditions including rotator cuff injuries, post operative pain and soreness (for any surgery), frozen shoulder, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, neck pain, muscle strains, low back pain, migraines, and can even be used to relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. Johns Creek Physical Therapy, recently voted as the Best Physical Therapy Practice in North Atlanta, is the only medical practice in the area to offer Laser Therapy technology. “I am constantly amazed at what it does for our patients,” says Marc Stewart, PT, owner at Johns Creek Physical Therapy. If you are experiencing any type of pain, Call 770-622-5344 to schedule your Free Consultation. Johns Creek Physical Therapy 4060 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024 770-622-5344
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Low Back Pain Giving You Trouble? Free Workshop Sponsored by JOHNS CREEK PHYSICAL THERAPY
Every New Year we all make resolutions. This year I’d like to help you make a resolution to Live Pain Free. Low Back Pain is the number one cause of disability in the world and affects millions of people every year. Back pain can keep you from your favorite activities and completely ruin your day. Many times back pain can turn into sciatica. Sciatica is the term given to pain that travels down the back of the leg along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs all the way down the back of the leg into the foot. Back pain and sciatica can simply be debilitating. It can be brought on from a variety of things like sitting, walking, standing, or doing simple everyday activities. If you are having this type of pain you won’t want to miss the Free Back Pain and Sciatica Workshop on Saturday, February 2, 2018 at 10:00 am hosted by Johns Creek
At the workshop you will learn the TOP THREE common causes of Lower Back Pain and Sciatica. Physical Therapy. At the workshop you will learn the TOP THREE common causes of Lower Back Pain and Sciatica and how each of these things can bring about back pain and sciatica. You will also learn how you can deal with each condition using natural treatment methods without medications or injections. This very simple treatment can help you get rid of your symptoms once and for all. Perhaps you have already had an x-ray or an MRI and you’ve been told that those findings explain why you are having back pain? We will show you that those tests are not always accurate and may have nothing to do with
why your back is actually hurting.
WINNER 2018
Best Of North Atlanta
Physical Therapist Marc Stewart has traveled all over the US and trained with some of the best Presented By Physical Therapists around. He brings that knowledge, training, and a staff with over 37 years of experience and shares this knowledge at the Back Pain Workshop.
Don’t let back pain ruin your life! If you have back pain or sciatica don’t miss this FREE workshop Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 10:00 am. Register by calling 770-622-5344 Johns Creek Physical Therapy 4060 Johns Creek Pkwy, Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024 770-622-5344
Marc C. Stewart, PT Johns Creek Physical Therapy, LLC
We Accept MedicAre
10 | January 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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