Trendy exercises to rev up workouts
APRIL 2015
A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO
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3 Flu cases rise across region as they fall statewide 5 Cuba Memorial enhances rehab therapy programs 7 Cole Memorial expands education for diabetics at primary care offices 8 Encourage a love of physical activity in youngsters 10 Reiki therapy can bring relief; now offered in Olean 11 Preventing osteoporosis 12 Easy ways to get more youthfullooking skin 13 UB’s rural dentistry program coming to Cuba-Rushford 14 Women’s rehab center off to good start 15 Trendy exercises to rev up workouts
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Flu cases rise across region as they fall statewide
By Amanda Nichols
Special to Twin Tiers Health
Pennsylvania influenza cases across the four-county region have risen, even as flu-season draws to a close. But the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says flu activity may continue in parts of the country for some time. However, most states are on the downward curve of flu activity and nationally, flu activity has peaked. The CDC states that flu activity so far this season continues to be most similar to the 2012-13 season, the last season when H3N2 viruses was predominated. According to the CDC, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported the following county-by-county breakdown of flu cases for the 2014-15 flu season, compiled between Sept. 28 and March 31: McKean County, 326; Elk County, 180; Cameron County, 22; and Potter County, 267. Last year at this time, cases in McKean County were a bit lower
at 272; Elk County had nearly half as many at 84; Cameron County was about the same at 22; and Potter County had significantly less at 159, according to health department data. The state Department of Health monitors influenza activity throughout the year, but ramps up surveillance activities in the fall and winter. The 2014-15 influenza surveillance season officially wraps up on May 23. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed flu cases across the four-county region more than doubled between January and February this year — as statewide figures continue showing a decline in cases, according to state health officials. As of mid-February, in McKean County, 291 cases had been reported, followed by 183 in Potter County; 153 in Elk County; and 19 in Cameron County. That’s compared to a totals in January when McKean County had 97; Potter County, 99; Elk County, 67; and Cameron County, 8, according to Health Department data. Statewide, the number of new flu cases has decreased by a few hundred each week over the past five weeks and reports dropped off by more than 1,000 cases between the last week of January and the first week of February, according to Health Department data. These case counts represent only a fraction of the actual burden of illness due to influenza occurring in the state at any given time because most persons with the flu don’t go to the doctor or are not tested or reported, according
to Department of Health deputy press secretary Wes Culp. Culp said there are a large number of variables to account for when looking at the flu numbers in any region. “Some years a minor decrease in our flu numbers may just be because fewer people decided to go to the doctor for their flu,” Culp said. Culp said influenza spread and severity varies widely from season to season, but it is estimated
that 5 to 20 percent (600,000 to 2,400,000) of Pennsylvanians get the flu each year and 120 to 2,000 die from complications of influenza. This year, there have been a total 197 influenza-related deaths in Pennsylvania throughout the flu season, which runs from October through March, according to the Department of Health. Statistics show three of those deaths were of children under the age of 18 years and the bulk of the deaths, continued on page 4
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168 of them, were of people age 65 or older. But the more individuals who roll up their sleeves to get vaccinated against the flu means the less of a chance the flu can spread through a community, Culp said. The Department of Health encourages an annual flu vaccine for those 6 months and older. Also, for someone who is over 65 years old, pregnant or has a chronic illness or disease, Culp said it is particularly important for them to consult with their doctor about a flu and pneumonia vaccination. “Since each year the flu strain may be different it is important to get a flu vaccine annually,” Culp said. “There are many other things a person can do to prevent getting the flu, as well. “When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community,” Culp added. “The
department recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. Since each year the flu strain may be different it is important to get a flu vaccine annually.” With conventional wisdom dictating a flu season spanning October to May, Culp said there will be a few lingering cases in the coming months. Those will be followed by a summer dip and then a gradual increase, reminding Pennsylvanians the start to next year’s flu season is just around the corner. “It wanes off in the summer months, but we still see activity here and there but not like in winter months,” Culp said. “And then next August we’ll be out telling everybody to get vaccinated and be back at it again.” (Contact reporter Amanda Nichols at a.nichols@bradfordera. com)
Did you Know? The Brain • Crossing your arms can reduce pain by confusing your brain. • People generally read from paper 25% faster than from a computer monitor. • Once we reach the age of 35, we will start losing approximately 7,000 brain cells each day—cells that will never be replaced. • Your brain is about 2% of your total body weight but uses 20% of your all your body’s oxygen and calories. • The average human dream lasts only two to three seconds and the average person has at least seven dreams a night. People with higher IQs have more dreams. • Shoes are now available with a built-in GPS to help locate people with Alzheimer’s or other dementia who have wandered away.
