Empty Nest - March 2022 by Appen Media Group

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March Special Section

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Understanding geriatric depression Brought to you by - Village Park Senior Living

Senior mental health extends beyond Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and other cognitive issues. Lifestyle changes, the loss of a loved one, or other environmental factors can trigger anxiety and depression in anybody. Unfortunately, mental health decline and geriatric depression are fairly common among seniors. It is important to recognize the signs of geriatric depression and understand how to help a loved one. Wellness Director, Eunice Beyan, spoke about which signals to watch for and how to address them. Common Signs and Symptoms According to Eunice, there are several indicators that correlate with geriatric depression. Somebody experiencing geriatric depression will often stop attending activities or forms of social gatherings as they have no desire to participate. Instead, they will prefer to retreat and remain secluded. Eunice explains that lack of interaction with family is another signal

that a senior may need help. “Interaction with family plays a big part,” Eunice explains. “When you see that they start to lose that piece, this can be a trigger as well.” Self-seclusion and lack of interaction may cause seniors to decline faster due to the failure to thrive. It is important to note this and any changes or shifts in moods that indicate a loved one is feeling down.

How to Help If you think your neighbor, friend, or loved one is experiencing a mental health decline, it is imperative to acknowledge them and have a conversation. “Sometimes people are just waiting for someone to ask and then they’ll be able to open up,” Eunice says. “Offer assistance and be a listening ear.” Providing your loved ones with a support group is beneficial to improving their mental health. Encourage them to reach out to a family member, friend, or somebody in the community. There are plenty of resources that can assist your loved one in finding the right therapy or other treatments.

Bungalows & Cottages City Homes 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

PROVIDED

Mental health impacts everybody. If you or a loved one is feeling alone or depressed we encourage you to speak with your support system. Our wellness and care team at Village Park

Senior Living are happy to share resources, advice, and a listening ear. Feel free to reach out with any questions at (678) 740-3499. We are here for you.

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Feel better faster! Brought to you by - Johns Creek Physical Therapy

When you’re hurting, pain relief can’t come fast enough. The problem is most pain relief comes in the form of a pill or a shot from the doctor. But people today don’t like taking medication. They want a more natural way to treat pain. Introducing Pain Relieving Laser Therapy. Grounded in over 40 years of science. Proven by results. Cleared by the FDA. It’s the fastest non-pharmaceutical way to treat muscle pain including pain in the shoulders, elbows, neck, back, hips, knees, arthritis, headaches, TMJ, foot, heel, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and so much more. Pain relieving Laser Therapy has been cleared by the FDA for the treatment of pain, inflammation, arthritis and muscle spasms. Once you try Pain Relieving Laser Therapy, you’ll discover why nearly every major college and professional sports team has Laser Therapy in their locker room. It’s not just about feeling better, it’s how fast can you feel much better? Call our office today or scan the QR Code below to schedule your FREE CONSULTATION and find out why so many people LOVE Pain Relieving Laser Therapy! Once you try it for yourself, your face will need a rest from all the smiling you will do when you stop hurting. Pain Relieving Laser Therapy… Try it today! Call 770-622-5344 or scan the QR Code to schedule your Free Consultation. Johns Creek Physical Therapy 4060 Johns Creek Pkwy Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024 770-622-5344

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Do You Have Foot or Heel Pain? Free Workshop Presented by JOHNS CREEK PHYSICAL THERAPY

Back by Popular Demand! •Do you have pain on the bottom of your foot with the first steps of the day? •Do you have pain in the back of your heel when you increase your activity level? •Are you avoiding your favorite activity because your foot is hurting? •Have you “Tried Everything” but the pain still won’t go away? If you answered YES to any of these questions, you won’t want to miss the Free Foot and Heel Pain Workshop on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 12:30 p.m.. With over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments in the foot it is no wonder that seventy-five percent of the people in the United States will

At the workshop you will learn the TOP THREE common causes of Foot and Heel Pain. deal with foot pain at some point in their lives. When you get it, there is nothing more debilitating. Foot and heel pain can keep you sidelined from your favorite activities and for many people it can be very difficult to treat. One of the worst conditions is Plantar Fasciitis. This normally shows up with the first steps of the day. Another problem is Achilles tendonitis that will generate pain in the back of your heel. If you are having this type of pain, you won’t want to miss our next Foot and Heel Pain Workshop on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

