April 2013 PrimeTime

At Kent Hospital YOU NOW HAVE ACCESS TO

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| PrimeTime 2

I

n my interview this month with Dr. Raymond Mis of Kent Hospital, he told me of an interesting research study. A group of subjects were closely monitored for lifestyle habits. They knew they were being monitored. And yet, when it came time for them to report how much alcohol they consumed, they consistently underreported their intake. It’s funny, but it makes sense. We know it’s bad for us. Maybe we’re a little embarrassed or ashamed, or want to avoid a lecture from our doctor. So we stretch the truth.

It’s just a white lie, right?

Unfortunately, when it comes to our health, honesty is the best policy, both with our doctors and with ourselves. It doesn’t take a PhD to know if you’re overweight, or if you drink too much, or if your so-called social smoking is more than social. So to maintain a healthy lifestyle, we’ve got to put all the cards on the table.

In this issue of PrimeTime, we cover a lot of the common health problems Americans face, broken down to each part of the body. Memory loss can be a sign of aging or something more serious. Cataracts are common the longer we live. Heart disease causes 597,689 deaths annually. Regular check ups are essential to gastrointestinal health. And milk isn’t the only key to keeping your muscles and bones strong. Head to toe, we’ve got you covered. This month’s doer’s profile from Joan Retsinas takes the healthy theme even further, going into some of the more holistic approaches to medicine. There’s no one right path when it comes to managing your health and body - do what works for you.

What you’ll notice as you flip through, though, is that we’re not just talking about the warning signs. We’ve tried to put a spotlight on the preventative measures we all can - and should - be taking to stay healthy and stave off some common ailments. I won’t get into all of them here, but it goes without saying that smoking is bad, drinking must be moderated, exercise is April 2013 good and the rule of thumb is that if it’s 1944 Warwick Ave. good for your heart, it’s good for the rest Warwick, RI 02889 of your body, too.

401-732-3100 FAX 401-732-3110 This issue of PrimeTime can serve as Distribution Special Delivery a resource. Read through it and take the tips of the experts quoted herein to heart PUBLISHERS (literally). And do us a favor - stop putBarry W. Fain, Richard G. Fleischer, ting off your annual check ups. I hate to John Howell drop cliches, but it really is true that an EDITOR ounce of prevention is worth a pound of Meg Fraser cure. We’re the only advocates or bodies megf@rhodybeat.com have, so let’s not let them down.

Pr i m e Ti m e

MARKETING DIRECTOR Donna Zarrella donnaz@rhodybeat.com Creative Director Linda Nadeau lindan@rhodybeat.com

Meg Fraser editor

WRITERS Jessica Botelho, Michael J. Cerio, Don Fowler, Terry D’Amato Spencer, Elaine M. Decker, John Howell, Joan Retsinas, Mike Fink, Meg Chevalier, Joe Kernan, Kerry Park, Kathy Tirrell

inthisissue

Health Specialties 4 Hungry for prevention

Dr. Raymond Mis examines digestive health

6

Does a body good

How to keep muscles and bones strong at any age

10 Think about it

How to spot cognitive impairments

11 The heart of the issue

Dr. Barbara Roberts shares her expertise on cardiac health

23 Eye of the beholder

Seeing vision health issues clearly

25 Living with arthritis

Keep active, despite your aches and pains

PEOPLE & PLACES Doer’s profile.................................................................................8 A Worthy Cause........................................................................12 Glimpse of RI’s past.................................................................20 SENIOR ISSUES Alzheimer’s Association column....................................14 Director’s Column...................................................................26 Retirement Sparks...................................................................27 Not your grandma’s nursing home..............................29

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Donna Zarrella – donnaz@rhodybeat.com Carolann Soder, Lisa Mardenli, Janice Torilli, Suzanne Wendoloski, Gina Fugere

LIFESTYLES What do you Fink?..................................................................19 That’s Entertainment.............................................................24

Classified ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Sue Howarth – sueh@rhodybeat.com

PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE Your Taxes.....................................................................................21

PRODUCTION STAFF Matt Bower, Brian Geary, Lisa Yuettner A Joint Publication of East Side Monthly and Beacon Communications.

PrimeTime Magazine is published monthly and is available at over 400 locations throughout Rhode Island. Letters to the editor are welcome. We will not print unsigned letters unless exceptional circumstances can be shown.

April 2013

nextmonth

Do you smell spring in the air? PrimeTime will blossom along with everything else next month for May’s gardening and landscaping issue.

PrimeTime |

b y meg fraser

“

The key here is to do regular medical checks and physicals. Some of thes e abnormalities can be picked up with basic screening s

| PrimeTime

�

April 2013

health specialties

Hungry for

D

Prevention

r. Raymond Mis, DO, reads the stomach like a roadmap. He knows all the stops along the way. From the colon to the liver, he understands symptoms, recognizes causes and knows just what to prescribe to get the stomach en route to digestive health.

A gastroenterologist with a private practice who also works at Kent Hospital, Mis knows firsthand that stomach problems often go untreated. A patient assumes indigestion or run-of-the-mill stomach aches when something more serious, but often treatable, is to blame. He says it’s better to be safe than sorry, and keep your doctor in the loop.

“We hope, more than anything, that the patient is honest with their physician,” he said.

That can be especially true when it comes to matters of the stomach. Acid reflux and heartburn are uncomfortable conditions that many people of all ages face, but popping a Tums isn’t always the solution. Call your doctor and schedule an appointment to talk about your options.

“Most commonly, what we encourage people to do is to modify their diet and their lifestyle. It’s amazing how many people in our population love to eat their food, drink their liquor and smoke their cigarettes - all three of those can make acid reflux worse. The first step should be looking at the diet,” Mis said.

That diet should avoid fried or fatty foods. Chocolate, peppermint, alcohol and nicotine can all make indigestion worse. Mis recommends “grazing,” or eating five to six small meals each day, and never eating within two to three hours of going to sleep.

If this indigestion or digestive discomfort hits late in life, other factors could be at play.

“When somebody starts complaining about symptoms over the age of 50, it becomes an alarm symptom,” Mis said. “The human body is an amazing machine and nothing in medicine is 100 percent, so even if somebody has classic heartburn symptoms, it could be something more serious.”

If heartburn is paired with difficult or painful swallowing, for example, it could be a warning sign of cancer. Ulcers are another common ailment of the stomach, which present themselves with abdominal pain following digestion of food or drink. Ulcers can lead to bleeding, with black or bloody stool, nausea and vomiting.

Although ulcers are anecdotally connected with stress, Mis says that is up for debate. More often, ulcer disease is a product of lifestyle. Frequent use of aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs, especially when paired with alcohol consumption, puts you at risk. For women, more than one alcoholic beverage daily is considered moderate to heavy consumption; for men, more than two drinks - putting them at risk for irreversible liver injury.

April 2013

Alcohol is not the only contributing factor; diet too plays a role in liver disease. Diabetic or obese patients can develop fatty infiltrations of the liver, which puts them at risk for liver disease.

Unfortunately, many of these patients are asymptomatic. Serious liver disease can be a silent predator. Cirrhosis, scarring of the liver that leads to poor liver function, can develop slowly, over time, and patients can live with cirrhosis for 20 years before symptoms present themselves. Once symptoms show, they include jaundice, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, and bleeding disorders.

Enough injury can lead to scarring of the esophagus, where swallowing can be made difficult.

“The key here is to do regular medical checks and physicals. Some of these abnormalities can be picked up with basic screenings,” Mis said.

Aside from grazing and avoiding fatty foods, Mis says high fiber diets or using fiber supplements can reduce risk for various conditions.

“High fiber diets have been associated with lower instances of heart disease, lower instances of colon cancer, diverticulitis ... high fiber diets keep people regular and even help with the healing of hemorrhoids,” he said, adding that it can also lower cholesterol and lower blood sugar.

Women should consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber each day, on average, and men should consume 30 to 35 grams.

“Most Americans fall way short of the fiber they need,” Mis said.

Research has suggested that fiber consumption can reduce risk for colon cancer, the second leading cancer killer in the United States, with 150,000 new cases diagnosed annually. The symptoms are often silent, so preventative medicine is crucial. Starting at the age of 50, Americans carry a 20 to 50 percent chance of having polyps in the colon, so colonoscopies are essential for early detection. At age 50, an individual should get a colonoscopy every 10 years.

If they have had polyps in the past, or there is a family history of colorectal cancer, the test should be performed more often.

“The key here is to detect it early enough,” Mis said. “This is a lifesaving procedure for many.”

While symptoms can remain hidden, colon cancer eventually leads to anemia, rectal bleeding or bloody stool, abdominal pain or bowel obstruction.
 Diet and a healthy lifestyle are important to protect against diseases in all areas of the body, including the stomach, colon and liver. Most important, however, is that patients listen to their bodies, report abnormalities and embrace prevention.

“Patients have to understand, this is their health and they need to advocate for themselves,” Mis said.

PrimeTime |

b y meg fraser

Does a

Body Good “

The absolute best thing anybody can do, old or yo u n g , i s p h y s i c a l a c t i v i t y for bones and muscles.

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| PrimeTime

April 2013

health specialties

W

hen it comes to the health problems associated with growing older, bone and muscle weakness is widely publicized. It’s the source of the aches and pains that come with age. We know it happens and our doctors warn us about it, and yet it continues to be a problem.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that more than half of people over the age of 50 in the United States have low bone mass, which can lead to broken bones, limited mobility and other health complications due to a sedentary lifestyle.

