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October Special Section
2 | October 2020 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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Stepping-up to end Alzheimer’s Disease Brought to you by — Village Park Senior Living While we can’t gather together for this year’s walk, Village Park Senior Living is challenging our residents, families, and the surrounding commu-
How Village Park residents are making strides to help find a cure
nity to stand firm in our commitment to ending Alzheimer’s. This October, each Village Park community is tracking resident steps taken during our daily Walking Club meetings. So far, our residents have taken over 100,000 steps. For every 100 steps our residents take, we’re challenging our family and friends to donate $1 to our Walk to End Alz campaign at act.alz.org/goto/villageparkseniorliving. All funds go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association via the Village Park team page. Our Activities Teams are tracking steps to ensure we
meet our goal to take 600,000 steps and raise $6,000 for Alzheimer’s research by October 31st. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “more than 50 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias worldwide.” By supporting the Alzheimer’s Association’s efforts to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research, Village Park residents and families are helping the world get one step closer to curing Alzheimer’s. Until that cure is found, the Village Park team is dedicated to making Memory Care an innovative and dignified space for our seniors to enjoy. Village Park Alpharetta and Village Park Milton are the proud recipients of memorycare.com’s 2020 Best Memory Care Communities of Alpharetta. Researchers with memorycare.com used a detailed methodology to choose the best communities by analyzing location, community features, amenities, availability, the involvement of experts, and family feedback. All of the Village Park communities take immense pride in
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
providing dignified care to senior living residents while creating unexpected happiness. Village Park Senior Living’s multifaceted Memory Care program puts residents at the center of a complete care network of specially trained health professionals, staff, and neighbors. This highly connective program encourages individuality and independence, provides customized care, and supports the physical, sensory, social, and creative
activity. If you would like to learn more about Memory Care, Assisted Living, independent living, or about the many programs we offer, please contact Village Park Senior Living at any of our locations for more information. To donate to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, please go to Village Park’s team page at act.alz. org/goto/villageparkseniorliving and be sure to follow us on Facebook to track our residents’ weekly step count as they step-up to find a cure.
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NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | October 2020 | 3
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.
4 | October 2020 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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BEST DERMATOLOGIST
An interview with Dr. Taylor Brought to you by — Alyssa McNamara Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta Congratulations to Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta for its third DR. TAYLOR year in a row of being voted Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist of North Fulton! I decided to sit down with Dr. Brent Taylor and physician assistant Kathryn Filipek at Premier Dermatology to get their take on their success and to learn a bit more about them. Alyssa: Hey you two! So nice to see you guys again! I’ve previously had the pleasure of speaking with you both separately regarding Premier Dermatology and your particular contributions to the practice, but I wanted to take time to sit down with you both to hear your thoughts on your continued success. Dr. Taylor, congratulations on another win for Best of North Fulton 2020! This marks your 3rd year being named both Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist in North Fulton since opening in 2017. That’s quite an accomplishment. To what do you attribute your continued success? Dr. Taylor: Thank you Alyssa! Well, as I’ve said in the past, I believe that my patients understand our sincerity and our dedication to our patients’ healthcare. Kathryn and I and our amazing team all honestly care about our patients and their well-being. I hope that that sincerity comes through during our interactions. We always strive to give our patients our complete attention and to learn more about an individual as a person as well as a patient. There are plenty of times when a patient brings something to our attention or compels us to do additional research, and Kathryn and I are constantly collaborating on our patients’ behalf. I believe that comes through. All of that, and my awesome dad jokes are a big hit. I’m a father of three boys ages seven, five and two, so I have plenty of time to practice my material. Kathryn: I agree with everything that Dr. Taylor said, especially how nice the patients are to laugh at his jokes. Our team really is wonderful. We have experienced and caring team members. And we have received a lot of compliments that the practice has a personal and “boutique” feel, even as we deliver care that is scientific and academic. Alyssa: Kathryn and Dr. Taylor, how is
