Appen Media Group
May Special Section
2 | May 2021 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
EMPTY NEST• Sponsored Section
Making a difference together Brought to you by Village Park In our retirement years, we gain even more time and opportunity to walk in purpose and give back to our greater community. At Village Park Senior Living, our neighborhoods are active communities that provide continued involvement with the surrounding area. Through engaging experiences and resident-led organizations, we facilitate camaraderie essential to social, mental, and physical health. Whether it pertains to community outreach, finding fellowship, or celebrating milestones, residents at all three of our locations work together with Village Park team members to create the activities and events they desire. Many activities extend beyond Village Park’s communities and have poured into supporting their surrounding townships. Earlier this month, residents of Village Park Peachtree Corners celebrated local heroes with a special drive-by parade and breakfast. Schools, family members, and various organizations from the Peachtree Corners area honored first responders and civil service members by donating goodies, making signs, and lining the sidewalks with cheer.
Serving the greater area begins with the friendships built within Village Park communities. Residents moving into Village Park can look forward to building long-lasting relationships with their neighbors through various clubs and activities. Thespians at Village Park Milton often gather to pursue their acting craft by rehearsing and performing their favorite plays. The sounds of Shakespeare have brought many residents together and given them the opportunity to express their creativity through dynamic roles. Down the road at Village Park Alpharetta, residents lead a daily devotional group that provides fellowship and support to one another. Neighbors come together every morning and share various stories of loved ones and provide motivation for their peers. These clubs and activities cultivate friendships that impact residents, team members, and those they serve. Not only do residents and Village Park team members often come together to provide community outreach, but to create memorable experiences for one another. Last month, the Resident Council and Activities Department at Village Park Alpharetta joined together to celebrate a milestone for their neighbor. Everybody
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
helped transform the dining hall into a party venue for Ms. Alice Lovelace’s 101st birthday. It was a memorable experience for everybody involved. Surrounding ourselves with community in our retirement years supports our emotional and mental well-being. At Village Park Senior Living we encourage
independence, active lifestyles, and offer you the opportunity to continue to create a better future. You can learn more about our wide array of activities and award-winning communities by visiting villageparkseniorliving.com or giving us a call at (470) 509-4557. We look forward to meeting you.
EMPTY NEST • Sponsored Section
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | May 2021 | 3
Get More News, Opinion & Events Every Friday Morning with
Herald Headlines.
A NEWSLETTER FROM
Join for free at appenmedia.com/newsletters
4 | May 2021 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
EMPTY NEST• Sponsored Section
Self-Advocacy and second opinions Brought to you by: Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta Second opinions can be invaluable. A study by the Mayo Clinic found that a diagnosis was changed or discovered in 21% of patients seeking a second opinion, and nearly 66% of all patients seeking a second opinion had their diagnosis refined. Receiving care for the wrong diagnosis or, more often, not receiving care for an undiagnosed issue can be life altering or sometimes even prove deadly. Recently, a surprising number of patients have told me about experiences when their own initiative or a second opinion proved to be lifesaving. One patient was told that an incidental finding of low platelets (thrombocytopenia) was dismissed by his first physician as likely of little consequence. This patient sought a second opinion, and a bone marrow biopsy identified leukemia and led to treatment. Another patient’s doctor told her that a mass could be watched and that since imaging was not necessary,
it would not be covered by insurance. She paid out of her own pocket for a CT scan that identified the cancer that she suspected she had. Multiple other patients shared similar stories. And whereas this may come as a shock to some, it is, sadly, not surprising to me. Physicians are not infallible. I genuinely believe that patients should be their own advocate. Good physicians support their patients seeking additional professional opinions. In fact, my patients and I share similar stories because a second (fifth actually) opinion saved the life – or more accurately the quality and course of life – of my son: I count my blessings that my wife holds to her convictions and advocates for our family. Multiple “second” opinions at her insistence saved my oldest child from a lifetime of developmental struggles and unnecessary deafness. Our oldest effectively stopped talking at about 14 months old. He never had a diagnosed or suspected ear infection. And although he would eventually turn