“The absolute best thing anybody can do, old or young, is physical activity for bones and muscles,” said Jessica Manyan, DO, the program director for Kent Family Medicine.

Osteoarthritis is a common diagnosis, and while it impairs mobility, there are programs available that are tailored for people of all abilities. Pain is a serious hurdle, but Manyan says that daily exercise is key to staying healthy, and there should be no excuses.

“Explore - have an open mind about exercise. Don’t limit yourself to saying, ‘this is the only thing I can do and it hurts too much.’ If you can only do five minutes, do five minutes. Exercise itself will help, over the long-term, to decrease pain,” she said.

Low-impact workouts, like walking for 30 minutes each day, are popular for seniors, but bicycling, elliptical machines and aquatic exercise are all alternatives for people with joint pain and stiffness. Water-based workouts in particular offload pressure from joints.

Yoga and regular stretching keep the muscles limber and ultimately improve balance - a major factor in senior falls. Yoga can be performed in a chair for people with significant mobility problems.

“A regular daily stretching program is good for all of the joints, and hip joints in particular because most of our daily activities do not stress our hip joints,” she said.

Manyan also puts resistance training on the list.

“Doing resistance training with actual weights or with the own body’s weight three times a week will help prevent Osteoarthritis,” she said, adding that local senior centers are a good place to start for free or low-cost fitness programs.

Diet and lifestyle are likewise important to maintaining bone and muscle strength. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption negatively impacts all aspects of a person’s health, and bones and muscles are no different. For women that have more than one alcoholic beverage daily, and men that have more than two, that decreases their body’s ability to absorb calcium.

“It really begins with a varied diet and avoiding smoking or quitting smoking,” Manyan said.

That varied diet should include non-fat dairy as a source of calcium, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Meat can be a good source of calcium, too, but the body should generally not consume more than 50 grams of protein each day.

Manyan tells patients to avoid processed foods, make well-balanced meals and keep hydrated.

“As you age, your thirst drive goes down; it’s a lot easier to become dehydrated.

Dehydration is a state that tends to have multiple effects on the body, one of which is to potentially make pain worse,” she said. “I would recommend drinking six to eight glasses of fluid a day.”

After a while, Manyan promises it will become a habit, ultimately improving your overall health.

If you make good eating, drinking and exercise choices, she adds, you can put the dozens of medicine bottles away.

“We’ve, over the years, made a lot of different recommendations regarding calcium supplementation. The current recommendation is if you have no problems with the bone, you shouldn’t necessarily supplement with calcium,” she said.

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April 2013

PrimeTime |

DOER’S PROFILE

by JOAN RE TSINAS

Physician and Healer “Follow your own values. Live by your own rules. Walk away from the restrictions that others have laid upon you.”

The mantras of the 1960s propelled Gay BenTré (drgaybentre.com). Gay BenTré has gone from factory worker to nurse to entrepreneur to holistic healer – seemingly unrelated careers, but all undergirded by Gay’s conviction that you must follow your values, wisdom she urges her patients to embrace.

As a teenager, Gay rejected the status quo. After all, the status quo included a war in Vietnam, racial segregation and inequality for women. Gay’s parents, her father a professor of international relations at Northwestern University, her mother a composer, encouraged her. Gay enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College, which required no specific courses.

“That suited me just fine. I could create my own curriculum,” Gay recalls.

As students across the country protested the war in Vietnam, the turmoil spilled over to the Sarah Lawrence campus.

“I dropped out in my senior year, in order to get on with the ‘real’ business of living,” Gay recalled.

Before leaving, Gay was one of the students supporting a strike by the college’s housekeepers.

Determined “to make a difference for good,” Gay began sewing in a garment factory. But after several years of failed efforts to organize for better conditions and pay, she left the factory, frustrated.

Gay determined that she needed a professional degree. She picked nursing – an occupation that helped people. At Portland Community College, she enrolled

| PrimeTime 8

in an LPN program. She soon recognized that many of the students, unaccustomed to studying, would fail or drop out, so she organized study sessions for her fellow students. The result: all passed. But she also recognized that everyone would have twice the earning power and opportunities with an RN degree.

The College had two tracks; theoretically LPNs could transfer to the RN track. Realistically, few did.

When all the newly minted LPNs applied to the RN track, the College turned most down, citing a technicality. But Gay, with legal help, nudged the school to accept all the applicants. The result: 35 new RNs. After getting a nursing degree, Gay finished up her BA at Sarah Lawrence. For the next 10 years, she worked as a nurse, mostly in neonatal intensive care in Oregon, later in pediatric and cardiac intensive care at Rhode Island Hospital. After her son was born, she became a visiting nurse to have more time for parenting, but a half-decade later, she felt the pull to return to critical care.

When faced with the conflicts of delivering critical medical care under the supervision of physicians with whom she did not always agree, Gay decided to become a physician herself, like her older brother. But the demands of traditional medical training clashed with Gay’s priorities to nurture and parent. Within a year, she left medical school.

“I was developing the confidence to declare my own values, play by my own rules,” she said.

Over the next few months, a recession caused the market for art to plummet, and she joined forces with her sculptor-husband to organize a building design firm that included his art as part of the design plan.

This partnership lasted over a decade; their firm built numerous public spaces filled with art.

Then, in her 50s, Gay recalled “an inner voice saying there was still something to accomplish.”

She enrolled in the Boston-based school for Tra-

ditional Chinese Medicine, finishing the four-year master’s degree curriculum in three years, earning certification in acupuncture (Chinese and Japanese) and Chinese Herbal Medicine. She independently acquired certification in other holistic healing modalities. As her private practice has grown, she has included graduate work in pre- and peri-natal clinical psychology, nutrition and hypnosis.

Patients come to Gay with a host of complaints, from infertility to depression to trauma to cancer.

Typically, they have undergone treatments from traditional Western medicine, and they seek a different approach.

Gay begins by listening to her patient tell his or her story.

“A patient needs to feel rapport with any health care provider. The lack of rapport will hinder healing,” she said.

From Gay’s vantage, the “illness” is only part of the story. Gay looks at data but sees the complaint in the context of the person. She works to help the patient to right the disturbance, and stimulate the body to heal itself. Western neuroscience is confirming that a patient’s thinking, be it for good or ill, powerfully influences their ability to heal. The connection between mind and body is potent – a connection that Chinese healers noted more than 3,000 years ago when they described illness as a disconnect between the yin and the yang energy present in all beings. The goal of health is not so much an absence of disease as a state of well-being.

Gay seeks to restore patients to harmonious wellbeing.

April 2013

health specialties

Preventing Illness is crucial to well-being.

Gay advises:

1. Belong to a community, whether of family, friends or colleagues. Talk. We are social beings who need one another.

2. Practice gratitude. Don’t focus on what you lack; be grateful for what you have.

3. Breathe deeply and mindfully, a few minutes every day. That will signal the brain to relax, giving you a respite from daily hassles.

4. Walk, preferably outdoors. Exercise. Garden (a productive physical outdoor activity).

5. Eat real foods that you cook, not the prepackaged foodstuffs that are easy to grab.

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April 2013

PrimeTime |

health specialties

b y meg fraser

Think about it

“Senior moment.” It’s a term used often and loosely by people, as they get older. You misplace your keys. You can’t remember your anniversary. You walk into the kitchen and forget what brought you there.

But what is the difference between absentmindedness and a sign that something more sinister could be to blame?

Dr. Brian Ott, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Center at Rhode Island Hospital, says the difference is difficult to detect.

“The general rule you follow is if the cognitive difficulty is bothersome but doesn’t interfere with your ability to conduct your usual activities, it’s probably just general aging,” Ott said.

Once the occasional memory lapse turns into chronic problems, it is time to see a physician. Memory loss doesn’t always mean dementia. Ott can point to more than 70 medical causes for cognitive impairment, from metabolic issues and thyroid disorders to vitamin deficiencies or a side effect to medication.

These types of causes can be “readily treated and addressed,” Ott said, and the problem can be tackled with relative ease.

Many patients are reluctant to report memory problems to their loved ones or doctors, however, because they fear the worst. Waiting, Ott says, is the worst thing you can do.

Alzheimer’s disease develops as much as 10 to 15 years before the individual has any memory complaints, and early intervention is crucial.

“

The general rule you follow is if the cognitive difficulty is b o t h e r s o m e b u t d o e s n ’t i n t e r f e r e with your ability to conduct y o u r u s u a l a c t i v i t i e s , i t ’s probably just general aging

”

“When you want to deal with it is when the person can talk rationally about the care plan and the prognosis. To try and work with someone who is very confused is very difficult,” he said.

Initial exams do not take long and are not particularly invasive. A physician will take the patient’s history and give a standard physical exam, followed by a mental health exam that covers 30 or so questions. This will give the doctor a general idea if there is a problem that needs to be investigated. Further testing could include blood tests, a CT scan and an MRI of the brain.

This is particularly important for individuals with cognitive problems who have a history of dementia in their family. Ott estimates those individuals have as much as a 50 to 60 percent higher risk for being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Ott’s average patient comes to the clinic at the age of 72.

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the country. But as research and resources improve, so do treatments. Ace inhibitors like Donepezil are a common treatment. Once Alzheimer’s reaches a moderate level of severity, drugs like Memantine can block glutamate receptors.

