Empty Nest - September 2023

September Special Section

A few well-placed accessories can bring a wow to your living room

Brought to you by – Tuscany Fine Furnishings

The living room is the area of the home where we welcome guests or relax after a long day. These rooms vary in size and usually accommodate larger pieces of furniture that often define the layout of the space. The proper selection of sofas, chairs, coffee tables, end tables and consoles are critical to a good design. When you are looking to add those extra finishing touches to your room, remember that accessories and accents will make the difference.

Seasonal accessories are small and can easily be exchanged throughout the year, allowing you to bring a change to your living room without a great expenditure or going through a big renovation.

Coffee tables are usually in the center of the living room, often setting the mood and defining the ambiance, so you

want to embellish them with objects that are eye-catching. A tray with accompanying accessories is a great element to add dimension to your table scape. Large candles make great coffee table centerpieces that will never go out of style. A live orchid is always a nice touch.

Throw pillows are available in so many colors, patterns and textures. Selecting various sizes and shapes in the pillows will create a pleasing visual effect. This is another easy way to update the look of your sofa or chair and bring a splash of life into your space.

If you want an element that really ties a room together then never underestimate the impact of a rug. You can use bold colors and patterns or choose muted tones and textures. The perfect rug will bring warmth to the room and tie all the furniture together.

Decorative shelves are a nice way to showcase your collectables along with

small pieces of artwork. Books can be used to fill in voids rather than dust collecting hanging ivy. The real key to shelf design is not to clutter them, keep things visually placed so you can enjoy all your beautiful treasures.

Lighting is very important for ambience and functionality. Side tables next to your sofas are the perfect places for lamps that will make a dramatic statement in your living room. A floor lamp next to a chair is always welcomed and makes a nice accent. Be creative in your selection of lamps, think of them as objects of art. Don't forget about the overhead lighting, chandeliers that hang over your space are sure to bring style to what may be a vast visual void in the room.

Decorative vases or sculptures are perfect accent pieces to place near a fireplace or on top of a console. The options for accessorizing are limitless. Hunt for them, love what you find and enjoy the

impact they have on your space.

Just a few simple additions can bring big changes to your décor creating a living room that shouts wow!

Riccardo Apreda, Store Manager and an accomplished, award winning interior designer, with Tuscany Fine Furnishings, providing …Lifestyle Driven Design...Furnishings for Every Room in Your Home, 1570 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Suite 315, in Roswell, 770993-0640 ext. 2, Showroom Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6 p.m. Sun. 1-5 p.m… See why…26,000 Families Follow and Shop Tuscany on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, WHATSAPP BUSINESS, GOOGLE BUSINESS AND YOUTUBE... Everyday!

Merkel Cell A farewell to Jimmy Buffett

Tragically, Jimmy Buffett, the famous singer-songwriter, recently passed away of a skin cancer. It has been reported that he died of Merkel cell carcinoma, a very rare skin cancer, and many patients have been asking me about this cancer since his passing.

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 field of Vein 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.

Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 18 years experience as a Dermatology PA.

We are excited to welcome her, as she brings with her experience in general dermatology and cosmetic dermatology.

Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.

Kathryn Filipek, PA-C

The good news is that Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is rare. Only about 3,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States, which is in contrast to about 100,000 cases of melanoma diagnosed each year.

Merkel cell carcinoma is named after the “Merkel cell” – a type of cell at the end of nerve endings in our skin and involved in our sense of touch.

Merkel cell carcinoma is likely so rare because Merkel cells themselves are rare, and it’s an odds or numbers game that drives skin cancer in most cases. Most of your skin is made up of keratinocytes – a cell type that stacks on itself, overlaps like bricks and makes up most of your skin. When keratinocytes become cancer, they make basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. In contrast, Merkel cells are scattered near nerve endings in our skin and make up a very small proportion of the cells in the epidermis.

Imagine that sunshine in the form of ultraviolet rays is hitting your skin. Each ray has a chance of causing a mutation in the wrong gene in the cell that the ray of light happens to strike. You have a LOT more keratinocytes than you do Merkel cells, so the chance of a ray of UV light causing cancer in a keratinocyte is much higher than of a ray of light causing a bad mutation in a Merkel cell.

Some people are afraid of Merkel cell carcinoma because the tumor of a Merkel cell carcinoma is often a pink bump on the skin, and people have been trained to notice the brown or black growth of a melanoma but ignore a new pink bump. However, some melanomas are pink instead of brown or black. These pink melanomas are called “amelanotic melanomas”. In the past year, I have seen four cases

of amelanotic melanoma and one Merkel cell carcinoma. We shouldn’t ignore any new or changing bumps regardless of whether they are brown, black, pink, red, or any other color under the Sun. If you’re not sure what the new growth on your body is, have it evaluated by a medical professional. When in doubt, check it out.

