Appen Media Group
January Special Section
2 | January 2021 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
EMPTY NEST• Sponsored Section
Experience the most advanced form of pain relief available Deep Tissue Laser Therapy
Brought to you by – Johns Creek Physical Therapy 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. For the month of January, you can receive a complimentary treatment just for trying it out. 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
Do You Have Low Back Pain? Free Workshop Sponsored by JOHNS CREEK PHYSICAL THERAPY
• Do you suffer with Back Pain or Sciatica when you stand or walk? • Do you have low back pain when you sit for long periods of time? • Do you experience Pain, Numbness, or Tingling into your hip or down your leg? • Do you feel like you’ve “tried everything” but your back is still hurting? If you answered YES to any of these questions (or you know someone in denial) then you won’t want to miss the FREE BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA WORKSHOP on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 12:30 pm Back pain and sciatica can completely ruin your life. I see it every day. 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 enjoying your favorite activities, keep you from spending time with your family, and keep
At the workshop you will learn the TOP THREE common causes of Lower Back Pain and Sciatica you out of work. Sciatica is the term given to pain that travels down the back of the leg along the path of the sciatic nerve. 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 Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 12:30 pm hosted by Johns Creek 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
WINNER
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.
2018
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
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.
Marc C. Stewart, PT
Don’t let back pain ruin your life! If you have back pain or sciatica don’t miss this FREE BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA WORKSHOP Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 12:30 pm. Register by calling 770-622-5344.
Johns Creek Physical Therapy 4060 Johns Creek Pkwy, Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024 770-622-5344
“I came to the workshop and Johns Creek Physical Therapy fixed my back. I could barely stand during the presentation but now I can walk again without back pain.” – Rosina H.
WE ACCEPT MEDICARE
WINNER 2019
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2020
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
EMPTY NEST • Sponsored Section
Can bumping your leg cause skin cancer? Brought to you by — Dr. Brent Taylor Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta Multiple times over the last ten years, patients have told me that a skin cancer popped up DR. TAYLOR right where they banged their leg. Initially, I was skeptical of whether such mild trauma could cause skin cancer. One of my teachers speculated that patients were developing skin cancers first and then later noticed them when they bumped the area. However, patient were certain about the timeline and insisted that the bump caused the skin cancer. Who is right? Can mild trauma cause skin cancer? The medical literature is rife with examples of chronic trauma indirectly leading to skin cancer. For example, a “Marjolin’s ulcer” is a squamous cell carcinoma (squamous cell skin cancer) that arises from a chronic wound. While Marjolin’s ulcers are not common, they are an important diagnosis for doctors to avoid missing. Their danger is often due to delayed diagnosis. For example, a patient with an ulcer from bad veins on his or her leg may go to a wound care clinic and receive dressing changes intended to allow the wound to heal on its own. When the ulcer fails to heal, everyone involved assumes it is still “just a venous ulcer.” Unfortunately, chronic ulcers can sometimes give rise to skin cancers – usually squamous cell carcinoma. The ulcer is no longer just a broken down area of skin from bad circulation. Instead, it is a skin cancer AND a broken down area from bad circulation. But the two conditions can look nearly identical in ulcerated form, and a biopsy is needed to make the diagnosis. Delays in diagnosis of the skin cancer can give it a chance to spread to other organs and lead to death. The stakes are high. Why would a chronic wound give rise to skin cancer? The explanation is usually “cell turnover.” Areas of healthy skin usually have cells undergoing cell division (mitosis) at a very slow rate. Skin cells are quoted as replacing themselves every 28 days. Where skin is cut, injured or otherwise wounded, the replication rate goes up. Growth factors are released at sites of tissue damage to spur tissue regrowth and renewal. If you cut your skin or have a wound, cells need to grow and divide rapidly to replace the cells that were lost and to heal. Increased cell division means increased opportunity for error. Cell division is a vulnerable time. When a cell is dividing, its DNA is more