At the Workshop you will Learn: • The Top 3 Common Causes of Foot and Heel Pain • How the pain in your foot might be the result of a problem coming from somewhere else • What your doctor isn’t telling you about your condition • The #1 Single Biggest Mistake most people make when dealing with Foot and Heel Pain

The Workshop is interactive so be sure to bring a friend. REGISTRATION IS FREE! Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 12:30 pm. Call 770-622-5344 or scan the QR code today to hold your spot! Johns Creek Physical Therapy, 4060 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite H, Suwanee, GA 30024, 770-622-5344

WE ACCEPT MEDICARE

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2020

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Get rewarded! Brought to you by - Jay Looft, Medicare Insurance Broker, SeniorSource Medicare Solutions

Everyone loves rewards! Oftentimes, because of your efforts or achievements, you get recognized. It feels good to be rewarded. Medicare Advantage plans (and some Medicare Supplement plans) have caught on that rewards might help change their members’ lifestyle behaviors in a positive way if they are rewarded. Most Medicare Advantage plans have some level of Rewards Programs. Although these programs tend to be underutilized, some Medicare Beneficiaries use these programs as motivation to improve their health. What kind of activities might you be rewarded for? You may be rewarded for Annual Check-Ups and other preventive screenings that your primary care physician should review with you. Walking or workouts can typically be tracked and uploaded, or manually entered into

the rewards website, for points toward rewards. In addition, attending virtual or in-person nutrition classes will also help you earn reward points. Once you reach a certain level of points, you can typically redeem these points for gift cards to stores of your choice. Many of the rewards programs will reward you with up to $300 each year in gift cards! The tangible reward of gift cards is nice, but the larger reward is better health. Using a rewards program is one way to help achieve better health. It’s a simple idea of dangling a carrot in front of you, but it works...if you are consistent. Every Medicare Plan has a unique Rewards platform. Typically, the Rewards Program will be mentioned in your initial Welcome Packet, but it can change over time. If you are not aware of the current Rewards Program on your Medicare plan, give us a call today at (770) 913-6464 for a Rewards Review! Also, we are looking for insurance agents who would like to specialize in Medicare insurance with us. Give us a call today to discuss this opportunity!

PROVIDED BY ADVERTISER

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770.913.6464

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HCTZ and Skin Cancer -How much risk is a “small” risk? Brought to you by - Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta Recently, several articles were published demonstrating an increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma) and use of blood pressure medicine hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Armed with this data, the FDA has changed the labeling on HCTZ to reflect this increased risk. What is interesting, however, is the way the fda.gov website characterizes this risk. The FDA’s website states, “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved changes to the hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) drug label to inform health care professionals and patients about a small increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer.”1 …… Small? Judge the data for yourself: Taking HCTZ was overall associated with nearly double the ratio of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The odds ratio was 1.9 meaning someone taking HCTZ is 1.9 times as likely to develop SCC as someone not taking this medicine. But some people take HCTZ for longer periods than others, and the odds ratio of 1.9 was for patients who had taken the medicine for less than four and half years. Often, once people are put on blood pressure medication, they remain on it for life. When factoring this, the risk of the usage of HCTZ becomes, in this physician’s opinion, much more than “small.” Studies report: • A cumulative HCTZ dose of 50,000 mg or greater (about 6 years’ use) was associated a risk of SCC that is four times as high. (Odds ratio 4.0)2 •A cumulative HCTZ dose of 200,000 mg or greater (about 20 years’ use) was associated with a risk of SCC that is 7.7 times as high (odds ratio 7.7). Much of this data comes out of Denmark. So, what does that mean for the average Georgia resident? It is reasonable to assume that a person of Northern European descent living in a sunny southern latitude like Georgia or Florida could be at even higher risk than what was reported above. When judging whether risk is “small,” we must consider the baseline risk. According to skincancer.org, about 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70 with nearly all cases developing in non-Hispanic whites.3 Individuals in that demographic therefore have a high baseline risk. In addition, the most recent data suggests that more people might now be dying each year

