2024 Bucks County Healthy Living

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WHAT IS HAND ARTHRITIS?

What is hand arthritis, and how does it present?

• Hand arthritis occurs when the smooth cartilage that covers the bone surfaces at the joints wears down over time.The process tends to happen gradually, and it may eventually result in the development of bone spurs, joint deformities, and intermittent pains.

• The most commonly affected areas include the joint closest to the fingertips and the thumb base, where the thumb and wrist come together. Hand arthritis can cause stiffness, swelling, and pain. It can become increasingly difficult to perform even simpler daily activities, like tying shoelaces or opening jars. Patients often complain of pain at nighttime, which can disturb sleep.

What causes hand arthritis?

• Arthritis can be related to overuse of the hands, but family genetics plays a large role in developing arthritis. Arthritis can also occur following fractures that involve joint surfaces and other conditions, such as gout, psoriasis, and infection.

What can a physician do to help?

• A hand surgeon can order x-rays to confirm the presence of arthritis. Special x-ray views may be helpful to determine its severity. More sophisticated studies like CT or MRI scans are rarely necessary.

• If the arthritis is especially painful, treatments like anti-inflammatory medications, splint immobilization, corticosteroid injections, and possibly surgical treatment can be offered. Non-surgical treatments should always be attempted first. Using a

topical anti-inflammatory gel and a nighttime splint can provide immediate benefit before more aggressive treatments are needed. Corticosteroid injections can provide intermediate pain relief, but the effects usually fade after several months.

• Surgery should only be considered if non-surgical options have not helped.

How can surgery help?

• Though surgical treatment may require temporary immobilization followed by extensive therapy, pain relief and return of function are generally predictable following surgery and should allow patients to regain their way of life.

• One type of surgery involves fusion of the affected joint.The worn cartilage at the bone ends can be removed and the bones fused to one another, which would eliminate joint motion but would also improve pain levels. Another option involves reconstruction of the affected joint using a synthetic implant or a tendon graft. The type of reconstruction would depend on the joint involved.

Dr. Eon Shin is an Orthopedic Hand Surgeon with the renowned Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center and an Associate Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He cares for patients with hand, wrist, arm, and elbow injuries and chronic conditions in his Langhorne, Pennsylvania, office. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Shin, call 610-768-5959 or visit www.Hand2ShoulderCenter.com for more information.

Dr. Eon Shin is an Orthopedic Hand Surgeon

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SUPERIOR CARE CLOSE TO HOME

Doylestown Health is a comprehensive healthcare system of inpatient, outpatient, and wellness education services connected to meet the health needs of patients and families, from birth through end of life. Renowned locally, regionally, and nationally, our flagship Doylestown Hospital, offers advanced surgical procedures, innovative medical treatments, and comprehensive specialty services.

What began with a single visiting nurse over 100 years ago has grown to become a center of excellence. Doylestown Health’s integrated network of more than 435 physicians in over 50 specialties provides high-quality healthcare, delivered with compassion and expertise, close to home. Our dynamic and dedicated primary care physicians have locations across the region, and in 2023, Doylestown Hospital joined the Philadelphia region’s teaching hospital ranks, educating and training the next generation of physicians through our Family Medicine Residency Program.

Ranked as one of the World’s Best Hospitals by Newsweek and 8th in Pennsylvania, Doylestown Hospital is a beacon of excellence, distinguished in both infection prevention and patient experience.

Doylestown Hospital is among only 70 hospitals nationwide and the only hospital in Pennsylvania to earn 16 consecutive Leapfrog “A” safety ratings. Doylestown Hospital also achieved the “High Performing” distinction, the highest awarded by U.S. News, for Colon Cancer Surgery; Heart Attack; Heart Bypass Surgery; Heart Failure; Hip Replacement; Knee Replacement; Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma; Stroke; and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement. Doylestown Hospital is also proud that 97% of our patients would recommend us to friends or family – a distinction that only three acute care hospitals in the greater Philadelphia area earned, according to the most recent Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems.

Doylestown Health is proud to be the first choice of families in our region at every stage of life. Whether you’re expanding your family, choosing a new primary care physician, or taking control of your health by scheduling an important health screening, we’re here for you, every step of the way. At Doylestown Health, our focus is you. Learn more at www.doylestownhealth.org.