everything going in this odd Covid time? I believe Kathryn joined the practice in March? I bet that was an interesting time to expand? Dr. Taylor: We are beyond grateful for the addition of Kathryn! She really is a fantastic provider and is knowledgeable and experienced in dermatology. Most importantly, our skillsets really complement one another. For example, my focus in the vein clinic portion of our practice has been on treating venous disease that results in leg swelling and pain, and Kathryn has years of experience performing aesthetically-focused cosmetic sclerotherapy. She brought PRP for hair rejuvenation to the practice as well as chemical peels and is an expert Botox® and filler injector. The addition of another provider also means that we are frequently able to accommodate patients for same day or next day appointments. Covid was inconvenient but the slowdown also allowed us to make sure Kathryn’s integration to the practice was seamless. Alyssa: Well I think that’s enough serious business for now. I thought we could ask a few casual questions to allow your readers get to know you both a little better. If you won the lottery tomorrow what would be the first thing you did after you cashed it? Brent: I would probably pay off the mortgages of my family and all my staff. And I would buy some new socks because mine are pretty sad right now. And some chocolate chip cookies. Kathryn: Flee the country and not tell my husband. No, seriously, after working so hard to put myself through college and my medical training, I would love to set up an educational fund for young adults from my hometown in Michigan so they could receive higher education and not have to take half of their adult life to pay it off. If you could immediately become fluent in something, what would it be? Brent: Italian. Feeling like a local in a foreign country has to be fun, and I think Italy tops my list. Kathryn: Spanish. I was able to apply a lot of my “Splanglish” while living in South Florida, but Dr. Taylor puts me to shame when he is able to communicate fluently, and I only understand a portion of what he or my patients are saying. What were you like in high school? Brent: I was very smart. And very naive.
See PREMIER, Page 5
Premier: Continued from Page 4 I had very little time for much besides keeping my nose to the grindstone but was still happy and people still joke that in the back of my head I seem to have The Girl From Ipanema playing on repeat. Kathryn: I moved halfway through my freshman year, so it took me a bit to find my place. I was outgoing and took part in Cross Country, Basketball, Track, several academic and service clubs, played piano and worked as a server at a restaurant. I also enjoyed a lot of time on the beach of Lake Superior (cold, but true) Who is someone you look up to? Brent: My dad. Sounds cliché’ but it’s true. My dad is just such a wonderful man. He’s kind and patient and incredibly intelligent. He has worked extremely hard to accomplish everything he has in life and really instilled in me a strong work ethic and a compassionate heart. I am beyond fortunate for my family. Kathryn: My Grandmother. She grew up on a dairy farm on Prince Edward Island, Canada, and taught school in a one room schoolhouse until she went to nursing school in Ontario in her 20’s. She didn’t marry my Grandfather until her late 20’s, had her children in her 30’s and worked as a nurse in Detroit until her 70’s. She always had a positive outlook on life and a laugh that would turn into a “hissing fit” because of her asthma, which made all around her giggle. What do you do in your free time? Brent: I use those ten seconds to fantasize about having free time. I’m only half-joking. Hobbies are a bit on pause with three boys seven and younger. Every moment my wife and I have we try and do something for the kids. The park. Hiking, playing baseball in the backyard, reading together, teaching them to ride a bike, fishing, playing piano. I don’t have children that will just sit and watch a movie. I don’t know if it’s their age but they are just nonstop. My wife refers to them as tiny tornados. When I do have time again, I’d like to resume flying. I have my pilot’s license and love the beauty of the world seen from the air. Kathryn: Traveling if I have that much time. Otherwise running, golf, hiking, kayaking and family and friend time. Honestly, I love taking my dog for a walk on the greenway too! If you could only eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Brent: Is this my opportunity to plug Outback Steakhouse and hope they
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If you or a loved one are looking for exception dermatologic or vein care, please consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta for your skin care needs. mail me an honorary-Aussie free-foodfor-life card? Kathryn: Soup. My Dad was our primary cook growing up and never wastes food. You can make soup out of anything. What is your idea of a perfect vacation? Brent: Watching fish swim around a coral reef in a sea so warm that you forget you’re even in the water. Kathryn: Oh, this is a fun question. Something to challenge myself. Going to a new place. Seeing something out of the ordinary. The last perfect trip I had was in Costa Rica, where I kayaked at night in bioluminescence water, climbed a 200 foot tree, hiked through the rain forest and swam in the river (yes, I got ticks). I even tried surfing and ate a termite! Flights and weather were perfect. Locals were amazing. Can’t wait for the next perfect vacation. What is something embarrassing about yourself? Brent: Um, I never remember birthdays or anniversaries etc. Not because I don’t remember what day they are but because I don’t ever know what date it currently is. Oh, and I once was backstage a Miley Cyrus concert. It was a friend’s fault I promise! Kathryn: I used to be amazing at remember peoples’ faces and names. Now I’ve turned into what I used to make fun of my mother for. Sigh. What is a long-term goal? Brent: More than anything I want my kids to grow up to reach their potential and be happy. Kathryn: Ditto to that. Happiness and health for my children and never stop learning. If you or a loved one are looking for exception dermatologic or vein care, please consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta for your skin care needs. And thank you to all of our amazing patients who voted us Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist of North Fulton! premierdermatologyatlanta.com