From a scientific perspective, perhaps the most interesting feature of Merkel cell carcinoma is the role that a virus plays in its development. Up to 80% of cases are caused at least in part by infection with the Polyomavirus. This virus infects at least fifty percent of children by age ten and almost everyone by age twenty and usually appears to be a benign infection. At the moment, it appears unavoidable to become infected with this virus, and infection usually appears to have no negative consequences. We don’t get “sick” from it, and there’s no reason the average person would ever be tested for it. However, ultraviolet light, a failing immune system and infection with the polyomavirus account for the majority of Merkel cell carcinoma cases. The primary medicines used to treat Merkel cell carcinoma work by stimulating the immune system and making one’s own white blood cells better able to fight both infections and cancers. These “immunotherapy” medicines are a smart strategy given that Merkel cell carcinoma is usually both an infection and a cancer.

Like most cancers, Merkel cell carcinoma often has an excellent prognosis when caught early. The cure rate for Merkel cell carcinoma is higher than 75% when caught at its earliest stage. For the average person, Jimmy Buffet’s passing from Merkel cell carcinoma serves to reinforce the importance of already common behavior: If you have a history of sun exposure and risk factors, receive a regular skin exam; perform self-checks, and have a professional evaluate new or changing growths regardless of what color they are. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If we are conscientious and treat our problems early, we can all enjoy a few more cheeseburgers in this paradise before moving on to the next one.

Dr. Brent Taylor

Brought to You by - Brent Taylor, MD, Premiere Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

Do I need to re-enroll into my current Medicare Plan for 2024?

which is unlikely).

Here are a few reasons to look at new Medicare insurance plans:

We are on the cusp of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, beginning October 15th and lasting through December 7th, 2023, for 2024 Medicare insurance plans. You soon will receive, if not already, your Annual Notice of Change booklet from your current Medicare insurance carrier informing you of the plan changes for 2024. In addition, you will see many commercials informing you to take action.

With all these sources coming at you, you might be saying to yourself, “Do I need to re-enroll into my current Medicare Plan for 2024?”

Even though the commercials are telling you to take action, the answer to this question is most often, No.

The only times you have to change is if your Medicare Advantage Plan or Stand-Alone Drug Plan is ending. If this were to happen, you would receive notification in the mail from the insurance carrier. The good thing is that there are very few plans ending this year in Atlanta and the surrounding areas.

So, if you like your plan, you can keep it, and it will auto-renew into the new year (unless permanently ending,

• I have started taking new prescription drugs this year.

• I need more dental coverage next year.

• I have new medical conditions that need to be addressed.

• I am interested in the additional benefits that Medicare Advantage plans offer like dental coverage, vision coverage, and over-the-counter drug allowances.

• I just want to know what new Medicare Plan options are coming into the market.

Whatever reason you have for looking into the 2024 Medicare Insurance plan options, we are here to help! We are insurance brokers and represent most of the Medicare insurance companies. Give us a call today to schedule your October or November, no-cost appointment to review your 2024 Medicare insurance coverage.

Remember, the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is from October 15th, 2023 - December 7th, 2023, so don’t delay in calling and scheduling your appointment with us at (770) 913-6464.

Brought to you by – Jay Looft, Senior Source Medicare

Embracing Hope

Understanding empty nesters’ mental health during Suicide Awareness Month

Summit Counseling Center

As Suicide Awareness Month ends, it’s crucial to recognize the hidden struggles faced by empty nesters. This phase, marked by children leaving home, can bring profound emotional challenges. Research shows that empty nesters face higher rates of depression, with studies indicating that up to 20% experience significant symptoms.

Understanding the signs of suicide in older adults is essential:

• Verbal clues: Expressing thoughts of burden and the desire to end life or stating clear intentions of suicide.

• Behavioral clues: Prior suicide attempts or preparations, mood changes indicative of depression, giving away posses-

sions or making final arrangements, and shifts in coping mechanisms like religious interests or substance use. Some actions may indicate a sense of preparation.

• Situational clues: Major life changes, loss of significant relationships, serious illness, fear of becoming a burden, and financial insecurity are risk factors for suicide.

These signs should never be ignored. Early intervention and support are crucial to addressing these challenges. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 (The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or reach out to Summit Counseling Center at www.summitcounseling. org for a confidential session. Remember, you’re not alone, and help is just a call away. Together, we can find hope and strength.

Heart and Vascular Care welcomes Cardiologist Dr. Jigishu Dhabuwala to the practice

Brought to You byHeart and Vascular Care

With over 10 years of experience treating patients in Cumming, Alpharetta, Buford and beyond, Dr. Jigishu Dhabuwala has joined the physician team at Heart and Vascular Care.

With a passion to provide comprehensive, compassionate, high quality cardiovascular care in metro Atlanta and the surrounding North Georgia communities, Heart and Vascular Care has been a proud leader in the Cardiovascular community for the last 15 years.

Dr. Dhabuwala’s background being board-certified in interventional cardiology and as a member of the American College of Cardiology and The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, allows him to be up to date on state-ofthe-art treatments and cutting-edge technology.

While the practice continues to grow in both size and service lines, Heart and Vascular Care is committed

to maintaining timely communication as well as being sure to nurture sincere patient-to-physician relationships.

“Dr. Dhabuwala had been practicing in the community for the past ten years. He is well-respected by his peers and colleagues, the hospital staff, and his patients and we are excited to have

him onboard,” says Dr. Scott Beach, Medical Director at Heart and Vascular Care.