In terms of prevention, research is less reliable.

“The jury is out in terms of the effectiveness of cognitive training,” Ott said, explaining that the idea that doing a daily crossword or other “brain training” exercises has not yielded convincing evidence for reducing risk.

There is some good news, though, for patients looking to give their craniums a workout.

“There is more evidence that suggests that physical exercise is supportive of brain health. What’s good for the heart is good for the brain,” he said.

In addition to exercise, Ott says that diet has been a focus for recent research.

Doctors believe a Mediterranean diet - lauded by cardiologists - is helpful to cognitive health, and particularly a balanced diet that is high in antioxidants, vitamins and Omega-3 fatty acids.

10 | PrimeTime

April 2013

health specialties

b y meg fraser

It doesn’t take a secret elixir, an intense regimen of vitamins or even an expensive personal trainer. In fact, Dr. Barbara Roberts says the keys to heart health are quite simple.

Don’t smoke.

Exercise.

Eat healthy.

Follow those basic rules and your ticker should be in tip-top condition. If you’ve had heart problems in the past, or are showing early signs of heart disease, these tips are as good as a prescription.

“We know we can prevent 80 percent of arthrosclerotic heart disease just with lifestyle changes,” said Roberts, a renowned cardiologist and director of the Women’s Cardiac Center at The Miriam Hospital.

Of all the bad habits that people acquire, smoking is the worst for your overall health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the adverse effects of cigarette smoking account for nearly one in five deaths in the United States.

“The earlier you stop, the better,” said Roberts. “Within a few weeks of stopping smoking, you’ve reversed some of the effects of having sudden cardiac death.”

Earlier is better, but Roberts says it is never too late to kick the habit. She notes that nicotine is twice as addicting as heroin, so most people require outside assistance, like the cessation programs available through Miriam’s department of behavioral medicine.

Exercise, on the other hand, is something that can be handled in-house, based on your schedule and at your own pace. Roberts recommends 150 minutes of exercise each week, broken up as you see fit. Walking is always a good option,

Heart The

of the issue

“

If you have really bad h a b i t s , they’re going to tru m p g e n e t i c s .

Genet ics loads the pisto l , b u t t h e environment pulls t h e t r i g g e r.

”

but for individuals with mobility problems, she says stationary bicycles or waterbased workouts make exercise possible.

“For people who have severe arthritis, I recommend exercise in a pool. It’s well worth an investment,” she said.

Most important, and arguably easiest to implement, is a heart-healthy diet. Roberts, who is also the author of “The Truth About Statins,” is especially supportive of a Mediterranean diet.

“It’s a plant-based diet with olive oil as the main source of fat,” she said. “The take away message is that when you look at people who have striking longevity, plant-based diets seem to have a very strong role.”

A Mediterranean diet is largely vegetarian, limiting intake of processed carbohydrates and red meats, but also allows for fish. To avoid mercury poisoning, Roberts notes that fish lower on the food chain are better options to tuna or swordfish, which would have a higher mercury count. Avoiding sugar is important as well.

“We are, as a nation, addicted to sugary foods and sweet foods. A huge intake of sugars and refined starches is more dangerous than a high intake of fats,” she said.

When you need to indulge, red wine with dinner is actually a factor in the Mediterranean diet, and dark chocolate can be good in moderation.

But when it comes to eating out, Roberts warns that healthy options aren’t always readily available.

“It’s difficult to control portions if you eat out a lot. It’s very difficult to avoid some of the processed foods. In order to live and eat healthily, you have to make as much of your own food as you can,” she said.

There are often genetic factors in heart disease, but at the end of the day, Roberts says that her patients control their own destinies. Nothing is more important, she said, than leading a healthy lifestyle.

“If you have really bad habits, they’re going to trump genetics,” she said. “Genetics loads the pistol, but the environment pulls the trigger.”

April 2013

PrimeTime | 11

a worthy cause

b y M ichael j . cerio

Ensuring access to high-quality care

Dr. Eileen Gonzalez (far right) is one of the board-certified family practice physicians at EBCAP’s East Bay Family Health Care center who helps the organization serve 2,000 patients each year - a number expected to double over the next four years.

Across the country, health care and the ability to provide affordable, comprehensive care for all Americans remains one of the most talked about issues.

When President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in March 2010, the goal was to reduce the number of uninsured Americans while also cutting the costs of health care. Representing the most significant government expansion and regulatory overhaul of the country’s health care system since the passage of Medicaid and Medicare nearly 50 years ago, its impact is beginning to transform care right here in Rhode Island.

Thanks to being awarded $3 million in federal funding, there is a new facility for East Bay and Newport County residents seeking high-quality health care - the East Bay Family Health Care center. Operated by the non-profit East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP), the facility represents an expansion of their health care capabilities. It officially opened on Jan. 28 of this year.

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Catherine Camparone gets her own day Atria Harborhill resident Catherine Camparone celebrated her 104th birthday with family and friends on Feb. 24. Camparone received a Proclamation from the city of Warwick signed by Mayor Scott Avedisian, stating that Feb. 24, 2013 was Catherine Camparone Day. Camparone grew up in Federal Hill, the youngest of 11 children of Italian immigrants, who affectionately called her Queenie.

She has three daughters, 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Camparone completed eighth grade and returned to school as a senior citizen, receiving her high school diploma at the age of 69. When asked about her secret to longevity, she said, “being nice and pleasant to everyone.” (Submitted photo)

April 2013

PEOPLE AND PLACES

“We have operated community health centers for over 20 years with sites in East Providence and Newport.

Health services continue to be a critical part of our array of services,” said Dennis Roy, CEO of EBCAP. “Lowincome, uninsured and underinsured Rhode Islanders need a place to receive quality, affordable and comprehensive health care, which is exactly what we’re able to provide.”

The East Bay Family Health Care center is available to all residents of the East Bay and Newport County. For those without health insurance, services are offered on a sliding fee scale based on income and family size. The center also accepts Medicare, Medicaid, RIteCare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and other private insurances.

The range of services offered span from preventative and sick care to emergency care.

Prior to Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation securing $3 million to construct the new center, part of the $1.5 billion Health Care Reform appropriation, EBCAP’s previous Newport facility was less than 2,000 square feet.

As a result of this space limitation, the organization was ill equipped to meet the sharp increase in the number of uninsured and low-income community residents in need of health care.

Now housed in an 11,000-square foot facility with double the number of exam rooms, the design of the new East Bay Family Health Care center promotes stronger integrated care, workflow efficiency and space to incorporate additional services and programs. The additional space also helps people move away from seeking primary and nonemergency care in the Emergency Room - something that is not cost-efficient.

“Many of our patients face complex health issues and many social and economic challenges,” said Roy. “The model of providing health care in a multi-faceted community agency such as ours makes it possible for us to offer our patients a seamless and coordinated network of health and social services conveniently located under one roof.”

Board-certified physicians who operate under a patient-centered model of care staff the East Bay Family Health Care center. This model puts each patient at the center of a care team who provides individualized care throughout that person’s life to support the best health outcomes possible. In fact, according to national data, implementing this model of care has both improved patient health outcomes and been successful in reducing expense.

“The evolution of the patient-centered medical home model allows the patient to drive their health care and enhances the working relationship be-

April 2013

tween medical providers and their patients,” said Roy. “This represents a shift from creating an environment that offers episodic treatment to one of preventative, proactive care.”

Some of the expanded capabilities of the new center include additional supports for the growing population of patients with chronic health issues such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure. And, representing cutting-edge technology, East Bay Family Health Care utilizes electronic health records and an integrated medical records management system.

The use of electronic health records allows for the efficient exchange of information among care providers, realtime alerts, timelier test reviews and a patient portal that makes it easier for patients to manage their care. A medical records management system supports better delivery and management of each patient’s unique needs.

A critical part of EBCAP’s mission - their commitment to treating the entire needs of an individual and family - is on full display at the East Bay Family Health Care center. The space of the new health center enables the organization to house key services such as WIC (Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Feeding Program), social services advocacy, behavioral health services, referrals for specialty care and an on-site lab.

“Our health care center serves as the medical hub of Newport’s North End; an environment designed to improve the educational, economic and overall health of our community,” said Roy. “Most importantly, it means that every infant, child, teenager, adult and senior citizen has a place where they can go for high-quality, affordable health care.”

The East Bay Family Health Care center currently serves 2,000 people each year with a goal of doubling that number over the next four years. Always welcoming new patients, Roy encourages those interested to come in for a visit to meet the center’s staff and tour the facility. Reflective of the community EBCAP serves, members of the health center’s staff speak several languages. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday evenings until 8 p.m. For more information, call 848-2160 or visit www.ebcap.org.

“The new health center is making it possible for us to make a difference in even more lives - our motto is ‘every door is the right door,’” said Roy. “We guarantee that no matter how a person or family enters our agency, they will receive the information and assistance that they need from all of the programs that we offer to make sure we’re caring for the entire individual.”

PrimeTime | 13

senior

b y C amilla F arrell

issues

de ve l o p m e n t d i re c to r , a l z h e i m er ’s association r hode island chapter

An unforgettable occasion The second annual “Unforgettable Gala and Auction” will be held on Kentucky Derby Day, May 4, this year to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter. All proceeds from the Gala will help to enhance care, support and resources for families dealing with the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease.