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THE POWER OF TOUCH

By Susan Sandor

Breema is new to me. The Center for Breema in Oakland, California describes it as a simple, natural form of touch and body movement supported by universal principles. This modality of touching and stretching felt intimate, although not sexually, but certainly sensually. It awakened more than ever my whole perspective on being touched by another human being. I was deeply moved by the experience, so much so that I sat crying in my car after I left. I’ve been touched. I’ve been touched rang in my brain. Whether you are connected to another person and often touched or flying solo as I am, who has less human contact, it was unlike any other treatment one can undergo. The practice recommended to me by a friend is called The Fifth Element in Lambertville, New Jersey. I knew from the first visit that I was in the right place.

While I was standing at the bar at Stella, a restaurant in the Ghost Light Inn in New Hope, I was mesmerized watching a man nearby stroking his seated partner’s long, straight, chestnut colored hair. Her back was turned to me so I could not see how this affected her but I could see his profile and the pleasure registering on his face. I kind of shared his response.

On a freezing January evening, when the temperature dropped to the teens with snow and ice on the ground, I stood alongside a woman as I waited for the valet parking man to retrieve my car and she waited for her husband. She asked why I wasn’t wearing a hat. She was not wearing one either. We both came to the quick conclusion that hair was more important than keeping our head and ears warm. As the wind whipped our hair around our faces, she wrapped her arms around me. We huddled as if we were best friends. The feeling shot through me with happiness that a complete stranger would even consider such a gesture. Why are there not more people doing the same? This took place at the entrance to the Logan Inn in New Hope.

A manager/bartender at Heart of the Oak Pub in Buckingham, which I’ve been patronizing for some time now, asked if I owned a cer-

tain designer belt. Huh? No, I did not own a belt by that particular designer. He said a belt was found beneath the chair on which I sat at my last tasting of their superb carpaccio. He insisted I take a look at the belt and sure enough it was mine. He simply had the wrong designer in mind.The belt was part of my late husband’s wardrobe and had more sentimental than monetary value. It fell off my waist because I was wearing it on trousers without belt loops. When I returned for my next carpaccio fix, he reached across the bar and extended his arm to me for a warm handshake. That brief human touch made me smile and we’ve been shaking hands ever since.

A friend, who was going through a greatly contested divorce, came to visit. During our time together she learned about another incredibly obnoxious thing that her husband had done concerning their two boys and she was actually traumatized. I am glad the news came at a time when I was with her to hug and rock her while she screamed and cried. I believe that episode bonded us together with a kind of glue that will always stay affixed.

There are spa treatments that have the same effect. I booked a body polish and butter wrap at Zanya Spa Salon in Lambertville, New Jersey.Treatment began with my lying on a hot steam tent covering my body while being given a scalp massage.After the aromatherapy steam treatment, the aesthetician rubbed and scrubbed my entire body with an emulsion of sea salt and sugar. A warm water rinse followed. I was then toweled dried and led into another room to be slathered in an organic shea and cocoa butter cream and wrapped in plastic, which generated heat and helped to conduct the moisturizer into the skin. While resting in the wrap, another scalp massage ensued.Although my fine hair was like a bird’s nest afterward, there is nothing more you can do except submit to these sensational touches.

So as AT&T once advised, reach out and touch someone. It can do both of you a lot of good.

Whether it’s your spouse, your parents, your partner, a close family member or a friend, professional guidance by a registered nurse elder care advisor with specialized geriatric training on the health and well-being of seniors will assist you in navigating your “golden years.”

Choosing to work with Future Health Now, an elder care advising firm located in Doylestown and learning about the wide-ranging options is the first step towards your peace of mind allay fears and relieve stress by providing expert advice, support and advocacy to bring clarity to any situation.

The services offered by Future Health Now include: designing a plan of care; guiding to appropriate community services; referring to legal and financial professionals; mediating toward resolution of family conflicts about care options; and serving as the point-of-care nurse advocate providing clarity about medical diagnosis and treatment plan options, to performing medication review while advocating for the best clinical care outcomes for your loved one.

