Appen Media Group
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Accepting Patients Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery • Medical Dermatology Vein Care • Cosmetic Services
Insist on the BEST WINNER 2017
Best Of North Atlanta
Voted: •Best Vein Specialist •1st Runner Up for Best Dermatologist
Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the Presented By field of Vein Care. Dr. Taylor has performed thousands of Mohs surgeries and reconstructions, dermatologic surgeries and procedures while in private practice in Florida where local and even international patients have sought him out for the best care. He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables. He now brings his highly sought after expertise back home to Alpharetta with the opening of Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta!
Now accepting patients. We accept Medicare. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Taylor today.
Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta 3180 North Point Parkway, Suite 420 Alpharetta, Georgia 30005 Dr. Brent Taylor
PremierDermatologyAtlanta.com • 678-345-1899
Catching it early:
Exciting treatment options exist for pre-empting skin cancer By: Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and MOHS surgery of Atlanta The question of whether someone has skin cancer is not always black or white. Often, there are shades of gray. Yes, many moles are simply healthy while other growths prove to be melanoma, but, for most people and taylor for most concerning growths, skin cancers progress through early stages when they can be more easily treated and can be addressed non-invasively and nonsurgically. Squamous cell carcinoma is more common than melanoma and is less dangerous. Many squamous cell carcinomas begin as a “pre-cancer” called an actinic keratosis or “AK” – a rough or discolored area that usually arises in an area of sun-damaged or sun-exposed skin. AK’s typically grow slowly with perhaps 1-2% progressing to skin cancer per year. This slow growth rate means that there is time to treat AKs before they become skin cancer. Many more treatment options exist for addressing actinic keratoses than exist for treating skin cancer. Most skin cancers are best treated by excision (cutting the cancer out) or radiation therapy (typically for areas not amenable to surgery). AKs are typically treated non-surgically, and many options are available. AKs can be frozen with liquid nitrogen. They can be treated with topical creams that work by a variety of mechanisms. Some creams kill fast growing cells while others stimulate the immune system to attack unhealthy cells. An additional therapy that treats an entire area is
called “blue light therapy” also known as “photodynamic therapy” or PDT. During PDT, a nurse or physician applies a medicine called ALA to the area to be treated. The ALA incubates and sits on the skin for one to three hours. ALA is absorbed by unhealthy cells during the incubation phase. A blue light specially designed to activate ALA is then applied for about fifteen minutes. The light causes the ALA to damage the healthy cells allowing them to be eliminated and replaced by the healthy cells that have been left undamaged. Which treatment is best depends on the individual. Factors include how many precancers a patient has, which treatments they have tried in the past, and a patient’s lifestyles and hobbies. For example, one patient with a single precancer would likely opt for having the area treated with liquid nitrogen because this would avoid a long incubation time with PDT or prolonged treatment with a cream. Another patient who has one or two dozen AKs on the scalp would do better to have the entire area treated all at once. This patient might choose PDT, which, with common protocols, can eliminate seventy five percent of the patient’s precancers leaving behind a few stubborn areas that might then be eliminated by freezing or by trying an alternative topical therapy such as efudex, a cream that targets fast-growing cells such as those populating a pre-cancer. For many patients, a trip to the doctor is nerve-racking. No one wants to receive a skin cancer or pre-cancer diagnosis. However, dermatology is one field where it is absolutely true that it is much easier to treat a disease when it is caught early than after it has progressed. If a growth is caught at the AK stage, often surgery can be avoided with one of several non-invasive treatments.