from SCC than melanoma. We usually think about melanoma as more dangerous, and, on a case-by-case basis, melanomas are more dangerous than squamous cell carcinomas, but melanoma is rare and SCC is common, so the total number of SCC deaths is reaching or exceeding melanoma deaths. Exact numbers are not available because SCC is not a reportable disease, but approximately 15,000 people die of SCC each year in the United States. Underlying risk factors can lead to even greater mortality. Patients who have received an organ transplant are approximately one hundred times (100x) more likely to develop skin cancer than the general population. By comparison, tanning bed use has been associated with an increased risk of SCC of 90% (odds ratio 1.9). Thus, with respect to squamous cell carcinoma, HCTZ use has roughly the same risk as tanning bed use! As of 2019, HCTZ was one of the top 20 most commonly prescribed medications in the United States with more than 38 million prescriptions per year. We don’t often think about oral medications as increasing our skin cancer risk. But this is true for HCTZ. Every medication has risks and benefits. It is important to consider pros and cons before starting a new medication. When a medication is discovered to have previously unknown risks, companies and agencies, including the FDA, should be careful not to minimize risks that might be significant. Instead, risks of SCC need to be weighed against the risks of hypertension, and consideration should be given to questions such as: Is there an alternative blood pressure medication with a better side-effect profile? and is this patient at high-risk for skin cancer? What do you think? Is an odds ratio ranging from 1.9x to 7.7x or higher a “small” risk? If you or a loved one has a skin cancer or a skin care need, please consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek, PA-C are delighted to help you achieve your skin health goals. Dr. Taylor graduated from Harvard in three years, is board certified in dermatology, board certified in micrographic dermatologic surgery (Mohs surgery), fellowship-trained in Mohs surgery and venous medicine and certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. Kathryn Filipek has

See HCTZ, Page 9

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We’ll help you find a plan that’s right for you Brought to you by - Al Cohn, 1MedicareUSA Turning 65 soon? Medicare is complicated. But it doesn’t have to be stressful. The 1MedicareUSA educational session is designed to help you understand the basics. It will help you navigate the different parts of COHN Medicare, understand what is and isn’t covered and decipher the differences and similarities in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement. You’ll also learn about prescription drug coverage. After you attend this educational session, we can help you with any Medicare-related questions specific to your situation. When do I first enroll in Original Medicare? You have a seven-month enrollment

Complimentary

period to sign up for Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B). This is called your initial enrollment period, and it starts three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birth month and concludes three months after the month you turn 65. Questions to ask yourself prior to attending. • What works better with your budget? • Lower monthly premiums or lower medical expenses? • How often do you see your doctor(s)? • Do you have any chronic disease? • Are you comfortable with a limited selection of doctors?

To reserve your seat, call 404-551-4274. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or federal Medicare program.

Medicare 101 Workshop

Are you nearing age 65? Are you approaching retirement and losing group health coverage? Are you currently on Medicare?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then you might want to attend this brief 60-Minute Medicare Info Presentation! You’ll learn about the parts of Medicare and which options might work best for you. Also, you’ll discover how to avoid enrollment penalties. Plus, you’ll find out how different coverages coordinate with Medicare and how Medicare works if you go outside of the United States. To reserve your seat, call 404-551-4274 or register online at www.1MedicareUSA.org

Alpharetta Public Library

East Roswell Library

Roswell Library

10 Park Plaza Alpharetta, GA 30009

2301 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Roswell, GA 30076

115 Norcross St. Roswell, GA 30075

Tues, April 5 • 6:30 p.m. Thurs, April 7 • 10:30 a.m.

Tues, April 12 • 6:30 p.m. Thurs, April 14 • 10:30 a.m.

Tues, April 26 • 6:30 p.m. Thurs, April 28 • 10:30 a.m.

Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or federal Medicare program. For accommodations of persons with special needs, call 404-551-4274, TTY 711.

PROVIDED

Addington Place of Johns Creek a Senior Lifestyle community Brought to you by - Addington Place of Johns Creek Why choose a senior living community? Community living can provide a vibrant, purposeful lifestyle, rich with opportunities for engagement. Plus, with the helping hand of assisted living or the specialized services of a memory care program close at hand, seniors have peace of mind from knowing that someone is always there to support them. The advantages are clear: • Friendship, engagement and social interaction. Living alone can have some benefits, but loneliness isn’t healthy. In a community, there’s always someone there when you want company – and there’s always something to do. A calendar of engaging activities, alongside the spontaneous gatherings, ensure that friendships will blossom. • Freedom from chores and more time to do the things you love. Community life provides everything required – with delicious, nutritious dining and a host of supportive services aligned to individual needs and preferences. Addington Place of Johns Creek, for example, also includes home maintenance and housekeeping to simplify daily life. • Opportunities to indulge in life’s goodness. Everything that’s good for mind, body and soul is woven together to create a community’s distinctive, well-rounded, balanced lifestyle. From exercise programs to keep you active to lifelong learning opportunities to keep you engaged, you can customize your days. With their focus on wellness, residents live with a revitalized sense of purpose. • Security and peace of mind for residents and their families. In assisted living, the commitment to