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Cuba Memorial enhances rehab therapy programs Adds new staff, extended hours By Darlene M. Donohue Special to Twin Tiers Health
CUBA — Cuba Memorial Hospital has undergone recent changes to address a growing demand from individuals seeking to regain and maintain their independence after injury or illness. The institution has improved its services by increasing its staff, extending hours and taking a patient-centered approach to health care in its Rehabilitation Department, hospital staff announced Thursday. This year, physical therapists Brian Gariepy and Tracy Giardini joined the department, which also includes physical therapist Patti Jo Smith, department manager and assistant occupational therapist Andy Liuzzo and occupational therapist William Krudys. Combined, they have more than 30 years of experience in rehabilitation practices. This group offers their services — speech, occupational, physical, pulmonary and respiratory therapy — to individuals staying at Cuba Memorial and anyone who receives a referral for rehab services from his primary physician. “We’re trying to get word out to the community about these services because we’re a secret,” Liuzzo said. “Well, we don’t want to be a secret.” The purpose of providing
therapy services is to assist the hospital’s current patients with improving their mobility, body strength and speech so they can return to independent living; and to help outpatients avoid having to stay in a hospital or nursing home. “People fear two things: loss of their independence and dying alone. Nobody wants to give up their independence,” Liuzzo said. “Our goal in therapy is to help individuals obtain or maintain their independence no matter what their disability is. We like to concentrate on what you have left, not what you lost.” Occupational therapy focuses on teaching fall prevention, providing home safety tips and teaching relaxation techniques and anxiety suppression through stretching and other activities that force body movement, Liuzzo said. He also educates patients about adaptations that are available to help them can live independently in their home after a life-threatening ailment such as a stroke. “There is an adaptation that can be put in a car, so we can teach, for example, stroke victims how to drive with one hand or one foot,” he said. “We can teach individuals special bathing techniques, how to dress, how to walk and how to get back into the community so you don’t have to spend (the remaining years) of their life in a nursing home.” In physical therapy, patients
Darlene M. Donohue/Olean Times Herald
Cuba Memorial Hospital physical therapist Brian Gariepy assists Carolyn, a resident at Cuba Memorial, with leg-strengthening exercises.
learn strength training exercises with a focus on enhancing or restoring mobility that was lost due to trauma, pain, disease, neurological or muscular disorders, developmental delays or congenital deformity. Therapists also employ modalities during treatment,
including electrical stimulation, ultrasound, ice, heat and traction. The objective is to help each patient meet their rehabilitative goals quickly and safely, with education to prevent future injury or functional decline. continued on page 6
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“We don’t have the most up-todate gizmos, but most people don’t have the latest equipment in their home either, so we use several practical strengthening equipment and movement techniques that a patient may use in their home,” Liuzzo said. “Our focus is on helping them accomplish what they do in their real, daily life.” In speech therapy, the goal is to improve auditory comprehension, gestural language, verbal expression, motor speech, perceptual skills, verbal reasoning, memory, concentration and swallowing disorders. Once inpatients achieve their goals while participating in any of the hospital’s therapy programs, they may have the option to return home. “It’s not unusual for someone who has been living in a nursing home to return home,” Liuzzo said. “Just because you are (brought into) a nursing home doesn’t mean
you have to stay there. If you rehab, your chances of going home are very good. If you can obtain a certain level of independence, you can be discharged. Most of the people who come here are out of here within 30 to 40 days. That’s a big success story if you can move someone from a nursing home back to independent living.” Cuba Memorial Rehabilitation Department staff provide therapy from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. — a twohour extension from the previous close time — Monday through Friday. Services are also available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. To arrange an outpatient appointment, call the hospital at (585) 968-2000. (Contact reporter Darlene M. Donohue at ddonohue@ oleantimesherald.com. Follow her on Twitter, @DarleneMDono)
Penn State Extension offers healthy living program Penn State Extension will take a virtual walk — this year visiting the natural beauty of Pennsylvania State Parks. Residents are invited to gather their family, friends or co-workers to form a team of up to five. Team members will try to average walking or exercising 10 miles per week to meet the goal of Everybody Walk Across PA. Organizers said teams can walk on their own time at a place convenient for them. They will virtually visit the state parks and do not have to walk there. Team captains will report the mileage for their team each week. Everyone will receive weekly email updates on the progress as participants virtually visit the many parks. Each week will bring a new theme: Beautiful vistas; dramatic waterfalls; unusual geologic features; familyfriendly hikes and more. Along the way there will be tips on outdoor food safety, ideas for child-friendly activities,