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Thank you for voting Home Helpers Best Home Care for Seniors! Personalized Home Care that nurtures a youthful spirit
Helping seniors cope with the sun By: Home Helpers of Alpharetta It’s wonderful to feel the warmth of the spring and summer sun, but there are precautions seniors need to take to stay safe while going out for the day. Sunburns might seem like a common hazard of the spring and sumH. eldridge mer months, but even a mild sunburn can indicate significant skin damage and put you at increased risk for developing skin cancer. Remember that certain medications can actually cause the body to be more susceptible to heat and dehydration. Ask your doctor if g. eldridge you need to avoid direct sunlight because your skin is more susceptible to sunburn. Dress appropriately in light fabric, long sleeve shirts and pants as well as a large brimmed cap and wrap-around sunglasses. Don’t forget to use a water resistant, broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. Apply it at least 30 minutes before going outdoors. While avoiding a sunburn is the preferable choice, how seniors cope with it makes a difference in recovery. The American Association of Dermatology (AAD) gives these hints:
• Cool the skin. Take cool showers or baths to draw heat from the burn and relieve pain and swelling. • Moisturize. A sunburn is very damaging to the skin and dries it out. Moisturizing is essential to helping the skin heal and prevent scratching, potentially causing damage and infection. As soon as you finish bathing, carefully pat the skin until it’s almost dry and then apply a high-quality moisturizer over the remaining water to deeply moisturize the skin. • Hydrate. Your body will attempt to cool the burned area by drawing water from other areas. This can quickly lead to dehydration. Seniors should be especially careful to drink extra water and ask their doctor about adding electrolyte beverages to stave off dehydration and help the skin to heal more quickly. • Allow it to heal. Blisters indicate a second-degree sunburn and are much more as comfortable as possible and help skin serious. Don’t break or peel blisters - they protect the skin, provide cooling and moisture, and prevent infection. Instead, use aloe or hydrocortisone to soothe the skin, stay heal effectively. A Home Helpers professional caregiver can be with an aging loved one on a customized schedule to help them stay safe and ensure they are getting the heart-centered care, support and recovery assistance they need. Contact us by phone at (678) 430-8511 to schedule a free in-home consultation or visit us online at www.HomeHelpersHomeCare. com/Alpharetta.
Finding the right caregiver is much more than just seeking a professional with great skills. It’s about finding a caregiver with the heart and spirit to make a difference in someone’s life. At Home Helpers, our focus every day is matching the right caregiver with each of our clients. This thoughtful selection helps establish a bond between a caregiver and client that bolsters the young at heart spirit waiting to come out in each client.
Serving Communities North of Atlanta
www.HomeHelpersHomeCare.com/Alpharetta For a free consultation, please call 678-430-8511
Greg and Hilary Eldridge,
Owners – Home Helpers of Alpharetta Certified Senior Advisors(CSA)® Each office is independently owned and operated.
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Village Park of Alpharetta is now open for tours Special thanks to the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce for the ribbon cutting ceremony on March 15th. Village Park is in the final pre-leasing phase and just waiting on the licensing from the Georgia Department of Community Health to begin moving residents into their new homes. Located on the corner of Webb Bridge Road and Morris Road, Village Park is a 128
unit community offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. Moving can be stressful and choosing a senior community can feel overwhelming. That’s why Village Park provides a family environment to meet all care needs in a building that offers all the comforts of a small community including health and wellness, social events,
restaurant-style dining, maintenance free, housekeeping, transportation, beauty salon, and a continual focus on individualized care plans to meet your needs. Call Village Park at (678) 740-3499 to stop by, meet the staff, and tour the next level in senior living! And check out our resident stories at www.villageparkseniorliving.com.
Discover a new class in senior living – exclusive to Village Park — that combines the community and character of a private neighborhood with the culture and convenience of a modern city center. Stop by today to see what’s new in senior living.
Reimagine what’s next.
VILLAGE PARK ALPHARETTA
nowshowing open now
12300 Morris Rd. Alpharetta, GA 30005 678-740-3499
Bungalows Cottages Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care villageparkseniorliving.com
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Osteoporosis FAQs: am i at risk? (BPT) - As people age, they become more likely to develop osteoporosis, a disease that occurs when bones lose density and mass, which can cause bones to be brittle, weak and easily broken. During Osteoporosis Awareness Month, at-risk Americans are encouraged to take positive actions to monitor their bone health. Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare Retiree Solutions, answers common questions about osteoporosis and shares more about a test that can help diagnose osteoporosis or determine if you might be at risk. How common is osteoporosis? An estimated 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, which means they have an increased risk for osteoporosis, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). Studies suggest that approximately half of women and a quarter of men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is responsible for 2 million broken bones and 75,000 deaths every year. Osteoporotic bone breaks most often occur in the hip, spine or wrist, but other bones can break too. Beyond significant, often permanent pain, these fractures can have many other consequences, including frailty and limited mobility, complications related to the broken bone itself or the surgery to repair it, and the necessity of long-term care and institutionalization. How is it diagnosed? Talking to your doctor will help ensure you get the test that may be needed to correctly diagnosis osteoporosis, which may be a simple bone mineral density
(BMD) test like a DEXA scan. BMD tests can identify osteoporosis before a broken bone occurs and measure your response to osteoporosis treatment. Should I get tested? The NOF recommends BMD tests for women age 65 or older and men age 70 or older. Osteoporosis is more common in women than men, and more common after menopause, so women should begin talking to their doctor about osteoporosis before menopause. Anyone with several of these risk factors - both controllable and uncontrollable - should also discuss it at a younger age than the general guidelines. Consider asking your doctor if you should complete a bone density test to determine how healthy your bones are. If you’re a UnitedHealthcare member, you might get a call offering an osteoporosis screening that wouldn’t require a prescription from your doctor. What do the test results mean? Your doctor will discuss your test with you, and help you interpret the results. Results are reported using T-scores, which show how much less dense your bones are than those of a healthy 30-year-old. A T-score of -1.0 or above is normal bone density, and a T-score of -2.5 or below is a diagnosis of osteoporosis, according to the World Health Organization. Although not everyone who has low bone mass will develop osteoporosis, those with low bone mass are at higher risk. How often should you be tested? BMD testing frequency depends on factors including age, past bone density results and whether you are
taking an osteoporosis treatment. Discuss your specific needs with your health care provider. Does Medicare cover these tests? Medicare plans cover the full cost of bone mass measurement testing once every 24 months for people who meet certain criteria, but the test may be covered more often if deemed medically necessary. What else should I know? There is no one single way to ensure healthy bones, but there are many great habits that can put you on the right path. Incorporate enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet; avoid smoking and drinking; maintain a regular exercise routine (you might want to give yoga a try!); and take steps to minimize your risk of falls. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or have had fractures, talk with your doctor about medication options, which can vary based on gender, age, bone health and other factors.