Throughout the ever changing challenges of caring for elders, consider consulting with Future Health Now’s Alesia DeFrancesco, RN elder care advisor and health care advocate for the advice you need finding the best path forward toward the optimal health and wellness you desire for yourself or your loved one.Together with you, Future Health Now will tackle the tough decisions that need to be made to obtain the right care in the right setting at the right time. We come to your home, facility or hospital.

Alesia A. De Francesco RN is President & CEO of My Future Health Now. She is an elder care advisor/healthcare consultant. To schedule an appointment, call 215-872-6155 or visit www.myfuturehealthnow.com.

NURSE ELDER CARE ADVISOR RESERVE YOUR BRAND NEW APARTMENT

Construction is complete on 30 NEW Independent Living Suite Apartments. This includes a limited number of 2-bedroom, 2-bath suites with a den. Many of these suite apartments have already been reserved. NOW is the time to reserve YOURS!

To schedule an appointment to tour our model apartment or learn more, please contact Mary Thompson at 215-956-1802 or mthompson@christshome.org.

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RSURPRISE PINNING BY GRANDMOTHER

achael Martin’s graduation from St. Luke’s School of Nursing (SON) took a surprising and heartwarming turn when the 23-year-old’s grandmother Peggy Hoffman—a 1958 SON graduate—rose to her feet to join in the traditional “pinning” ceremony. Pinning is the symbolic ceremony of welcoming graduating nurses to the caring profession, which has been deemed the most trusted in the world.

Peggy Hoffman, Rachael’s role model, had worked and taught nursing students at the St. Luke’s Bethlehem Hospital and at Northampton Community College before starting a family. “She’s has always been very important to me and influenced me to become a nurse,” said Rachael, who is now a Registered Nurse working in the emergency department at St. Luke’s Anderson Campus.

Unknown to Rachael, a 2018 Palisades High School graduate who lives in Riegelsville, her mother, Becky Martin, and grandmother were planning to surprise Rachael when she received her School of Nursing pin. As the pinning ceremony got underway, each of the 52 graduating nurses was pinned by Alyssa Villegas, MSN,

one of their instructors. All eyes were on each student on the most important day of their educational journey.

When it was Rachael’s turn to have her St. Luke’s School of Nursing pin attached to her uniform collar, Villegas surprised her. “She told me ‘You’re going to give this pin to the woman standing down there,’” pointing to Rachael’s smiling grandmother, standing at the bottom of the stage, alongside Rachael’s mother and Aunt Janine Harris, a nurse anesthetist who came to the ceremony from her home in Colorado. “It was such as surprise!” she recalls.

Hoffman pinned her granddaughter, gave her a hug and kiss, and the audience erupted in applause. “I cried,” said Rachael. “My grandmother cried, and I think the entire audience cried!”

The surprise was the emotional high point for Rachael and her family—and quite possibly for everyone there. In that memorable moment, the nursing history in that family was extended to another generation who got her start at St. Luke’s School of Nursing, the longest continuously operating nursing school in the country.

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CARING FOR WOMEN

Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic offers a wide array of comprehensive services for women’s health that are easy to access across our health system. Locally at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pa., our team is committed to caring for women through every stage of their life. From routine visits and breast health to childbirth and surgery—you can rely on Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic’s experienced and compassionate OB/GYNs and other medical professionals for whole-person, whole-life health care.

Women most often require care from obstetrics and gynecology physicians outside the general scope of primary care.The Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic team at OB/GYN Langhorne is a top choice for gynecology services and family and maternal planning. In addition to general OB/GYN services, St. Mary Medical Center is proud to offer prenatal and breastfeeding classes, as well as a full suite of educational workshops by appointment.

Maternal planning and finding the right doctor to help you on your motherhood journey is essential. Recently, expert OB/GYN Sarah Goodheart, DO, joined the Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic Medical Group serving greater Bucks County at OB/GYN Langhorne and OB/GYN Feasterville. Dr. Goodheart is a trusted and respected physician who has delivered hundreds of babies throughout her career.To begin your journey to motherhood with Dr. Goodheart or learn more about maternity services at St Mary Medical Center, visit www.trinityhealthma.org/maternity.