motivators to keep walking and strategies for eating more fruits and vegetables. All of this will keep everyone moving toward a healthier lifestyle. The program will run from now through May 24. It’s free to take part but registration is required. To register or learn more about the event, visit the website extension.psu.edu/ health/walk-across-pa or contact Karen Bracey at (570) 836-3196 or kbracey@psu.edu. Youths and adults wishing to join the McKean County 4-H team are invited to contact the Extension Office at (814) 887-5613. There is no cost or obligation involved. Moderate activity such as walking reduces stress and fatigue and increases mental alertness. It improves cardiovascular functioning and strengthens bones. Combined with healthy eating, it can help to reduce or maintain body weight and decrease incidence of certain chronic diseases.
LITTLE VALLEY — A free rabies clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets will be held 9 a.m. to noon May 2 at the Cattaraugus County Department of Public Works garage at 8810 Route 242 in Little Valley. The clinic, sponsored by the county Health Department, is no cost but donations will be accepted
to help defray expenses. Rabies vaccinations are required for all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets by age 4 months. Dogs and cats are given a booster one year later and every three years thereafter. Ferrets must be vaccinated annually. For more information, call 7013386 or 1-800-251-2584.
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Cole Memorial expands education for diabetics at primary care offices
Photo submitted
Shown from left, Deanna Sherer and Jane Crossby learn about healthy cooking with Colleen DeBoer, RN, diabetic educator and cardiac rehab coordinator at Cole Memorial.
COUDERSPORT, Pa. — Diabetes touches many lives and in ever- increasing numbers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that, if current trends continue, one in three Americans and 10 percent of adults in Pennsylvania will develop the disease this year. In response, Cole Memorial’s Diabetes Education program is expanding to meet patients’ needs close to home. Starting this month, Cole Memorial’s diabetes education staff will meet one- on- one with patients by appointment at the Port Allegany Community Health Center on the third Monday of each month and the Shinglehouse Community Health Center on the first Monday of each month. Sessions will continue to be offered by appointment every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Cole Memorial’s Irwin Rehabilitation Center in Coudersport. Cole Memorial Hospital also offers Diabetic Support Group meetings at 11 a.m. on the last Thursday of each month. According to Colleen DeBoer, RN, a diabetes educator and cardiac rehab coordinator at
Cole Memorial, the classes help diabetics learn to self- manage their condition, addressing issues like healthy eating, being active, monitoring blood glucose, medication whether it’s insulin or oral medication, problem- solving, healthy coping and reducing longterm risks. The program also offers insulin injection therapy education and insulin pump training. Coming soon, new Medtronic iPro, a Continuous Glucose Monitor allows providers to accurately assess their patient’s glucose levels and customize the diabetes management program. This glucose monitoring device is worn for 72 hours and takes a blood glucose level every five minutes. This enables the healthcare provider, such as an endocrinologist, to receive comprehensive data giving them the ability to make confident treatment decisions for effective results. “The diabetic education program is for the patient as much as their loved ones,” stated DeBoer. “We have also seen a rise in the number of pre- diabetes cases within the past few years so it’s important that everyone’s
aware of some lifestyle changes they can do to prevent the disease.” A person with pre- diabetes has a blood sugar level higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. He or she is at higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems, including heart disease, and stroke. Risk factors for pre- diabetes include: age especially after 45 years of age; being overweight or obese; a family history of diabetes; having an African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander racial or ethnic background; a history of diabetes while pregnant
(gestational diabetes) or having given birth to a baby weighing nine pounds or more; and being physically active less than three times a week. If diagnosed with pre- diabetes, research shows that doing just two things can help you prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes: Lose 5 to 7 percent of your body weight, which would be 10 to 14 pounds for a 200- pound person; and get at least 150 minutes each week of physical activity, such as brisk walking. For patient referrals or further information about Diabetes Education at Cole Memorial, call (814) 274- 5300.