See PREMIER, Page 5
Premier: Continued from Page 4 towards us when we called his name, my wife was convinced that he could not hear. She took him to multiple pediatricians and was repeatedly dismissed with the counsel that “boys will be boys” and “not everyone is a talker.” These were board-certified, well-trained physicians. Over the course of a year, his speech deteriorated from a dozen words at 14 months to only 2 words at 2 years old. A pediatric ENT, an audiologist and another pediatrician examined him and suggested autism, but when asked, they could not support their conclusions convincingly. The diagnosis just didn’t fit, as there were no other symptoms of autism. Finally, at our second pediatric ENT and audiology appointment, the audiologist determined that the way sound waves bounced back from his ear drums was not consistent with open, air-filled middle ears. Dr. Matthew Whitley (Pediatric Ear Nose and Throat of Atlanta) scheduled an appointment to place tubes in his ear drums and explore further. Shortly into the surgery, Dr. Whitley discovered that my son had “glue ear,” which is when a glue-like semisolid forms
EMPTY NEST • Sponsored Section behind the ear drum. Our son could hear sounds, which explains how he passed his first hearing test at one year old, but sounds were heard as if underwater, and he could not differentiate between many sounds which made speech unintelligible. Dr. Whitley inserted tubes, removed the glue-like material from our son’s middle ear and restored his hearing. Within one week our son went from speaking two words to twenty words. We were informed that in a case such as our son’s, it would likely have taken years for the glue ear to resolve on its own. Had we stuck with our first, second, third, or fourth opinion, our son would have been severely affected by deafness (and thus speech) during critical developmental years. As a Mohs surgeon, I have had many of my greatest successes in the field of skin cancer, oftentimes in the context of my serving as a second opinion. One patient was told by his previous Mohs surgeon that further surgery was not possible on his scalp, which was riddled with painful cancers. However, my patient and I selectively employed photodynamic therapy, 5-fluorouracil cream and Mohs surgery with skin grafts. His scalp is now healed and pain and cancer-free. Other patients have come to me with skin cancers dismissed by their previous dermatologists who assured them
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | May 2021 | 5
that a biopsy was not necessary. The most common scenario has been that of growths that the patients were reassured were cysts but that ultimately proved to be squamous cell carcinomas. Biopsies have often identified the presence of skin cancers that, if left untreated, could metastasize to other organ systems. Perhaps most frustrating to my patients, innumerable individuals have come to me upset that at their previous practice they were never told that Mohs surgery is an option. Frequently, patients first see me when cancers treated elsewhere begin to regrow. Usually, these cancers were treated by a scrape and burn (ED&C), standard excision or freezing by another doctor. Each of these methods is appropriate in certain circumstances, but what frustrated these patients is that they were not offered the choice of Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery is a method of curing skin cancer by removing small pieces of tissue and checking the edges under the microscope until clear, cancer-free margins are obtained. Mohs surgery has the highest cure rate (usually 99%) of any procedure for the most common skin cancers and is considered the gold standard treatment for skin cancer on the head and neck. Physicians have an obligation to present patients with the most rea-
sonable treatment options, even when that treatment option is not available in their own practice. I sleep well at night knowing that I genuinely give my patients treatment that I would not necessarily pick for myself. My job is to present facts and to be a guide but not to choose for my patients. Just today, I saw a patient who was referred to me for Mohs surgery of a basal cell carcinoma on the lower edge of the nose. We reviewed his treatment options together. He had never considered radiation therapy until I presented it as an alternative to Mohs surgery, and ultimately radiation therapy is what he selected. Likewise, I occasionally have patients referred to me for Mohs surgery who select imiquimod cream instead of surgery after I present it as a treatment option for certain types of basal cell carcinoma. When non-surgical options exist, it is a surgeon’s responsibility to help educate a patient about treatment options worth considering. The providers at Premier Dermatology believe in second opinions and in patient advocacy. I, along with Kathryn Filipek, PA-C, strive to truly listen to our patients and empower them to seek second opinions and alternative courses of treatment. At Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta, whether we are your first or second (or fifth!) opinion, we make you and your family our priority.