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | October 2020 | 5
How to handle lazy or distracted nursing staff Brought to you by — Wilson Legal An interview with Executive Director of The Memory Center Atlanta A move to assisted living is not usually on the top of things anyone wants to do during their WILSON lifetime. However, if you do end up in an assisted living facility, you or your spouse or your kids will be visiting and making sure that you or your spouse are getting the care that you need. Families can have issues getting staff to help connect a phone call with a resident, coordinating visitations, making sure their loved one is cared for in the manner that is defined in the care plan. When you have a staff person who is unresponsive, distracted by someone else, or simply not showing up when they are supposed to, how do you handle that? What are the right things to do to fix the issue without making “a mountain out of a mole hill” as my dad would say. I’m not going to tell you here. I’d like for you to join me and get
12050 Findley Road Johns Creek, GA 30097 (770) 476-3678
Free webinars • What to do when the facility staff are not doing their jobs — An interview with Executive Director of The Memory Center Atlanta — Nov, 6. 3 pm • 10 Things mom & dad should have done for things to go smoothly after death or disability – While You’re Home for the Holidays — Nov. 20, 3 pm • VA Benefits and Medicaid: How Get Approved Later Even if you DON’T Qualify Right Now — Dec. 4, 3 pm
the answers directly from Sandile Ntuli, Executive Director of the Memory Center Atlanta located in Johns Creek. Mr. Ntuli was also formerly a Director of Nursing and has years of experience in assisted living facilities. I will be interviewing Mr. Ntuli on November 6, 2020 via Zoom. You can register to join us by visiting: Wilson-legal.com/events. It will be a great workshop! I’ll see you there.
407 East Maple Suite #105 Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 205-7861
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to hear Sandile Ntuli, Executive Director at Memory Center Atlanta explain
What to Do When Facility Staff Are Not Doing Their Jobs. After the interview, Mr. Ntuli and Dee Guiliani will be available to answer your questions.
Friday, November 6th, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
Register at: www.Wilson-legal.com/events Mr. Ntuli worked as Director of Nursing before becoming Executive Director at The Memory Center Atlanta and has 18 years experience in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living, and home health environments.
Ms. Guilianni has served seniors for over 20 years. As Admissions and Marketing Director, she specializes in pointing out how The Memory Center is unique.
6 | October 2020 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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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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Medicare Advantage Plan checklist Brought to you by — Jay Looft SeniorSource Medicare Solutions Agent/Partner If you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, your individual Medicare Advantage insurance LOOFT company would have recently mailed you an Annual Notice of Change booklet for the upcoming year. This is an important document that will review the more commonly used plan costs, such as doctor copays, surgery copays, and hospital copays. However, there are additional important factors to consider: • Are my prescriptions still covered in the same way? • Will my doctors still accept my plan? • Is there built-in dental and vision coverage, or do I pay extra for this? • Are there any extra perks such as hearing aid coverage, an OTC catalog allowance, gym membership, or transportation to my doctor? • Are there any new plan options that I haven’t heard about? These are just a few questions that everyone on Medicare should ask them-
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selves each fall. During the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which began on October 15th and runs through December 7th, take time to look over your Medicare plan and study the changes. There are many good Medicare plans available, but finding the best fitted plan to your needs should be your goal. If you need help finding that right Medicare plan for you this fall, give us a call. SeniorSource Medicare Solutions is a group of independent insurance brokers specializing in Medicare Insurance. We are here and we are ready to serve you.
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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
WINNER WINNER Thank You for Voting Of Best Of The Memory Center Atlanta Best WINNER North North 2018
Best Memory Care 3 Years in a Row!
2019
Atlanta
2020
Atlanta
Best Of North Atlanta
Presented By
Presented By
Presented By
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.