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November Special Section
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Many older Americans heading into the holidays feeling depressed NAPSI — Many older Americans say they feel depressed—yet the majority of them are not planning to get help, according to a new national survey—though it could make a tremendous difference in their health and well-being. With the onset of colder weather, fewer daylight hours, and the effect of the pandemic on holiday celebrations and traditions, more seniors than ever could be struggling with depression. The GeneSight Mental Health Monitor reported that about two-thirds of adults 65 and older who are concerned they may be suffering from depression say they won’t seek treatment. That’s compared to fewer than half of adults over age 18. In addition, three in 10 of these older adults think “they can just snap out of it.” “The ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps’ mindset and reluctance to talk about mental health may be preventing seniors from getting the help they need,” said Dr. Mark Pollack, chief medical officer of Myriad Neuroscience, makers of the GeneSight test, a genetic measure that identifies potential gene-drug interactions for depression medication. “People seek treatment for conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. Depression is no different.
It is an illness that can and should be treated.” One GeneSight patient, Carmala Walgren, a 74-year-old resident of New York, agrees that depression should be treated regardless of age. “There is such a stigma about depression among people my age,” said Walgren. “It is worth it to find treatment that helps you.” Canceling holiday celebrations and the effect on mental health The pandemic is taking a toll on the mental health of older Americans. Nearly one in four people over age 65 said that the news about the pandemic has left them “feeling consumed with sadness.” For those seniors who think they might have depression, the number climbs to nearly 4 in 10. Concerns about COVID are also why more than one in three seniors worried about being depressed say they are “somewhat” or “very likely” to cancel holiday celebrations such as Thanksgiving. Even as some consider canceling holiday festivities, isolation from friends and family remains a concern. Just under half of these seniors say they feel “isolated and disconnected from family,” compared with 28% of all respondents over age 65, and 24% of respondents over age 18.
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Connecting can help with depression Parikshit Deshmukh, M.D., CEO and medical director at Balanced Wellbeing, LLC, specializes in geriatric psychiatry. According to Dr. Deshmukh, families should make plans to connect virtually if
they don’t feel comfortable about getting together in person. Further, caregivers should be vigilant in looking for the signs of depression in their older loved ones. “It’s more important than ever to let each other know we care and that we are not alone—even if it feels that way,” said Dr. Deshmukh. “Video calls might not be for everyone. Yet, if that’s the only way to stay in touch, we need to do it.” And Dr. Deshmukh reminds seniors to talk to their doctors. “If your clinician recommends treatment, ask about the GeneSight test. The results can help them make decisions about medications to treat your depression.” That’s just what Carmala Walgren’s doctor did. “The results I got from this personalized genetic test helped my doctor and me to finally find the medication that worked for my depression. He told me that because I was covered by Medicare, there would be no cost for me to take the test. “The GeneSight test made such a difference in my life,” added Walgren. “I don’t know where I would be without it, especially now.” For further information on older adults and depression, visit www.genesight.com/olderadult.
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Longleaf Communities – Welcome to your ideal neighborhood Brought to you by — Kathy Rice Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Final opportunities are available at Longleaf Communities Woodstock. Longleaf is RICE a luxury homebuilder for active 55+ adults in metro Atlanta. Their spectacular, English Cottage style homes are designed to meet the lifestyle needs and wishes of active seniors while providing low maintenance living. Longleaf Woodstock 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 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 Woodstock in Cherokee County has a Clubhouse and Pool, bocce court, community gardens and a dog park. 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) 697-4984
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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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How spirituality can affect overall health and wellness Brought to you by — Oaks Senior Living At Oaks Senior Living, with familyoperated, faith-based communities located throughout Georgia, we have a firm grasp of the impact spirituality can have on individuals’ overall health and wellness. Drawing from our many years of senior living and faith-based caregiving experience, we want to share how spirituality and health and wellness are connected. What is Spirituality? American Family Physician defines spirituality as “the way you find meaning, hope, comfort, and inner peace in your life.” It is personal and means something different to each individual. The Connection Between Spirituality and Health The mind, body, and spirit are connected. As a result, the health of one of these aspects affects the others. Being mindful of, and caring for, your spiritual health promotes the health and wellness of your mind and body.