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Encourage a love of physical activity in youngsters
According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, children and adolescents should engage in physical activity for 60 minutes or more each day. While fulfilling those requirements might not have been a problem for kids who grew up before the dawn of the Internet, nowadays kids are spending less time playing outside and more time on their computers or other devices. That reality is problematic for parents who want their kids to embrace physical activity thanks to the positive impact that exercise can have on kids’ physical and mental well-being. Parents hoping to instill a love of physical activity in their youngsters may find that taking a more active role by exercising with their kids is an effective way to get them off the couch and away from their computer screens. • Turn errands into exercise opportunities. Many parents take their children along with them when running errands. When such errands don’t necessarily require the use of a car, consider
riding bicycles instead. Kids who otherwise don’t enjoy errands may now find them more fun, all the while fulfilling their daily recommended quotas for exercise and spending quality time with their parents. • Include kids in your own athletic pursuits. Parents might not be able to take younger kids along with them to the gym, but that does not mean your youngsters must be excluded from all of your athletic pursuits. If you have any upcoming athletic activities or challenges on your schedule, such as a new recreational sports season or community fun run or 5K, let kids tag along as you train or practice. Parents of adolescents can inquire at their local gyms if they offer discounted memberships to teens. If so, take kids along with you on trips to the gym so they learn the value and benefits of daily strength and conditioning exercises. • Make more time to play. Parents may already have busy schedules, but finding time to play continued on page 9
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with their kids is a great way to get youngsters to embrace physical activity. Kids might be reluctant to shoot hoops in the driveway if no one is willing to join them, but they will likely be far more willing to do so if mom and dad are willing to play with them. This is not only a good way for parents to ensure their kids get enough exercise, but also a great and fun way for moms and dads to make time for physical activity. • Recognize that physical activity does not have to mean organized sports. Some kids have no interest in team sports while others do not have the athletic ability to compete after a certain age. Parents who want their kids
to exercise more should recognize that there are plenty of ways to be physically active that do not involve organized team sports. Hiking; riding bicycles; swimming at a nearby pool, lake or ocean; and even going for nightly walks are all physical activities that people of all ages and athletic abilities can enjoy. Physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. While getting kids to put down their tablets and gaming system remote controls may not be easy, parents who resolve to exercise with their children might find their youngsters more receptive to regular physical activity. FP155145
Did you Know? Hair & Skin • The main purpose of eyebrows is to keep sweat out of the eyes. • Female hair grows more slowly than male hair. • Humans have about the same number of hair follicles as a chimpanzee has. • Hair will fall out faster on a person who is on a crash diet. • Eyebrow hair lasts between 3-5 months before it sheds and an eyelash has a lifespan of about 150 days. • Every half square inch of the human skin has about 100 sweat glands, 10 hairs, 15 sebaceous glands, and just under a meter of blood vessels. • The average adult skin has an area of about 2 square meters and weighs about 2.5 to 4 kilograms. The entire skin system has about 17 kilometers of blood vessels and 72 kilometers of nerves. • The skin constantly renews itself every 27 or 28 days for a total of 1,000 new “suits” of skin in an average lifetime.