Experience the excitement and glamour of the “Run for the Roses Kentucky Derby” theme with a fun-filled evening featuring mint juleps, games of chance, a live broadcast of the Derby races, prizes for Derby attire, dancing the night away to the Frank Castle trio, a savory dinner, a large silent and live auction, and an opportunity to win $1,000 cash all in one evening.

The venue for the Gala again this year is Wannamoisett Country Club, a private club, rich in tradition and well renowned as one of the best facilities for ambience in Rhode Island. Tickets for the Gala are $85 and include a complimentary mint julep, appetizers, dinner, dessert and entertainment.

There are also opportunities for businesses to purchase sponsorships, which include advertising and preferred seating.

Health Concepts, Ltd. is the Top Triple Crown Sponsor for this event.

The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour and then live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby at 6:24, followed by the silent auction, dinner and dancing.

During the silent auction, bid on an array of exciting auction packages from exclusive spa treatments, golf outings at private clubs, theater packages, children’s parties and everything in between. Throughout the evening, purchase raffle tickets to win the grand prize of $1,000, $250 or $50 to be announced at the end of the evening.

Who knows - you may be lucky enough to have your bid number called to receive a special surprise gift during the event.

After dinner, WPRI 12 Meteorologist

Tony Petrarca will be the master of ceremonies and kick off the live auction. For the live auction, place your paddle high to bid on dream vacations, chef dinners, Red Sox tickets and elusive excursions. There is also an opportunity to support local programs with a “fund a need” bid, which helps to expand and sustain our free programs for families. Invite your family, friends and co-workers - this is an event you will not want to miss.

“We are looking forward to a wonderful evening and we thank all of the businesses in the community who support this important event to raise funds and awareness for people with Alzheimer’s disease in Rhode Island,” said Alzheimer’s Association Executive Director Donna McGowan.

Please order your tickets early, as space is limited. E-mail agarcia@alz.org or call our Chapter Office at 800-272-3900 by April 19.

About the Alzheimer’s Association The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

About the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter The Rhode Island Chapter, an affiliate of the National Alzheimer’s Association, is a private, non-profit organization started in 1989 by family caregivers and interested community health care professionals.

The Chapter programs and services include a 24/7 helpline, support groups, training for families, Live & Learn for Early Memory Loss, newsletters, advocacy, resource library, conferences, lectures, and special fundraising events. Offices are located at 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306 in Providence. For more information, call 800-272-3900, fax 421-0115 or visit the website at www.alz.org/ri.

Pictured standing are Donna McGowan, Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Association and Kenneth Delisi, Administrator at Morgan Health Center. Seated are Camilla Farrell, Development Director, Alzheimer’s Association and Bella Garcia, Special Event Coordinator, Alzheimer’s Association.

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What is home health care?

Home health care includes medical or non-medical services provided in someone’s own home. Non-medical services may include companionship, meal preparation, and light housekeeping, and aides can assist with tasks such as bathing. For more complex cases, nursing may be required. Many procedures that once required expensive hospitalization are now safe and cost-effective to perform at home.

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Ask how an agency supports its employees, handles call outs, and deals with after-hours problems. Is each client assigned a client services manager (who coordinates services) and a clinical manager (who supervises care)? Is there an on-call supervisor to handle after-hours calls?

Conclusion For many, home health care is the best way to preserve independence and dignity, and remain at home. Conducting research before hiring an agency will help ensure a positive experience.

For questions or additional information, please call BAYADA Home Health Care in Providence at 401-330-2525.

Client Mary W. with her daughter Lisa B.

Call 401-330-2525 | www.bayada.com

Compassion. Excellence. Reliability.

Standards of excellence Knowing how employees are selected is crucial because they will be coming into your home. Reputable agencies have stringent hiring standards, which include checking references, criminal background, and work experience.

Understand how insurance payments and billing are handled. Does the agency contact insurance companies directly and handle the billing? If you will pay for services yourself, ask how taxes will be paid, if Worker’s Comp insurance is provided, and whether additional charges apply for weekends, nights, and holidays.

Accreditation is important. The Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) is the leader in home care accreditation.

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BAYADA HHA Peggy Peck with her client Mary Lou A.

• How are employees selected?

• Are employees fully insured?

• Are employees subject to criminal and reference checks?

• Is the agency accredited?

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• How are scheduling problems handled?

• How is the care plan determined?

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FREE delivery for their insured customers Independence. Mobility. Access. Dignity. These are words that describe the fundamental rights of all individuals, especially those who experience debilitating conditions, whether it be a premature infant on a high caloric diet, a young adult in a wheelchair, a wounded veteran, or an elderly neighbor with problems with incontinence. These, and many others, are all individuals who live in our communities and who may need assistance as they endeavor to live a meaningful quality of life.

Charm Medical Supply, which opened in Pembroke, Massachusetts in 2000, is a trusted, reliable and full service source for healthcare supplies and medical equipment throughout New England. Now located on Main Street in Pawtucket, Charm Medical Supply has one overriding goal: to offer support to these individuals and their families as they strive to enjoy the highest quality of life possible. Charm Medical serves hundreds of organizations throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, including Elder Services (Rest homes and Assisted Living Facilities), Medical Providers such as hospitals and doctor’s offices, and many Human Service Organizations.

One of the greatest challenges of accessing necessary healthcare and medical supplies is navigating the laborious and often confusing world of insurance authorizations. One of Charm Medical’s most highly commended services is the assistance they give to their customers throughout this process.

In Pawtucket’s new store, you will meet Kendra Morales. Morales, who speaks fluent Spanish, works closely with each customer to assess what product best addresses their needs and then completes all the necessary insurance paperwork.

She will contact the medical provider to obtain and then to file all documentation needed, staying with the request until the process is completed.

Charm’s knowledgeable customer service team handles all Medicare, Medicaid, BCBS and other private insurance carriers’ paperwork. Eric Fernandez, part of the Charm Medical team says “We really put ourselves in the middle of everybody in support of our clients.” Morales and Fernandez personify everything Charm stands for – quality service, accountability and care.

The list of medical supplies and equipment at Charm Medical is lengthy and comprehensive. Some of the many products available on site include: • Aids to Daily Living (Reachers, hip kits, sock aids) • Nutrition (G-tubes, feeding pumps, Glucerna) • Diagnostics (Diabetic testing equipment, blood pressure cuffs) • Urology (catheters, drain bags) • Personal Care (creams, shampoos, gloves) • Incontinence (Adult briefs, waterproof bedding supplies) • Medical Equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, bariatric supplies) • Bath Safety (transfer benches, rails, raised toilet seats, etc.)

Living a life of dignity takes more than just loving caregivers and professionals; it takes a feeling of self-determination and pride. The team at Charm Medical embraces the notion that all people deserve to have that feeling and will work diligently to make the many innovative products that are on the market today available to their customers.

As an added bonus, Charm Medical will deliver your supplies and equipment for FREE – that’s right, for free.

Charm Medical Supply is located at 237 Main Street in Pawtucket. Call 475-0200 today, or visit their website at www.charmmedical.com for a full listing of their products and services.

Meet Raellen Issler, Eric Fernandez and Kendra Morales, part of the knowledgeable and helpful team at Charm Medical Supply, ready to meet all your medical equipment needs.

April 2013

PrimeTime | 17

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April 2013

LI F EST Y LES

wHAT DO YOU FINK?

by MIKE FINK

Mr. April himself “Pass between Veterans Hospital and Roger Williams on Chalkstone, go left on River, and find Robin.”

Stan Kapelewski told me how to find the headquarters for “Street Sights.” Out of this address come newsletters for homeless organizations. Stan also creates and edits a calendar. Each month of the year features a poet and a brief biography of his or her connection to the issue and condition of homelessness. Mr. April for 2013 is...me! I composed a verse about my philosophical alliance with people from the shelters, or wayfarers who hide in huts on the riverbanks of town.

My poem sounds better in excerpts than it does as a rhyming essay on the subject. Like, “You are free upon the road that goes...or the river that flows.” Or, “A new friend each noon, or at dawn or dusk, under the sun or moon.”

That may give some dim idea of what I had in mind, an expression of respect and some sort of admiration for those who survive, like the spirits of Thoreau, without the comforts and rigid routines most of us demand to get through the day.

One summer afternoon, some years ago, my son, his pal and my dog motorboated along Narrow River until we came at Middlebridge upon a rather elegant and scholarly graffiti with a quotation from the pen of Jean Anouilh, the French playwright.

“Things are beautiful if you love them.”

I hope it summed up my theme for April, which was, “Have no regrets, you own whatever you enjoy,” or something to that effect.

When I found Stan’s house, without much trouble, I rang the bell. I waited only a few moments, admiring the little statue of a faithful dog at the granite steps and the small birdbath on the narrow strip behind the fence. Stan opened the door into the wee downstairs vestibule, handed me the calendar and the current issue of “Street Sights,” and spoke cheerfully, but briefly and to the point.

“Just had cataract surgery, can’t really quite afford the necessary drops for postop treatment. Also battling tumors of the bladder and prostate. It’s hell getting old!”

He spoke cheerfully and cordially. I thought, he’s younger than I am, but I won’t tell him that.

“Look backward as well as forward,” I said, instead, wishing him happy memories and high hopes.