All Heart and Vascular Care physicians, along with a full team of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, and other healthcare professionals, pride

themselves on providing the best care experience possible for each and every patient we see.

Call us at 678-513-2273 or book an appointment online at www. hvcmd.com to take control of your cardiovascular health today.

DHABUWALA

Pain relieving Laser Therapy

Brought to you by - Johns Creek Physical Therapy

Having treated hundreds of patients over the past 6 years with Pain Relieving Laser Therapy, it’s not hard for me to appreciate how well it works. But if you’ve never tried it, trust me when I tell you…. you’re missing out!

Several years ago, John Deere ran a promotion on their zero turn lawn mowers. They used a fun tag line, “It’s not how fast you mow, it’s how well you mow FAST!” I wish I could come up with a similar tag line for Pain Relieving Laser Therapy because it can deliver pain relief in just a few minutes. It’s not uncommon for patients to have their pain be reduced by 50% on the first treatment.

How does it work? Pain Relieving Laser Therapy uses light energy to promote healing and reduce pain. Laser Therapy is FDA cleared to treat pain, inflammation, arthritis, and muscle spasms and is a great alternative to medications and injections.

The most common thing we hear after someone tries it for the first

time is “WOW!” I’m sure if you are just reading this article, you are probably thinking, “yeah, RIGHT??!! Nothing works that fast!” But don’t

take my word for it, call our office today and schedule your FREE TRIAL. The only thing you have to lose is your pain!

PROVIDED

Johns Creek Physical Therapy 4060 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024 770-622-5344

FREE Balance and Fall Prevention Workshop

Sponsored by JOHNS CREEK PHYSICAL THERAPY

• Do you feel unsteady when you walk?

• Do you have periods of dizziness and don’t know why?

• Do you avoid going out because you are afraid you will fall?

• Are you thinking about or have you started using a cane or walker?

• Would you like to learn what you can do to improve your balance?

If you answered YES to any of these questions then you don’t want to miss the FREE BALANCE, DIZZINESS AND FALL PREVENTION WORKSHOP on Tuesday, October 3 at 12:30 pm.

Death rates from falls among older adults have risen 31% over the last decade. Every year in the United States

At the workshop you will learn the TOP THREE factors that increase your risk of falling

1 out of 4 older adults has a fall. In fact, every 19 minutes an older adult dies due to a fall. Falls can cause fractures, head injuries and even emotional trauma that lead to a constant fear of falling again. But did you know that you can improve your balance and reduce your risk for falling?

Try out this quick self test for balance. How long can you stand on one leg? If it’s not more than 10 seconds you are at increased risk for falling.

If you would like to know more about improving your balance and reducing your risk of falling, you won’t want to

miss the FREE BALANCE, DIZZINESS AND FALL PREVENTION WORKSHOP on Tuesday, October 3 at 12:30 pm.

At the workshop you will learn the TOP THREE factors that increase your risk of falling. You will also learn the #1 mistake people with balance deficits usually make that increase their fall risk. We will also discuss different ways you can be safer in your home and out in the community. Registration is FREE Register by calling 770-622-5344.

Johns Creek Physical Therapy 4060 Johns Creek Pkwy., Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024

Marc C. Stewart, PT

FOR ALL YOUR OTHER NEEDS WE ACCEPT MEDICARE

Do I need to re-enroll into my current Medicare Plan for 2024?

Medicare

We are on the cusp of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, beginning October 15th and lasting through December 7th, 2023, for 2024 Medicare insurance plans. You soon will receive, if not already, your Annual Notice of Change booklet from your current Medicare insurance carrier informing you of the plan changes for 2024. In addition, you will see many commercials informing you to take action.

With all these sources coming at you, you might be saying to yourself, “Do I need to re-enroll into my current Medicare Plan for 2024?”

Even though the commercials are telling you to take action, the answer to this question is most often, No.

The only times you have to change is if your Medicare Advantage Plan or Stand-Alone Drug Plan is ending. If this were to happen, you would receive notification in the mail from the insurance carrier. The good thing is that there are very few plans ending this year in Atlanta and the surrounding areas.

So, if you like your plan, you can keep it, and it will auto-renew into the

new year (unless permanently ending, which is unlikely).

Here are a few reasons to look at new Medicare insurance plans:

• I have started taking new prescription drugs this year.

• I need more dental coverage next year.

• I have new medical conditions that need to be addressed.

• I am interested in the additional benefits that Medicare Advantage plans offer like dental coverage, vision coverage, and over-the-counter drug allowances.

• I just want to know what new Medicare Plan options are coming into the market.

Whatever reason you have for looking into the 2024 Medicare Insurance plan options, we are here to help! We are insurance brokers and represent most of the Medicare insurance companies. Give us a call today to schedule your October or November, no-cost appointment to review your 2024 Medicare insurance coverage.

Remember, the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is from October 15th, 2023 - December 7th, 2023, so don’t delay in calling and scheduling your appointment with us at (770) 315-8145.

Brought to you by – Jay Looft, Senior Source