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Reiki therapy can bring relief; now offered in Olean By Kate Day Sager
Special to Twin Tiers Health
OLEAN, N.Y. — Many people may be familiar with the famous scene from the “Karate Kid” movie when Mr. Miyagi slaps his hands together and lays them on young Daniel’s sore shoulder and arm, providing instant relief through Reiki therapy. Heather Franz, owner of the new Reiki for Life with Heather facility in Olean, N.Y., provided this well-known example of the noninvasive therapy when describing the sessions she now offers to the public. The facility is located in the YogaBetsy Yoga Center at 109 S. Sixth St. in Olean. Sessions are available from 5 to 9 p.m. weekdays and beginning at 8 a.m. weekends, by appointment. “It’s for all ages, with a concentration on children, young adults and teens, which are really my focus,” Franz said. Essentially, Reiki is designed to renew, revitalize and re-energize while letting the body do what it does naturally, which is heal itself. “It can be a compliment to their regular health care or if people are looking for an alternative method of healing,” she remarked. The Olean resident said she began her Reiki career through training in Lilydale, N.Y. She finished her master’s training in Salamanca, N.Y. She initially used her skills by helping family and friends with their aches and pains. “It has kind of branched off since then by word of mouth,” she said. “ I really wanted to do this because I’ve seen the health benefits.
Photo submitted
Heather Franz is now offering Reiki sessions to youngsters and adults at the YogaBetsy Yoga Center at 109 S. Sixth St., Olean, N.Y.
“Reiki is an energy healing. It’s non-invasive and you can either lay the hands above the person or on them, if they are agreeable,” she explained. “It’s not like massage where you have to undress and there’s oil involved.” Instead, the individuals remain fully dressed and can either sit or lie on a table, or in a chair if they prefer. “I’ve seen the healing benefits of this and I wanted to offer the opportunity to people,” she added. “Why my focus is on children is because I’ve seen the demands on them and the pressures of social media and everything around them.”
She said Reiki incorporates healing and reenergizing of the mind, body and spirit because there may be an emotion tied to an affliction. “They may have a blocked energy flow, which (can be) the cause of all havoc that can be wrought in the body,” she said. “If you provide an environment to release energy around that negative space, then energy can flow as it’s meant to.” A single mother of two schoolage children, and a native of Allegany, Franz also is employed at Napoleon Engineering in Olean. “I do accounting by day, and Reiki by night,” she said with a
laugh. On a final note, she said individuals who participate in a session at YogaBetsy, owned by Betsy Afton, will receive a free Reiki session, and vice versa. “We really want to help promote each other’s businesses and have people come in and check it out,” Franz said. “We want them to make it part of their daily (or weekly) practices, to unplug, wind down and reconnect with self.” For more information, contact Franz at (716) 498-8875. (Contact reporter Kate Day Sager at kates_th@yahoo.com)
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Preventing osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that occurs when a person loses too much bone, produces too little bone or both. When a person has osteoporosis, his or her bones become brittle and can easily break. While osteoporosis can affect anyone, women over the age of 50 are especially susceptible. In fact, the National Osteoporosis Foundation notes that a woman’s risk of breaking a hip due to osteoporosis is equal to her risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers combined. In spite of the potentially harmful effects of osteoporosis, studies indicate that only 12 percent of people with
osteoporosis have had a bone mineral density, or BMD, screening, which is the most reliable diagnostic test for osteoporosis. A big part of that is likely because osteoporosis does not always produce any recognizable symptoms, meaning many people may have the disease without even knowing it. Many women are first diagnosed with osteoporosis or bone loss after suffering a fracture, but there are steps women can take to lower their risk of developing osteoporosis. • Get enough calcium and vitamin D. Calcium helps women develop strong, healthy bones, while vitamin D protects the bones and is necessary for absorbing calcium. The human body cannot produce new calcium, so it’s essential that women get the recommended amount of calcium from their diets. Women 51 and older are advised to get 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily, and foods like low- and non-fat milk, yogurt and cheese are great sources of calcium. Women can get vitamin D from sunlight; certain foods, including fatty fish such as salmon and tuna; and vitamin D supplements. • Eat bone-healthy foods. The National Osteoporosis Foundation notes that recent research has found that blueberries, olive oil, soy beans, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may promote bone health. Women also should know that even though certain foods may contain calcium, that does not necessarily make them ideal for bone health. Beans, for example, contain calcium, but they also are high in phylates, which can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb calcium. Soaking beans in water for several hours before cooking them can reduce their