He works for free, and shares his talents and ideas with others at monthly meetings. I admired him immensely for his zest and zeal, and drove homeward bound buoyed by the spirit of our city, which was founded by a wanderer, for the purpose of welcoming others troubled in body and soul.

g n i v Le xi p o

P r i m eTi m e Ma g a z ine

senior

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 10:00 AM-3:00 PM at the Warwick Mall

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April 2013

PrimeTime | 19

Congratulations to our A GLIMPSE OF RI’S PAST winner of the February A new era begins “Love Story” Contest!

PEOPLE AND PLACES

h i s t o r y w i t h T e r r y d ’a m ato S p e n c e r

Congratulations

Debbie & Carl Winner of a 1 Year Membership to Massage Envy!

C ranston • east greenwich

My Love Story began almost 29 years ago this coming June. That is when I answered a Cupid Suggests column in the local Yankee Swapper.

I picked up the Swapper and read some of the posts in it, where people were trying to meet other people. I found one that caught my eye. After reading the ad, I wrote a short letter about myself, etc. and placed it in a sealed envelope along with a money order for $1.00. The Yankee Swapper would forward my letter to the person who placed the ad.

Never thinking I would hear so soon, Carl called me within a week.

The call came on a Wednesday and we chatted for a couple hours. That Sunday we had our first date. Dinner at Chelo’s in Warwick, followed by a round of mini-golf at Lou’s Golf on Oakland Beach Ave. (Not there anymore) Later, we would walk the beach at Goddard Park hand in hand.

Four years later, Carl proposed and we set a date, July 1, 1989.

Through all our ups and downs, financial, health issues, children, etc., our love remains as strong today as it was almost 24 years ago.

We are soul-mates, lovers, but most of all friends. I truly believe God has blessed us both. The only regret I have is not saving that little ad I answered back in 1985. I will never regret spending a whole dollar to answer it!

– Debbie

Marble House was opened to the suffragettes for a meeting and, as well can be imagined, it received a great deal of publicity. She asked Governor Aram J. Pothier to address the group. Pothier very courteously asked her what she would like him to say. Much to his surprise, Alva VanderbiltBelmont handed him a number of pages full of anti-male tirades. Pothier, a clever politician, discarded the speech and spoke to the group in soothing platitudes.

As with everything else, Alva immersed herself in the suffragette movement and even led a parade in New York demanding that women be given the right to vote.

She is also reported as telling a suffragette, “Brace up my dear. Just pray to God and She will help you.”

Alva lived a full, active life well into her 80s. She moved to France to be near her daughter, Consuelo. In a most candid comment, she paved the way for Consuelo’s annulment of her marriage to the Duke of Marlborough when she said, “I forced my daughter to marry the Duke.

When I issued an order, nobody discussed it. I therefore did not beg, but ordered her to marry the Duke.”

The era of Alva ends

After World War I, Alva VanderbiltBelmont spent little time in Newport. She sold most of O.H.P. Belmont’s collection to Clarence McKay and much of it can be seen today at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Alva spent her last years in France to be near Consuelo. She continued work for women’s rights and was constantly remodeling her home in France.

When Alva went to Europe in the 1920s, she sold Belcourt Castle to her brother-in-law Perry Belmont. For a number of years, the “cottage” changed hands several times within the family.

Alva owned it for a brief time during that period and eventually Perry Belmont became the last family member to own it.

Alva died in France in 1933. Meanwhile, Perry Belmont, a brilliant statesman who had served in Congress with distinction and was Ambassador to Spain during Grover Cleveland’s administration, was childless. In 1940, at age 89, he decided to sell Belcourt to a young businessman, George Waterman. Waterman is primarily responsible for restoring the third floor of the castle to its original design.

The Tinney family

The Tinney family decided to purchase Belcourt Castle as a private residence and a home for their extensive collections.

They owned “Seaverge,” an oceanfront 45-room mansion in Newport that had been built for Edward V. Hartford, the founder of the A & P stores. Seaverge was not large enough to house the ever-growing collection of art treasures and furni-

20 | PrimeTime

ture from Europe and Asia that the Tinneys were accumulating. When Belcourt became available in 1956, they decided it would be ideal for their use.

Fortunately, the Tinney family has decided to share their treasures and turned Belcourt into a fabulous museum. The architecture of Belcourt, with its variety of authentic European interior style, was ideally suited and the family went to work in turning Belmont’s dream house into a show place for magnificent art treasures.

In 1956, the Tinney family consisted of Harold, his wife Ruth, son Donald and Mrs. Tinney’s aunt, Nellie Fuller. In August 1960, Donald Tinney married Harle Hanson and the ceremony was at Belcourt. The family, whose wealth came from real estate in New England, had been collecting art for over 30 years. Carole J. Maconi, in collaboration with the Tinney family, recorded the early years at Belcourt. Maconi, in the booklet, “Belcourt Castle,” states that, “The thousands of hours of hard labor in the Castle’s restoration were rewarded by the pleasure of seeing this sleeping dream castle come alive.”

By July 28, 1957, after nine months of polishing woodwork and furniture, restoring stained glass and hanging draperies, Belcourt Castle Museum was ready for its first guided tour.

A new era of splendor

Belcourt has had many gala festivals that would have rivaled those of Alva Vanderbilt-Belmont. One of these has been heralded as the “greatest party ever held in Newport.” This was the time when the Tinney family hosted the city of Newport’s lavish fete honoring the Eisenhower presidential press. Carole J. Maconi tells us, “1,500 prominent citizens and foreign dignitaries enjoyed flowing fountains of champagne and countless gourmet delicacies in the Castle’s opulent surroundings.”

Maconi also states that among Belcourt’s many gala balls, concerts and festivities, was “the resplendent formal wedding ceremony of Donald Tinney and Harle Hanson August 1960.”

The Castle is open for tours and for special events throughout the year. It is the only privately owned and shown residence in Newport and the public can enjoy tours by specially trained guides. Here, you can capture some of the history of the fabulously wealthy families of yesteryear, as well as seeing some of the most beautiful treasures from palaces and castles of 33 countries. You can “step over the threshold of time” to a world of beauty and grandeur.

The sale of Belcourt to Carolyn Rafaelian, founder of Alex and Ani, a jewelry company, was announced on Nov. 12, 2012. Rafaelian plans to restore and renovate the mansion, and reopen it for events under the name “Belcourt of Newport.”

April 2013

your taxes

professional perspective

b y meg che v alier

Social Security and your taxes Some people must pay taxes on their Social Security benefits, and as the deadline to file taxes fast approaches, it is an important detail in your finances. If you get Social Security, you should have received a Form SSA1099, Social Security Benefit Statement, by early February. The form shows the amount of benefits you received in 2012.

Here are five tips from the IRS to help you determine if your benefits are taxable: 1. The amount of your income and your filing status affect whether you must pay taxes on your Social Security.

2. If Social Security was your only income in 2012, your benefits are probably not taxable. You also may not need to file a federal income tax return.

3. If you received income from other sources, then you may have to pay taxes on your benefits.

4. You can follow these two quick steps to see if your benefits are taxable: • Add one-half of the Social Security benefits you received to all your other income, including tax-exempt interest. Tax-exempt interest includes interest from state and municipal bonds.

• Next, compare this total to the “base amountâ€? for your filing status. If the total is more than your base amount, then some of your benefits may be taxable.

The three 2012 base amounts are: • $25,000 for single, head of household, qualifying widow or widower with a dependent child or married individuals filing separately who did not live with their spouse at any time during the year • $32,000 for married couples filing jointly • $0 for married persons filing separately who lived together at any time during the year.

5. If you use IRS e-file to prepare and file your tax return, the tax software will figure your taxable benefits for you. If you file a paper return, you can use the Interactive Tax Assistant tool on the IRS website to check if your benefits are taxable. The ITA is a resource that can help answer tax law questions. There also is a worksheet in the instructions for Form 1040 or 1040A that you can use to figure your taxable benefits.

For more information on the taxability of Social Security benefits, see IRS Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits. You can get a copy of this booklet on IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAXFORM (800-829-3676).

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calendar Craft heaven CRAFTOPIA, a festival for New England artisans and crafters, will take place at the Hope Artiste Village at 1005 Main Street in Pawtucket on Sunday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CRAFTOPIA showcases the work of more than 65 artisans, curating a mix of arts and crafts, original handbags, one-of-a-kind jewelry, paper arts and more.

There will be food trucks outside and coffee inside. Admission is just $1 and kids are admitted for free. Visit www.rhodycraft. com for details.

Strategies for good communication Home Instead Senior Care will present, “The 40/70 Rule,” a program on how and when to have challenging family discussions, on Tuesday, April 16, at 6 p.m. at the Bethany Home of Rhode Island. Bethany Home is located at 111 South Angell St. in Providence, and guests are asked to RSVP with Beatriz O’Neill at 831-2870 or by e-mail at boneill@bethanyhomeofri.org. volunteers The Salute to Senior Service program, sponsored by Home Instead, Inc., will celebrate adults 65 and older who give at least 15 hours per month of volunteer service to their favorite causes. Nominations were accepted through March, and state winners with then be selected by popular vote at SalutetoSeniorService.com. Voting runs from April 15 to 30. Home Instead will donate $500 to each of the state winners’ favorite non-profits, and $5,000 will be donated to the national winner’s non-profit.