each resident’s well-being is a constant. Trained professional staff customize services to each individual, helping to preserve their sense of independence, secure in the knowledge a helping hand is always there. Similarly, memory care provides around-the-clock care and enriching programs specially designed to improve the daily life of those who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Care plans are customized to each memory care resident to maximize their opportunities for satisfying days. Families take comfort in knowing their loved ones are well taken care of. Senior living communities continue to offer a rewarding alternative to aging in place at home. • Discover a senior living community built on caring. Located right next to Webb Bridge Park, Addington Place of Johns Creek is a bright and sunny senior living community, built on the bonds of friendship and rich with possibilities. We’re known for our personalized care, our delicious dining and our welcoming common areas, including our relaxing patio. Whether you’re an active senior who treasures their independence but needs a little helping hand or you have a loved one in need of compassionate memory care, our team is always here to offer all our service and support. You can find out more about Addington Place of Johns Creek, an assisted living and memory care community, by calling 770-626-7183. Addington Place of Johns Creek a Senior Lifestyle community EHO, ADA, Pet Friendly Assisted Living | Memory Care | ALC000279 5050 Kimball Bridge Road Johns Creek, GA 30005

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Join us for our re-Grand Opening Celebration! Thursday, March 31, 2022, from 4:00PM-7:00PM Brought to you by - Inspired Living Alpharetta Alpharetta’s best-kept senior-living secret is opening their doors and welcoming everyone for an elegant evening of celebration. This exclusive event will feature live music, door prizes and giveaways along with several culinary masterpieces from our award-winning Chef Tony Sharpe. Chef Tony graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culi-

nary Arts and his acclaimed work has been enjoyed by presidents, dignitaries and Oprah Winfrey. This will truly be a mouthwatering culinary delight featuring passed hors devours, Beef tenderloin carving station, pasta station and shrimp and grits. To top the evening off, the chef is preparing a decadent dessert paired with a peach Bellini. Come hungry and bring friends! Located in Alpharetta off Old Milton Parkway behind the Waffle House perched atop a picturesque hill, the community is an experience like no other. Gone are the days of tired, old, assisted living communities ushering in a new era of refinement, enrichment and engagement. Inspired Living’s

resort-style offerings include a pool, cabana, outdoor patios and walking paths, formal dining areas and casual country kitchens, wellness center, salon, game rooms, club rooms, lounge, billiard room and more. Luxury apartment homes offer studio, one- and twobedroom layouts and include tile flooring, walk-in showers, kitchenettes, vista and patio views and so much more. While you are enjoying the celebration, mingle with friends, family and neighbors and tour our luxury community. Meet Chef Tony, the Executive Director Elaine Austin and the President of Inspired Living, Lindsey Hacker. “Everyone is welcome at our table as we celebrate the grace of God and all

the blessings, he has bestowed upon us and our community. There is no greater way for us to express our love and passion for serving seniors than to break bread with each other and give thanks” says Elaine Austin, Executive Director of Inspired Living at Alpharetta. The event starts at 4:00pm and parking is available on-site. The address is 11450 Morris Road, Alpharetta, GL 30005. Please RSVP by calling 470-509-5995. If you are unable to make the event and want to know why Inspired Living is the best kept secret in Alpharetta, you can call to schedule a private tour at a time that works for you or visit www.inspiredliving.care for a virtual tour.

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HCTZ:

"Alpharetta's best kept senior living secret"

Re-Grand Opening Celebration

Continued from Page 5 greater than 15 years of dermatology experience with expertise in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs today at (770) 681- 0323. 1 FDA approves label changes to hydrochlorothiazide to describe small risk of non-melanoma skin cancer. Content current as of 8/20/2020. Accessed 1/7/2022. https://www.fda. gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/ fda-approves-label-changes-hydrochlorothiazide-describe-small-risk-non-melanoma-skin-cancer 2 O’Neill, Braden et al. Hydrochlorothiazide and squamous cell carcinoma. Canadian Family Physician 66: February 2020. 3 Skin Cancer Facts and Statistics What You Need to Know. Accessed 1/7/2022. https://www.skincancer. org/skin-cancer-information/skincancer-facts/

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