levels of phylates. • Watch what you drink, too. It’s not just foods that can contribute to osteoporosis. The beverages women drink also can affect their risk. Caffeine can decrease calcium absorption and contribute to bone loss, so drink beverages like coffee and caffeinated tea and soft drinks in moderation. Heavy alcohol consumption also can cause numerous negative side effects, not the least of which is bone loss, so women should only drink alcohol in moderation. • Update your fitness regimen. Women can strengthen their bones by including some high-impact weight-bearing exercises, which
include dancing, hiking, jogging and jumping rope, in their fitness regimens. In addition, add some muscle-strengthening exercises, such as light weightlifting, to your routine. Yoga and Pilates also can make valuable additions to an exercise regimen, helping to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls, but women should discuss such exercises with their physicians before diving in, as some of the positions in yoga and Pilates may not be safe for older women at heightened risk of osteoporosis. More information about osteoporosis can be found at www. nof.org. WT155156
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Easy ways to get more youthful-looking skin Few people would pass up the opportunity to look younger. But men and women who want to look a little more like their younger selves without resorting to surgery can still have younger, healthierlooking skin without going under the knife. The following are a handful of natural ways to keep skin vibrant and youthful. • Quit smoking. Quitting smoking can add years to your life and improve your appearance. Smoking damages collagen and elastin in the skin, which are the substances that help keep skin flexible and firm. Also, smoking decreases blood flow to the skin and makes it difficult for it to receive enough oxygen to stay healthy. The act of smoking also can contribute to older-looking skin. Pursing the lips to draw on a cigarette, as well as squinting to avoid smoke in the eyes can lead to the formation of wrinkles on the face. • Steer clear of the sun. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light damages the skin and can cause it to age prematurely. Also, inadvertent UV exposure, which can happen when running errands or sitting in front of an open window, also can affect the skin. Sun exposure is the top cause of uneven skin tone and dark spots. Always wear sunscreen to protect the skin from the sun. Applying sunscreen should become as automatic as brushing your teeth each day. • Drink more water. A dehydrated body will divert water to the organs that need it the most, including the liver and heart. When that happens, skin pays the price by not receiving adequate hydration for skin cell renewal. By drinking the recommended six to eight glasses of water per day, you can ensure your body is getting
the fluids it needs to fuel natural functions, including skin cell production. • Exercise. By working out you’ll promote good cardiovascular health, which in turn will deliver blood flow and nutrients to the surface of your skin. Skin cells are pushed to the surface of the skin, helping to create a younger appearance and glow. Exercise
also can help banish stress, which can contribute to an older appearance and frown. • Avoid alcohol. Drinking alcohol in excess can damage blood vessels over time. This can cause burst capillaries at the surface of the skin, which are highly visible. Drinking also may lead to flushing, which can affect appearance. People who have damaged their
livers from drinking too much or abusing medication may develop jaundice, a medical condition characterized by a yellowing of the skin. • Avoid stressful situations. It’s impossible to avoid all the stressors in life, but taking steps to reduce stress can improve your psychological outlook and appearance. Stress can lessen your body’s ability to function properly, and that can affect the appearance of your skin. Stress-related insomnia can lead to undereye bags and a tired appearance. And according to the Archives of Dermatology, stress can increase your risk of skin diseases and may cause wounds to take longer to heal. • Eat a healthy diet. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it makes sense that healthy foods will benefit the skin. Omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts, flax and fish oil are important for skin health because they support healthy cell membranes. Antioxidants like vitamins A and C also are beneficial because they fight the effects of cell oxidation and combat free radicals that can lead to illness. • Take care of your skin at night. Moisturizers and serums with concentrated blends of vitamins, antioxidants and botanicals are most effective at night. That’s because, when applied at night, such products are in contact with the skin for several hours without being wiped off. Just be sure to apply any products to clean skin for maximum effect. A dermatologist can recommend the right products for your skin type. There are various ways to get more youthful-looking skin, many of which can benefit the rest of your body as well. LP153968
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UB’s rural dentistry program coming to Cuba-Rushford Sen. Young secures $250,000 for dental service By Darlene N. Donohue Special to Twin Tiers Health