I’m game The Italian Workingmen’s Club will have their 23rd annual Game Dinner on Saturday, April 20 at 6 p.m., and again on Sunday, April 21 at 1 p.m. Located at 947 Diamond Hill Road, the Workingmen’s Club will offer dinner stations, a cash bar, live auctions, raffles and more. Tickets are $30 and proceeds go to Children’s Wishes, an organization that grants wishes to local children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. To purchase tickets, call 921-1300 or e-mail info@cwishesri.com.

Rush Hour music Amica sponsors the Rush Hour Series for the Rhode Island Philharmonic on Friday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $38 to $46 for this performance of Beethoven’s 5th at The Vets, One Avenue of the Arts in Providence. The full concert will be presented on April 13 at 8 p.m. Call 248-7000 or go to www. riphil.org for more information.

Daffodil Days are back at the Blithewold Mansion are back for the 2013 season. From April 6 to 28, join a selfguided or a custom guided tour for a group of eight or more. Blithewold is located at 101 Ferry Road in Bristol, and tours are available daily. Call 253-2707 with questions, or visit www.blithewold.org/tours.

of

events

A performance not to be missed St. Columba’s, located at 55 Vaucluse Avenue in Middletown, will host concert harpsichordist Paul Cienniwa for a program featuring the works of Bach, Handel and Scarlatti. There is a suggested donation of $20 for this show, which will take place on Sunday, April 28 at 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.paulcienniwa.com or call 617-466-9042.

Shopping for a cause Support Children’s Wishes at the Alex and Ani Charmed

by Charity event on April 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is free, but 15 percent of all sales will benefit the non-profit.

The event will take place at the Alex and Ani in Wayland Square, located at 201 Wayland Avenue in Providence.

Call 919-5467 or go to www.cwishesri.com for more information.

Star gazing Did you know that the Frosty Drew Observatory is open for visitors? Admission is free, and stop by any Friday night, weather permitting, to experience the dome and telescopes. The observatory is open by 7 p.m., and is located at 62 Park Lane in Charlestown. For details, visit frostydrew.org or call 364-9508.

Moving to the music Moving to the Music 5K is a run and family walk held by the Amicable Church in Tiverton. The run starts at 9 a.m. on April 6 and the walk starts at 9:30 a.m. The scenic course brings participants through Tiverton’s Four Corners to Sakonnet Bay. Music and refreshments will be provided. Fees to participate are $15 and $20. For more information, visit www.Amicable5K.com or call 624-4611.

Quite the work of art The Jamestown Arts Center will host its 2013 Members’ Show through April 12 at its 18 Valley Street location. Admission is free and the gallery is open from 5 to 8 p.m. to allow guests to view an exhibition celebrating work of local artists. Details are available at jamestownartcenter.org or by calling 560-0979.

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at the Senio Visit Our Booth

22 | PrimeTime

April 2013

Eye

health specialties

b y meg fraser

M

illions of Americans struggle with vision impairments from cataracts or glaucoma to varying degrees of blindness. And while less than 1 percent of the population battles such problems early in life, as we age, eye-related illness increases dramatically. In fact, according to the National Eye Institute, more than 25 percent of Americans over the age of 80 have some kind of vision impairment.

Fear often keeps patients out of the optometrist’s chair, but Dr. Maria Jablonski says that the more you know, the better off your eyes will be.

“It’s normal to have a degree of fear or apprehension about the eye exam, but an eye exam is really not invasive at all,” said Jablonski, an optometrist and owner of the EyeSite RI practice in Cranston.

“It’s the things we do now that help us to minimize our risk down the road. Early intervention really is key.”

While vision problems have long been associated with aging, Jablonski says prevalence of technology in our lives has magnified the situation. Sitting at a computer all day, or being glued to the television or smart phone causes eyestrain, fatigue, headaches and can aggravate existing eye conditions.

“So much of our life is at that computer monitor now,” she said. “We don’t just go on and check our e-mail - everything is on the computer. And with seniors, and even into adulthood, we can develop issues with glares or halos around lights.”

Limiting time spent at a monitor can help alleviate that strain, as can protecting your eyes from sunlight. Jablonski says that wearing sunglasses is as important as wearing sunscreen, and purchasing a polarized, anti-glare pair will block out harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Sunglasses can be tailored to the needs of individual patients, with lenses designed for corrective vision. Both eyeglasses and sunglasses come in multi-focal designs, correcting near- and farsightedness, astigmatism and other vision challenges. Contact lenses are another popular alternative.

Sometimes, though, vision problems are inevitable. Cataracts, for example, a

April 2013

of the Beholder

clouding of the lens inside the eye, often comes with age.

“Cataracts are more of a normal, age-related change in the eye. If you live long enough, pretty much everybody will develop a cataract,” Jablonski said.

Sunglasses are especially important for people with cataracts, but more serious cases require a more serious course of treatment.

“If it gets to a point where the glasses don’t help the symptoms, at that point we would talk about surgery,” Jablonski said.

Macular degeneration is another eye-related disease, and one that robs the individual of central sight, leaving them with only peripheral vision.

Jablonski called the disease “debilitating,” but said treatments have improved exponentially over the past decade.

“It’s one of the leading causes of blindness for patients over 65 years old, but it’s something that, very often, we can detect early on,” she said.

Not surprisingly, Jablonski says that the best offense is a good defense.

“I really focus on preventative care and lowering risk,” she said.

In addition to protecting your eyes, she says an annual eye exam is essential. Nutrition can likewise impact vision, and a diet rich in green leafy vegetables and Omega-3 fatty acids can improve long-term eye health.

EyeSite RI is located at 110 Atwood Avenue. They offer night and weekend hours, and are currently accepting new patients. For more information, call 943-4770.

PrimeTime | 23

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lifestyles

Cathleen Naughton Associates coordinates toiletry donation As we navigate our way through these trying times, Cathleen Naughton Associates has developed The Toiletries Program of 2013. Naughton has worked at the North Kingstown Food Pantry for many years and said it never fails to put a smile on a client’s face when basic toiletry items are available.

With this in mind, the agency is collecting toiletry items that will be donated to Amos House, House of Hope, Domestic Violence Center of South County, Welcome House in Peacedale and the North Kingstown Food Pantry.

The program will run through May 1, and the goal is to make up 500 individual bags for men, women and children.

The agency is collecting: deodorant, kids body wash, soap, makeup, body wash, shampoo, mouthwash, conditioner, hairspray, facial cleansers, baby powder, toothpaste, Q-tips, toothbrushes, toilet paper, razors, shaving cream, feminine products and nose clippers.

Any of these items can be dropped off at the Providence or Wakefield office, or businesses are invited to put posters up and Cathleen Naughton Associates will then coordinate pickup times. Volunteers are also needed for “put together” sessions.

For more information, call 751-9660 or visit cathleennaughtonassoc.com.

Our first Cracker Barrel encounter was in Nashville, where we enjoyed some great country cookin’ at the restaurant across the street from the Grand Ole Opry. The popular chain now has more than 600 locations in 42 states, including one right off Route 95 at Exit 7 in Coventry.

We have made a tradition of having a family breakfast there on New Year’s Day and other special occasions.

There is usually a short wait for a table, which the women love because they can shop in their interesting gift shop.

You’ll find most of the men waiting for them in the rocking chairs on the porch, even in the dead of winter.

Cracker Barrel is famous for their big breakfasts, which are served all day. My favorite is the farm-raised catfish platter, while big-eater brother-in-law likes Momma’s Pancake Breakfast, which consists of three buttermilk pancakes, two eggs and a choice of sausage or thick-sliced bacon.

They serve the popular southern dish, country-fried steak, which is batter-dipped then fried to a crispy golden brown and topped with brown gravy.

The sides range from veggies to French fries, with an emphasis on southern cooking. Try the breaded fried okra (even if you think you don’t like okra), dumplings, hash brown casserole and turnip greens. And don’t pass up the

cornbread. Biscuits and gravy are an acquired taste, served with sausage or bacon, as are chicken and dumplings.

Another southern treat is the roast beef dinner, which is really an old-fashioned pot roast that has been slow roasted for 14 hours.

Their food is inexpensive, with many dinners, including catfish and a variety of chicken, for $7.95. It comes with two sides and cornbread or biscuits, but the portions are small. For a couple dollars more, I suggest the platters, which come with three sides, and you can take home what you don’t finish.

The service is prompt and attentive – sometimes too attentive, with waitpersons and managers frequently asking how your meal was.

The kids (and adults) are kept busy looking at the mountains of memorabilia hanging on the walls and a peg game on the tables. Cracker Barrel is very family and senior friendly. Cracker Barrel is a short ride from most areas, off Route 95 Exit 7 in Coventry, and is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, or 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Happy at 100 Mavis Palmer (bottom right), a resident of EPOCH Assisted Living on Blackstone Boulevard, turned 100 in February. On Valentine’s Day, Mayor Angel Taveras (bottom left) paid Mavis a visit to give her a special citation in recognition of her landmark birthday. Four generations of Mavis’ family gathered to celebrate, including (top row, from left) granddaughter Christine, daughter Sandra and great-granddaughter Alice. (Submitted photo)

April 2013

health specialties

b y kathy tirrell

Living with

Arthritis

For 56-year-old Anne Watkins, arthritis is literally a pain to deal with, just about every day of her life. She was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her teens, but she’d had symptoms since the age of 4, and has been living with the condition ever since. She says just when she has reached a point in her life when she has time to enjoy some of her favorite pastimes, like knitting and crocheting, these are the very things that are most difficult to do.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, 27 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, a progressive, degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of the joint’s cartilage. The most common form of arthritis, it usually affects only certain joints, such as the hips, hands, knees, lower back or neck.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain or stiffness in the joints after periods of inactivity or from excessive use, bony growths at the margins of affected joints, and grating during joint movements.