Feel Better. Come to This Unique Health Event! Sick of being sick and tired?
Sat., June 2
9:00am -11:30pm
• Low Energy? • Severe Discomfort? • Restless nights? • Poor Circulation?
Houck’s Grille in Roswell 10930 Crabapple Rd. RSVP: heatherkillingsworth5@gmail.com or 678-525-1553
Change your life in only 16 minutes a day!
• German medical device that increases blood flow • Activates your body’s self-healing powers • Increases oxygen utilization • In thousands of hospitals in Europe
Tickets: $25 (free for seniors if RSVP prior to May 28th)
united-states.bemergroup.com/en-US
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Three new luxury 55+ 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 and wishes of Rice 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 gener-
ous 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, Longleaf Woodstock in Chero-
kee County and Longleaf Battle Park in West Cobb. Our thoughtful floor plans and Longleaf’s reputation for superior craftsmanship are what makes Longleaf the luxury builder of active adult communities. www.longleafsouth.com (678) 697-4984
Battle Park • East Cobb • Woodstock 678.523.7063
THREE NEW LUXURY 55+ COMMUNITIES
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.
678.523.4872
678.525.0823
Call today for a private tour.
d. 678.697.4984 o. 770.442.7300
LONGLEAFSOUTH.COM
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Arbor Terrace loves helping families Life changes…are you ready? 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.
remember b
THE MOM YOU IS STILL IN THERE
A BREAKTHROUGH IN BREAKING DOWN MEMORY CARE BARRIERS Instead of using numbers to place our residents on n the seven stages of Alzheimer’s spectrum, we use the name of gemstones (Diamonds, Pearls, etc.) The precious stone terminology we use during the dementia journey isn’t just practical—it also hints at our specialized care and how much we value each one of our residents.
ASK ABOUT OUR SUMMER SPECIAL AND TAKE A LOOK AT OUR BEAUTIFUL, SPACIOUS MEMORY CARE SUITES. Don’t hesitate. We have just a few furnished and unfurnished memory care suites available. Stop by or call us TODAY at 770-676-2410. 3180 Karen White Drive, Suwanee, GA 30024 | www.at-johnscreek.com GEMS™, techniques, strategies, and overall approach to care were created and developed by Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC www.teepasnow.com GEMS™ and POSITIVE APPROACH™ are trademarks of Positive Approach, LLC.
We understand relocation is a stressful life event, and even more so as we age. The percentages of people age 50 and above that are choosing to downsize or move due to lifestyle or health issues have been reported to be close to 50%. Where should you move? Are you ready for the lifestyle of an active adult community, independent living or will you need assistance with activities of daily living that a professional caregiver will provide in an assisted living or memory care facility? You may have moved into your home 30 years ago and it was the perfect fit for your family, but now as you grow older your needs have changed with wanting less square footage, eliminating yard
maintenance and the convenience and safety of one level living. Where do you start? We understand the process can feel overwhelming. How should you handle the details of pricing and selling your home, what to keep or donate, and liquidating what you no longer need for a fair price? It is important to make the right decisions that will save you time, money, and alleviate the stress and chaos. We are compassionate experts creating comfort and clarity to guide you through a smooth home transition. When you are not sure what you need or where to start, call NexSeason Transitions for a free consultation. We have your solutions.