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When facing the challenging decision about where you or a loved one can safely and joyfully live during the later seasons of life, clearly most people want to remain in their home or be somewhere they can truly call home.A place where independence is valued and life is enriched by new friends and a warm dedicated staff. Somewhere that one can get the care and attention wanted and needed, while meeting one’s heart’s desire for a new home that offers privacy, a chef with specialized menus and delicious food, an array of supportive services and a full range of great activities on site. This place is waiting for you nestled on a lovely wooded 20-acre lot on the outskirts of the bustling town of Lambertville.

Lambertville Estate is a personalized, intimate living environment designed for all stages of senior living. It is a non-medical community for elders. It supports memory and personal care at a staffing ratio half that of traditional institutions so that care is often at times as close to 1:1 ratio as possible—avoiding paying high agency premiums in your home or other care settings.

The Estate residents enjoy private rooms, chef-prepared meals and all the comforts of home with daily activities that meet a wide range of abilities and interests.

If what you are looking for is a high-end homelike setting where you can have peace of mind knowing that you or your loved one will be cared for and treated like family, let Lambertville Estate be your next move.

For more information call 609-460-4497 or email lambertville36@gmail.com or visit www.lambertvilleestate.com.

Senior Living at it’s Finest

Whether care is being delivered in the home or in the

we can help. Together with you, we will tackle the tough decisions that need to be made in order to get medical clarity. We not only help you get answers, we provide solutions. Call today for free phone consultation with an

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Led by locals with first-hand experience of the health benefits of cannabis use, Union Chill Cannabis Company is the region’s premier locally owned—and Lambertville’s first—dispensary, and it’s quickly becoming a hotspot for cannabis education.

In fact, it’s not uncommon for new customers to seek out recommendations on using cannabis for various health needs, whether it be for sleep support, stress and anxiety relief, alleviating chronic pain or even boosting mood and serotonin levels. Many Americans even rely on cannabis to treat medical conditions like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis or manage the side effects of serious diseases like cancer.

Cannabis products with higher CBD levels can provide significant sleep aid. A naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant, CBD is not psychoactive and doesn't produce the “high” typically associated with cannabis use. Its anxiety-reducing properties can calm the mind and reduce feelings of anxiety that may interfere with sleep. Some studies even suggest that CBD could potentially help regulate sleep patterns and affect the duration of REM sleep. This ultimately promotes quality sleep and a more consistent sleep schedule, making it a favorite among many who struggle with poor sleep and insomnia.

Union Chill also offers an extensive range of products comprised of different strains with varying THC levels and terpenes. THC, the primary psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant, creates the euphoric “high” feeling many know and love. Strains with a balanced THC:CBD ratio can curate the perfect blend of calming sensations with euphoric mood boosting properties, without an overwhelming high.Terpenes, aromatic compounds found in cannabis, can yield uplifting and mood-enhancing effects. continued on page 147

CATARACT SURGERY WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH

After having increased difficulty with sight Dr. Stanley Sliwinski, MD realized it was time to consider cataract surgery. His first choice was Eye Associates of Bucks County (EABC) where Dr. Sliwinski had been a patient of Dr. Sagun Pendse for several years. His decision to have cataract surgery with EABC was based on his relationship with Dr. Pendse and his previous relationships with other physicians at EABC.

Preferring a no-pressure atmosphere, Dr. Sliwinski discussed his surgical options over several visits before making a final decision. Based on the need to address his changing vision, he and Dr. Pendse discussed the procedure and decided that a Monofocal lens would provide the best outcome. Prior to and after his surgery, Dr. Sliwinski says that he experienced great care and personal attention from the staff at the office and surgery center. Dr. Sliwinski also said that the surgery was a remarkable success, his vision has improved, and his eyesight is back to where it was when he was 20 years old. He reports, “I am incredibly happy with the superior care I received and the successful surgical outcome. I applaud the staff at Eye Associates of Bucks County and the surgical center for their attention to detail.”

Wondering if cataract surgery with EABC might be right for you? Consider that EABC has been serving the Langhorne area

for over 40 years and is a leader in cataract surgery. EABC uses the latest technology and lenses to improve and preserve sight. At Eye Associates of Bucks County, Dr. Pendse and his fellow physicians believe that every decision should be informed and personal, they dedicate themselves to pro-

tecting, improving, and preserving eye health for each patient. If you would like to be involved with making an informed decision about your eye health, call Eye Associates of Bucks County at (833) 921-6200 or visit www.centerforeyes.com to schedule an appointment.