CUBA — Cuba-Rushford Central School District students learned recently about a program coming to the district this spring that will assist them with maintaining and enhancing their smiles. The University at Buffalo (UB) Dentistry School is bringing its S-miles To Go Dental Program to Cuba-Rushford in May thanks to a $250,000 grant secured by State Sen. Catharine Young, R-Olean, Legislative Commission on Rural Resources chairwoman. Young worked with University at Buffalo Dean Michael Glick to bring S-miles To Go to children in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties’ rural communities to assure they receive the dental care they need. “There is a terrible shortage of dental care resources in Allegany County, and many households in my district have limited resources to pay for these types of services, so it became my goal to have these services provided in the areas I represent,” the senator said. “This Rural Dentistry Pilot Program will help teach children how to establish best practices in dental care, and it will do so in an affordable way.” The program is completely funded through the grant, so there is no charge to the student to receive service. Currently, the program is offered in 20 school districts within Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties and has serviced approximately 5,000 students, Young said. UB has established the necessary agreements with participating schools and has obtained equipment to expand the program. This year, the program
expects to reach seven school districts, 10 additional schools and several Head Start locations within the three counties. The program hopes to expand in upcoming years to reach more students in rural areas who have no other access to dental care. S-miles To Go ships UB dental students to various school districts, where they perform dental services inside a 42-foot-long, three-chair mobile dental clinic. The program offers preventive dental services, such as screenings, cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatments; restorative treatment, like X-rays, fillings, stainless steel crowns and pulpotomies; referral for acute cases and educational services. The project also introduces smaller portable dental units that can be used to conduct exams and provide preventative care inside schools. This will allow the mobile dentist office to travel throughout the region to deliver intensive services, expanding the reach and efficiency of the program, officials said. “The UB School of Dental Medicine is excited to participate in this program that will expand access to oral health care and increase dental student awareness of rural health issues. We are educating a group of future health care professionals, some of whom will ideally choose to practice and live in rural communities,” Glick said. “In recent years, the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine has provided school-based mobile dentistry services to many children in Chautauqua County who have limited access to dental care. To provide these services, the program obtained a mobile dentist office retrofitted to a semi-truck that was funded through federal grants.” continued on page 14
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Cuba-Rushford is the first school district in Allegany County to participate in UB’s dental service project. “We are very thankful to Sen. Young and her office for securing this grant, and we thank the University of Buffalo for providing their mobile dental unit for our students,” District Superintendent Carlos Gildemeister said. “Dental care is one of the basic components of wellness, and anything we can do at Cuba-Rushford to see that our students get the attention and resources they need to live a healthier, happier life is something we will always partner with. We know that children whose physical, social, and emotional needs are met are much better learners.” According to the New York state Department of Health, untreated dental health issues may result in a wide range of problems, including tooth loss, infection, speech difficulties and other long-term
effects. As a result, students may miss more days of school and find it difficult to concentrate on their studies. “It’s nice to see that this project is coming to Cuba-Rushford. It’s important to have dental care, but dental health is one of our identified needs in the county, so it’s important for us to have programs that can come help us out by providing those services,” said Theresa Moore, supervising public health educator for Allegany County’s Department of Health. “Hopefully, this program will expand across the county so all the school districts can benefit from the dental services UB has to offer.” A ribbon-cutting was held at Cuba-Rushford Elementary School to celebrate the expansion UB’s Rural Dentistry Pilot Program. (Contact reporter Darlene M. Donohue at ddonohue@ oleantimesherald.com. Follow her on Twitter, @DarleneMDono)
Women’s rehab center off to good start COUDERSPORT, Pa. — Potter County Commissioner Doug Morley reported on progress at the newly opened Women’s Residential Rehabilitation Center in Harrison Valley, which accepted its first residents just two weeks ago, during a recent commissioners’ meeting. Of the four women currently residing at the facility, two have already secured gainful employment in the area. The program seems to be running smoothly and has been well accepted by the community, county officials said. Commissioner Susan Kefover said she has received positive feedback from a number of residents, who are happy to see the former Northern Tier Children’s Home facility has been reopened and is being used.