Patients are typically diagnosed with osteoarthritis based on their medical history and a physical examination. X-rays and an MRI may also be performed to determine the extent of the joint damage. Heredity is one of the risk factors, as well as joint injury, repetitive use of certain joints, lack of physical activity, aging and being overweight.

According to Dr. John M. Conte at the Rheumatology Associates in Pawtucket, there is no cure for arthritis.

“We hope to stop the progress of arthritis and we can treat the pain where it exists,” he said. “An x-ray doesn’t always predict the degree of pain.”

Dr. Conte said treatments for osteoarthritis are tailored to the patient’s age, health and risk factors. Typical pain relievers are Tylenol or other acetaminophen products, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or prescription medications, if stronger pain relief is needed.

Eventually, surgery could be an option.

“When it’s become so advanced in various joints that patients become disabled from pain and limited movement, surgery has saved countless people from being relegated to a wheelchair or permanent sedentary lifestyle,” said Dr. Conte.

About 1 to 3 percent of the population is afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, which is the most common autoimmune arthritis. Dr. Conte explained that most of the research for new drugs has been focused on rheumatoid treatment.

“The biggest development in osteoarthritis over the past 20 to 30 years has been the perfection of different forms of joint replacements,” he said.

Conte says these would include total hip, shoulder and even finger joint replacements.

“

For those who want to slow down the process of developing arthritis or manage it better, the Arthritis Foundation lists the following helpful tips: • Weight loss of only 15 pounds can cut knee pain in half for overweight individuals with arthritis.

• For every one pound of weight lost, there is a four-pound reduction in the load exerted on the knee for each step taken during daily activities.

• Losing as few as 11 pounds can cut the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis by 50 percent for some women.

Those afflicted with arthritis can also benefit from alternative or complementary treatment methods such as exercise, massage and physical therapy.

The YMCA, in collaboration with The Arthritis Foundation, offers some programs that may be very helpful for people dealing with stiff, sore joints and muscles. The land exercise program was developed to help increase joint flexibility range of motion and muscle strength.

Exercises are performed while sitting in chairs, with a strong focus on the hands and feet.

In addition, the ‘Y’ offers an aquatics program. An indoor pool’s heated water provides soothing warmth and buoyancy to help relieve the pain and stiffness of arthritis. Plus, people have a greater range of motion in the water.

Another method that may help alleviate arthritis pain and stiffness is Reiki, a Japanese healing technique for stress reduction and relaxation.

“Reiki uses techniques commonly called palm healing, or hands-on healing, as a form of alternative medicine,” said Nancie Marshall, a counselor for Atlantis Counseling and Wellness in Rumford and a Reiki Master.

Bernadette Pace, who practices Reiki at the Bayside YMCA, said this technique works hand in hand with diet, relaxation, meditation and exercise, along with medical treatments.

“Every person has the ability to heal,” Pace said. “Reiki treats the whole person - body, mind and soul.”

Coming up on Sunday, May 19, is the Arthritis Walk, a fundraising event sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. It will be held at Roger Williams Park, 100 Elwood Avenue in Providence. Registration begins at 9 a.m.

The walk/run will start at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Michele DiTraglia at 739-3773 or e-mail mditragl@arthritis.org.

“I don’t let arthritis keep me from having a joyful life and I don’t let it define who I am,” said Anne Watkins. “I’m a mom and grandmother, a birdwatcher and writer, a good cook and somebody who also happens to have arthritis.”

I d o n ’t l e t a r t h r i t i s keep me from having a j o y f u l l i f e a n d I d o n ’t let it define who I am

April 2013

”

PrimeTime | 25

senior

issues

b y catherine T erry taylor

d i re c to r , r i d e p a r t m e n t o f e l d e r l y a f f a i r s

Highlighting the role of senior volunteers “Everyone can be great because everybody can serve.”

- Martin Luther King Jr. National Volunteer Week, from April 21 to 27, will celebrate its 39th birthday this year - for the first time, unlike most of us, I’m afraid!

Volunteering in America, a federal volunteer agency, reports that more than 213,000 Rhode Islanders volunteered in 2011. This ranks us 40th in the nation in volunteer service. Volunteers donated 21 million hours of service to their fellow Rhode Islanders at an estimated value of $467 million.

The Corporation for National and Community Service reports that 66,379 volunteers in Rhode Island are 55 or older.

National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize an unusual aspect of Older Americans Act Programs and of the Division of Elderly Affairs (DEA) as a government agency, and that is our reliance on a vast unpaid network of individuals to accomplish our objectives.

This reliance on older volunteers is a win-win, because we don’t have to pay workers with scarce funds to accomplish our work - but also because studies consistently show a direct correlation between volunteering and good health.

According to the Corporation for National Service, the benefits to older people when they volunteer are far greater than for younger people.

In fact, the very act of volunteering may allow individuals to maintain their independence as they grow older, thus meeting one of the key objectives of our Older Americans Act programming, and helping to fulfill the mission of DEA. DEA administers several volunteerbased programs to enhance the quality of life for seniors. There are many opportunities for Rhode Island seniors to serve residents of all ages.

• The Senior Companion Program supports 80 trained volunteers who serve isolated older adults in their own homes, at adult day centers and elsewhere in the community.

• DEA’s State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) trains volunteers to provide one-to-one counseling to seniors, adults with disabilities, families and caregivers to help them identify health care options. SHIP counselors are known statewide as trusted advocates who offer objective, accurate, free and confidential assistance to Medicare beneficiaries. At present, we have 70 SHIP volunteer counselors located throughout the state.

• Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) volunteers - 50 at present - help Rhode Island Medicare beneficiaries to recognize and report Medicare and Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse.

• The Volunteer Guardianship Program currently has 109 volunteers working

as protectors and decision-makers for elders who are infirm and alone.

• The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has a core of volunteer ombudsmen who assist a staff of professionals in protecting the rights of patients in long-term care settings. There are currently 14 LTCO volunteers, the majority of whom are over 55.

•

Through DEA-sponsored Older Americans Act programs, volunteers deliver Meals on Wheels or serve at congregate dining sites, provide respite services and teach falls prevention at senior centers.

• More than 3,700 seniors in Rhode Island contribute their time and talents in one of three Senior Corps programs operated by ServeRI. Foster Grandparent Programs across the state serve more than 7,700 special needs children in schools, day care centers and hospitals. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provides a vast array of opportunities for persons 55 years and older to utilize their enthusiasm, skills and experience. The Neighborhood Friendly Visitor Program provides companionship and cheering support to homebound seniors across the state.

• We even use volunteers to get the word out about all that is available to seniors. “Senior Journal,” DEA’s public access cable television program, relies

on 10 volunteers to produce programming that explores the issues of growing older and the challenges faced by adults with disabilities in Rhode Island. “Senior Journal” is produced with the support of Rhode Island PBS and Rhode Island Public, Education and Government Access Television.

Programs are aired on Sundays at 5 p.m., Mondays at 7 p.m., and Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. over statewide interconnect cable channel 13 and Verizon channel 32. “Senior Journal” was selected last August for the national Volunteers Matter: Excellence in Volunteer Services Award, which highlights successful state-run programs that lead the way in the creative use of volunteers in a community-based long-term care support system.

National Volunteer Week is an opportunity for Rhode Island seniors to join millions of Americans who dedicate countless hours of service to their community, especially in caring for, protecting and informing their peers, and reap an important health benefit in the bargain. Do something you love, for people you will grow to love. Rhode Island can always use more senior volunteers to help preserve the independence and dignity of seniors and adults with disabilities. I encourage you to join us!

For more information, call DEA at 462-3000, or go to www.dea.ri.gov. The TTY number is 462-0740. You can also contact Serve Rhode Island at 331-2298, or go to www.serverhodeisland.org.

Department of Audiology Helping people of all ages enjoy the sounds of life Our certified and licensed audiologists provide complete Audiological services for patients of all ages, including:

• Comprehensive hearing evaluations • State-of-the-art hearing solutions • Hearing Aids & Assistive Listening Devices • Dizziness and balance screening

We offer competitive pricing and a senior citizen discount.

Patients are seen in Providence and South Kingstown.

Call 401-453-7751

26 | PrimeTime

April 2013

retirement sparks

senior

issues

b y elaine m . decker

Retirochondria So many people are self-diagnosing by Googling their health symptoms that medical professionals have coined a new term: “cyberchondriacs.” It describes those who get so immersed in health-related research online that they’re sure they have dozens of ailments.

In my first months of retirement, I became more in tune with my body’s aches and pains than when I was going to an office. Either our house is an environmental hazard, or the leisure time that retirement affords leads to physical introspection along with psychological. Of course, there is a third possibility. Like many new retirees, I was watching more TV. This wore thin pretty quickly, but initially I did it just because I could. It seemed every third commercial was for a remedy for some health issue. During a few of these commercials, I noted that I had at least one of the symptoms described.

I was then compelled to go online to learn more about whether my symptoms (morning stiffness and fatigue, for example) meant I have fibromyalgia (for example) or some other ailment for which treatment is less pricey. This led to more research, and a sizable list of conditions that cause stiffness, fatigue and memory problems (I forgot to mention that one).