THE COMPUTER FOR YOUR EARS

By Dr. Patrick M. Murphy, Au.D., M.Ed., CCC-A, FAAA

The connotation of a hearing aid used to be an amplifier which projected noise and whistled when old people wore them. This is far from the truth today. Hearing aids have progressed from ear trumpets to small box transistor amplifiers with wire from a pocket to the ear to high tech devices with miniaturized computer chips.

Better hearing is available for everyone

from a board certified & licensed private practice audiologist. At your scheduled appointment, this professional will perform a complete audiological evaluation with case history. This session takes about thirty minutes. The results will be reviewed, and professional recommendations provided. If amplification is warranted, your audiologist will display and discuss the array of styles for

the manufacturer’s models. Once the selection is made, paperwork completed, and deposit placed, your order will be issued to the manufacturer.

Approximately two weeks later a fitting will be scheduled. Your evaluation is entered into the computer, devices placed on your ears, program calibrated, and subjective adjustments are made.Your audiologist will provide counseling and aural rehabilitation to ensure the best fit possible. You are starting a thirty-day evaluation period. During this period, your audiologist will continue to review progress, concerns, and adjust your acoustic preferences for better hearing.

Digital hearing aids are designed to be sleek, modern, and functional for comfort and durability. The technological advances in speech processing maintain audibility and intelligibility in all listening environments centered upon the person’s hearing loss. Essentially, the devices contain a ‘brain’ to perform millions of calculations per second. This new smart device provides clear sound while reducing distractions with the microphone cover to limit wind and touch noise. It increases focus with the microphone placed at an optimized angle to enhance directionality and improve performance.

Convenience is the objective in better hearing. A rechargeable option is available enabling 37 hours use with the improved battery life.The portable charger is mobile and capable of providing five full hearing aid charges before requiring the unit to be recharged. The devices contain a button to change volume or programs as desired. An app on your smart phone allows you to control a wide range of functions including program changes, individual volume, frequency equalizer, streaming, and handling calls.

Your better hearing is a phone call away! Dr. Murphy’s office is located at 330 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA. To schedule an appointment, call 215-230-9000 or visit www.murphyhearingservices.com

Customers who are seeking an elated, mood-boosting cannabis experience should chose strains with higher levels of terpenes, such as limonene and pinene.

Union Chill ensures that every customer finds the answer to address their individual health needs. Those interested in exploring cannabis are welcome to meet with one of Union Chill’s knowledgeable budtenders. Consult with your healthcare provider before beginning a cannabis health plan. Your doctor's guidance, combined with Union Chill’s expertise and quality products, ensures that you receive the support and care you deserve on your wellness journey.

Union Chill Cannabis Company is located 204 North Union Street, Lambertville and offers free on-site parking in its handicap accessible lot, located off Elm Street. Learn more about Union Chill at www.unionchillco.com.

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Union Chill Cannabis Company

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MAMMOGRAMS

AT LOWER BUCKS HOSPITAL

While your family may not have a history of breast cancer, it is still important to prioritize your breast health. Lower Bucks Hospital offers a range of comprehensive services, including mammograms, 3D mammograms, and breast MRIs, to ensure you receive the best care possible.

What exactly is a mammogram? It's a low-dose X-ray that can detect small abnormalities in breast tissue long before they can be seen or felt. Regular screening mammograms are crucial for the early detection of breast cancer, making it easier to treat.

3D mammography is the cutting-edge technology in screening, providing higher-quality images and greater accuracy compared to traditional methods. This leads to fewer false positives and missed diagnoses, which is particularly beneficial for individuals with dense breast tissue.

For those at an average risk of breast cancer, annual mammograms are recommended starting at age 40. Depending on your risk factors, your doctor may suggest earlier screenings or additional tests.

Remember, early detection from mammograms can truly save lives. Don't make excuses; make that appointment. Lower Bucks Hospital is located at 501 Bath Rd, Bristol, PA. Call (215) 785-9343 to schedule your visit, and let's work together to beat breast cancer.

COMPREHENSIVE HOME CARE SERVICES

LCHS offers reliable in-home personal care services, 24/7 live-in care, concierge transportation, case management, home modifications and many more supportive services to families in our Bucks County communities. Call today! We take the worry out of caring for someone you love.