An initiative in Potter County to improve re- entry and rehabilitation services in the criminal justice system has been announced as the recipient of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) Jail Overcrowding Best Practices Award. The award was granted for efforts at the DUI Specialty Court, Women’s Rehabilitation Center and community reentry and recidivism reduction programs being developed at the Potter County Jail in Coudersport. “This should be a morale booster for everyone involved in our criminal justice restructuring efforts,” said Commissioner Paul Heimel. “To have that recognition by outside sources in a competitive way is pretty gratifying.”
Did you Know?
The Heart & Blood
• Blood is about 78% water. • The human heart weighs less than 454 grams. • The longer the ring finger is in males, the less chance they have of having a heart attack. • The risk of cardiovascular disease is twice as high in women who snore regularly compared to women who do not snore. • Warfarin, used to clot blood and to prevent blood clots from moving, is the most widely used anticoagulant in North America, but it was originally developed as a pesticide against rodents and it is still available for that purpose. • People who ride on roller coasters have a higher chance of getting a blood clot in the brain.
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Trendy exercises to rev up workouts Kettlebells These weighted cast-iron workout tools can be an interesting addition to strength-training workouts. But their utility does not stop there. Using kettlebells during any physical activity will increase the amount of fat burned and can provide a full-body workout. Kettlebells come in different weights, and newcomers are urged to start out gradually and build up in weight as they become more familiar and toned. Trampoline cardio For those who want to both shake up their workouts and lift their moods, jumping on a trampoline can do just that. It’s difficult to be in a bad mood when bouncing around like a kid on a trampoline. Trampoline classes are turning up in some upscale gyms, where each participant has his own individual trampoline. Routines mix in different choreography and small hand weights to promote a fun and effective cardio experience. Exercising consistently is a great way to get healthy. For those who find their workout routines monotonous, switching up exercises and embracing some of the newer, trendier fitness regimens may be a way to maintain your momentum at the gym. High-intensity workouts High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, is a concept behind some of today’s most popular exercise programs. HIIT combines cardiovascular and strengthtraining movements into a
concentrated workout designed to keep your heart rate elevated. HIIT workouts blend bouts of intense exercise with either rest or lowintensity activity. These workouts seem to promote faster weight loss than prolonged workouts at moderate paces. While HIIT is functional, it is not best for those who have preexisting orthopedic injuries or serious cardiovascular conditions. But many people enjoy a stronger heart and improved muscle tone from HIIT workouts.
Water aerobics Swimming isn’t the only thing you can do in a pool. Water workouts are ideal for those with muscle and joint pain because the buoyancy of the water reduces stress on these areas, while providing enough resistance for a deep workout. Workouts may begin in chest-deep water and progress to deeper water for added resistance. Some gyms now offer aqua cycling classes that combine water aerobics with spinning. Dance and hip-hop classes ZUMBA® classes have been
popular for quite some time. But many health clubs offer additional classes that employ dance to burn calories and tone muscles. Some gyms have developed their own cardio-based dance classes that get people moving to music in a fun way. Routines are fun and fastmoving, which may make them feel less like a workout and more like a social event. Recess classes Adults who want to feel like kids again need only to enroll in a fitness class that borrows activities from the playgrounds of our youth. From walking like a crab to running drills to balance beams, these workouts take school recess and bring it to the health club. LP153972
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