susceptible to mutations and to making mistakes. Such mutations can increase cell growth rate and otherwise allow them to grow in an uncontrolled manner. Mutations cause cancer. So chronic wounds not unexpectedly generate skin cancers. If chronic wounds can yield cancers, what about minor/short term wounds? Or even a bump on the leg? There is not a lot of medical literature about skin cancers arising from small traumatic events such as a bump on the leg. However, it stands to reason that a similar phenomenon exists for small injuries as for chronic wounds. Both involve healing tissue, growth factors, and stimulus for cell division. In my experience, the small bumps that were blamed for causing skin cancers almost always occurred in patients with severe amounts of background sun damage. Patients with severe sun damage already have mutations in their cells from the sun’s UV rays. Accordingly, the combination of sun damage and a banged shin is like a one-two punch. One of the first successful explanations for the cause of any cancer was the “two-hit hypothesis.” It explains why retinoblastoma, an eye tumor, develops in children. The two hit hypothesis states that you need two copies of the same gene to go bad for certain cancers like retinoblastoma to develop. Children with retinoblastoma are born with one bad (mutated) copy in every single cell in their eyes, either inherited from a parent or from a mutation acquired early in fetal development. Additional spontaneous mutations are common enough that the chance that the second copy of the gene mutates in at least one cell is high. That cell now has two bad copies of the retinoblastoma gene. That single cell will then grow uncontrollably and develop into a cancer. Like retinoblastoma’s second mutation, the “bump on the leg” might be the second hit a squamous cell needs in some individuals’ legs. The first hit is the years of sun damage introducing mutations into many cells in a patient’s skin. Then, the second hit can take many forms – sometimes an additional sun burn, sometimes a chronic wound, and sometimes a literal hit -- a small bump on the leg. So yes, in my opinion, my patients are probably right. Sometimes a skin cancer really does pop up from a simple bump on the leg. We hope that you found this article interesting and informative. Please know that if you or a loved one has a skin cancer or any skin care need, we at Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta are here for you and are honored to help. Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek, PA-C would like to be your partners to achieve your skin health goals.
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | January 2021 | 3
4 | January 2021 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
EMPTY NEST• Sponsored Section
4 Common types of dementia Brought to you by — Oaks Senior Living Suwanee Creek Dementia is a blanket term used to describe physical changes to the brain that cause memory loss and inhibit everyday tasks. There are many different kinds of dementia. 1. Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by two abnormalities in the brain: amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Loss of memory, lapses of judgment, and mild changes to personality occur early on, but, as this disease evolves, those diagnosed can have difficulty completing daily tasks, their memory worsens, and problems with communication and language may arise, as well as aggression, agitation and depression. 2. Vascular Dementia Vascular Dementia is the second most common form of dementia and is caused by damage done to the vessels that supply blood to the brain. While a lack of blood flow disrupts or kills cells throughout the body, the brain is the most susceptible to damage. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “changes in thinking skills
sometimes occur suddenly after a stroke, which blocks major blood vessels in the brain.” Common symptoms can include difficulties with problem-solving, slowed thinking, focus, and organization. 3. Lewy Body Dementia Lewy body Dementia is a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function because of abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells over time. These microscopic deposits are protein deposits in nerve cells that interrupt chemical messages in the brain, causing this form of dementia. Symptoms can include trembling hands, weakness and memory loss. May also cause sleep problems. 4. Frontotemporal Dementia Frontotemporal Dementia is the degeneration of nerve cells and their connections in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain affect behavior and language. The most common symptoms of this disease are changes in behavior, personality, thinking, and judgment, as well as a loss of inhibitions and motivation, and can lead to problems with speech.
EMPTY NEST • Sponsored Section
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | January 2021 | 5
What happens when I need care? What happens when i need care? Many people wait until they need care and services to choose their senior living community; however, planning ahead and asking the right questions provides peace of mind, added control, and a smoother transition. Exploring communities before you need assisted living gives you time to identify what you are seeking in a senior living residence and thoroughly evaluate your options . Village Park Senior Living consultants recommend asking these questions while searching for your next home.
neighborhood. Every senior living community is different, so it is important to ask the following when exploring your options: • Do I have to move when my level of care changes? • If I need to move units, does my initial deposit count toward my new residence? • What happens if my spouse needs care but I don’t? • Are there add-ons? • Do I have to hire my own caregiver? • Does your community hire caregivers in-house or is care provided by a thirdparty agency?