Ways Spirituality Can Improve Health and Wellness Various studies have found that through personal spirituality and spiritual health, individuals: • Are more able to cope with illness and uncertainty • Experience decreased feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation • Improve sleep habits Spirituality can help individuals find meaning, connectedness, and purpose in life. Moreover, through spiritual activities, such as meditation, yoga, mindfulness, and prayer, individuals can lower stress levels, which affect physical health and wellness. Spiritual, Faith-Based Caregiving at Oaks Oaks Senior Living is comprised of faith-based communities that provide person-centered care focused on an individual’s physical, emotional, and spiritual health and wellness. Visit oaksseniorliving.com to read the full article.
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On that Most Dreaded of Diseases: Uncombable Hair Syndrome Brought to you by — Dr. Brent Taylor Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta This evening, I set to work planning to write an article that our local readers would find interDR. TAYLOR esting and informative and began writing about a skin cancer case that I recently treated. But as the days are getting colder and COVID is still in the air, I thought, wouldn’t it be nice have something fun and pleasant for a change? Which leads me to…. Uncombable Hair Syndrome. Yes, uncombable hair syndrome is an actual disease. First off, my sincere apologies to anyone afflicted with this malady if I misunderstand any distress it may cause. My only exposure to this condition was to a single case in my residency, the details of which I hope will excuse me for any seeming lack of sympathy: A beautiful couple presented to clinic with the CUTEST child you ever seen. He was a delight, babbling and smiling and running amok trying to grab everything he shouldn’t have. At first glance, nothing appeared wrong. His arms were free of eczema. His moles looked normal. He didn’t even seem to have a lick of lip licker’s dermatitis. Why was he in a dermatology clinic? Exasperated, his mom lamented, “I can’t comb his hair – you don’t understand it WON’T comb.” She went on to explain. No matter the mousse, the hair spray, the shampoo or conditioner, his obstinate hair willfully sprung back into a tussled mishmash of hairs going in every direction. These hairs had a mind of their own. Their position was not random. Instead, a certain hair would always try to go backward. The next, always forward. Push one in a certain direction, and it would spring back to the position that it preferred. My attending physician exclaimed “your child has uncombable hair syndrome!” Uncombable hair syndrome is a wellcharacterized medical condition. One can easily find information on the genes involved by turning to Wikipedia, but I strongly urge the reader to go to Google Image instead and type in “uncombable hair syndrome” and enjoy photos of the dandelion capped rascals running around with uncombable hair Several types of hair disorders are sometimes lumped together with uncombable hair syndrome but the classic disease occurs because the hair follicles have a notch or a triangular shape, and so the hair grows out with a ridge or a
groove resulting in a stiff hair that can only fall one way. The Latin name is pili trianguli et canaliculi, which, if you are a Latin scholar, perhaps means something. Children afflicted with this condition are typically towheaded with very light blonde to white hair. To be a syndrome, a disease must have two or more features that occur together as a disease “complex.” In this case, the two primary features are the uncombable hair of the child and the frustration of the mother. Scientists still debate whether the smirking laughter of the father playing on his phone in the background constitutes a third feature of this disease. This would make the syndrome a triad. Fortunately for our patient, his disease has an excellent prognosis. The hair of uncombable hair syndrome typically becomes uncombable early in childhood and normalizes in early adolescence, often at puberty. Our patient was otherwise completely healthy without any signs or markers of other dermatologic disease. Given that our patient is a boy, my attending’s advice was simple: “keep his hair buzzed until he’s about 13 or so.” “So you don’t have any treatment?!” said the mother. “Well, I thought the reassurance that it should normalize in 10-11 years and that you could buzz the hair in the meantime is a good treatment plan,” said my attending. The father laughed. The mother remained frustrated. The child’s hair remained uncombable. Please note that this syndrome should not be confused with the “wont comb his hair” syndrome as displayed by my son, age 2 (see photo). If you or someone you love suffers from uncombable hair syndrome, consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. Dr. Brent Taylor is certified by the American Board of Dermatology, the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and is a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon and vein specialist. Kathryn Filipek, PA-C is a physician assistant with more than 15 years of dermatology experience and expertise in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology.