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Soleil Laurel Canyon 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 MasterPlanned 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-inplace with stepless-entry access and wide doorways. These homes are energy efficient 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 3.5acre 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.
Everything you came here for – and more. 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.
UP TO $20,000 SAVINGS ON
Lot Premiums for Pre-sale Homes + MORE $2500 Design Credit $2500 in Closing Costs* *See agent for details. Must use preferred lender to qualify for closing costs.
Find Your New Home at SoleilLaurelCanyon.com
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 Memory Center What does the “Longest Day” mean to you? June 21st, 2018 is the longest day of the year also known as summer solstice. Many people enjoy this day spending time outside, going for a walk, completing tasks in their yard and even enjoying a cookout with friends. Thousands of people nationwide use this day to bring awareness to Alzheimer’s disease by hosting local fundraisers in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. Every 65 seconds a person in the United States is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. People always wonder how they can make a difference when they or someone they know, has been affected by Alzheimer’s. Fundraising is a great way to get involved and show your support. Individuals or groups can sign up at www.alz.org and walk through a systematic guide that will help them get started. Whether you are into fitness, recreational sports, dance, card games,
bowling, music or a little bit of everything, there is something for you. The Memory Center Atlanta Walk to End Alzheimer’s Team will be supporting the Longest Day and encourage everyone in the area to get involved. For information on how you can help The Memory Center Atlanta on the Longest Day, visit www. thememorycenter.com or call Michelle Hartlage at 770-476-3670. The Memory Center Atlanta team understands that Alzheimer’s disease is growing at an epidemic rate. Not only is it important for us to offer high quality memory care, we must support the Alzheimer’s Association in every way possible so they can continue to fund research of this disease. In 2018, Alzheimer's disease will cost the United States $277 billion and the annual global cost of dementia is $818 billion in U.S. dollars. Spend your “Longest Day” with us at The Memory Center Atlanta, 12050 Findley Rd., Johns Creek, GA 30097.
Do You Provide Care for Someone With Dementia or Alzheimer’s?
Vacation home rentals: tips for first-timers (NAPSI)—According to a survey by HomeAway®, the world leader in vacation rentals, more than 90 percent of people say that vacation is very important to them. Yet half of leisure travelers who wanted to take a trip in 2017 did not, primarily because they didn’t think they could afford it. Costs can add up quickly, especially for big families and other large groups that book multiple hotel rooms. Savvy travelers are finding other ways to stay, from rediscovering the great outdoors through camping to renting cabins, beach houses and even boat houses. Vacation homes offer the gamut of options that won’t break the bank, while providing amenities that hotels and other types of lodging often can’t, from private pools to bikes in the garage. “The perception that renting a home is expensive is one of the top reasons people don’t do it,” said Melanie Fish, travel expert for HomeAway, referencing findings by Phocuswright, a leading travel research firm. “However, renting a vacation home can often be more affordable per person than booking multiple hotel rooms. Plus, you get more space and privacy.” Phocuswright’s research also revealed that only one-third of Americans
have stayed in a vacation rental. “There are still so many people who haven’t experienced all the joy and benefits of renting a home for vacation, for many of whom it will become a habit, based on our data,” added Fish. She offers these tips for first-timers: • From beach houses to cabins to condos, there are millions of homes to choose from—start with a trusted site like VRBO.com and take full advantage of the search filters to narrow results to custom-tailor your experience. • Each vacation home is unique, so find one that fits the needs of your family. Fancy kitchen or BBQ grill? Big-screen TV or a pool? Bunk beds or a crib? There’s something for everyone. • Get the best booking experience— look for listings with the Premier Partner badge to ensure a quick response, competitive rates, great photos of the listing and more. • Know what you’re getting into— read the vacation rental contract before submitting payment to understand cancellation policies, occupancy limits, pet restrictions, etc. • Protect yourself—book with sites that offer protections and guarantees to guard against something unexpected happening before or during your vacation.
You’re invited to our upcoming events! Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser for The Dementia Spotlight Foundation – Fri., April 27th • 5:30pm
$10 for adult tickets in advance and $5 for children. Tickets are more at the door, call to reserve your space.
Aging Well Workshop – Tues., May 8th • 3pm - 5pm
This free event benefits both seniors and adult children. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com
Space is limited, please RSVP to 770-476-3678 or michelleh@thememorycenter.com
12050 Findley Rd., Johns Creek, GA 30097 (Behind Emory Johns Creek Hospital)
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