Understand the care programs and finances You’ve planned well for everything else. Now is the time to plan for care. Many communities separate independent living from assisted living, skilled nursing, and/or memory care. However, Village Park Senior Living offers an adaptive care model that discreetly adds assisted living care services without requiring you to move from your independent home. Additionally, our Memory Enrichment Program enables residents with early stages of memory loss to continue to live in their existing residence before transitioning to our memory care
Consider the Lifestyle You Want It is important to identify what your necessities are and if they are accessible at every level of care. Square footage is not as important as the lifestyle and services that enhance your overall quality of life. Understanding what you want or need is key to a happy retirement. Consider the following: • What optimizes my quality of life? • What amenities are available to me when my care level changes? • How does assisted living change my lifestyle? • What does the dining program include? Choosing the perfect senior liv-
Bungalows & Cottages Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care Village Park Milton 555 Wills Road Alpharetta, GA 30009 470.509.4557
Village Park Alpharetta 12300 Morris Road Alpharetta, GA 30005 678.740.3499
ing community for your lifestyle and needs can take time. If you have additional questions relating to this article or would like to learn more about Village
Park Senior Living, contact our group of senior living consultants at referralsvpm@villageparkseniorliving.com or call (470) 509-4557.
6 | January 2021 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
EMPTY NEST• Sponsored Section
Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs Specializing in Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement Plans Serving North Atlanta Seniors for More Than 10 Years Representing Most Medicare Insurance Companies • Experienced Medicare Insurance Broker • Provides Personalized Plan Analysis Jay Looft Owner/Agent
• Annual Plan Updates, Including Upcoming Trends • No Cost to Use Our Services
770.913.6464
www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com
New year, new Medicare Plan benefits and ‘extras’ Brought to you by — Jay Looft Medicare Insurance Broker, SeniorSource Medicare Solutions
It’s a new year and it’s time to take note of commonly used copays and extra perks in your LOOFT Medicare plan. Since you have a fresh set of copays for 2021, you may want to make a mental note or jot down copays for services such as doctor visits, outpatient surgeries, lab tests, x-rays, and even inpatient hospital visits. Knowing these ahead of time will put your mind at ease if or when you experience the need for these medical services. In addition to knowing commonly used medical copays within your Medicare Advantage plan, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the plan’s additional benefits and “extras”. Too many Medicare Advantage members let these extras slip away unknowingly. Check your Summary of Benefits document for a list of those included with your plan, or call us and we will mail you the document at no charge. Below is a list of common Medicare
Too many Medicare Advantage members let these extras slip away unknowingly. Advantage Plan additional benefits and extras. Does your plan offer these? -Dental: Preventive and Comprehensive -Vision: Annual Eye Exam and Glasses/ Contacts Allowance -Over-The-Counter Drug Catalog -Hearing Aids -Gym Membership -Transportation to Doctor Visits Many Medicare Advantage plans offer these, but at varying levels. Which additional benefits and extras are most important to you? These additional benefits and extras are important, but always make sure your doctors are in-network and your prescription drugs are covered well. If you need help finding a plan that balances all these factors, we can help. Call us at (770) 913-6464 or visit our website at www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com.
EMPTY NEST • Sponsored Section
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | January 2021 | 7
Staying Fit: Five ways for seniors to safely stay active From your friends at Addington Place Don’t let social distancing slow you down! Here are a few tips to help you safely get some exercise and have fun, too: FLEXIBILITY FIRST! Be sure to stretch – it prevents injury, warms up your muscles and increases flexibility. Breathe deeply and go slowly. Start with your arms and work your way down. Stretching prevents injury, warms up your muscles and increases flexibility. SHOW OF HANDS! All you need are light weights (or a couple soup cans, plastic water bottles, etc.) to use. With your feet flat on the ground, hold the weights at shoulder height. Raise your arms to lift the weights above your head, and repeat! GO HEEL-TOE! Heel-toe movements can reduce foot and ankle pain and they’re great for balance too! Simply place one hand on a wall, counter or chair for balance, stand on your toes, then rock back to your heels and repeat. TALKIN’ TURKEY! Here’s a fun one you can do almost any time! Sit on a
Here are a few tips to help you safely get some exercise and have fun, too chair and hold on to anything that keeps both hands occupied, like a book or a cushion. Then, as you stand up, stretch out your arms as if you’re serving a turkey to guests. JOG YOUR MEMORY! As you know, not all exercise is physical. Staying mentally limber is essential, and can be plenty of fun. Keep your noggin in tip-top shape with crosswords, word jumbles, sudoku, or a classic jigsaw puzzle! Addington Place of Alpharetta / 762 N. Main Street, Alpharetta / 678-723-3689 / AddingtonPlaceAlpharetta.com Addington Place of Roswell / 500 Barrington Drive, Roswell / (770) 626-4724 / AddingtonPlaceRoswell.com
8 | January 2021 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
EMPTY NEST• Sponsored Section
Get More News, Opinion & Events Every Friday Morning with
Herald Headlines.
A NEWSLETTER FROM
Join for free at northfulton.com/newsletters