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Worry meets its match Brought to you by – Addington Place Of Alpharetta & Addington Place Of Roswell When it’s your loved one, decisions about senior living is a challenge. Addington Place empathizes with you and your family as you make the best decision for your parents. Right now, it’s more important than ever to be confident the community you choose for them is safe. Regular and healthy meals, watchful eyes, medication management, and a reduction in the isolation many seniors are experiencing during this pandemic are just a few of the potentially life-enhancing benefits of choosing to make a move now for your loved one’s benefit. At Addington Place we welcome you to have a trusted family member join your loved one for their first days after move-in so they have a partner, and we’ll take care of you or that family member at no cost to you. We call this option our “Pair to Prepare” program. As a Cedarhurst community, we are so confident we can take care of your loved one to your and their satisfaction that we are willing to not just make that promise to you verbally, we are willing to back our promise with a money back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied and
Addington Place empathizes with you and your family as you make the best decision for your parents. decide to move out within your first 60 days, we’ll give you a complete refund. That’s the Cedarhurst Promise. Schedule a confidential conversation or a Q&A Zoom meeting with our Executive Director – and make contentment happen. Addington Place of Alpharetta Assisted Living & Memory Care 762 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 678-723-3689 AddingtonPlaceAlpharetta.com Addington Place of Roswell Personal Care & Memory Care 550 Barrington Drive Roswell, GA 30075 770-626-4724 AddingtonRoswell.com
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Thanks for Voting us Best Memory Care in North Atlanta — 3 Years in a Row! Brought to you by – The Memory Center Atlanta The Memory Center Atlanta is the most unique and comprehensive community for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Devoted specifically to memory care, our expertly designed program meets the challenging conditions of an aging brain with a caring, interactive community. We understand a diagnosis of dementia doesn’t mean you or your loved one stops living, rather it means finding new ways to live by providing assistance to maintain an active and meaningful lifestyle. Our residents enjoy music, dancing, live entertainment, art, gardening, - even outings, pet therapy and religious
Even those who need 24/7 care benefit from life at The Memory Center. services. Enjoy a drink in the Chattahoochee Tavern, grab a movie in the Fox Theater or ice cream at the Bull Dog Café. All residents experience socialization and activities accessible across all levels of dementia. Even those who need 24/7 care benefit from life at The Memory Center. Overseen by our medical director who specializes in the field of geriatric healthcare, our team of Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants
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The Memory Center is dedicated to meeting the challenging conditions of an aging brain with a caring, interactive community designed around the individual including: • State-of-the-art environment with the Town Center design • The Town Center includes a café, tavern, general store and theatre • Safe and secure outdoor areas with large courtyards and walking trails • Medical oversight weekly and 24/7 licensed nursing supervision
(770) 476-3678 TheMemoryCenter.com 12050 Findley Rd. Johns Creek, GA 30097
(Behind Emory Johns Creek Hospital)
provide the best 24/7 care. Don’t let a crisis determine where your loved one receives care. If you are considering memory care, we encourage you to explore options as early as possible. Take the time to ask questions, tour and include your loved one in the decision making process. Transitioning to memory care early ensures the best quality of life with daily socialization and engaging activities designed to meet the needs of you or your loved one.
Get in touch - ask us a question or schedule a tour of The Memory Center Atlanta to learn more about how our team provides a seamless transition for your loved one into their new home. Located at 12050 Findley Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30097, less than ½ mile from Medlock Bridge Rd. directly behind Emory Johns Creek Hospital. Call Today, (770) 476-3678 or (678)-283-7508. Ask for Dee Giuliani, Admissions and Marketing.