Although many of these are normal signs of aging, I was drawn to the more exotic explanations. Simply put, I’m at risk of becoming a “retirochondriac.” I’m sure there are thousands like me out there, perhaps too ashamed to admit it.

Know that you are not alone. Step into the light.

Some of the information I uncovered was alarming. I’d been experiencing seemingly contradictory symptoms in my toes – both numb and at the same time tingly with sharp pain. A friend said it sounded like neuropathy, but I wasn’t so sure.

When I checked these symptoms online, I discovered I might have been stung by a cone snail.

This is not that far fetched. From the photos, I recognized these critters as being among the shells displayed artistically in a basket in our living room. Some of you would say they are simply piled in the basket, but you would be lacking creative vision. Soon, I imagined the snails crawling around at night, looking for toes to sting. Laugh if you must, but I was taking this very seriously. Severe cases of cone snail stings can lead to blurred vision and respiratory paralysis. Note to self: ask eye doctor what he knows about cone snails.

Closer to home was the possibility that I had atrial fibrillation, which my mother had and which more than doubles one’s likelihood of developing dementia after surviving a stroke. My mind was already wandering dangerously close to the outskirts of sanity. I didn’t need to add to my risk of dementia. The commercial for MULTAQ prompted me to learn the symptoms of AFib and where better to look than online?

Lack of energy – check (especially after a big meal with a glass or two of wine).

Heart palpitations – check (but only when I lie awake at night thinking about everything I didn’t get done).

Dizziness – check (especially when I stand up suddenly after a few glasses of wine).

This was definitely something for my GP to investigate on my next visit.

I had time for one last symptoms search on WebMD. I decided to see what I could find for being exhausted (especially after clearing out a wall full of books), craving ice cream sandwiches, frequent trips to the loo and mood swings (at least when I’ve run out of ice cream and wine). Wonder of wonders! It looked like I might have been pregnant. That would have meant cutting out the wine, but I was as likely to do that as I was to be pregnant.

So much for self-diagnosis. Seriously, we need to be our own best health advocates. The more we understand our bodies and our baseline conditions, the better we can help our physicians keep us healthy. So, get on the Internet, research your symptoms and make your own list of ailments to annoy your doctor about. And don’t forget cone snails.

Copyright 2012 Business Theatre Unlimited. Elaine M. Decker’s latest book, “Retirement Sparks Again,” follows her first two books, “Retirement Sparks” and “CANCER: A Coping Guide.” All are available at Books on the Square, the Brown University bookstore and Spectrum-India, on the East Side of Providence, and on Amazon.com, including Kindle editions. Contact her at emdecker@ix.netcom.com to arrange a meet-and-greet with your organization.

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28 | PrimeTime

April 2013

senior issues

b y kerry park

Not your grandma’s nursing home Ten orthopedic surgeries over the past 15 years have rendered Tom Bosco an expert in rehabilitative care. Diagnosed with progressive advanced osteoarthritis when he was 55, the East Greenwich landscape architect knows all too well the importance of post acute rehabilitation in the journey from hospital to home.

At the youthful age of 68, Bosco has undergone surgery and rehabilitation for replacement of his shoulders, knees, hip and, earlier this winter, an ankle - a particularly delicate and difficult surgery. Over his decade of surgeries, Bosco has followed up each hospital admission with a rehabilitation stay in a skilled nursing setting. For 10 years, he has repeatedly chosen Cedar Crest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Cranston for his post-hospital rehabilitation.

Bosco’s choice to access rehabilitation services in a skilled nursing setting is not unusual. Over the past two decades, skilled nursing facilities, once more commonly known as nursing homes, have carved out a definitive niche in today’s health care continuum. The type of care these centers provide has changed dramatically.

So too, have the type of people who stay in a skilled facility.

According to a 2012 report by the American Health Care Association, of the 3.7 million individuals who received care in a nursing facility in 2009, only 854,000 - 23 percent - resided in the facility for a year or more. The remaining 77 percent were admitted, like Bosco, for short-term rehabilitation or recuperation.

Skilled nursing centers have raised their game to accommodate the needs of an onslaught of baby boomers looking for a place to recover when neither hospital nor home is feasible.

Cedar Crest is a clear example of these evolving changes. When the facility first

opened its sub-acute care unit in 1995, discharges to home were nearly non-existent. Today, the center discharges 900 individuals home each year.

While the growth of the short-term population has been explosive, the average severity of illness for residents who do remain one year or more is continuously increasing as well, creating further changes in the skilled nursing landscape.

Overall staffing trends show a steady increase in the amount of direct care nursing needed per resident for all levels of nursing staff.

These changes in demographics have brought sweeping changes to skilled nursing facilities. The sheer abundance of specialized services offered by today’s skilled nursing facilities is overwhelming and ever changing. With services like infusion and respiratory therapies, tracheotomy care, cardiac rehabilitation and complex wound care, skilled nursing centers have become “mini-hospitals” and staff has responded by earning more specialty certifications than ever before.

An example is Gail Dombeck, BSN, RN, Cedar Crest’s director of nursing, who received her certification as a wound care specialist three years ago.

She is among a growing number of health care workers who have earned certification in a variety of specialty areas.

“Having a certification in wound care has really helped improve the care of both our long-term residents and shortterm patients who typically come in the facility with wounds related to diabetes or vascular diseases,” said Dombeck.

“We don’t have to send them out to wound care clinics - they can get care in place. They heal faster and their outcomes are much better.”

Pam Bibeault, president of Triad Health Care LLC, a clinical and quality improvement consulting company,

Tom Bosco and Brenda Harrop, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, at Cedar Crest. began working in nursing homes more than two decades ago and, like Dombeck, is a fan of specialty training. She has seen significant advancements in skilled nursing facilities and notes that certifications in wound care, rehabilitation and gerontology are becoming increasingly popular among skilled nursing professionals. Bibeault herself has a Bachelor of Science in nursing and Masters Degree in health administration, as well as certifications in gerontologic nursing, nursing administration, interdisciplinary practice in geriatrics and legal nurse consulting.

“The industry has truly evolved and our nursing home residents are not the traditional elderly people with simple needs as may have been the case years ago. The population nursing homes are now serving is younger and has complex medical and rehabilitative needs. The nurses caring for these residents have to

be on top of their game. Certifications allow nurses to address the intense clinical or traditional gerontological needs in ways that allow for positive resident outcomes,” said Bibeault.

Studies show that the majority of people with direct experience with post acute care in skilled nursing centers tend to give them good marks.

“The care has changed over the years to the point where it is very personal,” said Tom Bosco. “The staff is really on the ball. I tell people they shouldn’t be afraid of nursing homes. I think even more young people should use them for rehabilitation.”

For his part, Bosco is putting his money where his mouth is. He plans to return to Cedar Crest in the fall for post acute rehabilitation after he undergoes his second ankle replacement.

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Saint Elizabeth Community Where RI seniors come first

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PrimeTime | 29

CLUES DOWN 1. Founder of Babism 2. “A Death in the Family” author 3. One who feels regret 4. Maine’s Queen City 5. Research workplace 6. A division of geological time 7. Paid media promos 8. Abdominal cavity linings

30 | PrimeTime

9. Apportion cards 10. Ranking above a viscount 11. Not idle 14. Former SW German state 15. Constrictor snake 21. Pica printing unit 23. Where wine ferments (abbr.)

24. Egyptian goddess 25. Boils vigorously 26. Oral polio vaccine developer 27. Master of ceremonies 29. Fr. entomologist Jean Henri 30. Scottish hillsides 31. Islamic leader 32. Bakker’s downfall Jessica 34. TV show and state capital 38. A citizen of Belgrade 42. Supervises flying 45. Sebaceous gland secretion 47. Conditions of balance 48. Ancient Egyptian sun god 50. Part of a stairway 51. Time long past 52. Hawaiian wreaths 53. Resin-like shellac ingredient 55. Semitic fertility god 56. 60’s hairstyle 59. Honey Boo Boo’s network 60. Soak flax 61. Volcanic mountain in Japan 63. Point midway between E and SE

Answers

CLUES ACROSS 1. Fishing hook end 5. A jump forward 9. Girl entering society 12. Largest toad species 13. Measure = 198 liters 15. Jeff Bridges’ brother 16. Past participle of be 17. SE Iraq seaport 18. Paddles 19. Biotechnology: ___onomics 20. Perfectly 22. Japanese sash 25. Flower stalk 26. Bosnian ethnic group 28. Longest division of geological time 29. Hoover’s organization 32. Thigh of a hog 33. Fabric woven from flax 35. Upper limb 36. Basics 37. Satisfies to excess 39. The cry made by sheep 40. Go quickly 41. Allied headquarters in WWII 43. Paradoxical sleep 44. Point midway between N and NE 45. Refers to a female 46. Tears down (archaic sp.)

48. Increases motor speed 49. Nocturnal winged mammal 50. Integrated courses of studies 54. Goat and camel hair fabric 57. Papuan monetary unit 58. Extreme or immoderate 62. Free from danger 64. Musician Clapton 65. French young women 66. Auricles 67. Foot (Latin) 68. Prefix for external 69. Allegheny plum

April 2013

April 2013

PrimeTime | 31

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IL - Independent Living PAL - Personalized Assisted Living A/D - Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care R/SN - Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing April 2013