6 | May 2021 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
EMPTY NEST• Sponsored Section
New Home, New Medicare Plan Brought to you by- Jay Looft, Medicare Insurance Broker, SeniorSource Medicare Solutions If you are moving across the street, chances are you won’t need to change your Medicare plan; however, if you are moving to a different county, across town, or to another state you’ll need to get in touch with your Medicare insurance agent to make a change. When you move outside of your Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan’s service area, you’ll have new plan options and possibly different insurance carriers offered in your new county of residence. It is important to update your Medicare insurance plan in order to receive full plan benefits, have access to doctors and to avoid being disenrolled from your plan. Even if it’s not within the Annual Enrollment Period, Medicare will grant
you a Special Enrollment Period to make a change when moving outside of the plan’s service area. The Special Enrollment Period begins the month you notify the insurance company of your move and remains available for two months. Are you moving into this area to be closer to your children and grandchildren, or maybe you’re moving to the North Georgia mountains or the Florida coast for retirement? Whether it’s Atlanta, North Georgia, or another state we can help! SeniorSource Medicare Solutions is currently licensed in 10 states and can help with your Medicare plan transition whether you are new to Georgia or relocating to another state. If you have questions about moving and how it may affect your Medicare insurance coverage, give us a call today! Call us at (770) 913-6464 or visit our website at www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com.
Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs Specializing in Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement Plans Serving North Atlanta Seniors for More Than 10 Years
T N E M E C N U O N N A HAVE AN TO SHARE?
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
Run it in the newspaper! WEDDINGS ENGAGEMENTS ANNIVERSARIES BIRTHS DEATHS To submit your announcement visit
appenmedia.com/submit
EMPTY NEST • Sponsored Section
g n i k o o l d n a d e i r r a Married andMlookingedfor a m o o r ob w t a r o f two bedroom at a brand new w e n nd a r b a t a community? ? y t i n u m m co In addition to our Founder’s Specials,
from May 1 to May 31, 2021, we are waiving the $1,300 second person fee for to married couples In addition our Founder’s Specials, who move into a two bedroom!! from May 1 to May 31, 2021,
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | May 2021 | 7
Now Open!
we are waiving the $1,300 second person fee for married couples who move into a two bedroom!!
Some of our features and amenities include: • Bistro with Happy Hour • Putting green • Movie theatre • Chapel • Hair salon • Game room • Onsite Rehab with Empower Me Wellness
• Exercise Classes Some of our features and • Walking Clubamenities include: • Exercise Classes • Bistro with • Beautiful Happy Hour • Walking Club courtyards withgreen • Beautiful • Putting fountains• Movie theatre courtyards with fountains • Library • Chapel • Library • Hair salon • Playground for • Playground for • Game room Grands and Grands and • Onsite Rehab GreatGrands GreatGrands with Empower Me Wellness
GPS Air Purification Systems installed to help prevent the spread of disease through better indoor air.
Assisted Living &
GPS Air Purification Systems installed to help prevent the spread of disease through better indoor air.
3681 Burnette Road • Suwanee, GA 30024 Located at the Road, cornerSuwanee, of McGinnis 3681 Burnette GA Ferry 30024and Buford Highway
OaksSeniorLiving.com • Family Operated • Assisted Living & Memory Care Located at the corner of McGinnis Ferry and Buford Highway
For more information, please call our Community Relations Director, Benita Watts at 470-235-5300 OaksSeniorLiving.com • Family Operated • Assisted Living & Memory Care or email Benita.watts@oaksseniorliving.com
For more information, please call our Community Relations Director, Benita Watts at 470-235-5300 or email Benita.watts@oaksseniorliving.com
8 | May 2021 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
T:\ADS_2021\Appen Ads\Did This Catch Your Eye EMPTY NEST• Sponsored Section
Did this ad catch your eye? Then imagine the MONSTROUS number of other readers that noticed it too! Advertise your products and services in our newspapers and get noticed by our 232,500 readers every week in North Atlanta.* CONTACT YOUR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE TODAY! 770-442-3278
319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 | AppenMedia.com *Based on total circulation of 93,000 homes delivered x 2.5 readers per home (newspaper industry standard).